Comparison

Maps Explorer vs Tokyo Jisou Maps

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Maps Explorer

Features
Read full description

Maps Explorer is an app for those interested in history and antique maps. It allows you to experience the spirit of past eras, see how cities expanded, villages disappeared, roads changed, and discover hidden details of the landscape captured on old maps. The app features a vast collection of antique maps. If a specific old map is not available in the collection, Maps Explorer allows you to create georeferencing for any map yourself. This gives you full freedom to explore ancient maps and compare them with the modern landscape. The app also includes useful tools for map analysis: • Distance and area measurement; • Elevation profile generation for a selected route; • Viewing up-to-date satellite imagery of the Earth’s surface; In the “Help” section, you will find instructions, tips for georeferencing, and resources for finding maps. If you encounter any difficulties, the support team is always ready to assist you. Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jeT1gX6RLhfTBc0gOf0oEtGDg1GkQk3nymnjRePBpw8/edit?usp=sharing Terms of Use: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZGX5ArwDcSvA2gzOJJpHxavEDxff40hgPhApPRYc-o4/edit?usp=sharing

About

Tokyo Jisou Maps

Explore Tokyo's historical evolution through interactive maps from the Meiji era to the present. Overlay past and present views using GPS and time-layer functionality to understand the city's development.

Highlights
  • Historical map overlays
  • Time-axis exploration (Meiji to present)
  • GPS integration for location context
  • 3D land origin visualization
  • Multiple map types (old, terrain, contemporary)
  • Aerial photographs from various eras
Features
Read full description

The "Tokyo Jisou Maps" is a map application that allows you to learn about the changes in the Tokyo region, based on the time axis from the Meiji era to the present day. From the Meiji era (1868-1912), when modern surveying began with the opening of civilization, to the Taisho and Showa eras, through the Heisei era (1912-1989), and up to the present day, we have captured many maps that have been continuously produced in a small smartphone that fits in the palm of your hand. The "Tokyo Jisou Maps" allows you to know the origins of the land in three dimensions by using the GPS function and the "time-layer" that overlaps multiple eras. Enjoy time travel with your smartphone! ------------------ Type of map to display ------------------ Old Map ·Early Meiji (1/5,000) 1876-1884 ·Early Meiji (1/20,000 1880-1884 ·Late Meiji 1903-1909 ·Immediately before the Great Kanto earthquake 1917-1928 ·Pre-war and wartime Showa 1927-1939 ·From the end of the war to the late Showa 1945-1962 ·Late Showa to Heisei 1984 - 1990 Terrain ·Elevation Tinted Hillshade Contemporary Map ·GSI Maps ·Apple Maps ·Satellite ·Satellite (Show Labels) Aerial Photograph ·1928 ·1936-1942 ·1945-1950 ·1961-1969 ·1974-1978 ·1979-1983 ·1984-1986 ·1987-1990 ·After 2007 ---------------- Coverage of old maps ---------------- Coverage of Tokyo Jisou Maps (Japan Map Center website) https://info.jmc.or.jp/jisoumaps/tokyo/boundary/ ---------------- Caution ---------------- ·An Internet connection is required to view the map. ·The use of the recorded maps is subject to procedures based on laws and regulations. ·The accuracy of the location of the map is not guaranteed. Please treat it as reference information. ·The user shall be fully responsible for any and all damages incurred by the user in connection with the use of this application for any reason whatsoever, and Japan Map Center shall bear no responsibility whatsoever. ·The old maps included in this application may contain expressions that are considered inappropriate today, but they are included as they are as historical documents that show the era in which the maps were created. Please use with understanding. ---------------- Subscription ---------------- Subscription is required to view a variety of old maps and topographic maps. There is a 3-day free trial period for the first time. ·Subscription period and price (including tax) 1 week 100 yen 1 month 200 yen 1 year 800 yen ·Free Trial Period 3 days (only for the first subscription) After the free trial period ends, your subscription will automatically start. ---------------- Subscription billing and auto-renewal ---------------- ·Subscriptions to the App will be billed and invoiced and stored on behalf of Apple Inc. by means of the payment and payment methods offered by Apple Inc. in the App Store. The subscriber agrees to this. ·Unless you cancel your subscription at least 24 hours prior to the end of the subscription period, your purchased subscription period will be automatically renewed. ·The price of a new auto-renewing subscription will be fixed and charged within 24 hours of the end of the subscription period. ·Once a subscription has been charged, it cannot be cancelled (refunded). To cancel your subscription, please follow the instructions in "Canceling a Subscription" to stop the automatic renewal of your subscription. ---------------- Canceling a subscription ---------------- ·Subscribers may opt out of auto-renewal and cancel their subscriptions at any time. If you cancel your subscription, you will continue to have access to your billed subscriptions. ---------------- Subscription price change ---------------- Subscription prices are subject to change by Apple Inc.

Screenshots

Maps Explorer4 screens
Tokyo Jisou Maps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Tokyo Jisou Maps at none against Maps Explorer's shown. Maps Explorer's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Maps Explorer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.69 per month and Tokyo Jisou Maps sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Maps Explorer ships an update fortnightly, Tokyo Jisou Maps every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 4 level
Maps Explorer versus Tokyo Jisou Maps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMaps ExplorerTokyo Jisou Maps
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Subscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size86 MB10 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperMykola SukhynaJapan Map Center, Inc.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Maps Explorer

Subscriptions2
  • Maps Explorer Monthly$0.691 Month
  • Maps Explorer Yearly$4.991 Year
One-time1
  • Maps Explorer Lifetime$4.99
4 purchases

Tokyo Jisou Maps

Subscriptions4
  • Tokyo Jisou Maps (1 week)3 Days trial$0.497 Days
  • Tokyo Jisou Maps (1 month)3 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Tokyo Jisou Maps (1 year)3 Days trial$4.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Tokyo Jisou Maps (1 year)3 Months trial$4.991 Year

Questions

Is Maps Explorer free?
Maps Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tokyo Jisou Maps free?
Tokyo Jisou Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Maps Explorer or Tokyo Jisou Maps have ads?
Maps Explorer shows ads; Tokyo Jisou Maps does not.
Which is updated more often, Maps Explorer or Tokyo Jisou Maps?
Maps Explorer ships an update fortnightly, and Tokyo Jisou Maps every 3 months. Most recently, Maps Explorer was updated on October 25, 2026 and Tokyo Jisou Maps on October 25, 2026.

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