After the Bomb - Hiroshima Panoramas

360Cities has posted five amazing and shocking 360 degree panoramas of Hiroshima in Japan, taken just six months after the USA dropped an atomic bomb on the city.



Panning the photos around 360 degrees and viewing the total destruction as far as you can see powerfully conveys the effect that the bomb had on the city. According to Wikipedia '4.7 square miles (12 km2) of the city were destroyed (and) Japanese officials determined that 69% of Hiroshima's buildings were destroyed and another 6–7% damaged.'







The panorama taken by Shigeo Hayashi clearly shows what is now the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Last week Google released imagery of the Peace Memorial that allows you to view the interior of the memorial on Google Maps Street View.



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Japanese Castles on Google Maps

Daniel O'Grady's excellent Japanese Castle Explorer has been updated to take advantage of all the new wonderful Street View imagery available for Japan.

This year the Street View trike has been very busy in Japan capturing a lot of beautiful new off-road imagery, particular in the grounds of some of Japan's castles.

The Japanese Castle Explorer is a great map that shows the locations of Japan's most famous (and plenty of lesser known) castles. The map allows you to view Japan's castles in Google Maps satellite view. Now it is also possible, where available, to view the castles in Street View.

The map is available in English and Japanese versions. You can view an example of the Street View at Himeji Castle (use the link to 'Other Castle Panoramas' in the sidebar to navigate to view other castles in Street View).

Japanese Castle Explorer

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New Street View in Japan

The Street View trike has been very busy in Japan. A lot of beautiful new off-road imagery has been added to Google Maps in Japan.

The imagery includes new Street Views of temples, golf course and theme parks. I've spent a little time this afternoon on a virtual tour of Japanese tourist locations and managed to put together this little collection of Street Views.

I'm sure I've missed a lot of the imagery captured by the Street View trike in Japan ... tell me what I've missed in the comments.

Street View Japan

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Historical Map Collections

One of the most popular uses of the Google Maps API since it was launched six years ago has been as a tool to view historical maps. The David Rumsey Collection, with its huge collection of historical maps, obviously stands out.

However it does not stand alone.

In the last six years Google Maps Mania has reviewed historical map mashups from the Netherlands, the UK, the USA, France, Japan and many other countries around the world. Here is a round-up of some of the best historical map we've seen:

David Rumsey Google Map Collection

The David Rumsey Google Map Collection contains an amazing 120 historical maps overlaid on Google Maps. For, example, the screen shot above shows an 1832 map of London overlaid on the current Google Map of London.

Highlights of the new maps include the first accurate survey of Yosemite Valley, California, from 1883, maps of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Washington DC, Denver, Chicago, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Calcutta, Lima, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Beijing, Tokyo, Kyoto, and more – all from times ranging from the 18^th to the 20^th centuries.

Also See

HyperCities - collection of worldwide historical maps
Maps of Edinburgh, 1765-1945
Historiekaart - Historical Dutch maps from 1829 to 1949
Utrecht van Boven
Amersfoort 750 op de Kaart
Atlas of Historic New Mexico Maps
Historical Maps of Tokyo
Historical Maps of Paris
Henry Hudson 400 - US historical maps
PhilaPlace - Philadelphia
Retromap - historical maps of Moscow

Have we missed any historical maps mashups? If so - tell us in the comments ...

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Japanese Radiation Wind Map

Fukushima Wind Map

This Japanese Google Map displays wind predictions around the Fukushima power plant. The prediction data is taken from the Japanese Meteorological Association.

The map includes a slider control that allows you to view the predicted wind direction and speed at different times. If you move the slider to the right you can view the predicted wind directions. If you move the slider to the left you can view the wind predictions for the past few hours.

The map is based on a predicted model so the wind speeds and directions will be different on the ground. You can view the real-time wind direction on this Google Map from the same developers.

Also See

• Japan Radiation Maximum by Prefecture - a radiation readings map using data from System for Prediction of Environment Emergency Dose Information (SPEEDI)
• RDTN.org Japanese Radiation Levels - another map showing Pachube radiation feeds
• Greenpeace Map of Radiation Measurements - Google Map of radiation levels in Japan taken by Greenpeace radiation experts
• Japan Geigermap - a map of Japanese Geiger counter readings

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Radiation Readings on Google Maps

Japan Geigermap

Pachube, probably the leading platform for the 'Internet of Things', is providing access to the feeds produced by Japanese Geiger counters registered with them.

Using this data Japan Geigermap has produced a Google Map. The map uses markers that show at a glance the Geiger counter reading. The markers are all colour-coded to show how the reading measures against the average public space Geiger reading for Japan.

