What Mapple On does

Mapple On Co., Ltd. (株式会社マップル・オン) is a Tokyo-based private IT company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Shobunsha Holdings (TSE: 9475), established in July 2006 (renamed from Libit Co., Ltd. in July 2011). The company develops GPS-enabled mobile applications for outdoor leisure activities in Japan, with a portfolio concentrated in three verticals: marine/boating navigation (new pec smart), sea fishing mapping (海釣図V / Kaichouzu V), and golf navigation (GOLFな日 / GOLFな日 Su), plus adjacent utility apps (KiZuKi swing checker, パシャッとスコアルバム score-card manager).

The core technology reproduces authoritative Japanese chart and course data inside smartphone apps. new pec smart is a full reproduction of the Japan Hydrographic Association's nautical chart (航海用電子参考図 new pec) with real-time GPS positioning, AIS vessel display (up to 10 nautical miles via Toyo Signal data), integration of over 1,100 MLIT-designated S-Guide harbor charts, seabed topography with minimum 1m contour lines, and ~840 tidal observation points. It became the first smartphone app certified by JCI as a legal chart substitute for coastal small vessels in February 2019. The golf apps use Yupiteru's course database covering 2,350+ courses (99% of Japan), with elevation graphing, hazard display, and Apple Watch integration. The fishing app uses new pec chart data with quarterly updates.

Mapple On monetizes primarily through low-priced consumer subscriptions (960 yen/month for new pec smart, 500 yen/month for Kaichouzu V, 360 yen/month for GOLFな日 Su) and per-course golf purchases (350–500 yen/course). Distribution is exclusively through Apple App Store and Google Play in Japan, with no disclosed international presence. A corporate contract program for new pec smart launched in May 2024, reaching approximately 20 companies by October 2025, signaling the company's first formal B2B sales motion.

Name

Mapple On

Legal name

株式会社マップル・オン (MAPPLE ON Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://mapple-on.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Mapple On is a Tokyo-based subsidiary of Shobunsha Holdings that develops GPS-enabled smartphone apps for Japanese outdoor leisure, including the JCI-certified new pec smart marine navigation app, the Kaichouzu V fishing map app, and the GOLFな日 golf navigation apps.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile GPS Navigation Software

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational Services to Shipping (488330)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Safety & Navigation Electronics Retail (PFDs, EPIRBs, GPS, VHF) (CRAMAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fishing Electronics & Marine Tech Retail (Fishfinders, GPS, Sonar) (CRAMALAH)

Keywords

• GPS marine navigation apps
• Digital nautical charts
• Golf GPS navigation
• Fishing map applications
• Outdoor leisure mobile apps

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. new pec smart – Monthly Subscription: Premium membership subscription for the marine navigation app. Initial 30-day free trial. Monthly subscription at 960 yen (price reduced from 3,800 yen in July 2019). Corporate contracts also available since May 2024, serving approximately 20 companies as of October 2025.
2. 海釣図V – Monthly Subscription: All-maps unlimited use subscription for the fishing GPS map app. 30-day free trial. Monthly subscription at 500 yen.
3. GOLFな日 Su – Monthly Subscription: All-courses unlimited use subscription for the GPS golf navigation app. First month free trial. Monthly subscription at 360 yen. Includes GPS measurement, hazard distances, auto hole advance, smartwatch connectivity, voice assist, and planning mode.
4. GOLFな日 – Course Purchase (Perpetual): One-time purchase model per golf course. First course free upon app installation. Additional courses priced at 500 yen per course on iOS and 350 yen on Android. Purchased data has no expiration and can be used indefinitely. Optional add-ons include hazard display (500 yen) and voice assist.
5. KiZuKi – Free App: Free golf swing checker app. Users record swing videos and can receive free diagnosis from golf professionals through the KiZuKi Rescue service (which ended September 2021). Revenue model unclear; potentially monetized indirectly or through associated services.
6. パシャッとスコアルバム – Free App: Free golf score card photo management app. Users photograph score cards for easy record keeping. No monetization model explicitly stated; likely indirect revenue or not actively monetized.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Mapple On develops and sells GPS-enabled smartphone applications for specialized outdoor leisure activities in Japan. Its flagship product, new pec smart, is a JCI-certified marine navigation app that reproduces the official 'new pec' nautical chart for coastal small vessels. The company also offers sea fishing map apps (海釣図V), GPS golf navigation apps (GOLFな日, GOLFな日 Su), a swing checker app (KiZuKi), and a score card management app (パシャッとスコアルバム).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• new pec smart: Navigation support app that reproduces nautical charts for coastal small vessels, approved as legal chart replacement equipment by JCI.
• 海釣図V (Kai-chōzu V)
• GOLFな日 Su
• GOLFな日
• KiZuKi
• パシャッとスコアルバム

