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

Wakayama is a place blessed with natural resources such as the sea, mountains, and rivers. If you plan to visit Wakayama, you might want to check the Wi-Fi situation in advance to ensure smooth communication. Good for you, Wakayama has free Wi-Fi networks to make your travel easier.

In addition to information on free public Wi-Fi in Wakayama and must-go local sightseeing spots, we will introduce our recommended Wi-Fi rental service: "WiFiBOX".

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Free public Wi-Fi available in Wakayama

In Wakayama, you can use "Wakayama Free Wi-Fi". Wakayama Free Wi-Fi is an internet connection service available free of charge at tourist facilities, restaurants, supermarkets, etc. in Wakayama Prefecture.

There are two types of Wakayama Free Wi-Fi: "Wakayama Free Wi-Fi" and "Wakayama Free Wi-Fi LONG". The connection time for Wakayama Free Wi-Fi is up to 4 hours a day (15 minutes x 16 times/day), and the connection time for Wakayama Free Wi-Fi LONG is up to 24 hours a day (60 minutes x 24 times/day). You can use them an unlimited number of times only in the event of a disaster.

Now, let's check the details for the SSID (network name) for Wakayama Free Wi-Fi and how to log in to them.

Wakayama Free Wi-Fi SSIDs

When connecting to Wi-Fi, you must select an SSID (network name) to identify your wireless network. Wakayama Free Wi-Fi's SSIDs vary depending on the type:

• WAKAYAMA_FREE_Wi-Fi
• WAKAYAMA_FREE_Wi-Fi_LONG

When you arrive in Wakayama Prefecture, look for the above SSIDs on the Wi-Fi settings screen of your device.

How to log in to Wakayama Free Wi-Fi

The login method for Wakayama Free Wi-Fi differs depending on whether you connect with a browser or with an app. Let's check each one.

Internet connection by browser

The flow for connecting with a browser is as follows.

1. Select "Settings" on your mobile phone screen
2. Turn on "Wi-Fi settings"
3. Select the SSID "WAKAYAMA_FREE_Wi-Fi"
4. Start your browser and select "Use the Internet"
5. Read the terms of use and select "Agree"
6. Enter your email address and select "Connect"

Internet connection with "Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi" app

When you connect using the app, first proceed by downloading the app and registering yourself. Once you register for use, no further procedures will be required.

After registration, you can easily use the free Wi-Fi through "Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect" available in major airports, stations, and tourist facilities all over Japan.

The registration flow is as follows:

1. Install "Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi" from AppStore or Google Play Store
2. Launch the app and select "Register"
3. Enter the information required for registration
4. Read the terms of use and select "Continue"

Next, connect as follows:

1. Launch the app and select "Connect"
2. Select "To Internet"

Wakayama Free Wi-Fi is a service that can be used by third parties, so there is a possibility that malicious third parties could steal your personal information and communication contents. Try to connect in other ways when sharing important information.

Also, using Wakayama Wi-Fi with a terminal brought from outside Japan (which has not been certified as conforming to Japanese technical standards) violates the Radio Law.

Other free Wi-Fi available in Wakayama

Wakayama also offers free Wi-Fi available at cafes, hotels, stations, etc. However, in some cases, as with public Wi-Fi, there are risks such as eavesdropping, snooping, and device hijacking.

Here are the places you can find free Wi-Fi.

Cafes

Free Wi-Fi is available at various cafes in Wakayama. All 10 Starbucks stores in the prefecture offer free Wi-Fi with the SSID "at_STARBUCKS_Wi2".

In addition, free Wi-Fi is also available at 9 Komeda Coffee shops and 3 Doutor coffee shops in the prefecture (the number of shops is as of March 25, 2023). When connecting, select "Komeda_Wi-Fi" for Komeda Coffee and "DOUTOR_FREE_Wi-Fi" for Doutor Coffee.

Hotels

Free Wi-Fi is also available at hotels in Wakayama. For example, at Hotel Granvia Wakayama, which is a 2-minute walk from JR Wakayama Station, you can use free Wi-Fi in the hotel lobby, restaurants, and guest rooms.

