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

When traveling in Ishikawa, you might want to find out about the available Wi-Fi connections so you can pull out information smoothly. In Ishikawa, you can use free Wi-Fi provided by the city, cafes, restaurants, and hotels; and in this guide, we will explain the Wi-Fi situation in Ishikawa and our recommended Wi-Fi rental service, WiFiBOX.

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Free public Wi-Fi available in Ishikawa

In Ishikawa, free public Wi-Fi is provided by the cities of Kanazawa and Nomi.

Kanazawa City provides the Kanazawa Public Wireless LAN "KANAZAWA FREE Wi-Fi". This service is intended to enhance the convenience for tourists and business travelers visiting Kanazawa and to promote Kanazawa's attractiveness.

In addition, Nomi City also offers free Wi-Fi available at tourist spots in the city.

Here we will look at what Wi-Fi services are available in Ishikawa and how to connect to them.

How can we connect to KANAZAWA FREE Wi-Fi and Nomi City Free Wi-Fi?

KANAZAWA FREE Wi-Fi is available at major sightseeing spots such as Kanazawa Station, Higashi Chaya-gai, Omicho Market and 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. Anyone with a device that can connect to Wi-Fi can use the service free of charge. E-mail address is required to use the service, and the registration information is valid for 365 days. The maximum connection time is 180 minutes at a time, but you can reconnect for as many times as you like.

Once connected, the Kanazawa City portal site will be displayed, where tourist information is available.

On the other hand, Nomi City's free Wi-Fiis available at the following spots.

• Nomi City Hall
• Nomi City Kutani Pottery Museum
• Ishikawa Zoo
• Nomi Furusato Museum
• Tetori Fishland
• Wellness House SARAI

This service is also available for smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other devices with Internet access.

How to log in to KANAZAWA FREE Wi-Fi

We'll guide you on how to log in to KANAZAWA FREE Wi-Fi.

To use KANAZAWA FREE Wi-Fi, first go to a Wi-Fi spot where the connection is available, and do the following:

1. Tap "Settings" on your phone or other devices
2. Tap "Wi-Fi" and turn it on
3. Select the SSID "Kanazawa_Free_Wi-Fi" from the list of networks
4. When the portal site appears, confirm the terms of use.
5. Enter your email address and tap "Temporary Registration" and submit
6. Tap the URL in the temporary registration email within 10 minutes of receiving the email.
7. A confirmation screen will appear, and the connection is complete.

Reference: Kanazawa City/Kanazawa City Public Wireless LAN "KANAZAWA FREE Wi-Fi (Japanese text only)

Other free Wi-Fi available in Ishikawa

In addition to public free Wi-Fi, Ishikawa offers free Wi-Fi that is available in places such as cafes, family restaurants, and fast food restaurants. Free Wi-Fi is also available at many hotels, so you will have no trouble using the Internet during your stay.

Don't worry, we have gathered the information on free Wi-Fi available in Ishikawa for each location.

Cafes

There are many chain cafes in Ishikawa, each offering a free Wi-Fi service. The main cafes with free Wi-Fi in Ishikawa are as follows.

• Starbucks Coffee
• Doutor Coffee
• Komeda Coffee Shop
• Tully's Coffee
• Musashinomori Coffee
• St. Mark's Cafe
• KURASHIKI COFFEE
• Seattle's Best Coffee

You can use most of the free Wi-Fi services provided by cafeswithout registration and only by agreeing to terms of service; although there is a limit on the amount of time you can connect at one time (30 to 180 minutes)In many cases you can connect as many times as you like, technically allowing you for unlimited use.

However, you do want to check the availability of free Wi-Fi in advance, because some stores may not offer free Wi-Fi, even if they are part of the same chain.

Family Restaurants and Fast Food Restaurants

Free Wi-Fi service may also be available at family restaurants and fast food restaurants. The main family restaurants in Ishikawa where free Wi-Fi is available are as follows

• Gusto
• Joyful
• Sagami
• Saizeriya
• BIKKURI DONKEY
• Steak Palace

Whereas for the fast food restaurants:

• McDonald's
• Mos Burger
• Kentucky
• Lotteria
• Subway

Free Wi-Fi may not be available in some stores, so check the availability of Wi-Fi in advance when you specifically plan to use their free Wi-Fi.

