Just come to Japan and visit a 100-yen shop, where you can buy any of these items for 105 yen (after tax)! Or let Imaginatorium Shop deliver them to your letterbox, anywhere in the world!
"THE MAP" (all-Japan and Kanto region maps unfolded)
Enlarged samples
These are high quality maps, printed in full colour on tough paper, and based on source maps from the Japanese government Geographical Survey Institute. They are up-to-date editions (2001 or later), and show physical features, roads, railways, and ferry routes, but are entirely in Japanese*. The region and prefecture maps also have a sepia version on the back, which you can use to draw on.
* Ah, but when I first arrived in Japan I bought a "Romanised" map, and discovered that part of the process of making things easier for foreigners involves "simplifying" the arrangement of roads - whereas you can assume these maps are accurate, and impress your friends at the same time!
All maps are the same size: 91 x 62 cm (36" x 24")
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- The world in Japanese (1 : 45,000,000 Mercator* projection)
- All Japan (1 : 2,500,000)
- Regions - eight maps
- Individual prefectures
- Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka city area maps
* What's wrong with Mercator? Read my article. This map may give you a new perspective, though, since it has the Pacific in the middle.
Buying maps
All maps are the same price, including "SAL" economy airmail anywhere in the world: 300 yen each, plus a handling charge of 300 yen per order. For other shipping options, please ask.
To buy a single featured map for 600 yen (roughly 5-6 US dollars or euros; £3 sterling), click on the the link; for two (900 yen, roughly 8 US dollars or euros; £4-5 sterling) or more, or for any complications, use the Order form.
More information on ordering: see the FAQ. (Some of this only applies to jigsaw puzzles - maps are the same price anywhere in the world.)
Featured maps
| Flat wall maps |
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| Flat versions of some maps may also be available. Please ask. |
The "key" link gives more details and a key for each map; you can print it out for use with the map.
- All Japan 1:2,500,000 (key) - Buy now
- Hokkaido Region 1:800,000 (key) - Buy now
- Tohoku Region 1:720,000 (key) - Buy now
- Kanto Region 1:520,000 (key) - Buy now
- Chubu Region 1:550,000 (key) - Buy now
- Kinki Region 1:550,000 (key) - Buy now
- Chugoku Region 1:550,000 (key) - Buy now
- Shikoku Region 1:450,000 (key) - Buy now
- Kyushu Region 1:600,000 (key) - Buy now
- All Japan plus eight regions (3000 yen) - Buy now
Why is it "THE MAP"?
Well, for some reason, only capital letters really made it to Japan. And the English definite article enjoys an odd status here: no-one is very clear what it means, but it gets put in front of things that ought to be important. This particular 100-yen shop chain prefixes every single product line with the Japanese version - katakana za.
And the photo on the right? This is a competing chain, trying to undercut us with a price of "THE 98 yen". Yep, that little katakana 
represents the definite article.
Other map pages
Sano location map - "Where is the Imaginatorium?"
Maps and projections - my article on Mercator, Peters, et al.