It is highly likely that free Wi-Fi is available at other hotels in Wakayama Prefecture, so it is a good idea to check with the front desk or hotel staff before your stay.

Stations

You can use NTT's public free Wi-Fi service "DoSPOT" at "Wakayama MIO", a commercial facility directly connected to Wakayama Electric Railway's "Wakayama Station". You can connect to the Internet by DoSPOT up to 4 times a day for up to 15 minutes at a time, if your device supports Wi-Fi.

Wakayama Free Wi-Fi is available at Nankai Electric Railway's Wakayamashi Station and Kada Station, and Wakayama Electric Railway's Kishi Station and Idakiso Station.

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

WiFiBOX is recommended for Your Wi-Fi in Wakayama.

As mentioned above, tourists in Wakayama 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 Wakayama, 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.

Here are the simple steps to rent a WiFiBOX.

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 Wakayama), 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 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 Wakayama.

Please check the following for details on the locations of WiFiBOX

WiFiBOX Location List

About Wakayama

When people mention Wakayama, they either refer to "Wakayama Prefecture", adjacent to Mie Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, and Nara Prefecture, or "Wakayama City" which is the prefectural capital. Wakayama Prefecture has a total area of about 4,725 square kilometers and a population of 898,240 (as of March 1, 2023).

More than 80% of the area is occupied by mountains, and plains are scarce. It is said that the old name of Wakayama Prefecture, 「紀の国」(Kinokuni) derived from 「木の国」(Kinokuni, country of woods).

Wakayama Prefecture runs long from north to south (approximately 106 km), and is unique in that the climate is different between the south and north. The northern part of the prefecture has stable weather and humidity throughout the year with little precipitation, while the southern part of the prefecture is susceptible to typhoons and has areas with high precipitation.

Surrounded by the nature of the sea, mountains, and rivers, Wakayama Prefecture's appeal lies in the fact that visitors can enjoy activities and gourmet food.You can enjoy nature by swimming, trekking, canoeing and rafting.

One of the fruits representing the prefecture is the mandarin orange. Its shipment volume of mandarin oranges accounts for 20% of the national total, and has been ranked first in Japan for 18 consecutive years since 2004. Also, its shipment volume of persimmons and plums is also number one in Japan.

In addition, it has ingredients such as tuna, longtooth grouper, spiny lobster, and Kumano beef, as well as local dishes such as Wakayama ramen and Mehari Sushi.

Reference : Wakayama Prefecture "Topography and Climate of Wakayama Prefecture", Wakayama Prefecture "Data of Wakayama Prefecture"

Reference(in Japanese) : Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries "Crop Statistical Survey, published on May 18, 2022"

What to see in Wakayama

The highlight of Wakayama is the world heritage "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". World Heritage Sites include the following famous places:

• Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine
• Kumano Hayatama Grand Shrine
• Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine
• Kumano Kodo (Kumano Pilgrimage Routes)

To make it easier for you to digest, first, we will explain the outline of the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range", and then highlight each famous place in detail.

World Heritage "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range"

The "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range," which was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2004, refer to the three sacred sites with different origins and content ("Kumano Sanzan," "Koyasan," and "Yoshino/Omine"), and the pilgrimage routes leading up to them. The entire Kii Mountain Range, which includes not only Wakayama Prefecture but also Nara Prefecture and the southern part of Mie Prefecture, is the World Heritage Site.

Of the three sacred sites, Kumano Sanzan and Koyasan are in Wakayama Prefecture. Kumano Sanzan consists of three shrines (Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine, Kumano Hayatama Grand Shrine, and Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine) and two temples (Seiganto-ji and Fudarakusan-ji).

Originally, the three shrines were worshiped separately, but gradually the main enshrined deity of each shrine was transferred to each other and came to be worshiped as 'Kumano Sansho Gongen.' In addition, the two temples came to have a close relationship with Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine in the process of "syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism".

Reference: Wakayama World Heritage

Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine

Wakayama Tourism Federation

The main deity of Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine is Ketsumimiko no Okami. It is also attracting attention from people involved in soccer, as the Yatagarasu, a mythical crow that serves Ketsumimiko no Okami, is used in the symbol of the Japan Football Association.

