TheTechMatterAnswer: Japan Travel & Internet survival guide

For a trip planning is essential to have a map of Japan relatively cheap (for example, can be purchased here (or on ebay) in a water proof version),

After choosing the places to visit, you can request an information brochure on paper, usually with some maps(for those that live in Europe) at: http://www.tourisme-japon.fr/contact/index.php

and also use the approximate pdf maps of JNTO website (there is a booklet for each city)

For those who want to have a map with him anywhere you can get Yahoo maps on your phone.

To obtain this you can install the program mgmaps (http://www.mgmaps.com) on a cell phone with integrated GPS receiver (for my trip, I used a Nokia 6220 classic) and load on the phone memory card the Yahoo maps using:

• This site to choose the areas you are interested in Japan and the detail level (zoom of the map) you want: http://www.mapcacher.com/
• This program to download the map pieces from Yahoo maps using the generated file of the previous website: http://www.mgmaps.com/cache/gMapMaker-setup.exe
• The folder with the maps so obtained from the web must be copied to the phone’s memory card into the appropriate folder of the software mgmmaps

Warning: it is good to reduce to essentials the map areas to be saved, because they are very bulky especially if you want maximum detail (simply choose an high zoom only for areas you are sure to visit).