English Language GPS for Japan

Author Message   Bob Dart Senior Member Username: Bobdart Post Number: 1261 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 76.29.20.239 Posted on Saturday, January 30, 2010 - 12:23 am:    Tome, thanks for the GPS information. I'll check out the website you provided. Of course I remember our meeting and your 17-pound backpack which I've set as the standard for my Space-A travel.   Tom DeMicke Senior Member Username: Typhoontom Post Number: 921 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 211.121.74.151 Posted on Friday, January 29, 2010 - 08:29 pm:    My Garmin Oregon 400t has the UpUpDown Japan map installed on it (actually just via the MicroSD) and I can't get lost even if I try. It's great, it even has turn-by-turn instructions just that it seldom gives the name of the road since most Japanese roads do not have names, just numbers. Good information, however...thanks for the post.   Crystal Culp Member Username: Crystalkei Post Number: 15 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 203.205.124.8 Posted on Friday, January 29, 2010 - 11:07 am:    We have a Japanese GPS in our car and it suits us fine. But we don't really use it the way you would use a GPS in the US. Last weekend we were on our way from Atsugi to Yokota, then Tama Hills. A couple of times we knew we were on the wrong roads from the base direction sheet we had. We used our GPS as a map and to tell us where we were. There is no way to tell it where to go in English anyways. If you're getting directions from the base to wherever, they are usually pretty accurate and then you can use the GPS in the rental to help you out if you get lost. You'll always know where you are, no way to figure out where you want to go!   Tom DeMicke Senior Member Username: Typhoontom Post Number: 918 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 211.121.74.151 Posted on Friday, January 29, 2010 - 05:44 am:    Hi Bob! Haven't seen you in a long time. We met at Yokota about 3 years or so ago. Anyway, I have the site for you! http://www.uud.info/en/ I bought a great map of Japan for my Garmin Oregon 400t handheld GPS and this map is great! It is 100% in English and very easy to use. Just make sure it will be compatible with your model. You can either download the map (that's good because the map is interactive on your PC but the downside is that it will be LOCKED into the unit you are using it for only, so if your unit ever breaks, needs replacement, or if you buy a new unit, you will have to throw the map away and buy a new one. The other version comes on a micro-SD disk but it not PC interactive but can be used in any compatible GPS unit. They ship domestically within Japan and internationally. Let me know if you have questions.   Bob Dart Senior Member Username: Bobdart Post Number: 1259 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 76.29.20.239 Posted on Friday, January 29, 2010 - 02:27 am:    I am unable to download my POIs for Japan and Korea on to any of my Garmins though Malaysia, Guam, Thailand, PI etc do readily download in decimal degrees (csv format). I can input the data manually but that is cumbersome. I've seen some 3rd party maps that are advertised to work but I am still looking for a map of Japan on an SD card to use when I'm there. I've rented cars with portable Japanese GPS devices but never did figure out how to work them or have them work for me.   Kenneth C. Arthurs New member Username: Kcarthurs Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2009 Posted From: 71.22.41.221 Posted on Monday, January 04, 2010 - 11:11 pm:    First, let me thank you all for your info. I've previously been stationed in Japan and have driven there in the past. I've checked with the rental car agencies and am aware of their requirements. I fully intend to utilize the Japanese public transportation where available. However, there are some things that I want to do that requires private transportation and I was looking to make things easier as I own a GPS and love it. Looks like I will live with the good ole road map. Thanks again to all.   Tom DeMicke Senior Member Username: Typhoontom Post Number: 882 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 211.121.74.139 Posted on Sunday, December 27, 2009 - 05:21 am:    Hi Cherry C. and Kenneth: I was fascinated by your posts and would like to add my JPY002 worth: 1. GPS maps on rental cars are indeed Japanese and can be very complicated. I have a Garmin Oregon 400t handheld unit and have a Japan map in English inttalled on it via the SD-micro chip. The map is a saint! It is extremely accurate, shows every road and even trail. Unfortunately it was very expensive and would not be worth purchasing if you are only going to visit Japan once or twice, but worth it to me since I live here (actually, I live on Okinawa) but travel to Yokota twice a year. 2. I'm not sure if someone who is on active duty needs an international driver's license to drive here, but I believe retirees do, I'm just not sure. I'll leave that up to the experts who may know more than me. I have permanent residency status so I have a real Japanese driver's license. 3. Driving conditions in Japan: I would say that Cherry C. comments are very, very accurate regarding driving here on Okinawa, but I have found driving on mainland Japan far, far more pleasant. Yes, they do drive differently but differently doesn't necessarily mean bad. I will say, having driven on Okinawa for nearly 20 years, it leaves lots to be desired. In summary, it is best to not rent a car as Cherry C. states, and to use public transporatation. Yokota is very, very easy to get around and the surrounding community (Fussa City) is practically walkable. Trains are convenient, signs are in English and you can hardly make any mistakes. The price is right too. Good luck to you and happy holidays to everyone!   Cherry C. Senior Member Username: Cherry Post Number: 5980 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 96.241.127.69 Posted on Saturday, December 26, 2009 - 11:57 am:    Unless it is absolutely necessary to drive in Japan, I sincerely advise against it. Not only are they driving on the left, but the roads are narrow, you are functionally illiterate (only on very main roads will the signs contain some English) and the Japanese drivers seem to exhibit an Asian sense of fatalism concerning personal safety. Not to mention the rudeness. Yes, I know, the Japanese are widely believed to be very courteous BUT it was our actual experience when stationed there that the politeness was only when face to face. When interacting at a distance such from inside your car (or shoving onto a crowded subway car), it totally disappeared. Under such circumstances pushing ahead, taking crazy chances like passing drivers WHO WERE ALREADY PASSING OTHER DRIVERS ON BLIND CURVES, etc. was the norm... After 2 years I finally gave up driving off base because I firmly believed I had cheated the Law of Averages too often and did not want to leave my children motherless. Because relatively few Japanese have automobiles, the public transit system is excellent. Also, taxis are widely available and reasonably priced (but you may need to have a slip of paper to show the driver, with your destination written in Japanese [unless your pronunciation is excellent]). Again, if there is any way you can get to your desired destination(s) in Japan without renting a car I URGE you to do so.   Lester Green Advanced Member Username: Rtgreen5 Post Number: 236 Registered: 03-2007 Posted From: 69.143.223.11 Posted on Thursday, December 24, 2009 - 09:18 pm:    Ken: You know that in Japan they drive on the opposite side of the road, and I was told when I was there that I would need an International Driver's license to rent a car there and in S.Korea.   Jack T. Paxton Senior Member Username: Jpaxton Post Number: 722 Registered: 07-2003 Posted From: 24.27.231.67 Posted on Thursday, December 24, 2009 - 08:21 pm:    Suggest you go to www.garmin.com and ask them. My unit with Europe worked well there.   Kenneth C. Arthurs New member Username: Kcarthurs Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2009 Posted From: 71.22.41.221 Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2009 - 07:12 pm:    I'm planning to visit Japan in late spring (Apr/May) and intend to rent a car. Probably at Yokota. The car rental agency has GPS' in Japanese but not English. I was wondering if anyone knows if you can rent one somewhere or, as a last resort purchase one there. I'll only use it for a few days so I really don't want to buy one. All advise greatly appreciated.