Internet over I-Phone in Japan?

[TyLaw]

Hey guys, I just have a quick question about the ability to browse the web in Japan for FREE.

Because my sister is a Stewardess and everywhere where WLAN is available, she can log into the Internet over her I-Phone, even without a Sim Card.
For example, at every Starbucks coffee shop, or Hotels, Bars and so on who offer free WLAN.

Now my question, does the same apply to Japan?? Is it possible to use your I-Phone from home, to browse the web in Japan?

Thanks in advance guys

[Cyka UchuuJin]

iPhones are wifi enabled. so, like any other wifi enabled device, where there's a hotspot, then the phone can pick up a signal.

but just like wifi in deutchland, it ain't free.

pee ess...this ain't news.

[electrocat]

if you dont live in japan but in the country on vacation and want to use your iphone but only use wifi, you will have to have your phone on in roaming mode. If someone calls you could be charged roaming prices. Not sure how they charge you for any txts you get.

[Uthark_Runa]

You can just look for a hot spot, Some coffe shops, and electronics places, those Nintendo DS spots, and Ive seen a Sony PSP spot before its all open. I have a nifty app called eWifi, its a bit more robust than using your built in scan, and you would be surprised how man open connection you can find. You can set it up to auto connect to any open hotspot.

[FG Lurker]

Now my question, does the same apply to Japan?? Is it possible to use your I-Phone from home, to browse the web in Japan?

You can turn off the cellular radio in the iPhone and just leave the wifi active. This will stop the problem of roaming charges or people in Germany calling your German phone number and costing you a ton of money in long distance charges.

You can find open and unencrypted wifi connections around, sometimes in hotels or coffee shops, and sometimes people who just haven't properly secured their networks. There is no way to know if your apartment of choice will have an available connection like this within range. It's also impossible to say how long it will remain available -- the person could change their settings or the business could decide to offer one of the pay-for-use systems instead of a free and open wifi system.

So, you could get lucky with it, but I wouldn't plan on it as your only method of Internet connectivity.

[BigInJapan]

Here is a site that lists lots of free Wi-Fi spots throughout Japan.
Freespots.com
And BTW, McDonald's and Starbucks all have Wi-Fi in Japan, but you need to have a membership in the Yahoo! BB plan (which you automatically get if you have a Softbank iPhone in Japan). I don't know of any plans available to non-residents to Japan.

[Kanchou]

Trying to find a free WiFi hotspot in Japan is like trying to find a garbage can when you need one here. They exist, but good luck.

[TyLaw]

Thanks for all the great replys guys You helped me a lot!

Actually, my sister can go online in America without even having a Sim-Card in her I-phone. She just turns on the phone and goes online in a Starbucks coffee for example.

It's nice to know that I am able to do the same in Japan too. Otherwise I wouldn't even consider to buy myself an I-phone.

But do you guys know any other options to get free Internet access in Japan?? In Australia and even South-East Asia, I always had to go to a Internet Cafe.

I am sure Japan has lot's of Internet cafe's, right?

But for free? How do you guys join the web in Japan without much cost?

[Samurai_Jerk]

Actually, my sister can go online in America without even having a Sim-Card in her I-phone. She just turns on the phone and goes online in a Starbucks coffee for example.

It's nice to know that I am able to do the same in Japan too. Otherwise I wouldn't even consider to buy myself an I-phone.

Did you even read what people wrote?

[TyLaw]

Did you even read what people wrote?

Of course! Lot's of Wi-Fi (WLAN) Spots throughout Japan. Especially in the larger citys. Just like everywhere else in the World I guess.

What did you read?

[Mulboyne]

I am sure Japan has lot's of Internet cafe's, right?

There are a lot of manga kissaten ("comic cafes") where you can rent a booth to get online and read the comics or newspapers. Since many operate 24hr, some people use them to stay overnight. You will probably need to show your passport as ID in many of them owing to tougher regulations.

As others have already said, free wi-fi is something of a disappointment in Tokyo, compared with some other wired cities, so don't rely on availability. You may be able to find one free hotspot near you but it might be on the street outside an office block rather than in a comfortable coffee shop.

[TyLaw]

There are a lot of manga kissaten ("comic cafes") where you can rent a booth to get online and read the comics or newspapers. Since many operate 24hr, some people use them to stay overnight. You will probably need to show your passport as ID in many of them owing to tougher regulations.

