Pages

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Maps

A lot of people have trouble making sense of maps of Tokyo neighborhoods and they become frustrated. Don't.

Realize that these maps are only a puzzle to be played with, not a serious guide to finding a place. Houses are given a number when they are constructed, so numbers are not consecutive.  It is the job of the neighborhood policeman in his koban to know where everything is and to be able to guide people who come to him for help to where they want to go.

But click on this for the view of Ian Kennedy, a former Tokyoite who has been lost in its streets so often it just seems natural.