Has anyone come across a car navigation system for Japan with a bilingual (i.e., English) display? We have asked at a few shops and had no luck so far.

We will buy a Japanese system if an English one is not available. In this case, we would want to buy a model that is also sold overseas, so that we can get an English user's guide. Any suggestions?

YES!
It finally exists. It has been developed by Nissan and is available in their new cars in the usual way.

And...
You can buy one and have it fitted to any other car by Occidental Cars. I just went there the other day and saw a demo. It is the real thing with all menus & voice prompts in Japanese. More English than I was expecting.

It is certainly useable, but I would give the following minor caveats:
1. The maps are still in Japanese. You just need to play "match the kanji" to confirm things. Very doable.
2. The unit is capable of receiving real time traffic information on something called the VICS system. This is very useful as it will take into account congestion it learns about on this and route you accordingly. The caveat is that I could not get 100% confirmation that this option is included in the quoted price of
3. 280,000 yen installed.

If you can afford it, this is the real deal as far as I could tell.

Oh, yes. It does have a complete English users manual in decent English, even.

If you really get into it, and use the information on shops & restaurants and things, the "English" is an amusing "romanization" of the Japanese. It makes no sense at all if you know the Japanese, and even then it's difficult to make out what the original was. But, most people are not using it to this level.

Occidental Cars is run by gaijin, so call them with ease. You can find them at:
http://www.occidental.co.jp/directions.htm

(I have no interest in them.)

Let us know if you get one and how you like it.

Scott

Scott,

Thank you for the great tip!

280,000 yen is more than I was willing to pay, but...

I found one for 169,800! (plus a few charges, described below) With the help of my secretary, we called Nissan and a few other places and found out the following:

1. The manufacturer is a company called Xanavi. See www.xanavi.co.jp It was initially a joint venture between Nissan and Fujitsu, but is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujitsu.

2. The Xanavi AXF-D7210 (the model I purchased) came out a few months ago and is as you described (Japanese map, English menus, English voice, English owner's manual, VICS included).

3. You can purchase the system at New Frontier in FutagoTamagawa. I purchased by phone and local funds transfer and they takyuubin'd it to me. Contact: 03-3708-1935, Japanese speaking only. See www.newfrontier.co.jp

4. You also need to buy an "English Kit" to get the English features. New Frontier does not sell these but I bought one from a Nissan dealer. I dealt with a Mr. Takahashi at the Nissan on Meguro Doori across from the Daiei - 03-3794-2222, Japanese only (he offered to help anyone else interested). The Engish kit was 10,000 yen. Nissan will also install the navigation system and load the English software - cost 25,000 yen (varies by car).

I did not go to Occidental and so I do not know what system they offer. They do offer a one-stop service in English, which is a whole lot more convenient. Double check to see if installation is included in the 280,000 yen price, I called and was told it was an additional 30,000 for installation.

I have used the navigation system on two long trips (Narita and Kamakura)and many shopping days. I am very pleased with the results so far.

Ed

Ed-
Great info! Thank you.

I was told the 280K price included installation, but I'm checking again in writing. The fact you were told it was more is alarming, and would make their price much higher than the method you found. Even at that, you've got an 80,000 yen or so savings - great!.

Thanks for sharing it.

Scott

Hi everyone,

We consider buying a navigator, preferably an English one but we think we could manage with a Japanese one too (heard there's quite a difference in prices). Anyone has an idea where to get these (purchase + installation), as the last posts are from 2001?

Many thanks in advance,

Liat Friedman

The above posts on this still stand in principle. Haven't checked prices lately, but there is not a premium on the English system, so I would go for that. Everyone I've talked to who has one, swears by it.

Check out Occidental at:
http://www.occidentalcars.com/navigation.htm

Scott

Hi,

I have a Toyota IST and I have badly hurt the rear of the car that needs a lot of repair (both paint and changing the whole rear side).

If I declare the accident to my insurance the premium increase is not worth it.

Does someone knows a "reasonably priced" garage in Tokyo that can repair my car with Toyota's parts and paint ?

Thanks

Anne

You might want to check out the dealer that we used for our Navigation System.
We got our Navigation System from Gaijin Inc. for a much lower price then what is being mentioned about Occidental.
Their website is http://www.gaijininc.com

Anne

You might want to check out the dealer that we used for our Navigation System.
We got our Navigation System from Gaijin Inc. for a much lower price then what is being mentioned about Occidental.
Their website is http://www.gaijininc.com

Anne

I am looking for a english car navigation system. does anyone know of any option we have which is cheaper than the one @ occidental cars..i tried contacting gaijin inc but they were probably not interested in selling only the navigation system without selling a car