Train/subway routefinder in english
The most important thing for survival in Tokyo is probably knowing the locations of the kebab shops.
But second to that might be getting around using train and subways. Some of you might not know that there are route finders available in english, both on the web and even for your mobile phone. I have used it for a year and the service is same as the public transportation system as a whole, absolutely flawless. Check following links:
Service on the web:
http://jorudan.co.jp/english/
Instruction how to use it for your mobile phone:
http://jorudan.co.jp/english/next.html
Note 1: I think there is a pay version and a free version of the mobile access and that I am using the free version but I am not sure since I am not paying the bills or read Japanese. Please give feedback regarding this is info.
Note 2: Best kebab shop is “Kebabbox”, southeast gate in Shinjuku. Already verified and no feedback required.
July 12th, 2007 at 12:06
Also worth checking out is Google Transit, which gives you a nice map overview of your trip, as well as walking directions to and from the station. Check it out here: http://www.google.com/transit , and then click on “Japan” in the bottom left corner. It also works on mobile (transit.google.co.jp , I think). The interface is combined English / Japanese, but you have to input the station names / addresses in Japanese.