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

When visiting Fukushima for sightseeing or business purposes, it is a good idea to research Wi-Fi in advance so that you can use the Internet comfortably. It is useful to know about free Wi-Fi services in Fukushima, as well as Wi-Fi services in different shops and facilities. This guide will explain the Wi-Fi situation in Fukushima and our recommended Wi-Fi rental service, WiFiBOX.

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Free public Wi-Fi available in Fukushima

Public facilities and buildings, such as the Fukushima Prefectural Government and facilities in Koriyama, Fukushima, may offer their own free Wi-Fi services. When visiting public facilities, ask the staff if free Wi-Fi is available.

Fukushima City, the prefectural capital of Fukushima Prefecture, also offers Fukushima_Free_Wi-Fi and Fukushima City Wi-Fi services, which can be used at city tourist facilities and around train stations. As the coverage area is mostly places that are visited by a great number of tourists, it is advisable to check in advance to ensure a smooth experience.

Let's take a look at how to use Fukushima_Free_Wi-Fi and Fukushima City Wi-Fi.

SSID and login method for Fukushima_Free_Wi-Fi

Fukushima_Free_Wi-Fi is a free Wi-Fi service available at Fukushima Station's Station Square (East and West Exits) and Machinaka Square. Once connected, you can use the Wi-Fi service for 60 minutes, and you can reconnect with no limit.
The SSID is Fukushima_Free_Wi-Fi. Here is how you can use it.

Authentication by email address

First, turn on the Wi-Fi setting on your smartphone or other device. Select SSID "Fukushima_Free_Wi-Fi" and start using it in the following steps.

1. Tap 'Register with your email address'.
2. Enter your email address, check the box to agree to the Terms of Use, and then tap Confirm.
3. Tap 'Confirm' on the next screen as well.
4. Provisional registration is completed. Open the mailbox and tap the URL in the body of the email.

Reference(Japanese text only): Fukushima_Free_Wi-Fi

Authentication by social media account

When authenticating with a social media account, first turn your Wi-Fi on. Select the SSID "Fukushima_Free_Wi-Fi" and start using it in the following steps.

1. Select the social media account you want to use.
2. Check the box to agree to the Terms of Use and tap Confirm.
3. Enter the account and password for the selected platform and log in.

Reference(Japanese text only): Fukushima_Free_Wi-Fi

How to log in to the Fukushima City Wi-Fi SSID

Fukushima City Wi-Fi is free Wi-Fi available at tourist facilities and restaurants in Fukushima City. It is also available at Fukushima Sky Park, Roadside Station Tsuchiyu, UFO Fureai Kan and Fukushima Terrsa.

The SSID is Fukushima City Wi-Fi. Each access allows 60 minutes of connectivity and unlimited repetition. Use it as follows.

1. Turn on the Wi-Fi settings on the device.
2. Select 'Fukushima City Wi-Fi' from the SSID list.
3. Tap 'Internet'.
4. Tap '60 minutes per session (max)'.
5. Tap 'Login'.
6. Specify the ID by entering your mail address and specify the password by entering your password, then tap 'Login'.

If you have used Fukushima City Wi-Fi at least once in the past, simply tap Login.

Reference(Japanese text only): Fukushima City Wi-Fi

Other free Wi-Fi available in Fukushima

In Fukushima, free Wi-Fi may be available not only in public and tourist facilities, but also in cafés, family restaurants, fast food outlets, and hotels.

We have gathered information on other places that offer free Wi-Fi in Fukushima. Ask the staff at each shop or visit the shop's website for details.

Cafes

Among cafes, chain cafes are most likely to have free Wi-Fi service available. There are several chain cafés in Fukushima, and the following cafés offer free Wi-Fi.

• Komeda Coffee Shop
• Starbucks Coffee
• Tully's Coffee
• Doutor Coffee
• St. Mark's Cafe

Free Wi-Fi services in cafés are generally available without registration. There may also be a limit on the amount of time you can be connected at any one time, but you can extend your usage time by reconnecting, giving you virtually unlimited internet access.

Family restaurants and fast food restaurants

Free Wi-Fi service is also available at some family restaurants and fast food restaurants. The main family and fast food restaurants with free Wi-Fi in Fukushima are as follows.

• Gusto
• Joyfull
• Saizeriya

• McDonald's
• Mos Burger
• Kentucky

However, free Wi-Fi services may not be available in some outlets in the same chain. Check with staff whether free Wi-Fi is available.

Hotels

Hotels, inns and other accommodation facilities in Fukushima Prefecture may offer free Wi-Fi services for their guests. They may also be available in the lobby, for example, when visiting the hotel for a meal or a meeting.

You can check whether free Wi-Fi is available by calling in advance. If available, connect to the internet in the following ways

1. Turn on Wi-Fi from the settings screen of your smartphone or other device.
2. Select the SSID of the hotel.
3. Enter your ID and password specified by the hotel.

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WiFiBOX is recommended for renting Wi-Fi in Fukushima

When traveling in Fukushima, you can use public free Wi-Fi provided by Fukushima 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 Fukushima, 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 Fukushima, you might want to consider using this service.

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 Fukushima), 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 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 Fukushima.

Please check the following for details on the locations of WiFiBOX

https://wifibox.telecomsquare.co.jp/en/pages/map

What kind of area is Fukushima?

Fukushima Prefecture is located in the Northeast part of Japan and is located within 200 km of Tokyo. It has the third largest area after Hokkaido and Iwate Prefecture, with a population of approximately 1.77 million (as of 1 April 2023)

Fukushima Prefecture is divided into three regions: the Nakadori region, the Aizu region and the Hamadori region. In addition, the Nakadori region is divided into a total of seven living zones - northern, central and southern parts of the prefecture; Aizu and Minami Aizu in the Aizu region; and Soso and Iwaki in the Hamadori region - each with a different climate and culture.

