March, 2015

Recently, there are more and more free-wifi services in Japan for internet access of visitors from overseas. You only need to install some apps into your devices or register your email address for the first time only to start using these services when you are close to the hotspots. However, since the coverage area of each hotspot is mostly within a radius from 15 to 20 meters, carrying a Pocket Wifi is still the best way to keep you connected seamlessly and avoid receiving any unnecessary Ads. Information below may not be exhaustive or the most up-to-date.

Information of Free nation-wide Wifi

Japan Connected-free Wifi

95,000 hotspots

This is a free Wifi service provided by NTTBP.
Visitors can download the app from Google play or App Store.
The coverage area of this service is nation-wide. Around 95,000 hotspots (Feb 2015) will be available across Japan, including NTT East Free Wifi Japan, JR-East Free Wifi (stations) , Metro Free Wifi, 7SPOT, etc.

To use this service, you only need to launch the app and search for Free Wifi connection hotspots nearby, when you reach the hotspots, tap the "Connect" button to get online.

Travel Japan Wifi (SSID:Wi2, Wi2_club, wifi_sqaure, UQ_Wifi, Wi2premium, Wi2premium_club)

60,000-200,000 hotspots

This is a free Wifi service provided by Wire and Wireless (Wi2).
Visitors can download the app from Google play or App Store.
The coverage area of this service is nation-wide. You can have Wifi access in 60,000 locations just with this app, such as airport shuttle buses and cafes, for up to two weeks free of charge. If you get a premium code from Wi2's partners (Odakyu Department stores, Restaurants, Sightseeing Service Centers, JAL, JCB, Don Quijote, BIC CAMERA, etc.), More than 200,000 hotspots in total will be available across Japan. Recommended information and Ads of facilities around the connected hotspots will also be delivered to your device each time.

FREESPOT (SSID:FREESPOT)

12,000 hotspots

This is a free Wifi service provided by FREESPOT Association.
Visitors can use this Wifi service at more than 12,000 locations (Feb 2015) across Japan for free.

To use this free Wifi service, go to the hotspots and select "FREESPOT(SSID)" from wireless network on your devices and open a browser. Enter your email address and click Send. You will get a password or a link via email from FREESPOT to start using this service. The email registration is required only for the first time. Your account will be active for 6 months from your last access.

7SPOT (SSID:7SPOT)

15,000 hotspots

This is a free Wifi service provided by SEVEN&i Holdings.
Visitors can use this Wifi service at more than 15,000 Seven-Eleven stores, Ito-Yokado stores, Denny's restaurants and other stores of SEVEN&i Holdings (Feb 2015) across Japan.

To use this free Wifi service, download the "Japan Connected free Wifi" app mentioned above and register your details for the first time, go to the stores of SEVEN&i Holdings and select the SSID of 7SPOT. You can use this Wifi service for up to 60 mins each time, three times per day.

at_STARBUCKS_Wi2 (SSID:at_STARBUCKS_Wi2)

More than 1,000 stores

This is a free Wifi service provided by Wire and Wireless Co., Ltd.at Starbucks stores across Japan.

To use this free Wifi service, you need a SNS account of Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo! JAPAN, Google (Sep 2014) or sign up in advance to get ID and Password via email. Go to Starbucks stores and select "at_STARBUCKS_Wi2(SSID)" from wireless network on your devices. You can use this service for up to 60 mins per login.

Information of Free Wifi in Eastern Area of Japan

NTT East Free Wifi Japan (SSID:0000FLETS-PORTAL)

48,000 hotspots

This is a free Wifi service provided by NTT East in the eastern Japan area.
Visitors can use this Wifi service for up to 14 days for free at around 48,000 hotspots (July 2014) in eastern Japan area.

To use this free Wifi service, you need to get a free Wifi ID and password.
1. Before your visit
Download the free app "NAVITIME for Japan Travel" to your smartphone and get free Wifi ID and password from the app.
2. During your visit
Obtain a card on which the ID and password are written at distribution locations (Designated airports, exchange shops, department stores, etc.)

Information of Free Wifi in Western Area of Japan

JR-WEST Free Wifi Service (SSID:JR-WEST_FREE_Wifi)

13 stations

This is a free Wifi service provided by JR-WEST (West Japan Railway Company) at 13 large stations (Toyama, Kanazawa, Fukui, Kyoto, Osaka. Shin-Osaka, Kokura, Hakata, etc.) in the western Japan area.
Visitors can use this Wifi service for up to 8 days for free. Most of the hotspots are close to the ticket gates and waiting rooms of each station.

To use this free Wifi service, you need to get a guest code at Kyoto or Osaka station by presenting your passport or send a blank e-mail to "jrw@forguest.wi2.ne.jp" to get the guest code via email.

DoSPOT-FREE (SSID:DoSPOT-FREE)

15,000 hotspots

This is a free Wifi service provided by NTT Medias at 15,000 locations (July 2014) in western Japan area.

To use this free Wifi, download the "Japan Connected free Wifi" app mentioned above and register your details for the first time only. After that you can use this service for up to 15 mins each time, four times per day at the hotspots.