As others have already said, free wi-fi is something of a disappointment in Tokyo, compared with some other wired cities, so don't rely on availability. You may be able to find one free hotspot near you but it might be on the street outside an office block rather than in a comfortable coffee shop.

Oh nice! Do you know how much they charge in those "comic cafes"? Are is that the cheapest option??

I am kinda shocked that a city like Tokyo doesn't have WLAN spots all over the place.. Guess I did misread some of the posts above?!

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

In this cuntry, the only place you're absolutely guaranteed to find something for free is in the dog shampoo aisle.

[Kanchou]

There are a lot of manga kissaten ("comic cafes") where you can rent a booth to get online and read the comics or newspapers. Since many operate 24hr, some people use them to stay overnight. You will probably need to show your passport as ID in many of them owing to tougher regulations.

As others have already said, free wi-fi is something of a disappointment in Tokyo, compared with some other wired cities, so don't rely on availability. You may be able to find one free hotspot near you but it might be on the street outside an office block rather than in a comfortable coffee shop.

Not to mention that many of them are basically glorified porn shops where people apparently go to have a wank, seeing as how they have porn on TV (plus DVDs you can rent), Tengas for sale in the bathrooms, plenty of tissues, and discreet little trash cans.

Also, you can't see the staff because of very low walls at the booths. Hahaha.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

Of course! Lot's of Wi-Fi (WLAN) Spots throughout Japan. Especially in the larger citys. Just like everywhere else in the World I guess.

What did you read?

i read the realistic answer:

Trying to find a free WiFi hotspot in Japan is like trying to find a garbage can when you need one here. They exist, but good luck.

let me give you a little advise... visit japan as a tourist for a few weeks. go run around and try connecting to all these hotspots. get stopped on the street a few times for random passport checks. get lost on the trains and talk to english teachers who work 60 hours a week and still have to supplement their income by doing private lessons in starbucks on saturdays. find out how much an apartment will cost you and how far out of the centre of town you'll have to live to afford it (last train in osaka is around 23.30...which blows if you're just getting started on the merrymaking).

there are loads of FGs like you that think it's easy to just rock up to japan and walk into a school for a job. native english speaking FGs. just by being from a non-native english speaking country, you're at the bottom of the proverbial food chain of desirable english teachers.

[Kanchou]

What in gods name are you going on about?

[Samurai_Jerk]

Of course! Lot's of Wi-Fi (WLAN) Spots throughout Japan. Especially in the larger citys. Just like everywhere else in the World I guess.

What did you read?

Great, another fucking troll.

[Mulboyne]

Of course! Lot's of Wi-Fi (WLAN) Spots throughout Japan. Especially in the larger citys. Just like everywhere else in the World I guess.

Who said that?

[TyLaw]

Guys I wanna apologies if my post might have come off to you like a regular troll, but I can assure you I am not!

I do have some experience with the world of Internet Forums and because of that, I know how easy people think.. this guy is a troll. I am going to give you the time you need to find out, that I only want to have serious conversations about this beautiful country far east.

Now to some of the post..

Who said that?

I'm sorry Mulboyne but I interpreted these comments more positive then negative..

You can just look for a hot spot, Some coffe shops, and electronics places, those Nintendo DS spots, and Ive seen a Sony PSP spot before its all open. I have a nifty app called eWifi, its a bit more robust than using your built in scan, and you would be surprised how man open connection you can find. You can set it up to auto connect to any open hotspot.

You can turn off the cellular radio in the iPhone and just leave the wifi active. This will stop the problem of roaming charges or people in Germany calling your German phone number and costing you a ton of money in long distance charges.

You can find open and unencrypted wifi connections around, sometimes in hotels or coffee shops, and sometimes people who just haven't properly secured their networks. There is no way to know if your apartment of choice will have an available connection like this within range. It's also impossible to say how long it will remain available -- the person could change their settings or the business could decide to offer one of the pay-for-use systems instead of a free and open wifi system.

So, you could get lucky with it, but I wouldn't plan on it as your only method of Internet connectivity.

Here is a site that lists lots of free Wi-Fi spots throughout Japan.

And BTW, McDonald's and Starbucks all have Wi-Fi in Japan, but you need to have a membership in the Yahoo! BB plan (which you automatically get if you have a Softbank iPhone in Japan). I don't know of any plans available to non-residents to Japan.

