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

Miyagi, located in the center of the Tohoku region, is one of the less cold areas in Tohoku with relatively little snowfall. The Internet environment is well maintained, and free Wi-Fi is available everywhere, including the "Miyagi FreeWi-Fi.
This article will guide you through free Wi-Fi available in Miyagi, also introducing you to our recommended Wi-Fi rental service, WiFiBOX.

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Free public Wi-Fi available in Miyagi

Miyagi Prefecture provides "Miyagi FreeWi-Fi," a public wireless LAN service that can be used free of charge by both Japanese and international travelers, in order to increase convenience and attract more travelers visiting the prefecture.

Anyone can access the Internet for free by registering an e-mail address or social media account. The city of Sendai also offers a free Wi-Fi service that can be used at many places in the city, including traveling spots.

Let's take a closer look at the free public Wi-Fi provided by Miyagi Prefecture and Sendai City.

What is Miyagi FreeWi-Fi?

Miyagi FreeWi-Fi is a free Wi-Fi serviceprovided by NTT Broadband Platform Corporation, and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation.

When connecting to the Internet, the "Miyagi FreeWi-Fi Portal Site," a prefectural information site (available in Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese) , will be displayed.

The following three SSIDs are offered, with different times available for one connection and reconnection.

• MIYAGI_Free_Wi-Fi: 30 minutes per connection, unlimited reconnections
• MIYAGI_Free_Wi-Fi_01: 60 minutes per connection, up to 24 reconnections per day
• MIYAGI_Free_Wi-Fi_02": One connection lasts for 60 minutes with no limit to the number of times you can reconnect

SSID stands for "Service Set IDentifier" and is a network name assigned to identify Wi-Fi communications.This SSID information is required when connecting to Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi service locations are posted on the "Miyagi FreeWi-Fi Portal Site (in Japanese)", so you can check if the service is available at your current location or future destination.

How to log in to Miyagi FreeWi-Fi

There are two ways to register for Miyagi FreeWi-Fi: e-mail address and social mediaaccount. Let's take a look at how to register with the "MIYAGI_Free_Wi-Fi" SSID.

1. Turn on Wi-Fi on your device and tap the SSID "MIYAGI_Free_Wi-Fi"

Reference: Miyagi FreeWi-Fi Portal Site (Japanese text)

2. Start a web browser and go to the "MIYAGI_Free_Wi-Fi" authentication screen.

Reference: Miyagi FreeWi-Fi Portal Site (Japanese text)

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to register your e-mail address or social media account.

Reference: Miyagi FreeWi-Fi Portal Site (Japanese text)

4. After confirming "Terms of Use" and "About Wireless LAN Security", tap "Confirm"

To use "MIYAGI_Free_Wi-Fi_01", tap the corresponding SSID name and follow the same procedure.

To use MIYAGI_Free_Wi-Fi_02, you need to download an application, which is different between Android and iPhone. Please check the User's Guide before proceeding.

What is SENDAI free Wi-Fi?

In Miyagi, Sendai City also offers a public free Wi-Fi service called SENDAI free Wi-Fi. Like Miyagi Free Wi-Fi, this service is designed for the convenience of travelersand can be used by both Japanese and foreigners.

The service is available not only at tourist attractions and facilities such as Zuihouden, but also at other places: restaurants, convenience stores, crossing bridges at the West and East exits of JR Sendai Station, on board and at bus stops of the Loople Sendai circular bus service, and at train stations on the Namboku and Tozai subway lines. Available spots can be found here, and are available in English, Chinese, and Thai.

How to log in to SENDAI free Wi-Fi

The SSID is "SENDAI_free_Wi-Fi" and can be registered with either an e-mail address or a social media account.

To register, please follow the instructions below.

1. Select SSID "SENDAI_free_Wi-Fi" on the Wi-Fi setting screen of the device and start the browser.

Reference: SENDAI free Wi-Fi manual

2. Select the account you wish to register and log in.

Reference: SENDAI free Wi-Fi manual

3. After logging in, authentication is completed and the internet is ready to use (the image is for Facebook).

Reference: SENDAI free Wi-Fi manual

4. If you register using an e-mail address, an input screen will appear.

Reference: SENDAI free Wi-Fi manual

5. You will receive an email to the address you entered. Click the URL in the email within 5 minutes to complete the registration, and to use the service.

