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

When traveling in Tochigi Prefecture, finding out about the Wi-Fi connectivity beforehand could be very beneficial so you can comfortably access information. Tochigi Prefecture offers free Wi-Fi, which is either operated by the government or provided by restaurants and hotels. We have gathered the information you need, and will explain the Wi-Fi situation in Tochigi, and in case you need a portable Wi-Fi, we have our recommended Wi-Fi rental service, WiFiBOX.

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Free public Wi-Fi available in Tochigi

Tochigi provides free Wi-Fi (public wireless LAN) as a public Wi-Fi service. It is operated to improve the environment for international tourists and for disaster prevention in the event of a, well, disaster, and is available at major facilities in Tochigi Prefecture.
Within the prefecture, "Nikko City Wi-Fi" is available in Nikko City, where many tourist spots are concentrated, and "UTSUNOMIYA CITY FREE Wi-Fi" is available in Utsunomiya City, the prefectural capital.
Let's take a look at the free Wi-Fi available in Nikko City and Utsunomiya City of Tochigi Prefecture to see what kind of service is offered and how to connect to it.

What are Nikko City Wi-Fi and UTSUNOMIYA CITY FREE Wi-Fi?

Nikko City Wi-Fi is a free Wi-Fi service maintained by the government of Nikko City in the area of "Shrines and Temples of Nikko" which is world heritage, and can be used for 60 minutes at a time with no limit on the number of times a day. In the event of a disaster, the service will be opened for use without any procedures. The Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect app makes it easier to connect.
UTSUNOMIYA CITY FREE Wi-Fi is a service provided by Utsunomiya City for travelers including foreign people. It is available at the following spots.

• JR Utsunomiya Station East Exit
• Utsunomiya City Tourist Information Center in JR Utsunomiya Station
• Roadside Station Utsunomiya Romantic Village
• Otani Park

You can use the service up to 30 minutes at a time and for an unlimited number of times.

How to log in to Nikko City Wi-Fi/UTSUNOMIYA CITY FREE Wi-Fi

To use Nikko City Wi-Fi, first go to the designated Wi-Fi spot, connect, and display the registration screen. There are two registration options: e-mail address registration and social media registration.
To log in, follow the instructions below.

1. Go to a Wi-Fi spot
2. Tap "Settings" on your phone or other device
3. Tap "Wi-Fi" and turn it on
4. Select the SSID "Nikko_City_Free_Wi-Fi" from the list of networks
5. Launch your browser.
6. When the portal page appears, tap "Connect to the Internet
7. Tap "Register with your email address" or any SNS
8. The "Connected to the Internet" screen will appear and the connection is complete.

You can also use the following social media accounts to connect to the Wi-Fi:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Google
• Yahoo! JAPAN ID
• d-account

How to login with Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect

The" Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect" application makes it even easier to connect.
To log in to UTSUNOMIYA CITY FREE Wi-Fi, follow the instructions below.

1. Go to the designated Wi-Fi spot
2. Tap "Settings" on your phone or other device
3. Tap "Wi-Fi" and turn it on
4. Select the SSID "Utsunomiya_City_Free_Wi-Fi" from the list of networks
5. Select the language and tap "Connect to the Internet"
6. Confirm and agree the Terms of Use.
7. Register your email address
8. Agree to the security confirmation
9. Your connection is complete.

Other free Wi-Fi available in Tochigi

In Tochigi, in addition to public free Wi-Fi provided by the government, you can also use free Wi-Fi provided independently by cafes, family restaurants, fast food restaurants, and other establishments. Many hotels also provide free Wi-Fi for their guests, allowing them to use the Internet without any limit.

Here are the places that most of the time offer free Wi-Fi in Tochigi.

