Business tie features secret subway map

The ARA fashion label in Japan has developed the Subway Map Tie, which discreetly hides a plan of the Tokyo metro system on its inside.

Nowadays, it’s easy to defer to a smartphone whenever we need directions, but an internet connection isn’t always available in underground subway stations. For business commuters, a fashion label in Japan has developed the Subway Map Tie, which discreetly hides a plan of the Tokyo metro system on its inside.

Created by ARA, the tie looks much like any other from the outside. However, in situations where the wearer has become lost on the subway, and is too embarrassed to be seen consulting a map, the tie can be easily flipped over and opened to show them where they should be going. The tie could be useful for both those from outside the city working on business, as well as locals who need a quick reminder of their route. For those who prefer to hold a map in their hands, the tie also provides a way to do so without the extra baggage of a paper copy. The JPY 6,090 tie is available in two versions featuring the Tokyo Metropolitan Area and the Osaka and Kyoto maps, and is made of 100% silk.

The idea of wearable maps isn’t entirely new — in the past we’ve seen the NYC Metro Cuff offer details about New York’s subway system. Are there analog alternatives to digital maps that can offer something that virtual versions can’t?