Hotels

Many hotels in Ishikawa provide free Wi-Fi service for their guests. Therefore, it is safe to assume that you can basically use the Internet without any problems during your stay. However, there is a possibility that Wi-Fi access is charged, or that free Wi-Fi is not available. When booking a hotel, be sure to check if free Wi-Fi is available.

The main ways 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. Once a login screen appears, enter the ID and password specified by the hotel.

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WiFiBOX is the best place to rent Wi-Fi in Ishikawa

Travelers in Ishikawa can use free Wi-Fi provided by public Wi-Fi, cafes, hotels, and other facilities. However, depending on the time of day and location, the speed may be slow and you may not be able to use the Internet smoothly. In addition, there is a risk that a third party may intercept your connection, so you have to be extra careful when using free Wi-Fi.

If you want to use the Internet comfortably while traveling in Ishikawa, 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.

Here's how you can rent a WiFiBOX.

Flow of Use and Setup

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 Ishikawa), 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 Pick-up and Return Locations

As of April 2023, WiFiBOX rental machines are installed at Takamatsu Airport, 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 Ishikawa.

Please check the following for details on the locations of WiFiBOX

WiFiBOX Location List

What is Ishikawa?

Ishikawa Prefecture is located roughly in the center of Honshu, facing the Sea of Japan and stretching long and narrow from north to south. The prefectural capital is Kanazawa City, and as the core of the three Hokuriku prefectures, the prefecture's central functions are concentrated in this city. The Hokuriku Shinkansen Line provides easy access to Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka.

The Kaga Hyakumangoku culture of the Edo period is still alive, and numerous cultural assets remain. Kaga is also famous for traditional crafts such as Kaga Yuzen, Wajima-nuri, and Kutani ware. Furthermore, Kaga is blessed with abundant nature, including the Sea of Japan and mountains, and is a treasure trove of high-quality hot springs. Another attraction of the area is its seafood from the Sea of Japan, such as crabs and nodoguro (bluefin tuna).

Highlights of Ishikawa

Ishikawa, blessed with nature, culture, and food, is a highly popular travelingspot. From the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, where you can enjoy photogenic contemporary art, to Kenrokuen Garden, one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, to Omicho Market, where you can enjoy gourmet food, there is no end to the attractions of Ishikawa.

Here we introduce five of the many attractions Ishikawa has to offer.

• 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
• Hakusan
• Omimachi Market
• Kenrokuen Garden
• Kanazawa Castle Park

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa exteriorphoto : WATANABE Osamu
Photo provided by "21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa"

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawais a topical contemporary art museum where visitors can see, touch, and feel contemporary art. There is an exhibition zone and an exchange zone, and various programs are held throughout the year. The "Swimming Pool" by Leandro Erlich is particularly popular. Many of you have probably seen the pictures of this work, which looks as if you were in a swimming pool. In addition, there are many other fascinating artworks on display that stimulate the senses and can be enjoyed by both adults and children.

The museum also has a café restaurant and museum store, making it an attractive place to spend your time. The entire museum is barrier-free, and there is also a children's studio and a day-care room, so visitors can visit with peace of mind.

Business Hours	Exchange Zone 9 AM - 10 PM Exhibition Zone: 10 AM - 6 PM (until 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays)
Regular Closing Days	Exchange Zone: Year-end and New Year holidays Exhibition Zone: Monday (or the following weekday if Monday is a holiday), Year-end and New Year holidays
Address	1-2-1, Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture

Reference: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

Hakusan

Hakusanis one of the three most famous mountains in Japan along with Mt. Fuji and Tateyama. It has long been loved as a mountain of faith. It is also called the "mountain of flowers" because of the wide variety of plants that grow here. With 45 species of mammals and approximately 130 species of birds confirmed, Hakusan's abundant nature colors the scenery from season to season.

