The mobile connection is essential in these days. The number of overseas tourists to Japan have been increasing significantly in these day. The demand of the mobile connection are huge. Many train companies provide the free wifi at the station and in some trains as the tourists’ demand.
In this post, I would like to tell you about the free wifi in the train and at the station.
Nationwide Free Wi-Fi
Before I explain about the free Wi-Fi which is provided by railway companies, I would like to show you Japan Connected-Free Wi-Fi.
Some railway companies use this wifi network in the train and at the station. And you can use many local wifi service without registration if you have sign-up this app. I recommend you to download this app into your device before you depart from your country and be ready to use this wifi.
Free Wifi by JR companies
JR is national wide train network. Many JR companies provide Free Wifi at the station and in the train. When you use these public wifi services, most public wifi require you to register before using it. Please refer the link to the official site of each train company. You can find the information how to connect the free wifi.
JR Hokkaido Free Wi-Fi
JR Hokkaido is the train company which covers most part of Hokkaido.
Free wifi is provided on many of Rapid Airport train which runs between New Chitose Airport and Otaru.
Rapid Airport Train for New Chitose Airport to/from Sapporo and Otaru
One of major mobile carriers, NTT Docomo provides Free Wifi at many major stations. Please see the link below to find the detailed information:
Wi-Fi Guide (JR Hokkaido official site)
JR EAST FREE WI-FI
JR East covers Tohoku region, Kanto region (Tokyo and surrounding area), Nagano area. This free wifi service is provided in the major station. Please see the link below. You will find “JR EAST FREE WI-FI” in the middle of this page. You may click it to find the detailed info in PDF file.
JR East official site (English)
Shinkansen Free Wi-Fi and JR Central Free Wi-Fi
JR Central provides free wifi services in the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen trains. But this free wifi service is not available on all Shinkansen trains.
JR Central provides also free wifi services at the major stations in JR Central area (Tokai and Chubu area). And it is provided on Green class seat and some part of Ordinary class seat on the limited express Wide View Hida and Wide View Nanki.
You can find the detailed information about this wifi service in the link below:
JR Central Wi-Fi service (official site)
JR-West Free Wi-Fi Service
JR West provides free wifi spots at major stations in Kansai, Hokuriku, Sanyo and Sanin regions. Free wifi services are also available on the limited express Haruka and Osaka Loop Line train too.
Please find the detailed information in the link below:
JR Shikoku Free Wi-Fi Service
In Shikoku island, JR Shikoku provides free wifi services at major stations and some of the limited express Shiokaze and Ishizuchi. However this information is provided in JR Shikoku official site in Japanese only.
JR Shikoku Free Wi-Fi Service (JR Shikoku official site in Japanese)
Free Wifi by Private Railway companies
Many major private train companies provide their own wifi service.
Odakyu Railway
Many of you will take this train to Hakone and Enoshima from Shinjuku.
Odakyu Railway Free Wi-Fi (Odakyu Railway official site)
Keisei Railway
Keisei railway connects Narita airport and Tokyo (Ueno, Nippori). You can connects Wifi in the train when you move to Tokyo.
Keisei Railway Free Wi-Fi (Keisei Railway official site in Japanese)
Tobu Railway
Tobu Railway connects Asakusa and Nikko, Kinugawa Onsen.
Tobu Railway Free Wi-fi (Tobu Railway official site)
Keihin Kyuko Railway (Keikyu railway)
Keikyu connects Haneda, Shinagawa and Yokohama. You will take this train after you arrive in Haneda.
Keikyu Railway Free Wi-Fi (Keikyu Railway official site)
Tokyo Metro and Tokyo Toei Subway
There are two subway companies in Tokyo and both provide same wifi network.
Tokyo Metro / Tokyo Toei Subway (Tokyo Metro official site)
Meitetsu Railway
Meitetsu Railway operates the train services between Chubu airport, Nagoya, Toyohashi and Gifu. You may take this train after you arrive in Chubu Airport (Centrair).
Meitetsu Railway Free Wi-Fi (Meitetsu Railway official site)
Please find “Free Wi-Fi” in the link above. You will see the detailed information on PDF file.
Comments
Hi Takeshi,
I am contacting you on behalf Whoosh Media. We provide the on-board entertainment and infotainment, via WiFi through the passengers personal devices, on trains coaches and buses around the world.
I would love to learn more about the WiFi on Japanese Trains and discuss whether there might be interest in introducing our system.
Let me know how best to get in touch.
Thanks!