Fukushima Prefecture has a number of local delicacies that are well known both within and outside the prefecture. We have compiled a list of some of the best-known gourmet foods in Fukushima prefecture. Try them when you visit Fukushima.

• Curry yakisoba (Aizu): sauce-flavoured yakisoba (fried noodles) topped with curry roux. Wild taste.
• Sauce katsu-don (Aizu): bowl of rice topped with plenty of cabbage and tonkatsu (deep-fried meat filet coated in breadcrumbs) dipped in sauce. It u sually uses pork, but sometimes horse cutlets, which is another Aizu speciality.
• Ramen (Kitakata): a well-known gourmet dish representing Fukushima Prefecture.
• Dobu soup (Iwaki): anglerfish stew. The flavor of the liver is richer than in normal anglerfish stew.
• Green curry (Koriyama): characterized by a generous amount of spinach.
• Gyoza (Fukushima): also famous for its 'disc gyoza', in which gyoza are arranged in a disc shape and baked.

Highlights of Fukushima

Fukushima Prefecture is conveniently located, being only about 1 hour 20 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen bullet train, 1 hour from Osaka by air, and 1 hour 20 minutes from Hokkaido (from New Chitose Airport to Fukushima Airport).

From its rich nature to its historic castles and inn towns, Fukushima Prefecture offers a wealth of attractions. Some resorts are also famous for being chosen as filming locations for movies and other productions. The following five are particularly well-known among them.

• Mount Bandai
• Urabandai
• Tsurugajo Castle
• Ouchijuku
• Spa Resort Hawaiians.

Mount Bandai

Bandai, also known as Aizu Fuji, is a mountain that straddles Inawashiro Town, Bandai Town, and Kitashiobara Village. In early summer, the beautiful reflection of Mt Bandai in the rice paddies is also famous.

Visitors come to Mt. Bandai all year round, as it offers a variety of different looks depending on the angle of view and the season. Many visitors enjoy hiking in spring and autumn, and skiing and snowboarding in winter, among with other activities as well.

Business Hours	ー
Regular closing days	ー
Address	Bandaisan, Inawashiro-cho, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture

Reference: Mount Bandai

Urabandai

Urabandai is a scenic area formed by the phreatic explosion of Mt Bandai. There are more than 300 lake groups in this area, which is sometimes referred to as 'lake country'.

Urabandai offers a variety of tourist attractions, including the Goshikinuma Lake Group, Nakatsugawa Gorge, Lake Sohara and the Morohashi Museum of Modern Art. The rich natural environment also offers activities such as canoeing, kayaking and trekking in summer and snowshoeing in winter.

Business Hours	ー
Regular closing days	ー
Address	Aza Kenkemine, Oaza Hibara, Kitashiobara-mura, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture

Reference: Urabandai

Tsurugajo Castle

Tsurugajo Castle originated from Higashi Kurokawa-kan, built by Naomori Asina, and was built by Ujisato Gamo in 1593 as the first full-fledged castle keep in eastern Japan. During the Boshin War of 1868, the castle withstood a month-long onslaught by the new government forces and became known as an impregnable castle.

By 1874 all the buildings had been demolished, but the keep was rebuilt in 1965, followed by the tea house and other buildings. In 2011, the roof tiles were replaced with red tiles from the end of the Edo period, returning the castle to its typical Tsurugajo shape.

Business Hours	The Keep Museum] 8:30 am - 5 pm *Last admission by 4:30 am. Inside the castle tower was renewed in spring of 2023.
Regular closing days	Open every day of the year
Address	1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture

Reference(Japanese text only): Tsurugajo Castle

Ouchijuku

Ouchijuku is an inn town in Minami Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture, linking Aizu-Wakamatsu with Nikko and Imaichi. Even today, thatch-roofed houses still stand along the road in the same style as they did in the Edo period.

The Ouchijuku was designated as a national important traditional building preservation area in 1981. The community has come together to preserve the buildings on the three principles of not selling, not renting and not destroying.

Business Hours	Varies from shop to shop.
Regular closing days	Varies from shop to shop.
Address	Oaza Ouchi, Shimogo Town, Minami Aizu District, Fukushima Prefecture

Reference: Ouchijuku

Spa Resort Hawaiians.

Spa Resort Hawaiians is an everlasting summer paradise consisting of four hotels and spas. Hula girl shows and Polynesian shows are a must-see attraction.

Light clothing such as T-shirts and swimming costumes can be worn in the waterpark all year round. Go there for a quick and easy tropical resort experience.

Business Hours	10 am - 9:30 pm
Regular closing days	Irregular (on request).
Address	50 Warabidaira, Jobanfujiwara-cho, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

Reference: Spa Resort Hawaiians.(video iin Japanese )

Summary of the Internet and Wi-Fi situation in Fukushima

In Fukushima, public free Wi-Fi services are available in public facilities, around train stations and at tourist attractions. Cafés, family restaurants and hotels may also have their own free Wi-Fi services available.

However, it should be noted that free Wi-Fi has its risks. In particular, avoid sending personal information such as credit card details or financial information, as data stealing can lead to serious problems.

For those who want to use Wi-Fi with peace of mind, we recommend our Wi-Fi rental service, WiFiBOX. WiFiBOX is a completely contactless service, meaning all procedures from reservation to return are done without human contact. If you plan to visit Fukushima, you might want to try this service!