Shobunsha Holdings, Inc.
Established in Tokyo, Japan, in 1960, Shobunsha Holdings, Inc. is a prominent publisher and producer of geographical and travel-related content within Japan. Its core activities encompass planning, creating, and distributing maps, magazines, and guidebooks, alongside developing and selling digital data and offering various electronic services. The company caters to a wide audience, including international tourists, by producing foreign-language maps and guides. Its content is delivered through diverse channels, including online platforms, smartphones, and other mobile devices. Shobunsha also leverages its reach as an advertising medium for a broad spectrum of clients, spanning industries such as hospitality, transportation, and retail. Key digital offerings include the MAPPLE Kanko Guide and MAPPLE Tourist Map websites, the MAPPLE Travel hotel booking service, and mobile applications like the MAPPLE TOKYO Sky Tree App, which integrates MAPPLE's maps and guides. The MAPPLE-LINK service further allows users to download MAPPLE Magazine content onto their mobile phones. Furthermore, Shobunsha provides specialized digital maps and travel guidance to national and local government agencies, as well as private enterprises. These solutions are vital for initiatives related to crime and disaster prevention, emergency response, tourism development, regional marketing, customer management, and logistics. The company also creates custom maps and develops Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for these institutional clients, offering comprehensive services from data entry to software development. For portable navigation device manufacturers, Shobunsha supplies Mapple Navi, a car navigation software that delivers driving routes and information on points of interest, such as restaurants.