Japan Map [abandoned]

[Haydena]

This is my first try at a map, and I've not noticed a map of Japan yet, so I had a go, here it is.

It's taken me quite a while but before I even think about continuing I would like some advice on where to go next. Any good advice would be helpful, and I haven't yet added territory names.

There are 45 countries on the map (The Northwestern territory in Kyushu is actually two territories, I have merged it into one territory so that I can make it 45 countries). I have also cut the top off of Hokkaido (The furthest north territoty, because otherwise I had trouble with the size.

I'd just like some good advice on where to go next, any advice on the bonuses, extra sea routes etc would be helpful. Just so I know whether it is worth continuing with it or not.

[peacemonger18]

i think it looks pretty good.

I'd make the continent names more clear - they are kind of hard to read
Also, maybe you could find a way to make the map less linear - it seems like all the continents just come one after the other in a line - but then again that is the shape of Japan.

Other than that, i think good job

[Risk_06]

Well...ummm...I find the line joining Kyushu and Central Honshu a bit...out of place, realistically. If an army could sail that far...couldn't it also be able to reach other places, too? Just my opinion.

I think you should get rid of the unnecessary islands/territories that aren't apart of a continent...you know, the ones that are darkish-greenish-yellow. It looked like some where part of Shikoku or something...

Also, I don't see why Shikoku has only 2 extra armies; compared to Hokkaido, they're basically the same. 4 territories, 2 border countries...

As for Central Honshu, I think that the army bonus should either be raised to 9 or 10, or some of the bordering territories eliminated. 8 borders is just too much to defend properly.

Might I suggest using some mountains as borders? Japan is on the Ring of Fire, I believe, which means that there should be plenty of natural mountains, like Mt. Fuji...

Other than that, though, this looks excellent! Japan is an awesome map to make of, with all of its islands everwhere...

Keep up the good work!

[Jota]

Is the westernmost territory in Honshu connected to Kyushu? It's not entirely clear the way it's drawn.

It looks like Central Honshu has an awful lot of borders. To my eye, it appears that eight of its ten territories border on territories of other provinces. That would make it very difficult to hold onto, I think. Is there a practical way they could be reduced?

There's a similar issue for Northern Honshu, which appears to be composed of only borders and nothing else. If this is intentional, then I think you need a better gimmick to support it (and even then, six is a lot), but I assume it's just how the map worked out. Some fudging may be necessary.

In any case, it looks like the map has definite potential. This is based on modern Japan, yes? A map based on fuedal Japan might be even more interesting. The Sengoku period (aka the Warring States era) would be particularly appropriate. (Of course, maybe this map does apply to that era; I don't know my Japanese geography enough to tell, and there aren't a lot of labels here to give hints yet.)

[Marvaddin]

It looks great, really!! Impressive...

I didnt analyse it yet, but I think there are countries too smal for the name and the numbers... So you can use some of these forgotten islands as countries, huh?

Great job!!

[Haydena]

Thanks for the comments guys, I'll work on in in the next few days.

It looks like Central Honshu has an awful lot of borders. To my eye, it appears that eight of its ten territories border on territories of other provinces. That would make it very difficult to hold onto, I think. Is there a practical way they could be reduced?

I haven't looked at the mountain ranges in japan yet, I could add some non-crossing borders to reduce the amount of bordering territories. I will also try and do the same for Northern Honshu.

The Sengoku period (aka the Warring States era) would be particularly appropriate. (Of course, maybe this map does apply to that era; I don't know my Japanese geography enough to tell, and there aren't a lot of labels here to give hints yet.)

I did have a look at the "Shogun" game board when making this, but cutting down the amount of territories that were on that game board was hard, there were 68 in total when I counted. This map is of Modern Japan.

Well...ummm...I find the line joining Kyushu and Central Honshu a bit...out of place, realistically. If an army could sail that far...couldn't it also be able to reach other places, too? Just my opinion.

That was my feeble attempt to make Shikoku border less countries hehe.

Anyway I will work on what has been said in the next week or so and try to have a more finished article soon. Cheers guys

[Nobunaga]

... Looks pretty good, I think. I agree with the previous, concerning the continent names. They're a bit hard to see.

