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

Gunma Prefecture is famous for its hot springs, and is a region rich in nature, such as Mt. Haruna and Oze National Park. Free Wi-Fi is available in Gunma Prefecture, so you can connect to the Internet for free even when sightseeing.

In this article, we will explain free Wi-Fi services provided in Gunma and the convenient Wi-Fi rental service we recommend: "WiFiBOX".

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Free public Wi-Fi available in Gunma

In Gunma Prefecture, each city provides its own free Wi-Fi.

Their SSIDs are as follows:

Municipality name	SSID	Usage time, number of times, etc.
Takasaki City	Takasaki Free Wi-Fi	1 hour per session, unlimited number of sessions
Maebashi City	MAEBASHI_LIBRARY_Free_Wi-Fi	Enter the password posted at the facility. Available on the 1st to 3rd floors of the Maebashi City Library Main Building
Kiryu City	Kiryu_City_Free_Wi-Fi	Up to 1 hour, 2 times a day
Shibukawa City	SSID "SHIBUKAWA-FREE-WIFI0"	Enter the password posted at the facility Available time is the same as the usage time of each facility
Tatebayashi	Tatebayashi FREE Wi-Fi	60 minutes once, up to 5 times a day

Other free Wi-Fi available in Gunma

In addition to the "Gunma Wi-Fi Project", free Wi-Fi is available in a variety of places in Gunma, including cafes and hotels. By connecting to the internet, you can search maps of your destination and information on transportation. It's also convenient for looking up tourist information and restaurants.

Here, we will introduce these other free Wi-Fi services available in Gunma.

Cafes

In Gunma Prefecture, there are cafes that provide free Wi-Fi. The following nationwide chain stores also have locations in Gunma Prefecture:

• Starbucks Coffee
• Tully's Coffee
• Doutor Coffee
• Saint Marc Cafe
• Komeda Coffee
• KOHIKAN

There are also local cafes that are particularly popular in Gunma.

Located in Maebashi, Robson Coffee is a 6-minute walk from Maebashi Station and provides free Wi-Fi. It is popular, because it offers specialty coffee roasted in-house.

Hotels

Many hotels in Gunma Prefecture have their own free Wi-Fi. However, some hotels do not have Wi-Fi, and even when it's available, it may not be free of charge. When making a reservation, it is a good idea to check whether free Wi-Fi is available.

To use the hotel's free Wi-Fi, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the Settings page and turn on your Wi-Fi, and select the access point of the hotel.
2. Enter the password provided by the hotel.

Stations

Free Wi-Fi is available at some stations in Gunma Prefecture. At Takasaki Station, free Wi-Fi is available near the east and west exits and at the Takasaki City Tourist Information Center inside the station. The SSID is "Takasaki Free Wi-Fi".

In Shibukawa City, "SHIBUKAWA-FREE-WIFI0" is available at the tourist information center inside Shibukawa Station.

Also, depending on the station,"Gunma Wi-Fi Project" Free Wi-Fi may be available, so, please check the SSID "0000FLETS-PORTAL" on the Wi-Fi settings page of your device.

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

We recommend WiFiBOX if you want to rent Wi-Fi in　Gunma

When traveling in Gunma, you can use public free Wi-Fi provided by Gunma Prefecture and free Wi-Fi provided by cafes, restaurants, and hotels to easily access maps and websites. However, please note that free Wi-Fi may not connect smoothly depending on the time and location, let alone the security risks that lurk within them.
For those who want to use the Internet in a stress-free and safe way while traveling in Gunma, we recommend WiFiBOX, a Wi-Fi rental service with affordable rental fees and a simple procedure from reservation to return. If you are planning to visit Gunma, you might want to consider using this service.

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 Gunma), 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 Gunma.

Please check the following for details on the locations of WiFiBOX

WiFiBOX Location List

About Gunma

Gunma Prefecture is located in the northwestern part of the Kanto region, within 100 km of Tokyo. Being an inland prefecture in the mountainous region of Honshu, it is the 21st largest prefecture in Japan and the second largest in the Kanto region after Tochigi prefecture. Surrounded by a rich variety of nature, including mountains, plateaus, marshes, and lakes, it is also famous for its hot springs and ski resorts.

The climate differs between the northern and southern parts of the prefecture, and the northern part, on the Sea of Japan side, has many high altitude areas, making it cool and comfortable in the summer. Due to the drastic temperature difference in summer, delicious highland vegetables can be harvested. There are many snowy and rainy days in winter, making it a great ski resort.

Located on the Pacific Ocean side, the southern part of the prefecture has almost the same climate as the Tokyo metropolitan area, and there are many areas with high temperatures in the summer.

Gunma Prefecture is also famous as a hot spring area that represents Japan. There are more than 100 hot spring areas, and in addition to the five major hot springs such as Kusatsu and Ikaho, you can enjoy various hot springs, such as old hot springs with over 1000 years of history and secluded hot springs. In 2014, "Tomioka Silk Mill and Silk Industry Heritage Sites" were registered as World Heritage Sites.

Highlights of Gunma

When we are talking about the highlights of Gunma Prefecture, we can't forget the hot spring areas represented by Kusatsu and Ikaho. You can travel around various hot springs, including Kusatsu, the hot spring town that boasts the largest amount of natural spring water in Japan.

There are many spots rich in nature, such as Mt. Asama, Lake Haruna, and Oze, where you can enjoy different scenery each season.

