Wi-Fi and Travel Information in Aichi, Japan: Your Ultimate Guide

If you are planning to visit Aichi Prefecture, be sure to check the Wi-Fi availability there. If there is free Wi-Fi available, you can rest assured.

In addition, we'd like to also introduce our recommended Wi-Fi rental service, WiFiBOX.

[Rent Now] Wi-Fi rental for use in Aichi and throughout Japan with surprisingly simple booking, pickup, and return. From 440 yen per day

Free Public Wi-Fi Available in Aichi

In Aichi, you can use "Aichi Free Wi-Fi". Aichi Free Wi-Fi is a service that allows free Wi-Fi access in Aichi Prefecture, promoted by the "Aichi Free Public Wireless LAN Promotion Council," an organization that is a partnership between public and private sectors.

As of May 17, 2022, public Wi-Fi is available at 19 facilities owned by Aichi Prefecture and at many other locations that are registered on the "Aichi Free Wi-Fi Facility Map." Let's check the details of Aichi's Free Wi-Fi SSID and how to log in.

Aichi Free Wi-Fi's SSID

When connecting to Wi-Fi, you must select an SSID (network name)t.

The SSID for Aichi Free Wi-Fi is as follows.

• Aichi_Free_Wi-Fi

Note that stickers with an illustration of a Maneki Neko (welcoming cat) are displayed in areas where Aichi Free Wi-Fi is available.

The SSID can also be found at the bottom of the sticker.

How to Log in to Aichi Free Wi-Fi

First, go to the Wi-Fi settings screen of your device and select the SSID "Aichi_Free_Wi-Fi."
Then, open your browser (Google Chrome, Safari or any others)

On the log-in screen, you must either log in with your own social media account or your email address. When you receive an email to the address you entered, access the URL provided in it within 5 minutes.

Once you have completed the above process, you can access the Internet using the free public Wi-Fi. However, since each connection time is limited to 30 minutes, you will need to reconnect after the given time has elapsed.

In addition to "Aichi Free Wi-Fi," which extends throughout Aichi Prefecture, public Wi-Fi may also be provided in various municipalities within the prefecture, such as "NAGOYA Free Wi-Fi" in Nagoya City and "ToyotaCity Free Wi-Fi" in Toyota City.

Reference：Aichi Prefecture "You can use free public wireless LAN "Aichi_Free_Wi-Fi" at 19 prefecture-owned facilities".

Other Free Wi-Fi Available in Aichi

In Aichi Prefecture, free Wi-Fi other than "Aichi Free Wi-Fi" may be available at convenience stores, cafes, hotels, and train stations. However, note that when using free Wi-Fi, there are risks of eavesdropping attacks, snooping, device hijacking, etc.

In this section, we will introduce other free Wi-Fi available in Aichi.

Cafes

You can use free Wi-Fi at Komeda Coffee Shop by selecting SSID "Komeda_Wi-Fi."
Komeda Coffee Shop was originally established in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, and there are currently over 200 coffee shops in the prefecture (as of January 2023).

Other cafes in Aichi Prefecture offer free Wi-Fi access, including Starbucks, which has more than 100 stores in the prefecture, as well as Doutor Coffee, which has more than 40 stores. Starbucks uses the "at_STARBUCKS_Wi2" SSID, and Doutor Coffee uses the "DOUTOR_FREE_Wi-Fi" SSID.

Hotels

Free Wi-Fi is also available at hotels in Aichi Prefecture. For example, at the Nagoya Tokyu Hotel, a 5-minute walk from Sakae Station in Nagoya, free Wi-Fi is available in guest rooms, lounges, and lobbies.

Moreover, there is a pretty good chance that free Wi-Fi is available at the hotel you will be staying at, so you should first ask the front desk or hotel staff for the Wi-Fi information.

Stations

At stations in Aichi Prefecture, Wi-Fi provided by local governments and railroad companies may be available.

For example, at Nagoya Station, "NAGOYA Free Wi-Fi" and "JR-Central_FREE" of JR Tokai are available. You can also use "NAGOYA Free Wi-Fi" at Sakae Subway Station, where Nagoya TV Tower and other travel spots are located.

[Wi-Fi Self-Rental] WiFiBOX: a must-have all in one Wi-Fi + power bank for traveling in Aichi, and throughout Japan. From 440 yen per day

If you are looking for a Wi-Fi rental in Aichi, WiFiBOX is the best choice!

Although free Wi-Fi is available in many places in Aichi, the connection speed may be slow or unstable depending on the locations and hours of the day. Some hotels may not offer free Wi-Fi. A convenient Internet environment is essential to enjoy your tour in Aichi. If you are concerned about Wi-Fi, why not rent a Wi-Fi router?

For renting Wi-Fi, we highly recommend WiFiBOX. WiFiBOX is a Wi-Fi rental service where all the steps, from reservation to return of the device, can be completed contactless.

Let's take a look at how to rent a WiFiBOX.

