The Internet is essential. Whether you use it to keep in touch with loved ones, work, get information about restaurants, hotels, and accommodations, book a table in a restaurant or a place in a movie theater, find your way in the street, or simply chat on your favorite online platform, you will always need a good Internet connection. So, what does Japan have to offer? Here's a practical guide.
Types of Internet connections in Japan
There are two types of Internet connections in Japan: wired and wireless. Wired connections are in your home and offer fast data transmission. Wireless connections, like portable Wi-Fi, can be taken outside. Wireless may be slower and have more limitations and risks than wired.
Regardless of the connection choice, paying an installation fee for the equipment configuration to connect your home to the Internet service is common.
Wired connections in Japan: Fibre-optic and ADSL
In Japan, wired broadband services consist of fiber-optic (光 or "Hikari") and ADSL lines. Fiber-optic is Japan's most popular fixed-line Internet option due to its fast network connection and ability to handle large data transfers. However, ADSL is an outdated and slow form of Internet that used to be common.
Various carriers have offered ADSL services, but they will be discontinued by the end of March 2024. NTT East and West Japan ended their "FLET'S ADSL" service in January 2023 in the "FLET'S Hikari" service area. However, due to the impact of the recently introduced "FLET'S Hikari" service areas, the ADSL service period has been extended until the end of January 2025.
Once the ADSL service ends, it will no longer work. You can switch to a fiber optic line, mobile Wi-Fi, or a home router to get a new Internet connection service.
Wireless connections: Wi-fi in Japan
Wi-fi devices enable wireless network connections, allowing you to access the Internet using a mobile router, both indoors and outdoors. You can access free Wi-fi in most hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, airports, and museums. Wi-fi in Japan is known for being fast and reliable.
If you live in Japan for a long time, consider subscribing to high-speed fiber-optic Internet for a stable network connection. To set up a wireless connection in your home, you will need to purchase a wired or wireless router, depending on the configuration of your home connection. Ask your landlord or real estate agent for more information. Routers can be found in all high-tech and household appliance stores, such as Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera, etc.
If you only visit Japan for a short time, think about renting or buying a pocket Wi-Fi connection. Pocket Wi-Fi works like a portable router and allows you to connect several devices simultaneously from any location. There are different connection speeds and data limits. Pocket Wi-Fi can be rented online or in physical stores like Yodobashi Camera, Softbank, NTT Docomo, etc. You can also find it at the airport, and your sharehouse or hotel can offer you to rent one.
Set up Internet in Japan
Depending on your location, the network operator may need to come to your home to install the cables for your Internet connection. If the previous tenant had a fiber-optic line, you can use it immediately by setting up a router. On the other hand, new homes without previous tenants will need cable installation.
Construction costs vary depending on the types of accommodation and the construction content. For more details, check the official websites of NTT East, NTT West, and other carriers. In addition, keep an eye on special deals offering free installation, which can help you save money when setting up your Internet.
Of course, you cannot use the Internet just by setting up cables. To use the Internet, you need to sign a contract with a provider (ISP), which is the point of contact for connecting various devices such as PCs, mobiles, and servers.
ISPs (Internet Service Providers) in Japan
There are two types of ISPs in Japan; one for mobile (phone line), and there are pure players.
Mobile providers
These are the ones who provide access to landlines. We can differentiate between the big operators who have their own networks, like AU, NTT Docomo, Softbank, and Rakuten, and the others who use the network of the big operators. They are the MVNOs such as IIJmo, Mobal, HIS, Sakura mobile, and GTN mobile.
Pure players
In Japan, there are two leading providers of modems and fixed connections. They are NTT West (providing Internet in the West of the country) and NTT East (in the East of the country). There are also a few smaller ISPs, such as KDDI.
Choosing your Internet package in Japan
It will all depend on the duration of your stay in Japan. If you don't stay long, there is no need to invest in a fixed Internet package. A mobile data package will be enough.
For a very short trip (less than 3 months), consider a prepaid SIM card. You can find them in all high-tech and household appliance stores. Their validity ranges between 15 days and 3 months and is available in several options: data only, voice only, mixed data, and voice. Prices vary according to the validity period of the SIM card, its number of GB, and the talk time capacity.
If you are staying for 1 year, you should opt for operators with no commitment and no minimum contract duration or with a maximum duration of one year. GTN mobile calls itself "the operator for foreigners in Japan". Its services are multilingual, without long-term commitments, and adapt to the expectations of most expats living in Japan.
You are now better informed on how to choose your Internet package.
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