Do you know about the Wi-Fi environment in Japan? Japan is known as a country of advanced technology development, but in reality, free Wi-Fi is not widespread. Free Wi-Fi spots are available at major tourist attractions and train stations, but coverage is limited and speeds may not be stable.
In addition, even ordinary Japanese homes may not have a wireless LAN (WiFi) environment. In particular, WiFi may not be available in older buildings and some hotels.
In this article, we will explore the current state of free Wi-Fi in Japan and the problems you may encounter.
The State of Free Wi-Fi in Japan
Free Wi-Fi spots for foreign tourists are increasing in Japan. Especially in urban areas, many tourist attractions, shopping malls, and cafes offer free Wi-Fi.
In addition, some major railroad companies in Japan also provide Wi-Fi services in their stations and trains. On the other hand, however, there are still some places where free Wi-Fi is not available. For example, free Wi-Fi may be limited in local towns, mountainous areas, and some public facilities.
Some free Wi-Fi spots may have unstable connections or limited availability. Therefore, when traveling in Japan, you should be prepared in advance in case Wi-Fi is not available.
Problems with Wi-Fi in Japan
There are several things that foreign visitors have trouble with when it comes to Wi-Fi in Japan. The first is the language barrier. Some free Wi-Fi services require registration and use in Japanese. If you are not fluent in Japanese or if this is your first time using the service, you may find the registration process difficult.
The second difficulty is the limitation of usage time. Some free Wi-Fi spots have limited hours of use. Especially in popular locations or during busy times, the available time may be limited. If you want to use the service for an extended period of time or have a sudden change of plans, you may have trouble due to the restrictions.
Some free Wi-Fi services also have speed limits. Especially when watching videos or downloading large amounts of data, restrictions may affect your ability to use the service comfortably.
How to use the internet in Japan
“Can’t I use the Internet comfortably in Japan?” Don’t worry, there are several ways to use the Internet in Japan! There are several ways to use the Internet in Japan.
First of all, please note that it may not be as smooth and comfortable as in your home country. Please understand.
The first is to use a prepaid SIM card or rental WiFi router provided by a Japanese telecommunications company.
Prepaid SIM cards：Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from Japanese telecommunication companies and some electronics stores.
Rental WiFi router: Can be easily rented at airports and tourist attractions in Japan.
Both methods differ in terms of price and period of use. You can choose the method that suits you best. If you estimate in advance how long you will stay in Japan and how much data capacity you will use, you can use it without waste.
Second, you can use free Wi-Fi services. Some cafes, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, airports, and trains may offer free Wi-Fi services. In rural areas, free Wi-Fi is not yet widespread. There are many cases where free Wi-Fi is not available at your destination.
To use free Wi-Fi in Japan, a free application called “Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect” is useful. This application allows you to connect only to safe and secure access points with clear providers at Wi-Fi spots throughout Japan. By downloading the application, you can easily connect.
Caution
If you use your own country’s smartphone in Japan without changing it, communication charges will be high. We do not recommend the “international roaming” method.
summary
While free Wi-Fi is increasingly available in Japan, there is still room for improvement. When visiting Japan, we recommend that you research Wi-Fi availability in advance and consider rental Wi-Fi or SIM options if necessary.
Also, enjoy a pleasant trip while paying attention to language barriers and usage restrictions. We hope that you will experience the charms of Japan to the fullest and have a memorable trip.
We hope this information will help you all have a pleasant stay in Japan.