Also See

• Japan Radiation Maximum by Prefecture - a radiation readings map using data from System for Prediction of Environment Emergency Dose Information (SPEEDI)
• RDTN.org Japanese Radiation Levels - another map showing Pachube radiation feeds
• Greenpeace Map of Radiation Measurements - Google Map of radiation levels in Japan taken by Greenpeace radiation experts

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Send Your Support to Japan

Messages for Japan

Google have created a website using the Google Translate and Google Maps API's so that people can express their sympathy and support for the people of Japan.

With Messages for Japan you can write a message of support to the Japanese people. Your message will instantly br translated into Japanese using the Google Translation API and placed on a Google Map.

The map shows the locations of those who have sent messages. If you click on any of the map markers you can read the submitted messages of support. The messages can also be viewed in a non-map based visualisation.

Via: Google Blog

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Greenpeace Radiation Map

Greenpeace Map of Radiation Measurements

Greenpeace are calling for the Japanese government to widen the evacuation area around the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Greenpeace radiation experts took readings beyond the evacuation zone and found levels that they say are high enough to require evacuation beyond the official zone.

Greenpeace has created a Google Map of their readings taken on the 26th and 27th March. The map shows "radiation levels of up to ten micro Sieverts per hour in Iitate village, 40km northwest of the crisis-stricken Fukushima/Daiichi nuclear plant, and 20km beyond the official evacuation zone. These levels are high enough to require evacuation."

Via: Le Technoblog du LAC

Also See

Japan Radiation Maximum by Prefecture
RDTN.org Japanese Radiation Levels

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Japanese Air Flows on Google Maps

Shared Air

The Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic & Space Sciences at the University of Michigan has created this Google Map that shows the air flow to a number of Japanese cities. The purpose of the map "is to illustrate whether the air arriving in select locations has previously been near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant."

To view the air direction record for a city you just need to click on its map marker and select a date from a calendar. Trajectory lines for the wind on that day are then displayed on the map. The yellow overlay represents the probability of an upwind region's potential to influence air quality at this location on your selected day.

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Radiation Levels Mapped - Updated

Japan Radiation Maximum by Prefecture

The UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, warned today that the situation remains 'very serious' at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Many Japanese citizens are therefore obviously worried about radiation levels.

This TargetMap creation uses Google Maps to show the real-time radiation levels by prefecture. The data comes from the the System for Prediction of Environment Emergency Dose Information(SPEEDI). The results shown are the maximum values recorded in the latest update.

RDTN.org Japanese Radiation Levels

RTDN have created a Google Map of radiation level readings in Japan with data from Pachube and Marian Steinbach.

Each marker on the map displays the radiation level and the time of the reading. RTDN are also looking for people to submit their own accurate readings to the map, which you can do via a short form.


To provide context for these map you should also check out O'Reilly Radar's Open Street Map visualisations of radiation levels in Japan. The O'Reilly maps compare two days of recent radiation data with the normal radiation levels in Japan.

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Google Maps for Japan

The Google Crisis Response Team has released a number of Google Maps in response to the recent events in Japan. The Traffic Performance Map uses data provided by Honda to show which roads have been recently usable.



The Shelter Map uses data provided by the newspaper Mainichi to show the locations of shelters. It is possible to click on each of the marked shelters and get details on the number of displaced persons currently being sheltered.



The Rolling Blackouts Map shows areas that are affected by power outages. It is possible to search the map for planned power outage information by address or post code.



This map from Kuippa (not from Google) shows the areas affected by the current problems at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The map shows the different exclusion zones imposed around the plant.



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Time-Lapse of the Japanese Earthquakes

Japan Quake Map

Paul Nicholls, the developer of the Christchurch Quake Map, has created an animated visualisation of all the Japanese earthquakes since March 11th.

The Google Map shows the magnitude and depth of each recorded quake. The size of the displayed polygons reflects the magnitude of each individual earthquake and its colour reflects the depth.

You can pause and resume the animation. A drop down menu also allows you to select to view the data for a specific day.

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A 20km Exclusion Zone on Google Maps

20km Exclusion Zone - Comparison Tool

Japan has ordered a 20km (12 mile) exclusion zone around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Those living between 20km and 30km have also been told not to leave their homes.

I've created this Google Map to show the exclusion zone around the power plant. You can also use the search option to see what a 20km exclusion zone would look like at any other location around the world.

If the center of the zone doesn't exactly match your address you can also drag the marker to the location of your choice.

I've also added 33 serious nuclear power plant accidents around the world since 1952. The data comes from a Fusion Table created by The Guardian's Data Blog.

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New Satellite Images of Japan

Both The New York Times and ABC News have published before and after satellite imagery of the destruction caused by the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Both visualisations use new imagery captured by the GeoEye satellite.