Reference: SENDAI free Wi-Fi manual

Other free Wi-Fi available in Miyagi

In Miyagi, free Wi-Fi is also available at cafes, convenience stores, and many other locations. By connecting to the Internet, you can access maps, transportation andsightseeing information, and also restaurant reviews.

With easy access to a wide range of Internet access, you can enjoy Miyagi to the fullest.

What about Free Wi-Fi available in specific locations in Miyagi?

Cafes and Fast Food Restaurants

There are many cafes that have their own Wi-Fi. Many of them are also located in Miyagi Prefecture. To name a few:

• Doutor Coffee
• Starbucks
• Ueshima Coffee Shop
• Komeda Coffee
• Coffee House
• Cafe Veloce
• BLUE LEAF CAFÉ
• St. Mark's Cafe
• EXCESSIOR CAFE
• MOS BURGER
• McDonald's

Many cafes offer free Wi-Fi that you can use only by agreeing to the terms of use and without registration, and each connection lasts from 30 to 180 minutes.

Hotels

An increasing number of hotels in Miyagi, including those in the Sendai area, offer their own free Wi-Fi. When making a reservation, it is a good idea to check if free Wi-Fi is available.

The main steps to use the hotel's free Wi-Fi are as follows

1. Turn on "Settings" > "Wi-Fi" and select the hotel access point that appears.
2. A login screen will appear, and enter the ID and password specified by the hotel.

Airport

Sendai International Airport offers a free Wi-Fi access service, Sendai Airport FREE Wi-Fi, which can be used for up to 3 hours per day (90 minutes x 2 times).
The service is available in the Sendai Airport Passenger Terminal Building, excluding the boarding and departure waiting rooms.The SSID is "00-FREE_Wi-Fi_Sendai_Airport" and the connection method is as follows.

1. Select "00-FREE_Wi-Fi_Sendai_Airport" in the Wi-Fi settings
2. Agree to the Terms of Use and press the "Connect to the Internet" button to complete the connection.

After connecting to Wi-Fi, information on Sendai Airport facilities (flight information, access information, floor maps, shopping information, and restaurant information) is available in English for international visitors. Also, tourist information on Miyagi Prefecture in multiple languages is available.

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WiFiBOX is recommended for renting Wi-Fi in Miyagi

Free Wi-Fi is readily available in Miyagi, but the speed can be slow or unstable depending on the location and time of day. In addition, public facilities and cafes around Sendai Station provide Internet access, but there are many places outside the city where free Wi-Fi is not available.
Some hotels you stay at may not offer free Wi-Fi. When traveling around Miyagi, a comfortable Internet environment is essential for getting directions and viewing travel information. If you are concerned about free Wi-Fi, why not rent a Wi-Fi router?

For that, we especially recommend WiFiBOX. It is a Wi-Fi rental service where all steps, from reservation to return, are completed without any human contact.

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 quick as 2 minutes.

First, choose your travel destination, then select the usage period, , then select your internet 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 to complete your reservation. You may choose payment methods using a credit card or debit card.

Where to Pick Up and Return the Wi-Fi Router

While conventional 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, Tokyo Station, and Shinjuku Station.
More WiFiBOX will be added, mainly at airports throughout Japan.

When picking up the router at the WiFiBOX machine, simply scan the QR code with your phone, tap the "pick up" button, and pull the Wi-Fi router out from the slot.
Upon leaving Japan, return the router by simply inserting it into a slot in a nearby rental machine.

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

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

What is Miyagi?

Photo provided by "宮城県観光プロモーション推進室"

Miyagi Prefecture is located on the Pacific Ocean side and is the center of the Tohoku region. The capital is Sendai City. It is less cold, with less frequent snowfall, than in the other areas of the Tohoku region.
Sendai is the largest commercial city in Tohoku, and Sendai Station is a major transportation hub with all trains of the Tohoku Shinkansen Line stopping there. Access from Tokyo is only one and a half hours, making it highly convenient. On the other hand, Miyagi is also blessed with scenic tourist attractions such as Matsushima, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, and the Zao mountain range, where you can see ice trees.