How to Use and Set Up the Wi-Fi

Reservations for WiFiBOX are done on the website and can be completed as quickly as 2 minutes.
First, choose your travel destination, then select the period you wish to use the service and the product plan.

Add the items to your cart and tap "Checkout." The login screen will appear, and you will be asked to register as a new member. If you have an account, please log in.
After that, complete the payment procedure to complete your reservation. You may choose payment methods using a credit card or debit card.

here to Pick Up and Return Wi-Fi Routers

While conventional international Wi-Fi routers are handed over at airport counters from the staff or by courier, all you have to do with WiFiBOX is to pull out the router from the designated "box." There is no face-to-face interaction involved at all.

You can pick up your router at a dedicated WiFiBOX rental machine, currently located at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Kansai Airport, Chubu International Airport, Fukuoka Airport, and Tokyo Station.
More WiFiBOX will be added, mainly at airports throughout Japan.

When picking up the router at the lending machine, simply scan the QR code with your phone, tap the "Receive" button, and pull the Wi-Fi router out from the slot.
Upon leaving Japan, return the router by simply plugging it into any empty slot at a WiFiBOX machine near you.

The advantage of this service is that you only rent the Wi-Fi router itself, with no accessories, so it will not be bulky during your trip. Most smartphones are compatible with this service as long as they are not relatively old models.

"QR Code" is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INC.

What Kind of City is Aichi?

Photo provided by "名古屋城総合事務所"

Aichi Prefecture is located almost in the center of Japan. It borders Mie Prefecture to the west, Gifu Prefecture to the north, Nagano Prefecture to the northeast, and Shizuoka Prefecture to the east.

Aichi Prefecture has an area of approximately 5,170 square kilometers ( ranked 27th largest prefecture in Japan) and has a population of 7,516,008 as of October 1, 2021 ( ranked 4th largest population in Japan). One of the characteristics of the industry is that the ratio of the manufacturing industry is high compared to the rest of the country.

The climate in Aichi Prefecture is relatively warm throughout the year. However, temperatures differ depending on the region, and from the northwest to the west of the Nobi Plain, snowfall can be observed in the winter.

The City of Nagoya is an ordinance-designated city in Aichi Prefecture. Nagoya is known as one of the three largest cities in Japan (along with Tokyo and Osaka) and is well-developed in commercial facilities, logistics, and transportation networks. In addition to Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture has other large cities such as Toyota, Okazaki, Toyohashi, and Ichinomiya, which serve as "core cities," and Kasugai, which is a "special city at the time of enforcement."

Aichi, which is located between Tokyo and Osaka, is famous for its unique gourmet cuisine that incorporates the culinary cultures of the East and West. Examples of Aichi gourmet food (Nagoya-meshi) include "Hitsumabushi," where you can enjoy three different tastes in one meal; "Kishimen," flat noodles with a sweet, refreshing sauce; and "Misokatsu," pork cutlet topped with red miso paste sauce.

Reference：Aichi Prefecture "Let's get to know Aichi Prefecture"

Places to Visit in Aichi

Photo provided by "国宝犬山城"

Aichi, also known as Owari or Mikawa, and once the base of generals like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu offers a wide variety of sightseeing spots. We would like to introduce the following five places in particular, located mainly in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture.

• Atsuta Jingu (Nagoya City)
• Inuyama Castle (Inuyama City)
• Nagoya Castle (Nagoya City)
• Sakae (Nagoya City)
• LEGOLAND_®・Japan (Nagoya City)

Basically, you can get around Nagoya City by subway, which has six lines (Higashiyama Line, Meiko Line, Sakuradori Line, Meijo Line, Tsurumai Line, and Kamiida Line) in total. If you plan to take the subway frequently during your stay, consider purchasing an economical one-day pass.

Let's see the highlights of each spot.

Atsuta Jingu

The Atsuta Jingu Shrine, located in Atsuta Ward, Nagoya City, was established in the year 113, and has been known to people for many years as "Atsuta-sama" or "Miya" since then. The enshrined deity Atsuta god is the goddess Amaterasu, who can use the Kusanagi no Tsurugi, one of the Three Sacred Treasures, as a symbol for the spirit of the dead.

At the Atsuta Jingu Treasure Hall, visitors can see more than 6,000 items donated by the imperial family and other worshippers from all over Japan, including swords, ancient treasures, and the Atsuta Nihonshoki. More than 180 of these valuable items are registered as national or Aichi Prefecture-designated cultural properties.

You can visit Atsuta Jingu Shrine by subway if you are traveling within Nagoya City. The nearest station is Jingu-mae Station on the Meitetsu Line (3-minute walk from the station).

The Treasure Hall is closed on the last Wednesday of each month and the following day, and also from December 25 to 31. It is open from 9 AM. to 4:30 PM (admission is until 4:10 PM.). Be mindful of the date and time of your visit.

