RealWorldMC
Java 1.21.1 Fabric

The real worldIn Minecraft

Fly over real cities. Step into Street View.Explore Google Earth-style scenery in Minecraft.

Join Community

Real places, inside Minecraft

Fly over real places

Explore cities and mountains with Google Earth-style 3D terrain inside Minecraft.

Step into Street View

Visit connected Google Maps street photos. Place blocks and play on simulated ground.

Bring your own map access

Install the mod, connect your accounts, and test your keys. Provider usage may cost money.

Real-world Minecraft locations

Copy a command. Paste it in chat.

Bucharest

Palace of Parliament

≈ 44.43, 26.09

New York

Times Square

≈ 40.76, -73.99

Tokyo

Shibuya Crossing

≈ 35.66, 139.70

Barcelona

Sagrada Família

≈ 41.40, 2.17

Paris

Eiffel Tower

≈ 48.86, 2.29

Grand Canyon

Mather Point

≈ 36.06, -112.11

3D detail and Street View availability vary by location.

Install Real World MC

Start with Minecraft Java 1.21.1 on a Windows x64 computer. Install the mod, connect your map account, then enter your world. Mobile and Bedrock Edition are not supported.

  1. Explorer reading an open map
    Step 1

    Install the mod

    Already have a Minecraft profile? Use the stable JAR. It includes the map service and a private Windows x64 Node runtime.

    1. Create or choose a Minecraft Java 1.21.1 profile with Fabric and Java 21.
    2. Download RealWorldMC’s stable .jar and Fabric API for 1.21.1. Put both in that profile’s mods folder. Keep only one RealWorldMC JAR installed.
    3. Launch Minecraft. RealWorldMC unpacks and starts its services automatically. No scripts or separate Node installation needed.

    Prefer a ready-made profile? Download the .mrpack option and import it into Modrinth App or Prism Launcher. That pack sets up Fabric and its mod dependencies for you.

    Fabric Fabric API Modrinth App Prism Launcher
  2. Explorer relaxing under a beach umbrella with her travel map
    Step 2

    Choose your map provider

    A key or token connects the mod to your own map account. Choose one provider for 3D terrain. Street View is an optional, separate connection.

    Google Maps: direct terrain access

    Create a Google Cloud project, connect billing, enable Map Tiles API, then create an API key. Restrict the key to the APIs you need. Enable Geocoding API only for place-name searches. The local service is not a website, so website-referrer restrictions won’t work for its key.

    Google account and API setup
    Cesium ion: alternative terrain access

    Create a Cesium ion account and confirm access to Google Photorealistic 3D Tiles. Create an application token with assets:read and access to that asset. Add geocode if you want place-name searches. A token cannot unlock an asset your account cannot access.

    Open Cesium ion · Token instructions
    Street View and European accounts

    In-game Street View needs a Google Map Tiles API key, even if you use Cesium for terrain. Paste it into the optional Street View field. The separate browser viewer uses Maps JavaScript API and its own browser restrictions.

    In the EEA, eligibility depends on your account and billing region. There is no special EU key. Check Google’s rules and whether Cesium can supply the terrain to your account.

    Check EEA availability
  3. Step 3

    Add your keys and test access

    1. Launch Minecraft 1.21.1 with the mod. Open RealWorldMC setup on the title screen.
    2. The map service is detected automatically. Read the usage notice and choose Google or Cesium.
    3. Paste your key or token into the masked field. Add the optional Street View key if you want photos.
    4. Press Test connection, then Save & finish. Wait for the local services to report ready. You do not need to restart Minecraft.

    Use /earth setup on 1.21.1 to reopen this screen from your world. Enter keys in the masked form. Saving starts or reloads the services automatically. If you changed keys while playing, reopen your world to refresh its map connections.

    A successful test confirms access now. It does not guarantee coverage everywhere or free usage. Keys are saved in readable local config files, so keep those files out of uploads and shared packs.

    The mod is free. Maps can cost money.

    Each provider has its own allowances. Once an allowance runs out, more requests may be charged. One view can request many tiles. Budget alerts warn you; they do not automatically stop charges. Check account quotas and any available spending controls before testing.

    Google pricingCesium plansBudget alerts
  4. Step 4

    Start your world

    1. The mod starts both local services and stops them when Minecraft closes. Keep only one RealWorldMC profile running at a time.
    2. Create a Creative world with commands enabled. Select the Real World world type.
    3. Travel to a place, wait for the map tiles to load, then explore. Street View coverage varies by location.

    New worlds choose one of 100 starting places at random, including the Palace of Parliament. Your world keeps that location when you return.

    /earth goto 44.4275, 26.0873

    /earth is the recommended command. Minecraft 1.21.1 also accepts /rw as a shortcut.

    Use /earth streetview for the nearest photo and /earth back to return. F5 changes your normal camera. The experimental 26.2 build uses manual key setup and a browser Street View viewer.

    If something does not load

    401 or 403: check your key, billing, enabled API and account eligibility. 429: check your quota before retrying. No photos: retry local services from setup and try a street with coverage. A port conflict means another profile or an old manual service is already running.

    More setup help

Mod requirements & questions

Download RealWorldMC

Get the mod, connect your map accounts, and pick your first destination.

Follow the setup guide

Java 1.21.1 · Fabric · Your own API keys

Found a great spot?

Share your coordinates, builds, and clips with other explorers.

Join Community