Products and services

• new pec smart (航海支援アプリ) JCI-certified marine navigation app for coastal small vessels that reproduces the official 'new pec' electronic nautical reference chart. Features AIS vessel tracking, S-Guide harbor charts (1,100+), seabed topography, tidal/weather forecasts, and voyage planning. First smartphone app certified as a legal chart substitute (法定備品) for coastal small vessels in Japan.
• 海釣図V (Kaichouzu V) GPS fishing map app using official 'new pec' chart data with nationwide seamless coverage. Displays seabed topography (1m interval contour lines), fish reef locations, rock points, tidal information, and fishing spots. Targeted at recreational sea anglers.
• GOLFな日 Su (GOLF na Hi Su) Subscription GPS golf navigation app providing unlimited access to course data covering 99% of Japan golf courses (2,350+). Features GPS distance measurement, hazard display, elevation graphs, wind direction meter, auto hole advance, Apple Watch support, voice assist, and planning mode.
• GOLFな日 (GOLF na Hi) Per-course purchase GPS golf navigation app for iPhone/Android using Yupiteru's golf course database. Features GPS distance measurement to greens and hazards, elevation graph, and course data covering 2,350+ Japan golf courses (99% coverage). First course free on installation, with additional courses available for purchase.
• KiZuKi (キヅキ) Free golf swing checker app that allows users to record, import, and review golf swing videos frame-by-frame. Enables swing analysis by date or club type. Previously accompanied by the KiZuKi Rescue free professional swing diagnosis service (ended September 2021).
• パシャッとスコアルバム (Pasha-tto Score Album) Free golf score card photo management app that lets users photograph score cards for organized digital record-keeping across multiple rounds. Targeted at recreational golfers who want simplified score management.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200,000+ downloads of GOLFな日 golf navigation app (May 2013)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• MLIT Maritime Bureau – Marin Chic Kado (国土交通省 海事局 / マリンチック街道)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2020The MLIT Maritime Bureau's 'Marin Chic Kado' (C to Sea project) collaborates with new pec smart to provide MLIT-approved recommended cruise routes. Mapple On integrates these official government-curated routes into new pec smart, available across 23 areas nationwide.
• Japan Small Vessel Inspection Organization (日本小型船舶検査機構 / JCI)coreTechnology or Integration · 27 February 2019JCI certified new pec smart as the first smartphone app to serve as legal equipment (法定備品 / 海図の代替設備) for small coastal vessels. This regulatory certification is unique in the industry and required JCI's formal review and approval process.
• Shobunsha Holdings (株式会社昭文社ホールディングス)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2006Mapple On was established in July 2006 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of昭文社 (Shobunsha), the well-known Japanese publishing company known for map and travel guide products (まっぷるマガジン, ことりっぷ). Shobunsha Holdings is the joint privacy data controller. Mapple On serves as the smartphone application arm of the Shobunsha Group.
• Japan Hydrographic Association (一般財団法人日本水路協会)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe Japan Hydrographic Association publishes the '航海用電子参考図 new pec (ニューペック)', the nautical chart standard for maritime navigation in Japan. Mapple On holds a licensing arrangement to reproduce this chart data in smartphone app form (new pec smart, 海釣図V), making it the foundational data source for the company's marine and fishing products.
• Toyo Signal Communication (株式会社東洋信号通信社)coreTechnology or IntegrationToyo Signal Communication provides the AIS (Automatic Identification System) data that enables new pec smart's vessel tracking display function, showing real-time positions of AIS-equipped vessels within up to 10 nautical miles of the user's position.
• Halex (株式会社ハレックス)supportingTechnology or IntegrationHalex provides wind direction and wind speed forecast data used in new pec smart's weather information features, enabling hourly wind forecasts up to 72 hours ahead for cruise planning and maritime safety.
• Japan Marine Leisure Safety and Promotion Association – BAN Rescue Service (日本海洋レジャー安全・振興協会 / ボートのレスキューサービス BAN)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBAN (Boat Aid Network) is a membership-based rescue service operated by the Japan Marine Leisure Safety and Promotion Association. new pec smart integrates one-touch rescue request functionality connecting users directly to the Japan Coast Guard and BAN rescue services in case of maritime emergency.
• Yupiteru (ユピテル)coreTechnology or IntegrationYupiteru provides the golf course map data used in GOLFな日 and GOLFな日 Su. The same data used in Yupiteru's dedicated ATLAS-series golf GPS devices covers approximately 2,350 golf courses (99% coverage in Japan), ensuring consistent and reliable course information.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Garmin: Garmin sells marine chartplotters and the Approach series of dedicated golf GPS devices plus companion apps (ActiveCaptain, Garmin Golf), competing with both new pec smart and the GOLFな日/Su apps. As a broad incumbent it offers overlapping functionality across multiple verticals rather than specializing in Japanese small-vessel navigation.

