| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Briteseid
Joined: 13 Sep 2011
Posts: 5
|
 Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 3:18 pm Post subject: Wireless hotspots in Tokyo |
 |
|
it might be a while before i can internet set up in my place after i arrive. can you recommend any wifi hotspots where i can bring my laptop and check mail, read a quick news article, etc?
...preferrably free...  |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Briteseid
Joined: 13 Sep 2011
Posts: 5
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 6:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
thanks for the effort, Glenski. I did a search as well, and came up with the same links except for the last one. I'll give it a more thorough look.
The problem with those links is that they are all dated. The most recent link i found was a Dec 8, 2010 page (not on your list), and all it seemed to be doing was rehashing the same info from the CNNGO page earlier that year ( on your list.) Since things change pretty quickly in the business and tech worlds, I was looking for something a little more current, and preferrably some first-hand info. I assumed that some of those places may not be offering WIFI anymore, or (if Japan is anything like Korea) may or may not even exist at all!
If there's anyone who's used any places recently (especially in Ikebukuro) I'd love to hear your advice. If not, I guess I'll have to be the guinea pig when I arrive... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Shimokitazawa
Joined: 16 Aug 2009
Posts: 458
Location: Saigon, Vietnam
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 6:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Briteseid wrote: |
thanks for the effort, Glenski. I did a search as well, and came up with the same links except for the last one. I'll give it a more thorough look.
The problem with those links is that they are all dated. The most recent link i found was a Dec 8, 2010 page (not on your list), and all it seemed to be doing was rehashing the same info from the CNNGO page earlier that year ( on your list.) Since things change pretty quickly in the business and tech worlds, I was looking for something a little more current, and preferrably some first-hand info. I assumed that some of those places may not be offering WIFI anymore, or (if Japan is anything like Korea) may or may not even exist at all!
If there's anyone who's used any places recently (especially in Ikebukuro) I'd love to hear your advice. If not, I guess I'll have to be the guinea pig when I arrive... |
The only ones I know of are in Shinjuku / Takadanobaba |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seklarwia
Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 1546
Location: Monkey onsen, Nagano
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 8:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
I know some McDonalds have WiFi. I remember a Tokyo Vlogger uploading Youtube vids from one a couple of years ago. It might have even been one across the street from Ikebukuro Station since they were living there at the time if memory serves.
And my local Starbucks has it too, so perhaps coffee shops might be something to look out for.
Not exactly free... but the price of a burger or coffee isn't so bad. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gittelbug
Joined: 08 Feb 2010
Posts: 43
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 11:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I think the area around akihabra station had it when i was over there a few months ago. I've heard a lot of the starbucks have it. I'm pretty sure some of them are free. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Shimokitazawa
Joined: 16 Aug 2009
Posts: 458
Location: Saigon, Vietnam
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 11:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| seklarwia wrote: |
I know some McDonalds have WiFi. I remember a Tokyo Vlogger uploading Youtube vids from one a couple of years ago. It might have even been one across the street from Ikebukuro Station since they were living there at the time if memory serves.
And my local Starbucks has it too, so perhaps coffee shops might be something to look out for.
Not exactly free... but the price of a burger or coffee isn't so bad. |
Yes, MacDonald's and Starbucks have agreements with Softbank BB and YAHOO BB. But it's not free - you will pay for that service. Japan is one of the most parsimonious societies in the world, and even the big, modern metropolis of Tokyo is stingy with its wireless Internet connections. Also, you must register for it, which was a complicated process that required fiddling around with the sign-in page (at least when I tried).
I've spent time in Taipei, Bangkok, Seoul and Hong Kong and finding free wireless Internet in coffee shops and pubs (even Starbucks!), and I do mean "free" (as long as you buy a cup of coffee), is relatively easy. But "free" in Japan, or "free spot" only means that they have a wireless connection. But you still have to go through the complicated process of registering / signing up for it and paying for it. Not practical for a lot of people who may only be visiting. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Apsara
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 2142
Location: Tokyo, Japan
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 1:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Agree- true free wireless hotspots in Japan are rarer than hen's teeth and not really something to rely on. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BradS
Joined: 05 Sep 2004
Posts: 173
Location: Tokyo, Japan
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 1:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
| There are some awesome cafes around Shibuya and Roppongi/Azabu Juban that have 100% free wifi in them. I love Espresso Americano in Roppogi Hills (3rd floor above Starbucks). The wifi is super fast and the food and coffee is great. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
stumptowny
Joined: 29 May 2011
Posts: 310
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 1:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Shimokitazawa wrote: |
| seklarwia wrote: |
I know some McDonalds have WiFi. I remember a Tokyo Vlogger uploading Youtube vids from one a couple of years ago. It might have even been one across the street from Ikebukuro Station since they were living there at the time if memory serves.
And my local Starbucks has it too, so perhaps coffee shops might be something to look out for.
Not exactly free... but the price of a burger or coffee isn't so bad. |
Yes, MacDonald's and Starbucks have agreements with Softbank BB and YAHOO BB. But it's not free - you will pay for that service. Japan is one of the most parsimonious societies in the world, and even the big, modern metropolis of Tokyo is stingy with its wireless Internet connections. Also, you must register for it, which was a complicated process that required fiddling around with the sign-in page (at least when I tried).
I've spent time in Taipei, Bangkok, Seoul and Hong Kong and finding free wireless Internet in coffee shops and pubs (even Starbucks!), and I do mean "free" (as long as you buy a cup of coffee), is relatively easy. But "free" in Japan, or "free spot" only means that they have a wireless connection. But you still have to go through the complicated process of registering / signing up for it and paying for it. Not practical for a lot of people who may only be visiting. |
mcdonalds and other "free" wifi locations are free mobile internet access points for customers who already have a contract. they are not, roll up and ask for the password, type places or just unsecured wifi you can jump onto. unfortunately they say free wifi but they do not use the same operational definition. I was stoked when i came thiking free wifi everywhere but japan is so anal and techie, nothing is free wifi.. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tiger Beer
Joined: 08 Feb 2003
Posts: 778
Location: Hong Kong
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 3:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
3G is everywhere these days.....
Maybe a couple months ago, it was hard to find wi-fi places...now with my iphone I pick up free internet absolutely everywhere. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wayne432
Joined: 05 Jun 2008
Posts: 255
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 6:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
Ummm 3G != wi-fi
As was previously said, most "free" wi-fi spots are in fact "free" if you have a contract with a company and get a username/password to access them |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
