Public Wi-Fi in Japan: Free Hotspots and Gigazo Wi-Fi Explained

Hello everyone. This is TKG, currently deep in job hunting. I’ve recently returned from the Philippines and am still searching for a reliable way to stay connected to the internet while I’m out.

When you’re around town, one way to get online without a mobile data plan is by using public Wi-Fi networks. Many people have probably seen networks like “Wi2_free” or “mobilepoint” before.

Wi-Fi signals available in public places are generally called public wireless LANs. In this article, I’d like to introduce a public Wi-Fi service that I found particularly useful and worth recommending.

Free Wi-Fi (Public Wireless LAN)

If you visit airports or large electronics stores, you’ll often find SSIDs that allow you to connect to the internet for free.

For major electronics retailers, you can check the following free Wi-Fi services:

• Yodobashi Camera: Yodobashi Free Wi-Fi Service
• Bic Camera: Free Wi-Fi service inside Bic Camera stores

The main inconvenience of not having a mobile data plan is that you cannot access the internet in places where free public Wi-Fi is unavailable, such as cafés or fast-food restaurants. Below, I’ll introduce a recommended paid public Wi-Fi service.

Paid Public Wi-Fi Services

The services mentioned above are free, but there are also paid public Wi-Fi options. I’ve written a separate comparison article, which makes things easier to understand. There are generally two types: services you sign up for directly, and services bundled with an existing mobile phone contract.

カフェでPC作業する営業部員やノマド向けの公衆無線LAN比較【含フリーWi-Fi】

みなさんこんにちは。絶賛引きこもり＆就活中のティケイジイです。派遣会社から案件の相談をもらいましたが、単純事務だったので丁重に保留にしたところです。さて、前回はおすすめの公衆無線LANサービスということで、「ギガぞう」を紹介しましたが、他の...

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Among paid Wi-Fi services, one recently released option stood out as particularly good value. If you’re unsure which service to choose, this is the one I’d recommend starting with. There are no long-term contracts like one- or two-year commitments.

Gigazo Wi-Fi (Smartphone Plan)

In the past, a service called Wi2 dominated this space. When I checked recently, I found that a new service had been released—Gigazo Wi-Fi.

There are several plans available, but the cheapest one costs an impressive 182 yen per month (before tax). There is no initial setup fee.

You can sign up easily online and pay by credit card, without visiting a store. The first month is free, but note that the final month is not prorated if you cancel. That said, at 182 yen, the cost is minimal.

Main Wi-Fi Locations

Below are some of the main locations where Gigazo Wi-Fi is available. I selected places I personally visit often, and the coverage is broader than expected.

https://gigazo.jp/area/

gigazo.jp

Unfortunately, it’s not available at McDonald’s, Veloce, or Denny’s, which is a downside.

Gigazo Wi-Fi is also available on public transportation. While this list focuses on the Kanto area, the service operates nationwide.

One important limitation is that Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines are not listed. I plan to check in person whether coverage is actually unavailable.

In addition to restaurants, Gigazo Wi-Fi is also available in retail and commercial facilities such as VenusFort, Don Quijote, and Bic Camera. (Bic Camera already offers free Wi-Fi, so it may not be necessary there.)

Gigazo Wi-Fi SSIDs

You can check whether Gigazo Wi-Fi is available before signing up. If you see any of the following SSIDs, it means Gigazo Wi-Fi can be used at that location. If you plan to use it frequently somewhere, it’s best to confirm availability in advance. (Items marked with ※ require an optional ticket.)