Skip to main content

How to get Internet access in Japan

One of the problems that I encountered in Japan was how to get access to the Internet, when you don't get it for free with your hotel room. I think I had to pay about €14 for the use of Internet in my hotel room for just one day. It started counting, right when I logged in to my Internet account for the first time. But since I was away during the most of the day for sightseeing, I basically paid that high price for 2 hours of Internet. So, here are some tips to get the precious Internet access that you need to look up information and to keep in touch with your friends and family.

Narita airport

The first place, where you can get free Wi-Fi is directly on Narita airport. You can connect to the network "FreeWiFi-NARITA". Afterwards, open your Internet browser and follow the instructions given. You can also go to the free Wi-Fi desks with LAN sheets, the free computer desk corners with AC100V power points and desk lamps, the coin-operated Internet terminals (100 yen per 10 minutes), or the Business Support services with a large range of (paid) services.

There is also a long list of companies that can provide you with a rental Mobile phone and/or a mobile Wi-Fi router at locations on Narita airport.

Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi app


I recently discovered this app: Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi, which helps you find Wi-Fi spots, where you can enjoy free Wi-Fi without any charges. You first need to download to app beforehand and when you arrive in Japan, you can look up the Wi-Fi spots (offline), go find one, and get access to the Internet.


NTT East Free Wi-Fi Japan

Until June 30, 2014, NTT East Free Wi-Fi Japan distributed free Wi-Fi cards to overseas visitors at Narita airport, with which you could enjoy free Wi-Fi service in the Eastern Japan area up to 14 days. They might start handing them out in the future again, so keep an eye on their website for the latest news.

There is another method in getting this 14-days free Wi-Fi ID/Pass and that is by downloading the free app "NAVITIME for Japan Travel" and inside, you can press on the button "Issue NTT East Free Wi-Fi ID/Pass". I haven't tried if it still works, since they only issue it if you haven't gotten it before in the last 90 days and I might buy an airplane ticket to Japan on impulse any time. ^_^


docomo Wi-Fi for visitors

With the docomo Wi-Fi for visitors, is a public Wi-Fi service for foreign visitors to Japan. It is very affordable as you only pay 972 yen for 1 week or 1,404 yen for 3 weeks. You don't have to do anything besides applying online in advance and pay for your plan with a credit card. After you receive your user ID and password, you can use those to login at a docomo hotspot, which can be found in roughly 150,000 locations throughout Japan. 


Wi² 300

Wi² 300 is another public wireless LAN service with high speed Internet access (up to 300 Mbps), accessible at  the Wi-Fi hotspots. The prices are: 350 yen (6-hour pass), 800 yen (one day pass), 1500 yen (3-day pass), and 2000 yen (1-week pass). Note: it starts counting from first log-in, even when you are not using it.


Fast-food chain stores and coffee shops

I once needed to go inside a McDonalds to get Internet access, since I got lost. But you can also visit coffee shops, such as Starbucks, where you can leisurely drink a cup of coffee. I don't remember exactly, but I think you can use the Wi-Fi for a short time of about 15-30 minutes without any charges, when you register.





Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Cheap conveyor belt sushi in Japan: Kura sushi

Previously, I already introduced two conveyor belt sushi places to you, Genki Sushi and Uobei , and today, I discovered another one, Kura sushi . All plates of sushi (mostly there are two pieces of sushi on one plate and for some of the more expensive kinds, you get one piece) are just 100 yen. They have special high-tech plates, so you can just grab the plate through the hole in the front and the plastic, transparent, dome-shaped lid will open by itself. You can also order sushi through the touch screen (in English) and it will arrive in the high-speed track located above the regular conveyor belt. I am not sure if this is the case for all of the Kura sushi shops, but on tv, I saw that you can also play a game on the touch screen after you insert 5 empty plates in the slot located at your table. By winning it, you can get a small trinket/toy in a plastic ball. You can find the menu with clear pictures and prices  here . Warm dishes, such as bowls of rice, noodles, and udon with t
Read more»

Cheap conveyor belt sushi in Japan: Genki Sushi (元気寿司)

After introducing Uobei (魚べい) to you, I cannot leave out Genki Sushi. Unlike Uobei, it doesn't work with a one price concept, but with different looking plates. The variety is a lot larger, but you are also more likely to walk out with a higher bill than what you first intended to spend than at Uobei or Sushi Ondo that has a similar Genki sushi logo. The plates with a yellow/orange rim: 108 yen The plates with a red rim: 183 yen The plates with a beige rim: 237 yen The checkered plates: 345 yen The rectangular plates with swirls print: 486 yen. You can find the standard menu here and underneath you can find the seasonal, summer 2014 offering. There are many Genki Sushi stores in Japan, but this store in Shibuya should be the easiest to find for tourists. Address: 24-8, Udagawa machi (宇田川町24-8), Leisure Plaza Building, Shibuya, Tokyo. Directions: Leave Shibuya station from exit 6 (top center on map). Locate the famous Starbucks store that overlooks the Shibuya
Read more»

Luxury capsule hotel: First Cabin

Sleeping in one of the hotels of First Cabin is as luxurious as you can get, at least in the capsule hotel category. If you are not familiar with capsule hotels; those are hotels, where you can get a small sleeping space (capsule) that is just about enough to fit your body. Capsule hotels are great for budget travelers in Japan, as you can find them in many places and the rates are about 3,000-5,000 yen per night. You do have to deal with a lack of privacy (as the capsules cannot be locked), use a communal bath room, and to be able to fall asleep in tight spaces. If you are slightly claustrophobic like me, you might want to consider the First Cabin hotels. They have larger sleeping spaces decorated in the same style as the cabin of an airplane, hence the name First Cabin. You can choose between two kinds of cabins: First Class cabin (4.4 m²) and Business Class cabin (2.5 m²). Everyone sleeps in their own individual cabin and men and women are divided in two separate sleeping areas,
Read more»