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Web Trend Map vs. Tokyo Subway Map

Every now and then I come across a piece of design that really captures my attention. I would then spend hours, days even, doing research on the subject and poring over every single detail of it. Not too long ago, it was an incredible piece of pixel art that mesmerised me.

In more recent weeks, it is this amazing web trend map that has been keeping my eyes busy. Modeled after the Tokyo subway map, it features the 200 most successful websites. They act as subway stations laid out along the different coloured routes on the map, with each route representing a different trend line, such as technology, community or design.

Click to enlarge

The websites are ordered by category, proximity, success, popularity and perspective. Be sure to enlarge for a better view! I had such fun spotting my favourite websites like twitter and mybloglog!

Web Trend Map 2007

This highly comprehensive and well thought out infoporn is the work of information architects Japan. It has been featured on numerous websites, including techcrunch! Visit their website to download the map in higher resolutions. There’s even a clickable version!

And here’s the actual Tokyo subway map for reference:

Click to enlarge

Incidentally, I would be holidaying in Tokyo from this Thursday onwards. The subway map would surely come in handy!

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About the Editor

Veron Ang is the Founder and Chief Editor of Sparklette, a Singapore restaurants guide, lifestyle and travel blog. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and runs a web design firm at Sparklette Studio. To get in touch, head on over to the contact page or follow @Sparklette and @VeronSG on Twitter.

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Responses Leave a comment

py
183 comments

Gosh, very comprehensive-looking map. Enjoy the holiday!
Reply
Posted August 8, 2007 at 12:21 am
Veron
3439 comments

Indeed! Thanks!
Reply
Posted August 8, 2007 at 12:26 am
Aristocrat
12 comments

Dear V,
Would you mind doing me a favour when you are in Tokyo? This is going to sound presumptuous but I’m looking for this liqueur called Suntory’s Hermes Creme de Violette and currently, it is only sold in a region of France, Japan and some areas of the States. Terribly hard to get but with it, some amazing cocktails can be made. Do drop me an email if you can.
Merci beaucoup.
Regards
Aristocrat
Reply
Posted August 8, 2007 at 1:01 am
Michael Baxter
12 comments

The Tokyo Subway Map has gotten a lot of attention (I heard from my friend who made it). Still, I was a bit surprised to see it on sparklette.net.
It is cool, but they need to make it dynamic. Right now it is just static. All the info they need to make what they currently have is publically available, so they could make it live.
Reply
Posted August 8, 2007 at 8:58 am
Don'z
2 comments

wow~~ your piece of work is Amazed me!! AWSOME!!!
Reply
Posted August 8, 2007 at 10:22 am
Veron
3439 comments

Aristocrat: Suntory’s Hermes Creme de Violette, check. I would keep a lookout for it and let you know!
Michael Baxter: They already have a clickable version available, if that’s what you’re referring to. And I think it’s so cool that you know the people behind it! This piece of work has been featured almost everywhere!
Don’z: It’s not my piece of work. Someone in Japan made it.
Reply
Posted August 8, 2007 at 10:48 am
pkchukiss
82 comments

I’m supposed to be very good at map navigation, but that map you have there? I’m LOST! Imagine if Singapore’s rail network ever got that big, we could create an additional 100 more jobs writing train directions for lost passengers.
That is a really good mash-up there!
Reply
Posted August 8, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Joyz
43 comments

Hey there, enjoy your holidy and I’m looking forward to your photos and reviews when you are back. Considering to go there next year…its between there and E. Europe. So maybe your photos will help me make up my mind!
Reply
Posted August 8, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Veron
3439 comments

pkchukiss: I know! I’m good at reading maps too, but just looking at the Tokyo subway map alone has got me feeling a little nervous! Gawd!
Joyz: Like my previous trips to Bangkok and Hong Kong, I hope to be able to blog from Japan too!
Reply
Posted August 8, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Jayson
44 comments

Wow .. such many stations!
And yeah, it’ll be a great idea to get them in your hands when you head down to japan … either print them out or load it in your PDA …
Bon Voyage Veron!
Happy Holidaying …
Reply
Posted August 8, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Veron
3439 comments

Yeah! Thanks for the reminder. I meant to put them on my PDA but I totally forgot until I saw your comment!
Reply
Posted August 9, 2007 at 12:54 am
Aristocrat
12 comments

Thanks a lot dearie, I will be waiting for your good news.
Meanwhile, with or without the bottle, you may like to join us for a night of decadence. Cocktails and imagination.
Reply
Posted August 9, 2007 at 5:51 am
rainiex
2 comments

check this out for future free-n-easy travels…
http://www.amadeus.net/home/new/subwaymaps/en/index.htm
Reply
Posted September 21, 2007 at 11:56 am
Kaoru
1 comment

I’ve lived in Tokyo my whole life and there are still times when I need to check the map! lol. It’s not easy to read for those coming here for the first time, but you get used to it! :] Besides, you can always ask us friendly japs! ;) Of course just those that understand English…which is a lot, I think :P
If anyone’s got questions about Tokyo, you can e-mail me and I’ll try to help out :]
katherine262@hotmail.co.jp
Reply
Posted August 26, 2008 at 2:27 am