Short answer
Official free Wi-Fi in Japan is enough only at a participating hotspot after you register, and the Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi app stopped on 31 March 2025. Between those hotspots you are not on that Wi-Fi, and Apple describes an iPhone eSIM, and Google describes a Pixel eSIM, as a cellular plan rather than a login to those hotspots.
For airport terminal Wi-Fi and the settings that select the travel line, see Japan eSIM settings on arrival.
Fact table
As of 2026-10-21
Each claim names its source. The full source list, with the date each page was read, is below.
| Claim | Source |
|---|---|
| NTT Broadband Platform stopped use of the Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi app on 31 March 2025. Distribution through the app stores had already stopped on 31 March 2024. The successor app is Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect, and it needs its own install and its own initial registration. | NTTBP, Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi ended |
| NTTBP says that after that registration, Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect joins compatible Wi-Fi automatically, and only to access points whose provider is clear. It can list nearby spots on a map. It supports 16 languages, including Japanese, English, and Chinese. | NTTBP, Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi ended |
| The Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect page names airports, train interiors, convenience stores, and cafes as examples of spots. Its steps are to install the app, register, go to the spot, and then the connection is complete. | NTTBP, Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect |
| NTTBP says the compatible Wi-Fi services are provided by area owners such as companies and local governments. | NTTBP, compatible Wi-Fi services |
| NTTBP says Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect has been available since December 2019 for free Wi-Fi from local governments, public transport, commercial facilities, tourist sites, and similar places. From 27 February 2025, version 4.0.1 also joins OpenRoaming spots. NTTBP counts those OpenRoaming spots as more than 3 million in Japan and abroad, which is not a count of Japan alone. NTTBP says anyone can use the app for free. | NTTBP, OpenRoaming on Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect |
| OpenRoaming on this app needs Android 11 or later, or iOS 15 or later. NTTBP says an Android 10 phone can still use the existing free spots and cannot use the OpenRoaming spots. | NTTBP, OpenRoaming on Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect |
| Before version 4.0.1, NTTBP says automatic connection was limited to spots it installed or partnered with. On those spots, Android connects automatically. On iOS, the first time you see that Wi-Fi you tap the network in Settings, and from the second time it connects automatically. | NTTBP, OpenRoaming guide |
| NTTBP says OpenRoaming spots connect automatically, and that a spot it has not partnered with may work without appearing on the app map or list. It says there are not that many OpenRoaming spots yet, and that the app also reaches tens of thousands of free Wi-Fi spots that are not OpenRoaming. You still have to be at the spot. | NTTBP, OpenRoaming guide |
| NTTBP says many Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect spots are not encrypted, and that OpenRoaming spots are encrypted. | NTTBP, OpenRoaming guide |
| NTTBP's free Wi-Fi FAQ says registration is required, and that free Wi-Fi may be unavailable depending on the device settings, the apps in use, and the spot's conditions. The OS versions it says it has confirmed are Android 12, 13, 14, and 15, iOS 16, 17, and 18, Windows 10 and 11, and Mac OS 15. Some of these services filter sites. | NTTBP, free Wi-Fi FAQ |
| SoftBank says FREE Wi-Fi PASSPORT is free Wi-Fi for tourists visiting Japan, at restaurants, cafes, major train stations, hotels, and other locations that show its mark. The notice dated August 2026 says there is no charge and that use lasts 2 weeks unless you obtain a new password. You must provide a mobile phone number, a password, gender, and an age group. Up to 5 devices can connect. A device without LTE cannot be used. The service may be unavailable depending on your mobile contract, for example a prepaid contract. SoftBank says the Wi-Fi is not encrypted. | SoftBank, FREE Wi-Fi PASSPORT |
| SoftBank's hotspot search page says FREE Wi-Fi PASSPORT is at approximately 400,000 hotspots in Japan. | SoftBank, hotspot search |
