Internet access is undoubtedly one of the crucial factors to consider when planning your trip abroad, especially if it’s your first visit to the country. Without the Internet, you won’t be able to use Google Maps to navigate your way to your destination, share your amazing photos and videos on Instagram or TikTok, or simply chat with your local friends on WhatsApp and share your excitement about exploring Japan. In this article, we will familiarize you with the general internet conditions and hotspots in Japan, as well as some portable Wi-Fi rental service providers, as we believe that renting one is the best option to stay connected!
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Internet Conditions in Places You Stop By
Airports
Major airports in Japan offer free Wi-Fi hotspots in terminals and on shuttle buses. Simply turn on the Wi-Fi on your device and look for a public or secure Wi-Fi network with the name of the airport. For instance, at Haneda Airport, you can connect to the “HANEDA-FREE-WIFI” (ESS-ID).
- Haneda Airport Free Wi-Fi Service (Official)
Hotels and Ryokans
Most hotels and Ryokans (Japanese-style hotels) provide complimentary Wi-Fi access to their guests. The network name and password are typically displayed in each room, restaurant, and lounge area. You can also find their network (usually named after the facility and floor) in the Wi-Fi list on your device.
Cafés and Restaurants
There is a possibility that cafés and restaurants also offer free Wi-Fi. You can ask the waitstaff or look for a Wi-Fi sticker at the entrance. Many fast-food restaurant chains and coffee chains, such as McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Tully’s, have their own Wi-Fi networks inside their establishments. Additionally, in major cities, you can find Internet and/or comic cafes (known as “Manga Kissa” in Japanese), where you can not only use a PC in a separate room but also enjoy thousands of comic books for 500-800 yen per hour of stay.
Free Wi-Fi Sticker Sample
- McDonald’s Free Wi-Fi Service (Official)
- Starbucks Coffee Free Wi-Fi Service (Official)
- Tully’s Coffee Free Wi-Fi Service (Official)
Convenience Stores (“Konbini”)
Among the various major convenience store chains (often shortened to “Konbini”) in Japan, only a limited number of them currently offer free Wi-Fi service. One of the largest chains is Lawson, with over 14,600 stores across the country. Another prominent Konbini chain, FamilyMart, offers a service called “d Wi-Fi,” which is provided for free by NTT Docomo, Japan’s largest mobile phone operator. An application is required before using d Wi-Fi.
Trains/Stations
As the leading railway company group in Japan, JR (The Japan Railway Group) provides a free Wi-Fi network at stations and on trains in different regions, such as Hokkaido, East Japan (including Tokyo), West Japan (including Kyoto and Osaka), and Kyushu. Some other railway companies also offer Wi-Fi networks, particularly when the trains go underground and the regular internet connection becomes weak during the journey.
- JR Hokkaido Free Wi-Fi Service (Official)
- JR East Free Wi-Fi Service (Official)
- JR West Free Wi-Fi Service (Official)
- JR Kyushu Free Wi-Fi Service (Official)
See also: A Comprehensive Guide on Transportation in Japan
Automatic Connection App for Free Wi-Fi
If you find it cumbersome to find and connect to a free Wi-Fi network every time, you can use an app called “Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect“ provided by NTT, Japan’s largest telecommunications group company. Simply install the app, and your device will automatically connect to a free and secure Wi-Fi network whenever there’s a hotspot available, including at airports, restaurants, shopping malls, and trains.
- Japan Wi-Fi Auto-Connect Website (Official)
5 Best Pocket Wi-Fi Router Providers
While there are free Wi-Fi options available at various locations as mentioned above, the number of available spots may not be sufficient to ensure a comfortable trip. Additionally, it’s important to note that some free Wi-Fi networks may not be secure. That is why we recommend renting a portable/pocket Wi-Fi router. Here are some rental service providers that offer information regarding prices, Wi-Fi speed, and the delivery/pick-up process for you to compare.
* Please note that the research below was conducted in May 2023. For the latest information, please visit each provider’s website.
Sakura Mobile
Sakura Mobile offers a package plan where you can rent a pocket Wi-Fi router for 300 yen per day (when rented for 30 days) with unlimited data usage, access to Docomo’s 4G/LTE high-speed network, and the ability to connect up to 15 devices. Simply place your order three days prior to your arrival, and the router will be delivered to the airport, hotel, or post office of your choice. On the day of your return, you can conveniently place the router and other equipment into the provided envelope and drop it into any mailbox at the airport or on the streets.
Japan Wireless
Japan Wireless highly recommends their “Premium WiFi” plan, which offers a compact Wi-Fi router for 615 yen per day (when rented for 28 days) with no data usage limit and a maximum speed of 187 Mbps. You can connect up to ten devices to this router. To rent the router, simply order it online, and it will be delivered to your preferred airport or hotel. When returning the router, you can easily place it in the prepaid envelope provided and drop it into any mailbox.
Wi-Fi RENTAL Store
Wi-Fi RENTAL Store, with a total of 800,000 rentals to their credit, provides three models of pocket Wi-Fi routers with different price ranges, data plans, and speeds. Their most popular model is the Softbank FS030W, available for 390 yen per day, offering a data usage limit of 20GB per month (regardless of the length of your rental) and a maximum download speed of 150 Mbps. In addition to airports and hotels, you can also pick up the router at their shop in Akihabara if you plan to visit that area. Please note that a delivery fee of 1,100 yen is added for the round trip.
Japan Wi-Fi Rental
Japan Wi-Fi Rental offers the SoftBank Pocket WiFi 601HW, which provides a maximum speed of 612Mbps, at a rate of 430 yen per day. If you rent the router for a month, the price is reduced by 52%, making it 6,450 yen per month. Additionally, there is a round-trip delivery fee of 1,100 yen. Orders should be placed at least two days prior to your arrival date. You can choose to pick up the router from any airport or location of your stay, and when returning it, you can simply drop it in any nearby mailbox using the provided envelope.
NINJA Wi-Fi
NINJA Wi-Fi offers three models of Softbank pocket Wi-Fi routers, each with different price ranges (770-1,320 yen per day) and data usage limits (3-10GB). For added convenience during your trip, you can also rent Pocketalk, an award-winning two-way translator tool that supports 74 languages, for 880 yen per day. Orders for NINJA Wi-Fi should be placed at least three days prior to your pick-up date, and you can receive the router at a designated pick-up counter at the airport. If you return it to the airport, the entire delivery fee is waived. However, if you prefer to have it delivered directly to a hotel or office and return it by mail, there is a delivery fee of 550 yen each way.
See also: 6 Top Japanese Travel Agencies for English-Speaking Tourists
Summary
In this article, we have provided information about the internet conditions and various hotspots in Japan. Additionally, we have introduced five popular portable Wi-Fi router providers as the best options to ensure a reliable internet connection during your trip. We hope that these recommendations will help make your journey in Japan as smooth and stress-free as possible.
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