According to old Japanese books, "Konendairyaku-Ki" and "Jinja-Engi", the shrine building is founded in 33 BC.

Business hours	8:30 AM - 5 PM
Regular holidays	ー
Address	1110 Hongu, Hongu-cho, Tanabe-shi, Wakayama Prefecture

Reference: Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine "About Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine", Wakayama Prefecture World Heritage Center "Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine"

Kumano Hayatama Grand Shrine

Wakayama Tourism Federation

Kumano Hayatama Grand Shrine is a shrine dedicated to Kumano Hayatama no Okami (Izanagi no Mikoto) and Kumano Fusumi no Okami (Izanami no Mikoto). It is said that during the reign of Emperor Koken, it was the first to receive the title of Kumano Gongen among the three shrines of Kumano Sanzan.

From the end of the Nara period, Kumano Hayatama Omikami became Yakushi Nyorai, who saves previous lives, and Kumano Fusumi Omikami became Senju Kannon Bosatsu, who bestows benefits in this world.

Business hours	Sunrise to sunset (8 AM to 5 PM for the offering hall)
Regular holidays	ー
Address	1 Shingu, Shingu-shi, Wakayama Prefecture

Reference(in Japan): Kumano Hayatama Grand Shrine "Welcome to the reborn Kumano Hayatama Grand Shrine!", Wakayama Prefecture World Heritage Center "Kumano Hayatama Grand Shrine"

Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine

Wakayama Tourism Federation

Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine is a large shrine dedicated to Kumano Fusumi Omikami. Unlike Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine and Kumano Hayatama Grand Shrine where the shrine buildings are lined up side by side, here the five main shrine buildings, the eight shrine buildings, and Mikenhiko Shrine are arranged in a right angle bend.

Nachi Falls, which is considered to be the object of worship of Hitaki Shrine (a separate shrine of Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine), is also a highlight. The water column of Nachi Falls is 133m, the width of Choshiguchi (narrowing of the waterfall) is 13m, and the depth of the basin is 10m, making it the highest drop in Japan.

Business hours	8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (official visiting hours)
Regular holidays	ー
Address	1 Nachiyama, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture

Reference(in Japanese): Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine Grand Shrine, Wakayama Prefecture World Heritage Center "Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine"

Kumano Kodo (Kumano Pilgrimage Routes)

Wakayama Tourism Federation

Kumano Kodo (Kumano Pilgrimage Routes) is the pilgrimage routes to Kumano Sanzan. There are three main routes (Nakahechi, Ohechi, Kohechi) depending on the starting point of the pilgrim.

Nakahechi is the route from Tanabe to Kumano Hongu, Ohechi is the route from Tanabe along the coastline to Nachi and Shingu, and Kohechi is the route from Koyasan to Kumano Hongu. Among them, Nakahechi is said to be the most popular route.

A visit to the Kumano Kodokan, a facility along the Nakahechi route, where you can rest and learn about history, will make your trip even more meaningful.

Business hours	8:30 AM - 5:15 PM
Regular holidays	New year holiday season
Address	1222-1 Kurisugawa, Nakahechi-cho, Tanabe-shi, Wakayama Prefecture

Reference: Kumano Hongu Tourism Association "Kumano Kodo", Wakayama Prefecture World Heritage Center "Kumano Pilgrimage Route"

Reference(in Japanese): Nakahechi Tourism Association "Kumano Kodokan"

Wrap-up of Internet and Wi-Fi situation in Wakayama

Public Wi-Fi service "Wakayama Free Wi-Fi" may be available at tourist facilities, restaurants, supermarkets, etc. in Wakayama Prefecture. Free Wi-Fi is also common in cafes and hotels.

However, when using public Wi-Fi or free Wi-Fi, it is necessary to be aware that there will always be a possibility of eavesdropping, snooping, and device hijacking, etc. Consider switching to a more private connection when sharing important information.

WiFiBOX is a Wi-Fi rental service with a super simple procedure: everything from reservation,pick-up, and return is done without any human contact. If you plan to visit Wakayama on a business trip or sightseeing in the future, you might want to consider using it!