Cafes

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

• Starbucks Coffee
• Komeda Coffee Shop
• Tully's Coffee
• Doutor
• Coffee House
• Beck's Coffee Shop
• Musashinomori Coffee
• Pronto
• Sakai Coffee
• Ueshima Coffee Shop
• Colorado
• Excelsior
• St. Mark's Cafe

Many cafes do not require you to register your email address and allow you to use the Wi-Fi simply by agreeing to the terms of service. Although there is a limit of 30 to 180 minutes per connection, in many cases you can use the service by connecting again, so you can access the Internet with virtually no time limit.

Family restaurants and fast food restaurants

Family restaurants and fast food restaurants may also offer their own free Wi-Fi service. You can look for these restaurant brands in Tochigi:

• Cocos
• Gusto
• Denny's
• Joyful
• Saizeriya
• Bamiyan
• Yumean
• Steak Miya

BIKKURI DONKEY

• McDonald's
• Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)
• Mos Burger
• Lotteria
• Freshness Burger
• Subway
• Burger King

Note that some stores may not have free Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi stickers are often posted at store entrances, which you can use as a guide when using the service. Many chain stores also tell you whether free Wi-Fi is available or not in the store information section on their websites. You might want to check its availability in advance before going the actual store.

Hotels

Many hotels in Tochigi offer free Wi-Fi access to their guests. However, there are hotels that still don't offer Wi-Fi as their service, so when making a reservation, you might want to make sure that 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. When a login screen appears, enter the ID and password specified by the hotel.

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As mentioned above, tourists in Tochigi 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 Tochigi, 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 Tochigi), 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 Tochigi.

Please check the following for details on the locations of WiFiBOX

WiFiBOX Location List

What is Tochigi?

Located in the northern part of the Kanto region, Tochigi Prefecture boasts rich tourism resources and convenience. In its northwestern part, the prefecture has mountainous areas, plateaus, lakes, and marshes, which are designated as Nikko National Park. There are a variety of sights to see, such as Oze and Nasu Highlands, and those that are listed as the World Heritage: "Shrines and Temples of Nikko".
The prefectural capital, Utsunomiya, is located at the center of the prefecture. Utsunomiya has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, and the easy access to the Tokyo metropolitan area has led to the industrial development in this area.
In the plain area, agriculture is flourishing, and Tochiotome strawberries in particular are known as Tochigi's representative specialty product. Dairy farming is often found in the mountainous areas, and the production of raw milk is particularly high.

Highlights of Tochigi

Tochigi is full of tourist destinations while it is a livable and industrially developed prefecture. In 1999, the 103 buildings were registered as a World Heritage site as "Shrines and Temples of Nikko": Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko-zan Rinnoji Temple, and Nikko Futaarasan Shrine, all located within Nikko Mountain, and the ruins surrounding the buildings (cultural landscape).

The following five spots are listed below as highlights of Tochigi.

• Kanmangafuchi Abyss
• Shinbashi Bridge
• Nikko Toshogu Shrine
• Lake Chuzenji
• Tobu World Square

Kanmangafuchi Abyss

Kanmangafuchi is a small canyon in Nikko City. The strange scenery created by the lava erupted from Mt. Nantai and the violent but beautiful flow of the Oya River combine to create a magnificent sight. On the south bank is a group of many Jizo statues, the number of which is said to change every time they are counted. On a cliff upstream, the word "Kanman" is carved in Sanskrit characters.
On the riverbank opposite the Jizo Cluster is the Nikko Botanical Garden. Visitors can enjoy the elegant scenery of the four seasons, such as fresh greenery, autumn leaves, and snow.

Business Hours	―
Regular Closing Day	Open every day of the year
Address	Takumi-cho, Nikko-shi, Tochigi

Reference: Nikko Tabinavi "Kanmangafuchi" (Japanese text only)

Shinkyo Bridge

Shinkyo Bridge is a bright red wooden bridge that spans the entrance to the interior of Nikko Mountain. It is one of the three most unusual bridges in Japan.
Legend has it that during the Nara period (710-794), when Shodo Shonin (a monk that is believed as the founder of all temples and shrines around Nikko area) opened Mt. Nikko, he asked for blessings from the gods and Buddha to escape the rapids of the Oya River, and two snakes were released. The bridge was painted red when the Toshogu Shrine was rebuilt, but it was washed away by a flood in the Meiji era. It was later rebuilt and remains in use to this day.
The contrast between the bright red bridge, lush greenery, and the river is fascinating. Combined with the autumn leaves in fall and snow in winter, it is a popular photo spot for many visitors.