... Just a thought, discard it at your pleasure... Might you be able to "fatten" Honshu? It wouldn't be geographically accurate, but it would be a great deal easier to fit stuff like territory names and army numbers into. A lot of maps of Japan have a "fattened" look for just that reason.

... Japan is something like 80% mountainous - we have mountains everywhere! So you could use them as no-cross borders any place you wanted, really.

... Just my two cents. Keep it up!

[Haydena]

Actually it's funny you should mention widening the continent, I was just in the process of talking about widening Honsu, would definetely make it easier to fit things in.

And I've read Japan is 85% Mountainous, I'm in the process of entering non-crossing moutainous borders right now

[Haydena]

Before any of you guys assess the continent bonuses, you might want to know that Western Honshu (Red), has one extra territory, however it doesn't border anything.

[Haydena]

Heres what I've done to it now...



Tell me what you think, I could use some feedback

I've added mountains and changed the amount of borders for central and northern Honshu, the territory names and circles for troops have now been added.

[cheese man]

really good!!!! i think you need have less points for northern honsho though.

[Nobunaga]

... I LIKES IT!

... One very minor point... That huge North indicator (is there a specific word in English for that thing, you know, the NSEW arrow thingy?)... It's very large. Could ya shrink it.... just a tad?

... I'll leave the continent bonuses debate the smart guys.

... Now get cracking on that xml!!

[Nobunaga]

.... sorry for the multis here....

.... The number background circles are, perhaps, a bit dark. It's rther difficult to see borders in some places as a result.

.... (trying to be constructive - I want to play this map!)

[cheese man]

yeah i agree with you about the number circles. but im nosmart guy and im debating the continent bonuses

[Haydena]

I'll work on those circles now then... What are you debating about the continent bonuses?

[Jota]

That huge North indicator (is there a specific word in English for that thing, you know, the NSEW arrow thingy?)

It's called a compass rose.

[Nobunaga]

... Thank you! I was wondering for the longest time.

[Haydena]

There... Circles all done, now I just need feedback from the continent buffs on this one...

[Haydena]

The only thing I'm having trouble with now is the height... I can't get it any shorter... Making it shorter makes it physically impossible to fit anything into the territories...

[Jota]

You might be able to if you rotated it, so that North point toward the upper-right corder of the map.

[Haydena]

Hmm... I need some more feedback on this, or I don't think it's worthwile to continue with it...

[Marvaddin]

1st, I still think you should use some of the islands you deleted as countries. Some countries need be bigger. Tokyo, for example, cant be that small.

After redesigning some borders, you need reduce the version without names and circles, clear some borders, than put these things in each version separately. I had same problem with Brazil map, and I did this.

[Nobunaga]

... Haydena, don't stop just yet! Take your time with it - it's a slow process.

... The map you have up at present is more than playable - and folks's comments and ideas are just that - comments and ideas. We're all trying to be helpful, but ultimately the final decisions rest with you. (My British Isles map came together with a huge amount of input from players here - the first version was pretty weak).

... This map is, I assume, the Large version. Making the small version will be the big challenge, I think.

... Keep hammering away at it.

[Haydena]

Ok, well, I must admit, it was incredibly stupid of me to think it would be a nice quick thing to make a map, and also a bit stupid to give up after I've already done a lot of work on it.

1st, I still think you should use some of the islands you deleted as countries. Some countries need be bigger. Tokyo, for example, cant be that small.

What do you mean by that? Do you mean take out Tokyo? And use some of the islands instead?

... This map is, I assume, the Large version. Making the small version will be the big challenge, I think.

Umm... No it isn't, this is my main trouble, the map of Japan is very tall, I don't know if it's worth taking out Hokkaido to reduce the size of the map somewhat.

Anyway I'll keep working on it, I haven't given up yet, although being told I'd made a mistake on line 455 of the XML code when I was testing it out wasn't very nice .

[Marvaddin]

I think we need a "country" named Tokyo, but how about delete the border between Tokyo and Kanagawa? You can name all "Tokyo". Its not a geo map, so no reason to be realistic in all details. Other tip: dont use names like Saga and Nagasaki use only Saga, or Nagasaki...

This is the small version??? Oh, I think no...