Places to Visit in Miyagi

Photo provided by "宮城県観光プロモーション推進室"

Miyagi is large and divided into four areas: Sendai Area, Northern Miyagi, Southern Miyagi, and Sanriku. The Sendai area is centered on Sendai City, and is the urban area where nearly 50% of Miyagi Prefecture's population o(approximately 2.3 million)live. The northern part of the prefecture is home to Naruko Gorge and Naruko Onsen, famous for its autumn foliage, while the southern part of the prefecture offers many sightseeing spots, including the Zao mountain range, which stretches between Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures. Then we have Abukuma River, where boat rides are available, and Shiraishi, famous for its cherry blossoms. The Sanriku area, facing the Pacific Ocean, offers a spectacular view of the ria coastline and an abundance of seafood.
Here are some of the best places to visit among the many tourist attractions in Miyagi Prefecture.

Kesennuma Oshima

Photo provided by "宮城県観光プロモーション推進室"

Kesennuma is a travel spot located in the Sanriku area, bordering the Iwate Prefecture. Kesennuma Oshima, the largest island in Tohoku, floats in Kesennuma Bay on the Sanriku rias coast and can be crossed by car, bicycle, or on foot via the Kesennuma Oshima Bridge. The rich nature and beautiful sea are the attractions of this place, which attracts many travelers.

On the north side of Kesennuma Oshima, "Kameyama" rises 325 meters above sea level and commands a panoramic view of the city of Kesennuma.

If you wish to reach the summit, which is a 30-minute walk, along the way you will find the Oshima Shrine which has a history of more than 1,000 years, and also the Atago Shrine, known as the Shrine of Miracles, that is located at the top of the mountain. This shrine remained unburned even though the surrounding trees burned in a forest fire that occurred after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Ishinomaki

Ishinomaki is located in the eastern part of Miyagi Prefecture and is the second largest city after Sendai in the Sendai area. With the Kinkasan offshore fishing grounds as its backdrop, the fishing industry has long flourished, as well as agriculture thanks to the blessings of the Kitakami River. Ishinomaki is a travel spot that attracts many visitors as a "food powerhouse."
In recent years, the city has been promoting the Manga Land concept as a way to revitalize the region, and has completed the Ishinomori Manga Museum, which exhibits the works of the late Shotaro Ishinomori, as the core facility of the Manga Land concept.

Sendai Tanabata Festival

Photo provided by "仙台七夕まつり協賛会"

Sendai Tanabata is a traditional event that has continued since the time of Date Masamune, a military commander in the Warring States period who laid the foundation of Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. It is held every year from August 6 to August 8, one month later than the modern calendar.

The area starting from the front of Sendai Station to the center of Sendai City is decorated with gorgeous bamboo decorations; such as blow-up streamers and gadgets, which are popular among travelers. You can also enjoy simple, old-fashioned bamboo grass decorations in the surrounding local shopping streets.

Matsushima

Photo provided by "宮城県観光プロモーション推進室"

Matsushima Bay is a place where 260 islands gather, and is known as one of Japan's "three most scenic views."Here, you can find famous temples such as the Zuiganji Temple from the Bodhisattva ("awakening" to become Buddha) era of Masamune Date, one of Japan's famous Samurai warlord. Entsuin Temple from the Bodhisattva era of his grandson, Mitsumune, is also here, making it a place deeply connected to the Date family.

You can enjoy a cruise on a sightseeing boat inside Matsushima Bay, or indulge in gourmet foods such as Matsushima oysters and anago (saltwater eel). This is a spot where you can fully enjoy the charm of Miyagi.

Internet and Wi-Fi Situation in Miyagi

Photo provided by "宮城県観光プロモーション推進室"

For sightseeing in Miyagi, free Wi-Fi provided by Miyagi Prefecture and Sendai City allows you to use the Internet in public facilities and the Sendai subway system. Free Wi-Fi is also available in many cafes and hotels.
If you are sightseeing in Sendai City, you will often have no trouble finding Internet access. However, depending on the time of day and location, the connection may not be smooth, and you may not be able to enjoy a free Wi-Fi environment in a sightseeing area full of nature.
For those who need a comfortable Internet environment at all times while traveling or at tourist spots, we recommend WiFiBOX, a Wi-Fi rental service.

With its affordable rates and easy procedures from reservation to return, you might want to use this if you are planning to visit Miyagi!