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

Kobe is a fashionable city surrounded by the sea and mountains. If you plan to visit Kobe, be sure to check the Wi-Fi situation beforehand so you have a smooth trip.

We have curated a list of free Wi-Fi services available in Kobe, as well as sightseeing spots that you should keep in mind when you go to Kobe. We will also introduce our recommended Wi-Fi rental called "WiFiBOX".

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

Free public Wi-Fi services available in Kobe

KOBE Free Wi-Fi is a free internet connection service available at approximately 460 hotspots and approximately 880 locations in Kobe City, including restaurants.

For its supported languages, in addition to Japanese, it also supports English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Korean, and Thai, making it easy to use even for those who do not speak Japanese. It is possible to connect continuously for 24 hours and you can connect repeatedly; there are no restrictions even if you stay for a long time.

From here, let's check the SSID (network name) and login method for KOBE Free Wi-Fi in detail.

SSIDs of KOBE Free Wi-Fi

When connecting to Wi-Fi, you must select the SSID (network name) to identify the wireless network. When using KOBE Free Wi-Fi, select the SSID below.

• KOBE Free Wi-Fi

After arriving in Kobe City, check the above SSID on the Wi-Fi setting of your smartphone or tablet.

Login methods for KOBE Free Wi-Fi

KOBE Free Wi-Fi has two login methods: social media account authentication and email authentication. We'll show you how to log in.

How to log in with social media account authentication

If you select "social media account authentication", log in using the following method.

1. Select the SSID "KOBE Free Wi-Fi" on the Wi-Fi setting screen of your device.
2. Launch your internet browser or refresh the page.
3. On the Terms of Use screen, select "social media account authentication" and enter your ID and password.
4. Use the internet.

The social media accounts available for use are as follows:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google
• Yahoo! JAPAN

How to log in using email address authentication

You can also log in with your email address .

1. Select the SSID "KOBE Free Wi-Fi" on the Wi-Fi setting screen of your device.
2. Launch your internet browser or refresh the page.
3. On the Terms of Use screen, select "Email Address Authentication" and enter your email address.
4. Open your email and click the URL provided within 5 minutes.
5. After registering and completing the authentication, you can use the internet.

Source(in Japanese) :Kobe City "KOBE Free Wi-Fi"

Other free Wi-Fi services available in Kobe

In addition to Kobe City's free Wi-Fi "KOBE Free Wi-Fi", there are free Wi-Fi services available at cafes, hotels, stations, etc. However, when using free Wi-Fi, be careful not to have your important information taken away..

Here are other free Wi-Fi services you can use in Kobe City.

Cafes

Free Wi-Fi is available at various cafe chains in Kobe City. For example, at Starbucks, which has 24 stores in Kobe, you can use free Wi-Fi by selecting the SSID "at_STARBUCKS_Wi2".

In addition, free Wi-Fi is also available at 11 Komeda Coffee shops and 15 Doutor Coffee shops in the city (the number of shops is as of March 26, 2023). When connecting, select "Komeda_Wi-Fi" for Komeda Coffee and "DOUTOR_FREE_Wi-Fi" for Doutor Coffee.

Hotels

Basically, free Wi-Fi is available at various hotels in Kobe City. For example, the Kobe Portopia Hotel offers free Wi-Fi in all guest rooms, banquet halls and restaurants.

Ask the hotel staff about the SSID and password. When using the free Wi-Fi in the lobby, ask the front desk for the SSID and password. When using free Wi-Fi at a restaurant or bar, ask the staff at the store.

Stations

Free Wi-Fi is also available in and around Kobe City stations. For example, the underground mall "Santica" that extends from Sannomiya Station to the seaside offers free Wi-Fi throughout the corridor. The SSID is "santica_FreeWi-Fi".

How to log in using email address authentication

1. Select the SSID "santica_FreeWi-Fi" on the Wi-Fi setting screen of your device.
2. Tap "For the first time".
3. Tap "here", and enter your email address.
4. Confirm the password that arrived at the email address you entered.
5. After entering your email address and password, tap "log in".
6. Confirm "registration of use".
7. Enter information including age and sex and tap "registration" and then, you can use Wi-Fi.

How to log in using cellphone number

1. Select the SSID "santica_FreeWi-Fi" on the Wi-Fi setting screen of your device.
2. Tap "For the first time".
3. Call dedicated Phone Number
4. Confirm the password with Auto Voice
5. After entering your cellphone number and the password
6. Confirm "registration of use".
7. Enter information including age and sex and tap "registration" and then, you can use Wi-Fi.