Jack
Hi Jack,
You should contact the train companies in Japan. I’m just a writer and I don’t have any contacts.
Unfortunately I have no idea and I cannot help you.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi JPrail.
We have purchased 7 days pass and we went yokohama on 24th of July and we supposed to leave on 25 of July from the yokohama but stations staffs told us there is no trains today because of festivals ( something ) then we took hotels because of that. My question is can we get that one day extra ? Our 7 days pass will be finished on mid night 28 of July.
Can you please answer my question.
Thanks.
Hi Dipak,
I don’t think so unfortunately. The JR Pass official site says:
“Once you have started using this pass, the validity period cannot be extended, nor will any refund be issued, even if trains and other qualifying transportation services are suspended or delayed for any reason, including natural disasters. Moreover, the JR Group will not bear additional costs due to changes in your route, such as alternative transportation costs or accommodation charges.”
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takechi,
I have a question regarding the information you gave me about a trip from Kanazawa to Takamatsu. I am traveling with a JR Pass and it seems that I have to pay to reserve seats? I am wrong? Or, everything is included with the JR Pass?
Cheers,
Fuyiko
Hi Fuyiko,
Reserved seat fee is covered by JR Pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks so much, Takechi!
Fuyiko
No worries, Fuyiko.
Cheers,
Takeshi (not Takechi) / JPRail.com
Hi Mr Takeshi,
We will travel 10days from Singapore to Haneda airport in 4th Jun -14th, 2 adults+2kids 11,4yrs
Our trip will cover
Tokyo 3days
Osaka, Kyoto
Nagoya. we want to visit Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
and back Singapore from Chubu Centrair airport
Should we purchased in advance for JR Pass is best option for our trip?
Thank you for your advise
Hi Rachel,
I recommend you to use JR pass 7-day. You can start using it when you leave Tokyo. There are some deals to cover Haneda-Tokyo and Tokyo. Please see the link below:
https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/airport_bus/index.html
I think you can complete Osaka, Kyoto, Alpine route and to get Nagoya in 7 days coverage period.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks so much Takeshi,
I can not find previous of sample itinerary of Tokyo,Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya
Do you mind to send me the link
We have not been Nagoya before so more excited and concern about hotel, transports since with two kids to eager experience to Alpine route
Once Thanks
Best Regards
Diep
Hi Diep,
Sorry but I don’t have any sample itineraries for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya. But you can find the sample itinerary to get Alpine route from Nagoya in the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-tateyama-kurobe-alpine-route-from-nagoya-and-osaka-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Mr Takeshi,
Further previous details, we will eta from Kyoto from day 7th to Kanazama by JR pass
We will stay there for 1night
Next day will heading to Alpine route with 2kids, and will go Nagoya for 2days
for return trip to Singapore from Chubu In’t airport
Can you advise we should purchase Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass suitable for us
since JR pass can not use for Alpine route
Thank so much for your advise
Kind Regards
Rachel
Hi Rachel,
Don’t start using JR pass from day 1. You will spend 3 days at Tokyo. This is the first part of your trip and you don’t need JR pass at this point. Subway pass or regular ticket is okay when you are in Tokyo. You should start using JR pass when you leave Tokyo as I mentioned.
And Takayama Hokuriku area tourist pass does not cover alpine route either. If you see whole part of alpine route, you will be Nagano after alpine route. You should use Tateyama Kurobe option ticket for this trip.
http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/
And then you have to take Shinkansen to go back to Toyama. You can use JR pass for Nagano to Toyama. Takayama Hokuriku area tourist pass does not cover Nagano to Toyama either. So you must use JR pass for the last 7 days of your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
How can I go from Kanazawa to Takamatsu using the JPR Pass?
Hi Fuyiko,
Your route is the following:
Kanazawa (limited express Thunderbird) Shin-Osaka (Shinkansen) Okayama (Rapid Marine Liner) Takamatsu
Please use hyperdia to find the exact train connection:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks a lot, Takeshi!
No worries, Fuyiko.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I couldn’t find with Hyperdia any train combinations to get to Hakone-Yumoto station from Tsunami station using JR Pass. Could you help, please?
Thanks!
Fuyiko
Hi Fuyiko,
I cannot locate where Tsunami station is. But anyway JR pass does not cover Odawara to Hakone-Yumoto. You have to add the fare for this segment:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/how-to-build-the-trip-plan-to-hakone-various-sample-itineraries-of-hakone.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I apologize for the mistake (auto-corrector), the station I meant to write was Tsurumi.
Fuyiko
No worries, Fuyiko.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com