Also I have to say, that I am not going to Japan for a year, to join the Internet. I really only wanna take use of it as little as possible.
I really want to ingnore almost all Technological stuff when I am in Japan. I wanna try to live the real life, just like I did in OZ, NZ and South-East-Asia.

let me give you a little advise... visit japan as a tourist for a few weeks. go run around and try connecting to all these hotspots. get stopped on the street a few times for random passport checks. get lost on the trains and talk to english teachers who work 60 hours a week and still have to supplement their income by doing private lessons in starbucks on saturdays. find out how much an apartment will cost you and how far out of the centre of town you'll have to live to afford it (last train in osaka is around 23.30...which blows if you're just getting started on the merrymaking).

there are loads of FGs like you that think it's easy to just rock up to japan and walk into a school for a job. native english speaking FGs. just by being from a non-native english speaking country, you're at the bottom of the proverbial food chain of desirable english teachers.

I am sorry Cyka, but I am not going to take your advice!

As many bad stuff as you might throw at me, I am not going to listen to it.

I heard lot's of different kind of storys.. they are all very interesting and I can not wait to find out who was right

I am going to walk into those schools in Japan yes. And I am going to try my luck! Even if I have to go to the province wich I wanted to do anyway I do visit the country with a Working Visa, so most Problems are already settled. It's not like that I am an American who first of all needs a school to sponsor you.

Even if everything fails, I am going to look around for all kind of work! But teaching is my Dream and I won't back down from that!

Just saying, nobody is going to make me feel bad about my Japan plans.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

TyLaw, you are really gonna love Japan...BTW, I hope you're familiar with the English phrase "tongue in cheek."

[Doctor Stop]

BTW, I hope you're familiar with the English phrase "tongue in cheek."

Just make sure that it isn't that bitch Noriko's tongue in your cheek.

[TyLaw]

TyLaw, you are really gonna love Japan...BTW, I hope you're familiar with the English phrase "tongue in cheek."

I am sure it's going to be the time of my life

Yes, I do know what the phrase means, but I don't understand how it fits into context of the topic

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

I am sure it's going to be the time of my life

Yes, I do know what the phrase means, but I don't understand how it fits into context of the topic

Sorry....I guess what I was trying to say is that you shouldn't expect too much of Japan. It can be an extraordinarily wonderful place, but most of the time it is just extraordinary for all sorts of other reasons.

[TyLaw]

Sorry....I guess what I was trying to say is that you shouldn't expect too much of Japan. It can be an extraordinarily wonderful place, but most of the time it is just extraordinary for all sorts of other reasons.

Ohh I won't be disappointed, trust me

but Thanks for your concerns anyway.


just a simple nonsense question.. what are you doing there and here?

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

just a simple nonsense question.. what are you doing there and here?

If "there" means "here," it means I'm doing nothing, really.
If "here" means Japan, the answer's the same.

[TyLaw]

If "there" means "here," it means I'm doing nothing, really.
If "here" means Japan, the answer's the same.

Well then enjoy!

Or go back to the States or where you come from.. I mean seriously, living in Japan and bitching about it, are the people I love the most. Just go back to the western society if you miss it that much.

[IparryU]

Well then enjoy!

Or go back to the States or where you come from.. I mean seriously, living in Japan and bitching about it, are the people I love the most. Just go back to the western society if you miss it that much.

you dont even know man... you just dont know...

the mango is good out here... easy to get but only one flavor compared to western cuntries. the Japanese don't mow the lawn like they do in other cuntries either... also, they don't cum, they go go go!

[TyLaw]

Nobody forces you to be there. If you don't like it leave.. if you like it stay. But bitching about it is just silly.. and on top of that posting in a Japan Forum.

[Greji]

Nobody forces you to be there. If you don't like it leave.. if you like it stay. But bitching about it is just silly.. and on top of that posting in a Japan Forum.

Would I be too bold if with all your experience in Japan, I were to ask how do you like it here?

[Yokohammer]

Or go back to the States or where you come from.. I mean seriously, living in Japan and bitching about it, are the people I love the most. Just go back to the western society if you miss it that much.

Uh-oh (bad move) ... I can hear the rumble of the troops preparing for battle already.
TyLaw, hope you have a good flak jacket handy, or at least a thick skin.