| JNTO says wireless hotspots are appearing across major cities in Japan. It says most major hotels in Japanese cities provide Wi-Fi for guests, and says not to expect a traditional ryokan or a smaller minshuku to provide it, especially in the mountains or rural areas. JNTO says to check when you book. | JNTO, Wi-Fi in Japan |
| TOKYO FREE Wi-Fi is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's service. Its March 2026 notice says the spots are at metropolitan facilities and at public phone boxes around major stations, among other places, and that the green sticker marks one. | Tokyo Metropolitan Government, March 2026 notice |
| Tokyo says the first connection needs a Google account, an Apple ID, or a LINE ID, and the connection settings installed on the device. With no internet, join START_TOKYO_Wi-Fi at the sticker. Tokyo says that network may be unavailable, and that a phone next to a sticker may still fail to detect the signal. | Tokyo Metropolitan Government, TOKYO FREE Wi-Fi |
| Tokyo says there is no usage fee and no limit on time or how often you connect, except that some facilities cannot be used outside their operating hours. If a mobile line opens the setup site or downloads the settings file, Tokyo says those data charges are yours. After setup, a compatible spot connects automatically, including compatible spots in Japan and abroad, not only in Tokyo. | Tokyo Metropolitan Government, TOKYO FREE Wi-Fi |
| Tokyo says the network name TOKYO_FREE_Wi-Fi is the OpenRoaming service, and FREE_Wi-Fi_and_TOKYO is its older public Wi-Fi, which does not support OpenRoaming. | Tokyo Metropolitan Government, TOKYO FREE Wi-Fi |
| Apple says an eSIM is an industry-standard digital SIM built into the iPhone, so that plan does not need a physical SIM card. Setting one up is for a cellular plan from a carrier. | Apple Support, set up eSIM |
| Google says an eSIM is a digital SIM that lets a Pixel use a cellular network, unlike a physical SIM card that you insert, and that you can manage international plans while traveling. | Google Pixel Help, about eSIM |
FAQ
Is free Wi-Fi enough for a whole trip in Japan?
It is enough only while you are on a participating hotspot you have registered for. Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect connects after you install it, register, and go to a compatible spot. SoftBank FREE Wi-Fi PASSPORT is for tourists at its marked locations, for 2 weeks unless you obtain a new password. Tokyo's service is at a green sticker. JNTO says not to expect Wi-Fi at a traditional ryokan or a smaller minshuku, especially in the mountains or rural areas. None of these is a connection between the spots.
Is the Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi app still available?
No. NTT Broadband Platform stopped use of that app on 31 March 2025. Store distribution had already stopped on 31 March 2024. The successor is Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect, which you install separately and register for before it will join compatible Wi-Fi.
Where does Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect actually connect?
NTTBP names airports, train interiors, convenience stores, and cafes as examples, and the steps end with going to the spot. Since December 2019 the app has covered free Wi-Fi from local governments, public transport, commercial facilities, tourist sites, and similar places, provided by companies and local governments. From 27 February 2025, version 4.0.1 also joins OpenRoaming spots. NTTBP counts those as more than 3 million in Japan and abroad, not as a count of Japan alone.
Will my phone connect to Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect by itself?
On a Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect spot, NTTBP says Android connects automatically, and an iPhone taps the network in Settings the first time, then connects automatically from the second time. OpenRoaming spots connect automatically. That OpenRoaming connection needs Android 11 or later, or iOS 15 or later. Android 10 can still use the existing free spots and cannot use OpenRoaming spots.
Does the app map show every free hotspot?
No. NTTBP says the map and list show partnered services, and an OpenRoaming spot it has not partnered with can work without being listed. It says there are not that many OpenRoaming spots yet, and that the app also reaches tens of thousands of free Wi-Fi spots that are not OpenRoaming. Many of the Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect spots are not encrypted. OpenRoaming spots are encrypted.
Why might a free hotspot fail or block a page?
