What navigation system do you prefer? We loose GPS signal when using Google Maps in the tunnels under Tokyo. While this makes sense for obvious reasons, I still have a difficult time believing there is not a solution! Also, Google Maps seems to struggle with Kanji and this has also created difficulty for us translating in the split seconds before an exit. We have spent too much time and money being misdirected not to ask… Has anyone found a good solution?
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Yeah, built-in Navi is the way to go. Otherwise if you need/want to use Gmaps, you need to check on your route ahead of time and remember the major exits/interchanges it’s going to bring you through so you can rely on your brain underground until GPS can get maps back on track. After a while it becomes 2nd nature and you remember the exits for the general direction you’re headed.
Helps to have a passenger seat navigator who can be looking on their own phone while you focus on the driving. It becomes a fun “team building” exercise, too. My wife and I pat each other on the back every time we “defeat” the Shutokou together.
Funny google maps does a decent enough job guestimating where I am. It has a lot more trouble figuring out which level I’m on which is bad in a couple of spots where there is raised toll road, street level, then tunnel. Shibuya comes immediately to mind..
I memorise the connections and exists I need to make in advance. Even if you’re not good at kanji, they often put an alphanumeric code for the highway beside the name.
After a few times, you’ll likely get familiar with the highway system in Tokyo.
Google maps seems to be the best there is for apps. It’s lost it’s bearing for me on occasion but it tries it’s best. I can’t say the same for the Yahoo Nav because it just gives up in a tunnel. Shame because i would like its interface better. For the kanji, I recommend if you’re comfortable enough with Japanese to switch your Google maps language to Japanese. It makes things a lot easier.
If you have in car navigation though, that does work best in tunnels. They still make stand-alone units for cars that can’t have one fitted.
If I’m not mistaken, Google Maps still allows downloading of maps to your device so that you can use them even when you do not have a connection. I’m not entirely sure if you’re referring to driving directions or not, but perhaps using a map that’s already saved on your device might speed things up if location’s the only thing being uploaded.
Built in navigation in the japanese cars works perfectly on highways and tunnels under tokyo. Google Maps not so much.