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

WiFiBOX is recommended for Your Wi-Fi in Kobe.

As mentioned above, tourists in Kobe can use public Wi-Fi or free Wi-Fi provided by cafes, and hotels. However, the drawback of free Wi-Fi is that it is not stable and not the safest thing to use, as the communication speed may be slow depending on the time and location, and there is a risk of a third party intercepting the content of the communication. Depending on the hotel where you stay, free Wi-Fi may not be available in the first place.
If you want to use the Internet comfortably and securely while sightseeing in Kobe, why not rent a portable Wi-Fi router?
In particular, we recommend WiFiBOX, a Wi-Fi rental service that completes every step of the process, from reservation to return, all contactless.

Flow of usage and setting

The flow of using and setting up WiFiBOX is as follows:

1. On the official site of WiFiBOX (https://wifibox.telecomsquare.co.jp/en), select your travel destination ("Japan", if you are going to use it in Kobe), select the desired usage period and plan, and tap "Proceed to checkout".
2. If you are using WiFiBOX for the first time, create a new account. Log in if you already have one.
3. Complete the payment procedure with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, or American Express) or a debit card.
4. After reserving, you will receive an email with the subject "How to Pick Up Your Wi-Fi Unit". When you are in front of the rental machine, open the "QR code (*) scanning page" from the email, and scan the QR code at the top right of the display on the rental machine.
   (* "QR Code" is a registered trademark of Denso Wave)
5. Tap "Pick-up" on your smartphone, and pull out the Wi-Fi unit from the slot to receive it.
6. Turn on the power of the unit , then on the Wi-Fi setting screen of your device, select the SSID written on the back of the unit, and enter the password to.

Please refer to the following for more detailed usage procedures:
(Link to WiFiBOX quick guide)
https://wifibox.telecomsquare.co.jp/en/pages/guide

Wi-Fi router pickup/return location

As of April 2023, WiFiBOX rental machines are installed at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Kansai Airport, Chubu International Airport, Fukuoka Airport, Tokyo Station, Kyoto Station etc. It is also now available in Shinjuku and Shibuya Station area.
We recommend you to pick up your Wi-Fi unit at the airport or station you plan to pass when traveling to Kobe.

Please check the following for details on the locations of WiFiBOX

WiFiBOX Location List

About Kobe

Kobe City is the prefectural capital of Hyogo Prefecture, with a total area of 557.03 square kilometers and a population of 1,504,597 (as of March 1, 2023). It consists of nine wards: Kita Ward, Nishi Ward, Tarumi Ward, Suma Ward, Nagata Ward, Hyogo Ward, Chuo Ward, Nada Ward, and Higashinada Ward. Kita Ward has the largest area, and Nishi Ward has the largest population.

About 1/3 of the households in Kobe City are detached houses, and about 2/3 are condominiums and apartments, which means that Kobe is characterized by a large number of households living in condominiums and apartments. About two-thirds of employed workers work in Kobe City.

Kobe City has 9 railway lines in the city, and it takes only 21 minutes to Osaka and 51 minutes to Kyoto, which means it has convenient access to other areas. In addition, from Kobe Airport, it only takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes to Tokyo, and about 2 hours to Sapporo and Naha, which means it has excellent air access.

The richness of nature is also an attraction of Kobe City. Not only can you see the sea and mountains from most places in Kobe, but you can also feel them close by, giving you the feeling of being in a resort while still in the city. Kobe is also attractive because of its warm Setouchi-style climate and long hours of sunshine.

One of the attractions of Kobe is that it has many delicious foods. Kobe Beefsteak made with Kobe Beef, which is popular among foreigners, and Miso Sauce Dumplings, which are eaten with miso sauce, are well known.

Reference(in Japanese) : Kobe City "Kobe Data Lab"、 Kobe City "Monthly Estimated Population"、 Kobe Gurashi "Living"、 Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries "Our Local Cuisine | Hyogo Prefecture"

Highlights of Kobe

Kobe City, which is close to the sea and mountains, has many famous tourist destinations. Here are some of the most popular ones.

Kobe Harborland

It's a large complex with various shops, restaurants, movie theaters, amusement spaces, etc. While gazing at the sea, you can also experience the port town of Kobe. Kobe Port Tower, the symbol of Kobe, is also located in Kobe Harborland. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery from the cafes in the tower.
Cruising from Kobe Port near Harborland is also recommended. A variety of cruise ships depart from the port, including sightseeing ships for casual cruising and restaurant ships for elegant dinner cruises. From the sea, you can see the cityscape of Kobe spreading east and west with Mt. Rokko in the background.