NTTBP says registration is required, and that free Wi-Fi may be unavailable depending on the device settings, the apps in use, and the spot's conditions. The OS versions that FAQ says NTTBP has confirmed are Android 12, 13, 14, and 15, iOS 16, 17, and 18, Windows 10 and 11, and Mac OS 15. Those confirmed versions are a different list from the app's own minimums. Some of the services filter sites.
What are the limits of SoftBank FREE Wi-Fi PASSPORT?
SoftBank says it is for tourists visiting Japan, at restaurants, cafes, major train stations, hotels, and other marked locations. The August 2026 notice says there is no charge, use lasts 2 weeks unless you obtain a new password, and you provide a mobile phone number, a password, gender, and an age group. Up to 5 devices can connect. A device without LTE cannot be used. It may be unavailable on some mobile contracts, including a prepaid contract. SoftBank says the Wi-Fi is not encrypted. The search page says approximately 400,000 hotspots in Japan.
Will my hotel in Japan have Wi-Fi?
JNTO says wireless hotspots are appearing across major cities, and that most major hotels in Japanese cities provide Wi-Fi for guests. It says not to expect a traditional ryokan or a smaller minshuku to provide it, especially in the mountains or rural areas. JNTO says to check when you book.
What is Tokyo's official free Wi-Fi, and where is it?
TOKYO FREE Wi-Fi is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's service, used where the green sticker is. The March 2026 notice says it is installed at metropolitan facilities and at public phone boxes around major stations, among other places. The first time, you confirm identity with a Google account, an Apple ID, or a LINE ID and install the connection settings. With no internet, Tokyo says to join START_TOKYO_Wi-Fi at the sticker, and that network may be unavailable. A phone next to a sticker may still fail to detect the signal. There is no usage fee and no limit on time or how often you connect, except some facilities cannot be used outside their operating hours. Using a mobile line for the setup site or the settings file leaves those data charges with you. After setup, a compatible spot connects automatically, in Tokyo and at compatible spots in Japan and abroad. TOKYO_FREE_Wi-Fi is the OpenRoaming name. FREE_Wi-Fi_and_TOKYO is Tokyo's older public Wi-Fi, without OpenRoaming.
How is an eSIM different from these hotspots?
Apple says an eSIM is an industry-standard digital SIM built into the iPhone, for a cellular plan from a carrier, without a physical SIM card. Google says an eSIM is a digital SIM that lets a Pixel use a cellular network, unlike a physical SIM card you insert, and that you can manage international plans while traveling. Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect, FREE Wi-Fi PASSPORT, and TOKYO FREE Wi-Fi are logins to a hotspot. They are not that cellular plan. This page does not say where a cellular plan has signal.
Sources
NTTBP, Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi endedntt-bp.net
NTT Broadband Platform stopped use of the Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi app on 31 March 2025. Store distribution had already stopped on 31 March 2024. The successor is Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect, which needs its own install and initial registration. After that registration it connects automatically to compatible Wi-Fi, only to access points whose provider is clear, and it can show nearby spots on a map or in a list. It supports 16 languages, including Japanese, English, and Chinese.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
NTTBP, Japan Wi-Fi auto-connectntt-bp.net
The Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect page names airports, train interiors, convenience stores, and cafes as examples of spots. The steps are to install the app and register, go to the Wi-Fi spot, and then the connection is complete.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
NTTBP, compatible Wi-Fi servicesntt-bp.net
Wi-Fi services compatible with Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect are provided by area owners such as companies and local governments.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
NTTBP, OpenRoaming on Japan Wi-Fi auto-connectntt-bp.net
Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect has been available since December 2019 for free Wi-Fi set up by local governments, public transport, commercial facilities, tourist sites, and similar places. From 27 February 2025, version 4.0.1 also connects automatically to OpenRoaming spots. NTTBP counts those as more than 3 million spots in Japan and abroad, in addition to the existing free spots. OpenRoaming on this app needs Android 11 or later, or iOS 15 or later. Android 10 can still use the existing free spots and cannot use the OpenRoaming spots. NTTBP says anyone can use the app for free.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