Google are working to provide this data directly to response organizations on the ground to aid their efforts.


From ABC News


From the NYT


You can donate to the Japanese Red Cross Society here. You can also donate to the Japanese Red Cross with Google Checkout at the Google Crisis Response website.

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Earthquake Pictures & Videos Mapped

NYT - Japanese Earthquake Map

This Google Map from the New York Times displays photographs of the havoc caused by yesterday's earthquake and tsunami. The map also contains information about locations affected by the quake.

YouTube Videos of the Japan Earthquake

Mibazaar has created a Google Map of geotagged YouTube videos of the Japanese earthquake. It is possible to view the videos from the map.

Japan Earthquake Photos

Google Earth Outreach have released this Google Map where anyone can share their photographs of the earthquake. The map has only just been created so, at the time of writing, no photographs have yet been added.

CNN - Earthquake Impact Map

CNN has put together a number of video reports, photos and stories about the Japanese earthquake on this Google Map.

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Japan Earthquake Maps - Part Two

Google Crisis Response Map

The Google Crisis Response team has produced a Google Map to show the locations of shelters in Japan and the evacuation area around the Fukushima nuclear plant.

The map also includes layers to show the epicentre of the earthquake and the location of the tectonic plates.

CNN - Earthquake Impact Map

CNN has put together a number of video reports, photos and stories about the Japanese earthquake on this Google Map.

National Data Buoy Center Map

The NDBC uses Google Maps to show buoys in 'event' mode. Using the map you can view the measurements of water height for the last 5 days.

Using the map you can view the effect of yesterday's tsunami across the Pacific Ocean.

Earthquake Tweet Map

Mibazaar has rolled out his Tweet response map for the Japan Earthquake. The map allows you to view the latest real-time news from Japan as posted to Twitter. The map shows the latest Tweets concerned with the earthquake.

Seismic Activity in the Last 7 Days

This Google Maps from MapLarge shows seismic activity over the last 7 days. The map markers are color-coded and sized to reflect the strength of activity at different locations.

Also See

Japan Earthquake Maps

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Japanese Earthquake Maps

A massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake has hit off the north-east coast of Japan causing a tsunami that has caused extensive damage. The earthquake struck about 250 miles from Tokyo and there have been powerful aftershocks.


Map from Earthquakes in the Last Week

Google has released a Person Finder for Japan. Using the application it is possible to search for information or add information for someone who may have been affected by the earthquake.

This Google Map shows the locations of impromptu shelters set-up to help with food, drink and blankets etc.


Temporary Shelters Map

The USGS has created a Google Gadget that allows you to view near real-time earthquake information. The gadget uses the Google Earth browser plug-in to show worldwide seismic hotspots.


Map from Real-time Earthquakes

In the USA the National Weather Service Forecast Office has issued a tsunami warning for the west coast of America.


NWSFO tsunami warning for the San Francisco / Monterey Bay area

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New Japanese Street View Imagery

The Google Street View trike has been out and about in the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The new Street View imagery includes the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and serves as a memorial to the people who were killed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.


Hiroshima Peace Memorial (the Atomic Bomb Dome)

Google have also added Street View imagery of the impressive Itsukushima Shrine, both at low tide and at high tide.




Itsukushima Shrine

Another new addition is, I think, the first Street View imagery of a baseball stadium on Google Maps.


The MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium, Hiroshima

Via: Google Japan Blog

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Tokyo Shopping on Google Maps

Interactive Akihabara Map

Eric Delattre recently moved to Tokyo. He quickly fell in love with the Akiba district of Tokyo. Akihabara is a major shopping area for electronics, computers, anime, and otaku goods. However Eric was disappointed because he couldn't find a good guide to the shops, restaurant and bars in the area so he decided to develop this Google Maps based guide to the area.

The map shows the locations of all the best places in Akihabara. The locations are categorised so it is possible to refine the markers shown on the map by computer / electronics. anime / Manga, restaurants etc.

Like many areas in Japan the best shops are often hard to find, for example they may be found on the 6th floor or behind a small hard to find door. Therefore Eric has included a function that allows anyone to add locations to the map.

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21st Century Geoglyphs on Google Maps

Tokyo Zoo Project

Over the last five years some of the most imaginative uses of the Google Maps API have come from Japan. The Tokyo Zoo Project from Sony is another inspired map that really showcases the power of Google Maps.

Sony have taken the street map of Tokyo and drawn a number of animals using the city's road system. The result is a collection of animal geoglyphs that you can view on Google Maps.

You can select any of the animals on the map and follow the outline route that was used to create the animal. The map animates the route and shows photographs of points of interest that can be seen on the journey.

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