Free WIFI Available Across Japan for Travelers

By MOOK Scenic Spots Home Travel Life Network, Reported by Li Meixi

 

According to a survey conducted by the Japan Tourism Agency at Narita Airport or Tokyo Tourist Information Centers regarding the most troublesome issues faced by foreign tourists during their trips, free internet access (Free WIFI) was the most frustrating. Especially for independent travelers who often rely on the internet to find transportation options, city maps, affordable and tasty restaurants or cafés, and information not available in guidebooks or brochures. To provide a better travel environment, the Japan Tourism Agency has been increasing the availability of free WIFI and hotspots in many tourist-heavy areas, allowing international visitors to enjoy the convenience of wireless internet while abroad.

Osaka recently set up public free wireless internet in the Dōgu Yakujin Shopping Street. (Photo provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)

Currently, Japan has numerous notable public networks, such as HOT SPOT (NTT Communications), FLET’S SPOT (NTT West and East Japan), M-ZONE (NTT Docomo), BB Mobile Point (SoftBank), FREE SPOT (FREE SPOT Consortium), AU-WIFI SPOT (KDDI), Wi2 300, 7-SPOT, and others. Most of these public networks operate on a membership basis, which means non-member foreign tourists cannot use them. Moreover, connecting via roaming incurs high call charges.

 

For independent travelers, the internet is like an experienced guide that provides needed information anytime, anywhere, helping them explore various attractions across Japan. To improve the online environment and offer a better travel experience, the Japan Tourism Agency is actively installing free WIFI and hotspot zones at tourist information centers, sightseeing spots, airports, ports, train stations, convention centers, and shopping streets to make it convenient for foreign visitors to use.

 

The current status of free WIFI (WIFI) availability across Japan is as follows:

Category	Facility Name/Area	Details
Public Organizations	JNTO-certified Tourist Information Centers	Currently certified tourist information centers, with 169 locations equipped with free wireless internet (WIFI)
Airports	Narita Airport	Departure and arrival areas in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2
	Haneda Airport	Lobby and departure hall of the International Terminal
	Kansai Airport	Available in the departure hall and hotspot zones within the terminal building
	Chubu Centrair International Airport	Waiting areas for international and domestic departures
	Fukuoka Airport	Hotspot zones for international and domestic flights
	New Chitose Airport	Entire terminal building area
	Other airports such as Yamagata, Ogata-Noshiro, Misawa, Miyako, ^?凇, 5H, 5Huangjian, 7Sha, 4Mu, 2Qian, 5Tiao, 7Yun, 4You, 1Ming, 5Zuoshi, 5Yan, 6Dong, 7Fen, 8Chang, etc., have public areas with free WIFI
Train Stations	Tokyo Station, Haneda Airport Terminal Station, Narita Airport Station, and approximately 16 other stations	Just log in to your account at the “JR-EAST TRAVEL SERVICE CENTRE” and you can use it near the hotspots within the station.
Port	Yokohama Port	The second floor of the International Passenger Terminal Building at Yokohama Port’s Osanbashi Bridge has “FREESPOT” free Wi-Fi.
	Osaka Port	The service center provides free Wi-Fi.
	Hakata Port	The port office building has digital electronic signage that offers free Wi-Fi.
	Nagasaki Port	The Matsue International Port Building has “FREESPOT” free Wi-Fi.
Region	Yamanashi Prefecture	A free Wi-Fi hotspot service called the “Yamanashi FREE WIFI Project” is currently being promoted for foreign tourists. There are now 500 hotspots across Yamanashi Prefecture, with plans to increase the number to 1,000 this year.
	Ginza (G-Free)	The Ginza area along the Ginza Street will offer free “Q-Free.” Currently, about 20,000 people use it each month, with around 60% being foreigners.
	Marunouchi	In conjunction with the World Bank Annual Meetings, “JAPAN FREE WIFI” has been set up, providing free Wi-Fi in 12 buildings and common areas around the Tokyo International Forum in Marunouchi.
	Kyoto City	Kyoto City offers free Wi-Fi called “KYOTO＿WIFI” (for 3 hours) at bus stops, subway stations, convenience stores, and public facilities. Most of the current locations are places frequently visited by foreign tourists, with about 630 spots available.
	Fukuoka City	Fukuoka City provides free “Fukuoka City Wi-Fi” at major transportation hubs and tourist spots such as subway stations, Fukuoka Airport, Hakata Port, and throughout the entire Tenjin Underground Mall.
	Osaka City	Public free Wi-Fi is available in the Senba Daimaru-suji Shopping Street in Osaka City.
	Kawagoe City	The W? area in Kawagoe City has installed free Wi-Fi in key districts.
	Okanawa Prefecture	Sixteen facilities across the prefecture including the prefectural government office, airport, library, and art museum, as well as five facilities in Okayama City, offer free “OkayamaMobile SPOT.”
	Kofu City	Asahi-dori Shopping Street provides free Wi-Fi.
	Komatsu City	Free “FREESPOT” Wi-Fi is available at theaters, community centers, libraries, and tourist information centers in Komatsu City.
	Starbucks coffee shops	Since July 2012, approximately 855 Starbucks locations across Japan have offered free Wi-Fi through “at_STARBUCK_Wi2,” with around 30,000 users registered so far.
	NTT East	Since February 2012, NTT East has been distributing trial “Tourist Only Free WIFI” SIM cards at Narita Airport. Simply show your passport to receive one and enjoy 14 days of free Wi-Fi at NTT East hotspots. http://flets.com/freewifi/spot.html
	Omotesando	Since February 2012, free Wi-Fi called “OMO-FREE” has been available in the Harajuku and Omotesando areas.

 

 

 

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