Mapbox at Geoten 2025: Japan’s premier event for maps and location technology

On July 2, 2025, Mapbox co-hosted Geoten 2025 with MIERUNE Inc. and Adsol Nissin Corporation — Japan’s leading industry event focused on maps and geospatial information. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this year’s Geoten was held at Otemachi Mitsui Hall in Tokyo and marked the event’s largest turnout to date.

From morning to evening, the energy at the venue was electric. More than just a trade show, Geoten became a vibrant, community-driven gathering of the entire industry.

Maps that unite industry, academia, government, and culture

Geoten is a one-of-a-kind exhibition that brings together private companies, universities, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and local map enthusiast groups—all centered around geospatial data.

Often described as “a summer festival” or “the Comiket of maps,” the event created an atmosphere of shared enthusiasm, where curiosity and passion for location technology spread far beyond typical business interactions.

This year’s exhibits covered a wide spectrum, including:

• 3D maps and data visualizations
• Human mobility analytics
• Navigation and disaster prevention technologies
• Fantasy cartography and model railroads
• Academic research and open data use

The diversity of topics reflected both the depth and breadth of the geospatial field.

Visualizing the future of disaster response: Japan Weather Layer

At the Mapbox booth, the team debuted the new Japan Weather Layer — a real-time feature that overlays meteorological data directly onto maps. Features included:

• Animated precipitation
• 3D wind flow visualization
• Real-time disaster alerts

One highlight was a navigation demo linking 3D landmarks with dynamic weather changes, showing how urban landscapes and live meteorological data can be integrated for more realistic and actionable disaster response scenarios.

This demonstration drew strong interest from local government officials and disaster management professionals, underscoring the potential of Mapbox in public safety and municipal planning.

Empowering young talent and nonprofit innovation

Many Geoten attendees were university and graduate students studying geospatial technology, visiting the Mapbox booth to learn more about the field and gather career insights.

Feedback from students included:

• “It was exciting to see the real technology used in the industry.”
• “I got to talk to people I wouldn’t normally meet.”

It was a powerful reminder that Geoten plays a role in nurturing the next generation of geospatial professionals.

A platform for co-creating the future of maps

Although this year’s venue was larger than in previous years, many attendees called for even more space in 2026—proof that Geoten is growing in influence and helping shape the future of Japan’s geospatial industry.

As a co-organizer, Mapbox is proud to lead the charge, supporting innovation through collaboration with partners and showcasing the power of next-generation mapping technologies.

Together, we’re building a future where maps and location intelligence are essential tools for solving real-world challenges.