Direct peers

• Navionics (Garmin): Navionics is the dominant global provider of electronic marine charts and a navigation app (Navionics Boating) that closely parallels new pec smart: official chart data, GPS plotter, AIS-style vessel overlays, and subscription content on smartphone. It is the most direct comparable outside Japan for marine navigation electronics retail.
• MarineTraffic: MarineTraffic provides real-time AIS vessel tracking, port arrivals, and maritime safety information via app and web, directly comparable to new pec smart's AIS display (Toyo Signal data, up to 10 nm radius) and maritime safety positioning.
• Hole19: Hole19 offers a golf GPS rangefinder and score-tracking app with a premium tier and watch integration, very close to GOLFな日 Su's monthly subscription GPS Golf navigation product with Apple Watch support.
• Navionics Boating HD (and chart-app category): A broader pool of small marine chartplotter makers and chart-data retailers (Lowrance, Simrad, B&G via Navico) target the same recreational boater purchasing chartplotters, AIS displays, and subscription charts that new pec smart replaces on the smartphone - relevant adjacent players in marine safety & navigation electronics retail.
• 18Birdies: 18Birdies is a consumer golf GPS, scoring, and stat-tracking app that mirrors GOLFな日 Su's all-courses unlimited subscription positioning. Both target casual-to-mid golfers needing GPS distance, score management, and smartwatch-supported round play.
• Yupiteru: Yupiteru supplies the 99%-Japan golf course database used by GOLFな日/Su and also sells its own dedicated ATLAS-series golf GPS devices, making it both a data partner and a hardware competitor in Japanese golf GPS navigation retail.
• C-MAP (Jeppesen): C-MAP provides electronic marine charts (shaded relief, high-resolution bathymetry) used in chartplotters and consumer apps, closely mirroring Mapple On's new pec smart / 海釣図V reproduction of nautical chart data on mobile. It is a direct peer in marine/fishing chart retail.

Emerging players

• Fishbrain: Fishbrain is a fishing app with maps, catch logs, forecasts, and a social/community layer, mirroring 海釣図V's combination of seabed topography, tidal data, and recreational fishing use cases. It is an emerging Western peer serving a similar angler use case from a different starting point.
• iSailing: iSailing offers mobile sailing and small-cruising navigation with AIS support and routing, partially overlapping with new pec smart for the recreational/yacht segment. It is an emerging player in app-only marine navigation rather than an incumbent with chart licenses.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mapple On