Business Hours	April-October 8:30 AM - 4 PM November - March: 9:30 AM - 3 PM
Regular Closing Day	ー
Address	Kamihachiishi-cho, Nikko-shi, Tochigi

Reference: Nikko Tabinavi "Sinkyo" Bridge (Japanese text only)

Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Nikko Toshogu Shrine is one of the most well-known of the "Shrines and Temples of Nikko" World Heritage sites. There are 55 buildings on the grounds, 8 of which are designated as National Treasures and 34 as Important Cultural Properties. The buildings are decorated with lacquer and extreme colors, the pillars are decorated with carvings, and the gorgeous visuals attract many tourists.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine is known for its three monkeys: "see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil." Sixteen monkeys, including the three monkeys, are depicted on the long posts of the Shinto stables.

Business Hours	April-October 9 AM - 5 PM November to March: 9 AM- 4 PM (Reception is available 30 minutes before closing gate)
Regular Closing Day	Open every day of the year
Address	2301 Yamauchi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi

Reference: Nikko Toshogu Shrine (Japanese text only)

Lake Chuzenji

Lake Chuzenji is located at the entrance to Oku-Nikko, at an altitude of 1,269 meters above sea level. It is said that the eruption of Mt. Nantai caused the valley to be blocked and the original shape of Lake Chuzenji was formed. From the lakeside, visitors can enjoy various scenes depending on the season, such as azaleas in early summer and autumn leaves in fall. The lake is also attractive for its sightseeing boats, which offer beautiful views from the lake. In the fall, the "Autumn Foliage Tour" course is also available.
The area around Lake Chuzenji is lined with numerous restaurants, making it easy to find a place for lunch. Nikko's famous yuba (bean curd), hime-masu (trout) caught in Lake Chuzenji, soba (buckwheat noodles), and other Nikko gourmet foods can be enjoyed.

Business Hours	ー
Regular Closing Day	ー
Address	Nakamiya Shrine, Nikko-shi, Tochigi

Reference: Nikko Tabinavi "Lake Chuzenji" (Japanese text only)

Tobu World Square

Tobu World Square is a world architecture museum located near Kinugawa Onsen Hot Springs in Nikko City. A total of more than 100 world buildings and world heritage sites are reproduced on a 1/25th scale. There are six areas: Modern Japan Zone, America Zone, Egypt Zone, Europe Zone, Asia Zone, and Japan Zone. Visitors can view exhibits that reproduce famous structures representing each of these zones. This is a spot where visitors can feel as if they are traveling around the world.

Free guided tours of the park are available for visitors of all ages. There is also a restaurant and a souvenir store.

Business Hours	3/20 ～ 11/30　9 AM～5 PM 12/1 ～ 3/19　9:30 AM〜4 PM
Regular Closing Day	Open every day of the year
Address	209-1 Ohara, Kinugawa Onsen, Nikko-shi, Tochigi

Reference: Tobu World Square

Summary of Internet and Wi-Fi situation in Tochigi

When traveling in Tochigi, internet connection is probably not that much of a problem since public Wi-Fi provided by Nikko City and Utsunomiya City, and also free Wi-Fi at cafes, restaurants, and hotels are there for you,. However, you should note that the connection may not be smooth depending on the time and location, and that there are security risks lurking. For those who want to use the Internet comfortably and securely while traveling in Tochigi, we recommend our Wi-Fi rental service, WiFiBOX.
With affordable rental rates and easy procedures from reservation to return, you might want to rent one for your trip to Tochigi!