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

Knowing about the Wi-Fi situation in Nara Prefecture beforehand is beneficial for you during your trip there.In Nara Prefecture, free Wi-Fi is available at train stations and cafés, as well as other public placesi. Here, we'll guide you through the free Wi-Fi available in Nara, and our recommendation of Wi-Fi rental service: WiFiBOX.

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Free Public Wi-Fi Available in Nara

Photo provided by "一般財団法人奈良県ビジターズビューロー"

Nara offers "Nara Free Wi-Fi" as a free public Wi-Fi service. The service was launched in the Nara Park area on 1 April 2015 to improve the convenience for travelers and other visitors, so it will become easier for them to obtain information.

Don't worry, we'll guide you through Nara Free Wi-Fi and how to connect to it.

What is Nara Free Wi-Fi?

The SSID for Nara Free Wi-Fi is "NARA_Free_Wi-Fi." SSID stands for 'Service Set IDentifier' and refers to the network name given to identify Wi-Fi communications.
Nara Free Wi-Fi is available mainly at tourist facilities and restaurants in the area from JR Nara Station and Kintetsu Nara Station, to Nara Park.

You can use the Wi-Fi without having to enter your email address or social network account.

How to log in to Nara Free Wi-Fi

To use Nara Free Wi-Fi, you must first go to a Wi-Fi spot and go to the registration screen. The login procedure is as follows.

1. Go to a Wi-Fi spot.
2. Tap Settings on your phone or other device.
3. Tap Wi-Fi and switch it on.
4. Select the SSID 'NARA_Free_Wi-Fi' from the network list.
   

   

   Reference:Nara City Tourist Association / Nara Free Wi-Fi
5. Start a web browser and open a website.
6. The NARA Free Wi-Fi login screen appears.
7. Select your language and tap 'here' for the terms of use.
   

   

   Reference:Nara City Tourist Association / Nara Free Wi-Fi
8. Tap 'I agree' to the Terms of Use.
   

   

   Reference:Nara City Tourist Association / Nara Free Wi-Fi
9. The confirmation screen appears and the connection is complete.
   

   

   Reference:Nara City Tourist Association / Nara Free Wi-Fi

Other free Wi-Fi available in Nara

Photo provided by "一般財団法人奈良県ビジターズビューロー"

In addition to public free Wi-Fi, free Wi-Fi is available in many other places in Nara, including cafés and convenience stores. Free Wi-Fi allows you to connect to the internet for free and easily search for sightseeing information, maps, and transport options. To enjoy smooth sightseeing in Nara, you might want to know the places where free Wi-Fi is available so that you can stay connected.

Below is a list of free Wi-Fi available in Nara in various locations.

Cafes

Many chain cafésoperating in Nara offer their own free Wi-Fi service. Here are the main ones:

• Starbucks Coffee
• Komeda Coffee Shop
• Saint Mark's Café
• Café de Crié
• Doutor Coffee
• Holly's Cafe
• Hoshino Coffee Shop
• Tully's Coffee
• Coffee House
• Musashi no Mori Coffee
• Sakai Coffee
• Seattle's Best Coffee

Many cafés offer easy-to-use free Wi-Fi, with no need to register anything and you only need to agree to the terms and conditions of use, although the connection time is often limited.For example, you can only connect for 30-180 minutes at a time, but most of the time you can use the Wi-Fi again if you reconnect, giving you virtually unlimited access.

Stations and Railways

Kinki Nippon Railway Company offers free Wi-Fi on some of its limited express trains and at its major stations.

The following limited express trains come with free Wi-Fi access.

• "Hinotori" limited express
• Sightseeing limited express "Shimakaze"
• Sightseeing Limited Express "Aoniyoshi"
• Limited Express "Urban Liner"
• Limited Express "Iseshima Liner"

Follow the steps below to use Kintetsu Railway Free Wi-Fi.

Registration via social media account:

1. Select "Kintetsu_Railway_Free_Wi-Fi" or "Kintetsu_Railway_Free_Wi-Fi2" from the Wi-Fi network list.
2. Select social media login (Facebook or Twitter)
3. Enter your ID/password from Facebook or other respective login screen to authenticate.
4. Once completed, you can connect to the internet.

Registration via email address:

1. Select 'Kintetsu_Railway_Free_Wi-Fi' or 'Kintetsu_Railway_Free_Wi-Fi2' from the Wi-Fi network list.
2. Select the email address registration option.
3. Enter your email address to the input screen and tap the send button to proceed to temporary registration .
4. Tap the URL in the email sent to the address you have entered within 5 minutes to complete the registration.
5. After registering, you can connect to the internet.

Reference: Kinki Nippon Railway / Free Wi-Fi service

Hotels

Many hotels in Nara offer their own free Wi-Fi. In most cases, you need to stay overnight to use it though. Some hotels even charge for Wi-Fi access, so be sure to check if free Wi-Fi is available when making a reservation.

The main steps for using the hotel's free Wi-Fi are usually as follows

1. Turn on 'Settings' > 'Wi-Fi' and select the hotel access point displayed.
2. The login screen appears, then enter the ID and password specified by the hotel.

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WiFiBOX is the Best Place to Rent Wi-Fi in Nara.

In Nara, public free Wi-Fi services are well maintained, and free Wi-Fi is available at cafés, train stations and hotels. However, depending on the location and time of the day, communication speeds may be slow and you may not be able to use the internet comfortably. In addition, some hotels may not offer free Wi-Fi.

If you want smooth internet access while traveling in Nara, or if you are worried about using free Wi-Fi, why not rent a Wi-Fi router?

