Map Room

Approximately 510,000 domestic and foreign single-sheet maps published during and after the Meiji Era (from 1868) and residential maps of Japan are available in the Map Room. Some atlases and books on maps are also available.

Japanese maps produced by national mapping authorities

Topographical maps produced by the Geographical Survey Institute (including the Army Land Survey in the General Staff Office), and hydrographical charts and geological maps produced by government agencies.

Gaihozu

Topographical maps and military maps of foreign countries and of occupied areas produced by the General Staff Office, the Governor-General of Korea, and the Governor-General of Taiwan before 1945.

Basic maps of foreign countries (or equivalent)

Topographical maps of each country and region. The collection lacks maps of some areas in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, East European countries.

Town maps, tourist maps, subject maps, photo-reproductions of old maps are also available.

Residential maps

A collection of approximately 80,000 volumes of maps covering almost all parts of Japan.

Most domestic and foreign atlases, Rosenka-zu (the land price data published by the National Tax Administration Agency)

• Book counter

(Some atlases are on open shelves in the Map Room.)

Old maps up to the Edo Period (before 1868)

• Rare Books and Old Materials Room

On open shelves

Reference books and current editions of residential maps of main cities.

In closed stacks

Single-sheet maps and residential maps other than the above.

• No special registration is required to use the room.
• Materials on open shelves may be viewed freely.
• User registration is required to view materials in closed stacks.
• Please make a request on NDL Search terminal for the materials in closed stacks.
• To use materials not included in NDL Search, fill in a call-slip and submit it at the counter.
• Materials are to be used only in the room except when brought out to be copied.

• Parts of each map can be copied in conformity with the provisions of the Copyright Law and the related laws.
• Photocopying may not be permitted if there is any risk of damage to an item.
• No more than 5 maps can be ordered at any one time. One person can order photoduplication of residential maps only three times a day.