About YAMAP

Until now, it was necessary to carry a paper map when climbing mountains, but in recent years, with the spread of smartphones, an increasing number of climbers are using digital maps. Digital maps are highly portable and convenient, but to support safe and enjoyable climbing, they need to be able to clearly display the information necessary for climbing, even in environments without connectivity.

‍YAMAP is a mountain climbing app provided by YAMAP Inc. With a total of over 4.5 million downloads, it is the largest mountain climbing and outdoor platform in Japan, connecting mountain climbing enthusiasts from all over the country. The YAMAP app makes mountain climbing fun and safe by letting users know their current location and climbing route using smartphone's GPS even in mountains where there is no signal. In addition to being a digital map for mountain climbing trips, YAMAP enables users to keep track of personal mountain climbing trails, activity records, and photos.

Digital maps for safe mountain climbing

The YAMAP team set out to create a user-friendly, comprehensive map that consolidates all necessary information for mountain climbing adventures.

The interface of YAMAP map simplifies topographical details, making them easy to understand. It overlays critical data such as climbing routes, course times, water sources, and dangerous areas, along with GPS data that tracks the user's path in real-time. This integration ensures climbers have access to precise and relevant information throughout their journey, even when outside of network coverage.

To maintain the highest level of accuracy, YAMAP continuously updates climbing routes and course times based on user feedback and behavioural data collected through the app. This dynamic approach ensures that climbers receive the most current and reliable information.

YAMAP activity log feature allows users to view actual climbing routes and critical information not included in a standard map. By incorporating images and records from other users, climbers can access firsthand accounts of water sources, landslides, and other significant landmarks, enhancing their preparedness and safety.

Cross-platform offline maps with Mapbox

Previously, YAMAP used different map display libraries for developing iOS and Android apps. Discrepancies in features and implementation between the two map platforms led to development complications and increased costs.The company wanted an alternative solution that would support cross-platform development.

In searching for an alternative service, YAMAP had specific requirements: the service needed to easily provide offline maps through caching, as well as enable rich map customization and interactivity features. 

The Mapbox Mobile Maps SDKs for iOS and Android applications provide offline maps on mobile and allow for the creation of highly interactive, easy to use maps with customized features.

Designing maps for outdoor adventures

Building with Mapbox YAMAP creates an intuitive and interactive map experience designed specifically for mountain climbing. The user-friendly maps present essential information clearly, tailored to the specific needs and situations climbers face.

For example, the mountain climbing route maps remove unnecessary details and adjust the color schemes to highlight the climbing path and the route taken at a glance. Icons for mountain huts, water sources, and dangerous spots are prominently displayed along the routes, allowing climbers to quickly and intuitively find the information they need.

Additionally, the map enables users to search for mountain climbing routes by narrowing down their search by area, helping them effortlessly find the mountain of interest. When viewing a wide area, multiple mountain icons are grouped together, and the display adjusts to show the number of mountains in the region, enhancing the user experience during the search process.

For snowy mountains with ski resorts, YAMAP offers specialized maps designed using the Mapbox Studio. These maps capture the unique look of snowy landscapes, displaying information clearly with features like shadow effects from undulating mountains and custom colors to make ski lifts stand out.