Usually one of the quickest ways to tell locals from tourists is to watch who uses maps.
It usually people from “away” who need maps ( I can’t imagine a New Yorker using a map).
Not so in Tokyo. The most popular area of any metro station is the map of the area.
This leads to one of my biggest peeves with Tokyo… There are maps everywhere ( good thing) but north can be and is any direction on the map… Walk 20 meters between two maps an the “you are here ” looks completely different!
On one map north was in the bottom left and the next it is 2/3 of the way up the right side.
As far as I can tell the placement of north is dependent on what makes the map most visually appealing!!!!!
On the streets their are always people walking around with their cell phones open…. Using them as gps.
Stores are used to people asking directions and most local Koban’s ( police boxes) main purpose ( I think) is to guide lost people. ( and to check if your bike is registered).
It is very common… normal… And expected to ask people directions… even I get asked… so everyone takes it in stride.
And then there are directions. Anyone who has ever followed cottage country directions will be at home here( second left after the staba( starbucks), then right after the misdo ( Mister Donut)…you can’t miss it!!!
Give yourself time to get where you are going if you have never been there…
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