At 2,702 meters above sea level, Hakusan is relatively easy for beginner climbers to tackle because of its well-developed roads and facilities. Visitors can refresh their bodies and minds by admiring the star-filled sky and the sunrise. For those who do not wish to climb the mountain, the "Hakusan-Shirakawa-go White Road" is a great way to drive around and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

Business Hours	ー
Regular Closing Days	ー
Address	Hakusan, Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture

Reference: Hakusan

Omicho Market

Seen as the "Kitchen" of Kanazawa citizens, Omicho Market is a place where you can fully enjoy Kanazawa as the City of Gastronomy. About 170 stores fill the market, where you can purchase seafood from the Sea of Japan as well as vegetables and fruits from Ishikawa. The appeal of this place is that you can eat them on the spot. In particular, the famous Kaisen-don (seafood rice bowl) is a great way to savor the large, fresh fish. Another key point is the wide variety of homemade foods made from local ingredients, which can only be found here.

In addition to fresh food, Omicho Market also carries flowers and daily sundries. Recommended for those who want to enjoy shopping and tasting Ishikawa's food while talking with shoppers.

Business Hours	9 AM - 5 PM *Varies by store
Regular Closing Days	New Year's Day (January 1-4) *Varies by store
Address	50 Kami-Omi Town, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture

Reference: Omicho Market (Japanese text only)

Kenrokuen Garden

Kenrokuen Garden is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan and is a special national scenic beauty spot. Visitors can enjoy a taste of the culture of Kaga Hyakumangoku in the Edo period. The garden is a large area of land dotted with ponds, artificial hills, teahouses, and other structures in the Kaiyu style. Visitors can enjoy a different look in each season: cherry blossoms in spring, greenery in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy landscape in winter. In particular, the "Yuki-hanging" ceremony, held to protect tree branches from the snow, is a well-known winter tradition. At night, the area is illuminated, creating a fantastic sight.

"Shiguretei" is a tea ceremony room in the garden, where you can enjoy tea and Shiguretei's original Kamiseki sweets. Visitors can spend a relaxing time in the teahouse while enjoying the view of Hase Pond.

Business Hours	March 1～October 15 7 AM - 6 PM (check-out time) October 16 ~ February end 8 AM - 5 PM (check-out time)
Regular Closing Days	Open all year round (Shiguretei is closed from December 29 to January 3)
Address	1 Kenrokucho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture

Reference: Kenrokuen Garden

Kanazawa Castle Park

Kanazawa Castle Park was maintained as a park on the site of Kanazawa Castle, which was built by the Maeda family of the Kaga Domain. Kanazawa Castle was destroyed by fire, but in 2001, the Hishi Yagura, Gojyumen Nagaya, and Hashizume-mon continuation Yagura were restored, allowing visitors to enjoy the atmosphere of the time while strolling through the park. The park is open at night, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful sight of the castle illuminated on Saturdays and designated nights.

Visitors can enjoy the atmospheric garden scenery, created by the ponds and stone walls in the park. The spacious garden is also rich in nature. Visitors can enjoy tea and original sweets in Gyokusen'inmaru Garden where located in the Gyokusen-in-maru Garden, which will soothe the fatigue of your trip.

Business Hours	March 1～October 15 7 AM - 6 PM (check-out time) October 16 ~ February end 8 AM - 5 PM (check-out time)
Regular Closing Days	No mid-year break(Gyokusen'inmaru Garden is closed from December 29 to January 3)
Address	1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture

Reference: Kanazawa City Park

Summary of Internet and Wi-Fi Situation in Ishikawa

Travelersin Ishikawa are able to use the Internet without any problems because public Wi-Fi provided by Kanazawa City and Nomi City, as well as free Wi-Fi provided by cafes, restaurants, and hotels, are pretty much available. However, it is important to note that depending on the time and location, the connection may not be smooth, or there may be security risks. For those who want to use the Internet comfortably and securely during their stay in Ishikawa, we recommend WiFiBOX, a new Wi-Fi rental service with affordable rental rates and easy procedures from reservation to return. If you are planning to visit Ishikawa, you might want to rent one!