A Backpacker’s Guide to Internet Access in Japan

Some fears of a backpacker:

Fear 1

The railway system of Japan is serviced by over 100 private companies. Japan has 6 out of the world’s 50 busiest train stations. Getting from one point to another can be done in numerous ways. Train schedules and ticket prices vary. It’s normal to feel confused and a little lost. You are human after all. A website called HyperDia is here for confused backpackers like you. Only you would need access to the internet to avail of this awesome free service.

Fear 2

You are in Osaka. Your friend told you to try out this restaurant. It supposedly serves food that will blow your mind. You are hungry. You are standing in front of the train station, utterly confused and lost. Worse, you cannot even remember the name of the place. Your friend messaged you the details on Facebook. You realize you need internet access.

There are many other fears. Most can be remedied by one common denominator—access to the internet. If you are planning to backpack in Japan, here are some information on how you can access the internet:

Free Wi-Fi for tourists!

Japan loves their tourists. To the point that they are benevolent enough to think of your internet connectivity needs. Most major airports, train stations and tourist information centers have Wi-Fi Hotspots that provide free connectivity for tourists. There are some cities (such as Kyoto and Fukuoka) which offer free Wi-Fi in their central districts.

7-11 and other convenience stores offer free connection for their customers as well. Starbucks offers free Wi-Fi to tourists in Japan. However, it is best to inquire into this as they might require advanced registration.

NTT East Free Wi-Fi offers free connection to several spots all across Eastern Japan for foreign tourists. You need to secure a card with a corresponding login and ID to avail of this free service.

Rental/Subscription

If you are venturing into areas of Japan that do not have many free Wi-Fi spots that you can access, it would be prudent to look into these rental or subscription options.

1. Rental and Prepaid SIM cards—If you would like to use your own mobile device and connect directly through cellular network, this is your best option. Sim cards can cost around 1000 to 1500 per yen or 6000 yen per month.
2. Personal Hotspots—this has become a popular choice among tourists, especially those traveling in groups. As soon as you land in an airport, you are bound to find rentals in the premises. It can cost 800 to 1500 per yen.
3. Smartphones for rent—There are several service providers which rent out smartphones which have unlimited access to the internet and capability to make calls. It will cost you around 1000 to 1500 yen per day.

So fear no more! With these options, you can always be connected to internet during your stay in Japan.