I was reading several fanfics and noticed they always seem
to have trouble finding people (ex. Nodoka Saotome) based in
Tokyo  and no-one ever mentions using a phone book.
Is there some reason this wouldn't be practical or is it
just dramatic license? Could some one who has been in Japan
and speaks the language, answer this,Please.

I haven't been to Japan, but I've seen maps and heard about it.

I would think the phone book would not help for the same reason you can't
give cabbies an address and expect them to find their way.  Addresses are
practically useless in Tokyo!  The building numbers are in the order that
they were built, so they skip around.  The streets go every which way.  Most
businesses will fax you a map showing where they are on demand.

-Andy Searls
http://www.jps.net/searlsa

Take offs are optional,
Landings are mandatory