# TimeScope > Virtual time travel app for exploring ancient Kyoto's Imperial Court Compound. (iPhone/iPad app by ASTEM/RI.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timescope/id388359386 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [ASTEM/RI](https://appshunter.io/developer/354983137) - Category: Navigation, Travel - Price: Free - Rating: 1.90/5 from 9 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 9.0 · 138 MB - Languages: American English, Japanese - Released: 2010-09-02 - Data updated: 2026-08-27 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timescope/id388359386/reviews.md ## What is TimeScope? Why not look into the history of Kyoto? 【About TimeScope】 TimeScope offers a kind of time travel experience in Kyoto though the iPhone/iPad. The time travel world of Time Scope offers the Imperial Court Compound (Chodo-in) of ancient Kyoto's (Heian Era) Greater Imperial Palace (centered around Senbon-dori stretching from Nijo-dori in the south to the area around Marutamachi-dori in the north). This is where the Imperial Court Compound stood; here, enthronement ceremonies, marriage celebrations and other important ceremonies would be held in the Great Hall of State (Daigoku-den); here, public officials would conduct state affairs from the 12 buildings that made up the Court of Ministries (Chodo). Please be sure to hold the iPhone up in front of you for the opportunity to walk into TimeScope's world. All around you the scenes of ancient Kyoto will appear. You can probably have the "I didn't know this about Kyoto" discovery as you peek in on various places. [Demonstration] In preview mode, from any location you can see the scenes of ancient Kyoto by tapping the green pins. [Features] ・360 degrees Scenes Using the GPS electronic compass and accelerometer we reproduce 360 degrees scenes of ancient Kyoto according the the users location and orientation as well as the vertical orientation of the iPhone/iPad. ・Map Overlay 　Holding the iPhone/iPad horizontally to the ground you can see a map view with the layout of the buildings from the past allowing you to easily understand the relationship to the current buildings. ・Detailed Descriptions Tap on a building on the display to see its function and a detailed description. ## Key features - 360-degree historical scenes - GPS and compass integration - Map overlay of ancient buildings - Detailed building descriptions - Virtual time travel experience ## Recent user reviews (3 of 3) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timescope/id388359386/reviews.md ### 1/5 — 利用範囲は御所だけなのか？ *2012-12-14, version 1.0.1* データを作る利益をどこから得るかが問題だろうが、使える範囲の充実はいつなのか？ ### 5/5 — Super Reality in Kyoto, Japan! *2010-09-26* I have been there and done this; it's really super! These days there are many applications that tout augmented reality with the camera; TimeScope is different! The camera is not used and it's not really virtual reality either! The present is being enhanced with a scene from the past, so I want to call it super reality! If you are not in Kyoto you can use the preview mode to get an idea of the views but it' not the same as being there. Since it's location based you have to come to Kyoto to get the full experience. This might not be obvious since you can use preview mode but make no mistake, if you are not in the right place in Kyoto this super reality isn't really as super. Do you love iPhone apps? Are planing to visit Kyoto? If so, make this app a destination in Kyoto. My one criticism of the interface is the "under construction" graphic. I think it should be a little more inviting... Perhaps an invitation to Kyoto with glowing preview button that would make it more obvious how to experience this super reality app. ### 4/5 — 発想は楽しい *2010-09-05, version 0* 発想はすごくいい。 でも京都のその場にいないと楽しめない。 仮想空間的でもプレビューよりも深めに見れればいいのに…… この考え方で東京の江戸Verとか明治Verとか色々作れそうですね。 ## Frequently asked questions about TimeScope ### What is TimeScope? TimeScope is a navigation app that offers a virtual time travel experience in Kyoto, allowing users to explore the Imperial Court Compound of the Heian Era through their iPhone or iPad. ### How does TimeScope work? By holding your iPhone or iPad up, you can walk through virtual 360-degree scenes of ancient Kyoto. The app uses GPS, electronic compass, and accelerometer to reproduce scenes based on your location and orientation. ### Can I see the layout of ancient buildings? Yes, by holding your device horizontally, you can view a map overlay showing the layout of ancient buildings, helping you understand their relationship to current structures. ### What information does TimeScope provide about buildings? You can tap on any building displayed in the app to access its function and a detailed historical description, offering insights into ancient Kyoto's architecture and purpose. ### Is TimeScope available on Android devices? Based on the provided data, TimeScope is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod, but there is no information indicating Android compatibility. ### What is the user rating for TimeScope? TimeScope has a user rating of 1.9 stars from 9 ratings, suggesting potential areas for improvement based on user feedback. ### How often is TimeScope updated? The latest version of TimeScope is 1.0.2, which was last updated on September 11, 2019. This indicates infrequent updates. ### Does TimeScope have ads? No, TimeScope does not contain advertisements. The app is free to download and use without any ad interruptions. ## Version history (last 3 releases) ### 1.0.2 — 2019-09-11 Supported the latest OS. ### 1.0.1 — 2011-04-11 bug fix ### 1.0.0 — 2010-09-02 No release notes. ## More apps by ASTEM/RI - [京都市子育てアプリ「京都はぐくみアプリ」](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id960622346) - [VR名護屋城](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vr/id972387278) - [名護屋城巡り](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id972387898) - [みっけ隊　ー美しい京を守る応援隊ー](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id1073095247) - [YashimaCastle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yashimacastle/id1090916720) All apps by ASTEM/RI: https://appshunter.io/developer/354983137 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*