[For GIS Beginners] Should You Download Shapefile or GeoJSON National Land Data?

"National Land Numerical Information" is a familiar resource for many GIS users. In addition to the long-standing Shapefile format, the data is now also available in GeoJSON. But when you download it, which format should you choose?

Many might think, "I've always used Shapefiles, so I'll stick with them." However, these two formats have very different strengths and areas of use.

In this article, we'll compare these two GIS data formats — the trusted veteran and the rising star — to help you decide which to use now and in the future.

ⅠMeet the Two Formats

Shapefile: The Trusted Veteran of GIS

Developed by Esri, Shapefile has been the industry standard for many years. It's compatible with almost all desktop GIS software such as SuperMap GIS, QGIS, and ArcGIS, making it a safe and reliable choice.

Strengths:

• Supported by nearly all GIS software — extremely high compatibility

• A long history and wealth of community knowledge

• Binary format enables relatively fast display of large datasets

Limitations:

• A single dataset consists of multiple files (.shp, .shx, .dbf, etc.), which can be confusing to manage

• Attribute field names are limited to 10 characters (SHIFT-JIS encoding)

• Not easy to visualize directly in web browsers

Think of it like a well-made encyclopedia — highly reliable, but a bit bulky and old-fashioned.

GeoJSON: The Agile Newcomer for the Web Era

GeoJSON applies JSON, a common web data format, to geospatial information. It’s lightweight, human-readable, and designed for web compatibility — ideal for tools like Leaflet, Mapbox, and modern WebGIS applications.

Strengths:

• Data contained in a single text file (.geojson) — easy to share

• Simple, human-readable structure

• Uses UTF-8 encoding with no field length limit and flexible schema

• Works smoothly in browsers and integrates naturally with web maps

Limitations:

• As a text-based format, files are usually larger than shapefiles

• Can show performance issues with very large or complex datasets

Think of it as an e-book — easy to read, portable, and perfect for today's connected world.

Ⅱ Which Should You Use?

The answer depends on where you mainly work.

Choose Shapefile if:

• You use desktop GIS (SuperMap GIS, QGIS, ArcGIS Pro) for analysis

• You don't need to publish maps online

• You need compatibility with older projects

For PC-based analysis and mapping, Shapefile remains a dependable option.

Choose GeoJSON if:

• You plan to publish and share maps on the web

• You exchange data with programmers or web developers

• You use Python or other data analysis tools (e.g., Pandas)

• You want to preview data without opening GIS software

For web integration and cross-platform use, GeoJSON is the clear winner.

Ⅲ Looking Ahead: The Future of GIS Data Formats

The availability of both formats in National Land Numerical Information reflects a broader trend in GIS — a shift from desktop-centric to web-centric workflows.

While Shapefiles will continue to exist for years to come, the momentum is clearly moving toward web-friendly formats like GeoJSON.

If you’re new to GIS or starting a fresh project, we highly recommend exploring GeoJSON. Once you get used to it, its simplicity and flexibility will greatly expand your GIS possibilities.

Ⅳ Summary

When downloading data from National Land Numerical Information, refer to this guide to choose the format that best fits your purpose.