Bow Note vs Tokyo Ward Map Puzzle
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Bow Note
Learn the proper etiquette for visiting Japanese shrines. This app explains the angles and usage of different bows, and even measures your bow angle using your device's gyroscope. Enhance your cultural understanding and make your shrine visits more meaningful.
- Shrine bowing etiquette explanation
- Bow angle measurement
- Standard Japanese usage guide
- Cultural insights for Japan visitors
- O-mikuji fortune telling
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Great for visiting shrines! You can even get o-mikuji! Recommended for the following people! ・Those who are scheduled to, or would like to visit Japan ・Those who would like to visit shrines ・Those who have an interest in Japanese culture There are a number of angles to the bows used when visiting shrines, (though they are not the kind that the gods will punish you for not following) and it will make your visit more smooth to know them beforehand, as well as surprise Japanese people when you know them better than they do. This app also has the ability to measure the angle of your bow(*), making it quite handy. (*You will need a gyroscope in your device.) It also has an explanation mode, which tells you the standard Japanese usage of each bow. ========Credit======== Music & Sound effects: MusMus Sound effects: Digital Gene
Tokyo Ward Map Puzzle
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Build the map of Tokyo and discover the stories behind its place names. Play puzzles of the 23 wards, Tama, the Izu and Ogasawara islands, and the neighborhoods inside every ward. Placing a piece unlocks an origin card in your Place Name Index. You can also tap a piece and its book button to read the story before placing it. • 996 place-name origin cards, covering all 23 wards • Japanese, English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Thai • Place names use the selected language’s script; Japanese offers kanji, hiragana, or romaji • Japanese name pronunciation, best times, and completion stamps • Designed for iPhone and iPad Maps and stories are bundled with the app. Play and read offline, without signing in. Entries clearly indicate when an origin is uncertain or has multiple explanations. Get to know Tokyo before your trip, or discover the story of a name you spot on a walk. Free, with no ads or in-app purchases.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Tokyo Ward Map Puzzle at none against Bow Note's shown. Tokyo Ward Map Puzzle also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 14 months). Bow Note's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Bow Note ships an update every 14 months, Tokyo Ward Map Puzzle every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Bow Note | Tokyo Ward Map Puzzle |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 14 months | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 60 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Plus Inc. (Japan) | Naoki Chiba |
In-app purchases
Bow Note
No in-app purchases
Tokyo Ward Map Puzzle
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Bow Note free?
Is Tokyo Ward Map Puzzle free?
Do Bow Note or Tokyo Ward Map Puzzle have ads?
Which is updated more often, Bow Note or Tokyo Ward Map Puzzle?
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