Imagine if you have last quarter's map for Japan or Libya.

CNN: Why your trusty GPS sometimes fails you

Koichi Nakano of Sophia University in Tokyo points out that Japan's distorted electoral map exaggerates the size of the defeat: the DPJ lost heavily against LDP candidates in depopulated rural areas that are considered to be the opposition's heartland, but which produce a disproportionate number of seats.

ECONOMIST: Japan's upper-house elections

Though the pilgrimage has been in operation for more than 1, 000 years it remains quite off the map for most visitors to Japan who consider Kyoto or Osaka a far enough detour from the main access point of Tokyo.

CNN: World's best unknown hike: Japan's Kumano Kodo