Among the many sightseeing spots in Gunma Prefecture, we will introduce the highlights that we have specially curated.

Tomioka Silk Mill

The Tomioka Silk Mill was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2014. The silk reeling factory, cocoon warehouses, and other facilities remain largely unchanged from the time of construction in 1872.

At the Tomioka Silk Gallery inside the silk mill, "Tomioka silk products" are sold, and you can purchase beautiful silk products such as original neckties and silk organdie scarves made using 100% cocoons produced in Tomioka.

Around the silk mill, there are stores offering sweets with silk and cocoon motifs, which are popular among travelers.

Business hours	9 am - 5 pm (Last admission:4:30 pm)
Regular holidays	Year-end (December 29, 30, 31)
Address	1-1 Tomioka, Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture

Reference: Tomioka Silk Mill

Yubatake

Located in the center of the Kusatsu hot spring town, it is the symbol of Kusatsu, where about 4,000 liters of hot spring water flows out every minute. Steam is always rising up, and wooden tubs are lined up to cool the hot spring and gather flowers.

There are sidewalks paved with tiles in the surrounding area, and there are footbaths, communal baths, souvenir shops, and more, so you can enjoy a stroll after taking a bath. It is lit up after dusk and is a lively place all day long.

Business hours	ー
Regular holidays	ー
Address	Kusatsu, Kusatsu-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture

Reference: Yubatake

Ikaho Onsen

Gunma is one of Japan's leading hot spring areas, and you can enjoy many hot springs there. Among them, Ikaho Onsen is one of Gunma's representative hot springs, along with Kusatsu Onsen, and has two types of hot springs.

There are "Golden Water", which is dark brown and contains iron, and "Silver Water", which is clear, colorless, and silky. The hot spring town is lined with inns and lodging facilities, and each facility offers a variety of lodging plans.

You can also enjoy gourmet dishes unique to Ikaho Onsen, such as Mizusawa Udon and hot spring steamed buns.

Business hours	ー
Regular holidays	ー
Address	Ikaho-machi, Shibukawa-shi, Gunma Prefecture

Reference: Shibukawa Ikaho Onsen Tourism Association

Oze National Park

Photo provided by "関東地方環境事務所"

Oze is a mountainous area created by volcanic eruptions and is home to a series of 2,000-meter-high mountains. Oze National Park spans four prefectures, Gunma, Fukushima, Tochigi, and Niigata, and is surrounded by famous peaks with a variety of flowers in bloom.

You can admire the flowers and grasses blooming in the marshland while walking along the wooden paths in Ozegahara, and if you climb Hiuchigatake and Shibutsusan surrounding the area, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the area.

Every year, the mountains are opened around mid-May, when there is still snow left, and many tourists come to Oze for hiking. The period from late May to early June is the best time to enjoy the skunk cabbage, a famous Oze plant.

Rare native plants are protected and preserved in the park, and mammals such as the Japanese serow also live there. You might be able to meet rare animals.

Business hours	Free to enter the mountain. But the surrounding roads may be closed from early November to late April because of snow cover.
Regular holidays	ー
Address	Katashina-mura in Gunma Prefecture, Hinoemata-mura and Minamiaizu-machi in Fukushima Prefecture, Uonuma-shi in Niigata Prefecture, Nikko-shi in Tochigi Prefecture

Reference : Oze National Park

Mount Haruna

Mt. Haruna is located in the midwestern part of Gunma Prefecture and is known as one of the "Three Jomo Mountains", along with Mt.Myogi and Mt.Akagi.

Mt. Haruna is not the name of a single mountain, but consists of sommas such as Mt. Kambugatake, Mt. Tenmoku, Mt. Soma, centered on Mt. Haruna and Lake Haruna. Haruna Fuji has a ropeway, and it takes about 3 minutes to ride from Haruna Kogen Station at the foot of the mountain to Haruna Summit Station. From the ropeway, you can see the emerald green Lake Haruna and the mountains of Joshu, and on a clear day you can see the Kanto Plain. There is also a natural hot spring on the shores of Lake Haruna, where you can take a day trip to soak away the fatigue of your trip.

Lake Haruna is a caldera lake that was created by the volcanic activities of Mt. Haruna, and is located at an altitude of 1,100m. There are a variety of leisure activities you can enjoy while viewing the scenery, such as auto camping, sightseeing boats, and boating.

(ropeway)

Business hours	April-November: 9 am - 5 pm (last climb at 4:30 pm) December-March: 9 am - 4 pm (last climb at 3:30 pm)
Regular holidays	Open all year round (Cancelled in case of bad weather)
Address	845-1 Harunako-cho, Takasaki-shi, Gunma Prefecture

Reference(in Japanese): Mt. Haruna and Lake Haruna (tourist information)

Wrap-up of Gunma Internet and Wi-Fi situation

In Gunma Prefecture, the prefectural and municipal governments provide free Wi-Fi, allowing visitors to search maps and check information on sightseeing spots during their visit.

However, free Wi-Fi services may not be available in places other than tourist spots and public facilities, and they have a limit on usage time. Moreover, the communication environment might not be so stable. So, you should consider other means of connection.

For those who want to have a comfortable internet environment all the time while traveling , we recommend WiFiBOX, a Wi-Fi self-rental service.

WiFiBOX has a simple procedure from reservation to return, plus at an affordable rental fee. If you are planning to visit Gunma, you might want to consider using it!