Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, reported by Li Meixiu
According to a survey conducted by the Japan Tourism Agency at Narita Airport or Tokyo Tourist Information Centers about the most troublesome issues foreign tourists face during their trips, free internet service (Free WIFI) was the most frustrating. Especially for independent travelers who often use the internet to check transportation options, city maps, affordable and tasty restaurants or cafes, as well as information not available in travel books or brochures. To provide a better travel environment, the Japan Tourism Agency has been adding 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 on Doguya-suji Shopping Street. (Photo provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Currently, there are quite a few representative public networks in Japan, 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, etc. Most of these public networks operate on a membership basis, which means non-member foreign tourists cannot use them. However, connecting via roaming can result in 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 internet environment and offer a better travel experience, the Japan Tourism Agency has been actively adding free WIFI and hotspot areas at tourist information centers, sightseeing spots, airports, ports, train stations, convention centers, and shopping streets, making it easier for international tourists visiting Japan to access the internet.
The current status of free internet (WIFI) setup across Japan is as follows
Category | Facility Name / Area | Details |
Public Interest Groups | JNTO-certified Tourist Information Centers | Currently certified tourist information centers, with 169 locations offering 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 departure halls 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 including Yamagata, Ogata-Noshiro, Misawa, Miyako, ^?, 5, 5, 7, 9, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5?' Shimane, Izumo, Tokushima, Ariake Saga, Kitakyushu, Oita, Nagasaki, etc., have public areas available | |
Train Stations | Approximately 16 stations including Tokyo Station, Haneda Airport Terminal 1·2·3 Station, and Narita Airport Station | Simply register an account at the "JR-EAST TRAVEL SERVICE CENTRE" to use the service near hotspots within the station. |
Ports | Yokohama Port | Free wireless internet "FREESPOT" is available on the second floor of the International Passenger Terminal Building at Yokohama Port's Osanbashi Pier. |
Osaka Port | Free internet is provided at the service center. | |
Hakata Port | The port office building offers digital signage with free Wi-Fi. | |
Nagasaki Port | Free wireless internet "FREESPOT" is available at Matsugae International Port Building. | |
Regions | Yamanashi Prefecture | The "Yamanashi FREE WIFI Project" is currently promoting free Wi-Fi hotspots for foreign tourists. There are now 500 hotspots across Yamanashi Prefecture, with plans to increase this number to 1,000 this year. |
Ginza (G-Free) | Free "Q-Free" is available along the Ginza Street area centered around Ginza. Currently, about 20,000 people use it monthly, with approximately 60% being foreigners. | |
Marunouchi | "JAPAN FREE WIFI" has been set up for the World Bank Annual Meetings, providing free Wi-Fi in 12 buildings and common areas around the Tokyo International Forum in Marunouchi. | |
Kyoto City | Free Wi-Fi "KYOTO_WIFI" (for 3 hours) is available at bus stops, subway stations, convenience stores, and public facilities in Kyoto City. Most of the current locations are popular with foreign tourists, with about 630 spots in total. | |
Fukuoka City | Free "Fukuoka City Wi-Fi" is available at major transportation hubs and tourist spots in Fukuoka City such as subway stations, Fukuoka Airport, Hakata Port, and throughout the Tenjin Underground Mall. | |
Osaka City | Public free Wi-Fi is available at the Senba Dori Doguyasuji Shopping Street. | |
Kawagoe City | Free Wi-Fi is available in the central area of Kawagoe City. | |
Okayama Prefecture | Free "Okayama Mobile SPOT" is available at 16 facilities across the prefecture including the prefectural government office, airport, libraries, and art museums, as well as 5 facilities in Okayama City. | |
Kofu City | Free Wi-Fi is available in Asahi-dori Shopping Street. | |
Komatsu City | Free “FREESPOT” Wi-Fi is available at theaters, community centers, libraries, and tourist information centers in Komatsu City. | |
Starbucks cafés | Since July 2012, approximately 855 Starbucks cafés across Japan have offered “at_STARBUCKS_Wi2” free Wi-Fi, with 30,000 users registered so far. | |
NTT East | Since February 2012, NTT East has been offering experimental distribution of “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 “OMO-FREE” has been available in the Harajuku and Omotesando area. | |
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