Reference：Atsuta Jingu "About Atsuta Jingu Shrine", Aichi Now "Atsuta Jingu, Nagoya City"

Inuyama Castle

Photo provided by "国宝犬山城"

nuyama Castle, a national treasure, was built in 1537 by Oda Nobuyasu, an uncle of Oda Nobunaga. The castle was built on a mountain 80 meters above sea level, and is characterized by its "Uro-kengo no Shiro," or castle with a "total fortification" structure, in which the castle town is surrounded by wooden doors, moats, earthen mounds, etc.

From the castle tower of Inuyama Castle, which is the oldest existing castle in Japan, you can see beautiful nature, such as the Nobi Plain, Kiso River, and Mt. Ontake.Be sure to visit on a sunny day.

It is located in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture, and is open from 9 AM. to 5 PM. (admission is until 4:30 PM.), closed on December 29 to 31. If you are going by train from Nagoya Station, take the Meitetsu Rapid Express or Limited Express for about 25 minutes and get off at Meitetsu "Inuyama Station." It is a 17-minute walk from Inuyama Station to Inuyama Castle.

Reference： National Treasure Inuyama Castle "Castle Structure", National Treasure Inuyama Castle "by train", Inuyama City Tourism Association "National Treasure Inuyama Castle", Aichi Now "National Treasure Inuyama Castle"

Nagoya Castle

Photo provided by "名古屋城総合事務所"

Nagoya Castle was built by Ieyasu Tokugawa in 1615 and was the residence of Owari Tokugawa for the next 260 years. There are many highlights to see, including the "golden shachi" that adorns the castle tower, the stone walls built by famous warlords like Kato Kiyomasa, and the "Sumiyagura," an important cultural asset that has remained from the Edo period.

The Honmaru palace, featuring the Shoin-style architecture, was designated as National Treasure No. 1, along with the castle tower, but was burnt down in an air raid in 1945. Since then, reconstruction work has been accurately carried out based on drawings made in the Edo period. In 2018, the building was restored to its gorgeous, ornate appearance of its original state.

Another tourist spot is the "Ninomaru Garden," known as a large-scale feudal lord's garden from the late Edo period.Almost the entire Ninomaru Garden was nominated as a scenic beauty spot in 2018.

Nagoya Castle is open from 9 AM. to 4:30 PM. (admission to Honmaru Goten is until 4:30 PM.) and closed on December 29 to 31 and January 1. Take the Meijo Subway Line and get off at Nagoya Castle, and it takes 5 minutes to get there on foot.

As of January 2023, the castle tower is closed due to deteriorating facilities and to ensure earthquake resistance.

Reference： Nagoya City Tourism & Culture Exchange Bureau "Know the History of Nagoya Castle/Modern Times", Nagoya City Tourism and Culture Exchange Bureau "Special Historic Site Nagoya Castle", Nagoya City Tourism and Culture Exchange Bureau "Watch Nagoya Castle"

Sakae

"Sakae" is a downtown area located in Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. The Nagoya City Science Museum, which was certified by Guinness World Records in 2011 as the world's largest planetarium, the Nagoya TV Tower, the symbol of Nagoya City, and Oasis 21, with its fantastic spaceship-like appearance, are all located here.

You can access the Sakae area from Sakae Station on the Nagoya Municipal Subway Higashiyama Line or Meijo Line. It is conveniently located only two stations away from Nagoya Station, with a travel time of approximately 5 minutes.

Reference： Nagoya City Science Museum, "About the Science Museum", Nagoya City Transportation Bureau, "Subway Travel Time"

LEGOLAND_®・Japan

©2023　The LEGO Group.

LEGOLAND_®Japan opened in 2017 as an outdoor kids' park for families with kids between the ages of 2 and 12. There are over 40 attractions, workshops, restaurants, and stores for both children and adults to enjoy.

The facility is divided into eight areas, each offering a different experience."LEGO® _®NINJAGO World" the eighth area in 2019, is a fascinating place to experience what it is like to be a ninja.

It is located in Nagoya City, but if you are going to take public transportation, use either a bus or a train, not a subway. By train, take the Aonami Line from Nagoya Station. After about a 17- to 24-minute ride, get off at Kinjofuto Station (open from 10 AM. to 4 PM. or 5 PM.).

Reference : LEGOLAND_®・Japan "Access"、 Aichi Now "LEGOLAND_® Japan"

Internet and Wi-Fi Situation in Aichi

Photo provided by "国宝犬山城"

Public Wi-Fi services such as "Aichi Free Wi-Fi" and "NAGOYA Free Wi-Fi" are available at various facilities and tourist spots in Aichi Prefecture. You can also connect to the Internet via free Wi-Fi at cafes and hotels in the prefecture.

However, you should be aware that when using free Wi-Fi, there are risks such as eavesdropping attacks, snooping, and device hijacking.

WiFiBOX is a Wi-Fi rental service where everything from reservation, pickup.and return is completely contactless. If you have any plans to go on a business trip or sightseeing in Aichi, you might want to rent one!