Our recommendation is WiFiBOX, a Wi-Fi rental service where every step, from reservation to return, is completely contactless.

Renting at WiFiBOX is super easy. Here's how.

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 is Nara?

Located in the center of the Kii Peninsula, almost in the center of Japan, Nara is an inland prefecture in the Kinki region, surrounded by Osaka, Kyoto, Wakayama and Mie prefectures. It has a population of approximately 1.34 million and its capital is Nara City. The climate is generally mild, but there is quite a significant difference in temperature between the north and south.

A major point of interest in Nara Prefecture is its rich historical heritage and culture. The period when Heijo-kyo Capital was established in Nara City is called the Nara Period, and since ancient times Nara has accepted various cultures from the continent and then created its own unique culture. Nara has three World Heritage Sites and is the prefecture with the highest number of World Heritage Sites registered in Japan. The World Heritage sites, and cultures that have been handed down from ancient times, are carefully protected to this day.

Places of Interest in Nara

Known as the ancient capital of Japan, Nara has a variety of historical heritage sites, including Horyu-ji Temple and the Great Buddha of Todai-ji Temple. Nara's cultural heritage is recognized worldwide, and in 1998, eight artifacts were listed on the World Heritage List as 'Cultural Properties of Ancient Nara'.

The following five spots in Nara offer a deep taste of Japan's history and are recommended for you to visit

• Horyu-ji Temple
• Kasuga Taisha Shrine
• Todaiji Temple
• Nara Park
• Isuien Garden

Horyu-ji Temple

Located in Ikoma County, Nara Prefecture, Horyu-ji Temple was founded by Prince Shotoku and Emperor Suiko during the Asuka period, and many buildings and works of art are designated national treasures or important cultural assets. The temple has undergone frequent renovations, including major repairs during the Edo period, until a fire broke out in the Kondo hall in 1949, destroying the murals inside. This incident led to the enactment of the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, and every year on January 26, which was the day of the fire, is now designated as 'Fire Prevention Day for Cultural Properties'.
There are many attractions in the precincts of the temple, including Nandaimon, Todaimon and the five-storey pagoda. The temple is a famous sightseeing spot, and is also mentioned in Masaoka Shiki's famous haiku: 'Kaki ku eba/kane ga narunarunari/Houryuu-ji' (Eat a persimmon/And the bell will toll/At Horyuji).

Reference: Horyuji

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, falls under one of the 'Ancient Capital of Nara's Cultural Assets' and is the head shrine of all Kasuga shrines in Japan. Its history dates back to the Nara period (710-794) and has a long history of about 1,300 years. The shrine pavilions are attractive with their vivid vermilion paintwork, and the particularly eye-catching bright red color is characterized by the use of a rare pigment called honshu, which is made from mercury.

The vast grounds are the equivalent of 22 Tokyo Domes (with each being 46.7 thousand meters square) and it takes about 20 minutes to walk from the Ichinotorii (the first shrine gate) to the main shrine. It is recommended to visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine with comfortable walking shoes. Surrounded by the Kasuga-san primeval forest, the way to the shrine is surrounded by beautiful nature. The Married Couple Okuni Shrine, one of the 15 Wakamiya shrines on the grounds, is known as a power spot for romance.

Reference: Kasuga Taisha

Todaiji Temple

Todaiji Temple, located in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, falls under one of the 'Cultural Properties of Ancient Nara'. It is a representative temple founded in the Nara period (710-794), and most of the present day temple complex was reconstructed in the Edo period (1603-1868). The particularly famous Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple was completed by Emperor Shomu during the Nara period. The statue is approximately 15 meters high and its ears alone are approximately 2.5 meters long, giving it an overwhelming presence.

The Great Buddha Hall, where the (as the name implies) Great Buddha exsists, is a wooden structure that is considered to be one of the largest in the world. However, during reconstruction in the Edo period, it was reduced in size due to financial difficulties and has been scaled down to the present day, so it is believed to have been about 1.5 times larger when it was built.

Reference: Todaiji

Nara Park

Nara Park in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, is an urban yet nature-rich park with many attractions, including Shosoin, Todaiji and Kofukuji temples.You can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall.
Another unique feature of Nara Park is the large number of deer that inhabit the park. These wild animals are designated as national protected animals. Deer crackers can be purchased and visitors can enjoy interacting with the deer.

Reference: Nara Park

Isuien Garden

Isuien Garden in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, is one of the best Japanese gardens in Nara, located between Todaiji Temple and Kofukuji Temple. It is a garden with a pond and garden path, created by copying landscape scenery, where visitors can enjoy two Japanese gardens at the same time: the Mae-en, created in the Edo period, and the Go-en, created in the Meiji period. In spring, the garden is beautifully decorated with colorful azaleas and is also known for its autumn foliage. The attraction is that visitors can enjoy beautiful nature and gardens in a tranquil atmosphere.

Reference: Isuien Garden

Internet and Wi-Fi Situation in Nara

When traveling in Nara, internet access might not be a thing you should be worried about , as public free Wi-Fi provided by Nara Prefecture and free Wi-Fi is often available at cafés, hotels and train stations. However, depending on the time and location, the connection may not be smooth.

If you want smooth internet access anywhere, anytime while traveling , we recommend this Wi-Fi rental service, WiFiBOX. It has affordable rates, and a simple reservation and return process. Same-day application is also available, and you can pick up your Wi-Fi unit at major airports, which is another convenient point. You might want to rent one during your stay in Nara!