Wireless in Japan: Who to Choose?

As wired as Japan is, I still had trouble finding out how to connect to WiFi near where I work, in central Tokyo. For a long time I had seen posters for NTT-related WiFi services (as the national phone operator of course they have had a headstart in setting up the antennas in the areas that they service, which include office buildings and metro stations and JR train stations), but I wasn't really interested in paying the 900 yen ($9 or so) fees each month for service that I probably wasn't going to use more than three-five times a month.

Livedoor, run by the flamboyant Horie, had had ambitious plans for a Tokyo-wide wireless network, but after Horie's arrest the money dried up and they have had problems expanding their network. I had considered signing up with them, since they only charged 500 yen or so a month, but the lack of access points and the initial sign-up fee of 1050 yen made me hesitate.

By chance, I came across Yahoo BB's wireless network which is in several main JR stations and airports, and also in (get this) McDonald's all throughout Japan. They even have a BB point in the McDo near where I live. Better still, the reduced subscription fee is only 200 yen a month plus tax, which makes more sense for me because I use the internet at home and really would realistically use the Internet outside my home maybe a few times at most a month. The times, for example, I'm travelling inside Japan, or when I need to pack the computer to check or send a last-minute e-mail.

I signed up online and was sent an ESS-ID and WEP Key (these are related to limiting access to the wireless network). The next way I plugged these in and logged in using a user name and password I made up myself, and .... bingo, I was in! There's a McDonald's about a five minute walk from my office, and another one just 2 minutes away, so for last minute reservations or even Skype (gotta try that next), I think this will work really well. Yes, I think Skype will be useful because of the time difference with France or Hawaii -- I could call in the middle of the day during my lunch break. After having a quick meal at the Matsuya (a Yoshinoya-like chain serving beef and rice bowls) next door ...

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For more info, click on the links below

Yahoo BB (Yahoo Wireless) (in Japanese)

in English, (info looks a little bit old) click here