NTTBP, OpenRoaming guidentt-bp.net
Before version 4.0.1, automatic connection was limited to spots NTTBP installed or partnered with. For those Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect spots, Android connects automatically, and iOS has to tap the network in Settings the first time. From the second visit, iOS connects automatically. OpenRoaming spots connect automatically, and some of them do not appear on the app map or list because only partnered services are listed. NTTBP says there are not that many OpenRoaming spots yet, and that the app also reaches tens of thousands of free Wi-Fi spots that are not OpenRoaming. Many Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect spots are not encrypted. OpenRoaming spots are encrypted. You still go to the spot.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
NTTBP, free Wi-Fi FAQntt-bp.net
Registration is required. Free Wi-Fi may be unavailable depending on the device settings, the apps in use, and the spot's conditions. The OS versions NTTBP says it has confirmed are Android 12, 13, 14, and 15, iOS 16, 17, and 18, Windows 10 and 11, and Mac OS 15. Some free Wi-Fi services filter sites. For much of NTTBP's free Wi-Fi, Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect is the app to install and register before the trip.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
SoftBank, FREE Wi-Fi PASSPORTsoftbank.jp
FREE Wi-Fi PASSPORT is SoftBank's free Wi-Fi for tourists visiting Japan, at restaurants, cafes, major train stations, hotels, and other locations with its mark. The notice dated August 2026 says there is no charge, use lasts 2 weeks unless you obtain a new password, and you must provide a mobile phone number, a password, gender, and an age group. Up to 5 devices can connect. A device that does not support LTE cannot be used. The service may be unavailable depending on the contract with your mobile provider, for example a prepaid contract. SoftBank says this Wi-Fi is not encrypted.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
SoftBank, hotspot searchsoftbank.jp
SoftBank's hotspot search page says FREE Wi-Fi PASSPORT is at approximately 400,000 hotspots in Japan, at restaurants, cafes, major train stations, hotels, and other locations.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
JNTO, Wi-Fi in Japanjapan.travel
JNTO says wireless hotspots are appearing across major cities in Japan. It says most major hotels in Japanese cities provide a Wi-Fi connection for guests, and says not to expect a traditional ryokan or a smaller minshuku to provide one, especially in the mountains or rural areas. It says to check Wi-Fi at the accommodation when you book.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government, TOKYO FREE Wi-Fiwi-fi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp
TOKYO FREE Wi-Fi is used at a green sticker, on a facility or a public phone box. The first time, identity is confirmed with a Google account, an Apple ID, or a LINE ID, and the connection settings are installed on the device. With no internet, Tokyo says to join START_TOKYO_Wi-Fi at the sticker, and that this network may be unavailable. A phone next to a sticker may still fail to detect the signal. There is no usage fee and no limit on time or how often you connect, except that some facilities cannot be used outside their operating hours. If a mobile line opens the setup site or downloads the settings file, those data charges are the user's. A compatible spot then connects automatically, and Tokyo says that includes compatible spots in Japan and abroad, not only in Tokyo. TOKYO_FREE_Wi-Fi is the OpenRoaming name for this service. FREE_Wi-Fi_and_TOKYO is Tokyo's older public Wi-Fi and does not support OpenRoaming.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government, March 2026 noticekoho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp
The city's March 2026 notice says TOKYO FREE Wi-Fi is Tokyo's official Wi-Fi, used where the green sticker is. It is installed at metropolitan facilities and at public phone boxes around major stations, among other places. After one registration, a compatible spot connects automatically, not only in Tokyo but in Japan and abroad.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Apple Support, set up eSIMsupport.apple.com
Apple says an eSIM is an industry-standard digital SIM built into the iPhone, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card. Setting one up is for a cellular plan from a carrier.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Google Pixel Help, about eSIMsupport.google.com
Google says an eSIM is a digital SIM that lets a Pixel use a cellular network, unlike a physical SIM card that you insert. Google also says you can manage international plans while traveling.
Accessed 2026-10-21.