Business hours	10 AM - 7 PM (Some stores may have different business hours)
Regular holiday	ー
Address	1 Higashikawasaki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo Prefecture

Reference :Kobe Harborland

Mount Rokko

Mount Rokko is the mountain range stretching about 30 kilometers east to west from Suma to Takarazuka.The main peak is 931 meters above sea level. It is a sightseeing spot with many highlights such as the Rokko Garden Terrace and the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden.
The Rokko Garden Terrace has an observatory that overlooks the Akashi Strait, the Osaka Plain, and Kansai International Airport. At the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden, you can enjoy about 1,500 kinds of flowers, including alpine plants from around the world. Rokko Arima Ropeway connects Rokko Sancho Station and Arima Onsen Station, and from it you can overlook the nature of Mt. Rokko below. And it is also fascinating that you can relax in the hot spring after sightseeing on Mt. Rokko.

Business hours	Check official site. (Vary by store.)
Regular holiday	Check official site. (Varies by store.)
Address	1-32 Ichigaya, Rokkosancho, Nada Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

Reference :Kobe/Mt. Rokko official outing site

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

Photo provided by "本州四国連絡高速道路㈱"

It is one of the world's largest suspension bridges that connects Kobe City and Awaji Island. With a total length of 3,911 meters, it is called the Pearl Bridge, because it looks like a row of pearls. At night, the fantastic scenery is stunning, with lights that change in design depending on the time of year.
There is also an experience tour that allows visitors to experience a 360-degree panoramic view from the main tower, which is about 300 meters above sea level, accessible through an administrative corridor that is usually closed to the public. Tour leaders who were involved in the construction of the bridge will also guide visitors through the technology and history of the bridge.

Reference(in Japanese) :Akashi Kaikyo Bridge | Sightseeing Spots | [Official] Hyogo Prefecture Sightseeing Site HYOGO! Navi

Meriken Park

ⒸKOBE TOURISM BUREAU

Meriken Park refers to the entire seaside area where many characteristic buildings, such as Kobe Port Tower, which is known as a landmark of Kobe, and the Kobe Maritime Museum, are gathered. The refreshing sea breeze is pleasant, and it's a fun area just to stroll around.

Since it is adjacent to Kobe Harborland, you can walk from Meriken Park to Harborland. Enjoying Kobe's beautiful sea at Meriken Park and gourmet food and shopping at Harborland is a classic date style for people of Kobe.

You can also board the resort cruise "boh boh KOBE" from Meriken Park. On board, there is also a space where you can enjoy the panoramic view of Kobe Port and an open deck, so you can feel like you are at a resort while staying in the city. It also features a space where you can taste the products of Yuge Farm, which is famous for cheese and other dairy products, as well as original drinks and other Kobe gourmet foods.

Business hours	ー
Regular holiday	ー
Address	2 Hatobacho, Chuo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

Reference :Meriken Park - Feel KOBE Official Travel Guide of Kobe

Nankinmachi

Chinatown in Nankinmachi, Kobe, along with Yokohama Chinatown and Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown, is known as one of the three major Chinatowns in Japan. Many Chinese restaurants and shops are lining up, and it is an area full of exotic atmosphere.
Kobe beef, delicious sweets, Akashiyaki, and other gourmet foods are available. Be sure to check out popular gourmet dishes such as pork steamed buns from Roshoki and grilled pork at Ekiseigo.

Business hours	Check official site. (Vary by store.)
Regular holiday	Check official site. (Varies by store.)
Address	Sakaemachidori, Chuo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

Reference(in Japanese) : Nankinmachi

Wrap-up of internet and Wi-Fi situation in Kobe

If you visit Kobe city, you can use the public free Wi-Fi provided by Kobe City, as well as free Wi-Fi provided at cafes, restaurants, hotels, etc. There are many spots and facilities that support free Wi-Fi, so more often than not, internet access is there when you need it.

However, depending on the time and place, it may not be possible to connect to the internet smoothly, and there may be security risks. If you want to use the internet comfortably and safely, you can take advantage of a Wi-Fi rental service.

Among the Wi-Fi rental services available, we recommend WiFiBOX. You can use it with a simple and easy procedure from reservation to return, at a reasonable rental fee. If you are planning to visit Kobe city, you might want to consider using it!