Hello!　This is the Wi-Fi Column editorial department.
The other day, I went to Kyoto and Osaka for one night and two days. The reason why is because I suddenly stopped by a fortune teller and got an unfavorable result. I had to have an exorcism at a real shrine or temple in Kyoto.

I had arranged for a bullet train and hotel, but I don't have that much money to spare. At the very least, we have to travel while saving on smartphone data usage.

So, I will report on my trip to Kyoto and Osaka while saving data usage by using free Wi-Fi.

Are you wondering how to find free Wi-Fi spots?　This time, I used the map function of Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect, a free Wi-Fi application installed on my iPhone device, to find Wi-Fi spots.

Trip Day 1 (Tokyo→Kyoto)

Tokyo Station at 7:30 in the morning.

Tokyo Station is huge. I followed the signs carefully so I wouldn't get lost. It's a relief when you reach the ticket gate for the Tokaido Shinkansen. Let's quickly look for a free Wi-Fi spot in the station.

There are many Wi-Fi spots in Tokyo Station, but "JR-Central_FREE" is especially convenient when traveling by Shinkansen. It is available at the ticket gates of each station on the Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo Station - Shin-Osaka Station) and around the waiting rooms. It can also be used on some of the Shinkansen platforms. It is useful when you want to check sightseeing information, etc.

Using Free Wi-Fi on the Shinkansen

The train ride to Kyoto Station takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. There is a sticker on the train indicating that free Wi-Fi is available inside the train.

"Shinkansen_Free_Wi-Fi", which I introduced in my previous Wi-Fi column, is available on the Tokaido Shinkansen, Sanyo Shinkansen, Kyushu Shinkansen, and other Shinkansen trains named "N700S" and "N700A". It is very helpful to have Wi-Fi for long journeys to avoid boredom.

Related link：Free Wi-Fi convenient on Shinkansen and limited express trains!
https://www.ntt-bp.net/column/en/blog/2021/07/post-25.html

This free Wi-Fi does not support "Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect", so you need to register your e-mail address or SNS.

Find Free Wi-Fi at Kyoto Station

While heading to a hotel near the Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit, use "Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect" to find free Wi-Fi nearby.

I was immediately connected to free Wi-Fi. It was "JR-Central_FREE". It seems that there was an access point near the information desk at the Hachijo-guchi exit.

"ASTY-KYOTO_FREE" is also available at "Kyoto Omotenashi Koji", "Asty Road", "Hachijo Komachi", and "Cafe KOTO in Shinkansen ticket gates". You can look at souvenirs and check the return transportation information. It is a good way to kill time until the departure time.

"KEIHANBUS_Free_Wi-Fi" is also available at the Karasuma and Hachijo-guchi Information Stations in Kyoto Station. "KEIHANBUS_Free_Wi-Fi" is also available on highway buses, airport limousine buses, some Keihan bus information centers, some Kyoto Keihanna Line vehicles, and Kyoto Keihan Bus (Ujicha Bus).

宇治茶バス - 京都京阪バス
http://kyotokeihanbus.jp/ujichabus/ujichabus01.html

KEIHANBUS_Free_Wi-Fi" has a Maiko design on the area sign, which is very Kyoto-like.

There are other Wi-Fi services available on public transportation. "Nishinihonjrbus_free_Wi-Fi" is available at the Kyoto Bus Ticket Center near the Karasuma exit.

It can be used mainly inside the bus ticket center. It is also available on the express buses that connect to other parts of Japan, which is reassuring when traveling by bus.

The Bus Ticket Center is located near the bus stop in front of Kyoto Station. It is a good idea to drop by on your way.

For more information about Wi-Fi on buses that is convenient for travel, please refer to our previous column.

Related link：高速バスや観光バスのフリーWi-Fiを利用して、スマホ通信量を節約しながら旅行を楽しみたい
https://www.ntt-bp.net/column/blog/2021/07/post-38.html

Trip Day 2 (Kyoto to Osaka)

On the second day, I will introduce free Wi-Fi available in Osaka, focusing on"Umeda" and "Namba".

On the second day, we will introduce free Wi-Fi available in Osaka, focusing on "Umeda" and "Namba.

Find free Wi-Fi around Umeda Station

Let's see, Osaka Station is here, so it's a 5 minute walk to Nishi Umeda. Can I go this way?
What's that? Is this Higashi Umeda? Why? Why am I at Umeda Station now? It's like a maze!

The Umeda area is so complex that it is often referred to as the "Umeda dungeon" or "Umeda underground labyrinth," with JR Osaka Station, JR Kitashinchi Station, Umeda Station on the subway (Osaka Metro) Midosuji Line, Higashi Umeda Station on the Tanimachi Line, Nishi-Umeda Station on the Yotsubashi Line, Hankyu Umeda Station and Hanshin Umeda Station connected by underground malls.

If you get lost without an Internet connection, you will be in trouble, won't you? But don't worry. There are many Wi-Fi spots in the Umeda area.

It is connected to Osaka_Free_Wi-Fi again!　I'm glad!　I checked and it seems that there is also something called Osaka_Free_Wi-Fi_lite. I found out that there is also an Osaka_Free_Wi-Fi_lite, which is available at more than 4,000 locations!　That's amazing!

Among the many free Wi-Fi spots, we especially recommend "Osaka_Free_Wi-Fi". It is conveniently located at stations and tourist facilities in Osaka Prefecture, so you don't have to search for Wi-Fi spots on your trip.

As a companion to "Osaka_Free_Wi-Fi," there is also "Osaka_Free_Wi-Fi_lite" free Wi-Fi that can be used at stores. Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect" is not supported here, so please register for use by yourself.

Related link：Osaka Free Wi-Fi - Osaka_Free_Wi-Fi/Osaka_Free_Wi-Fi_Lite/Osaka Enjoy Rally
https://ofw-oer.com/en/

Find Free Wi-Fi at Namba Station and Dotonbori

There is no free Wi-Fi in Dotonbori itself, but there are many Wi-Fi spots around Namba station.

There are many Wi-Fi spots around Namba Station and Dotonbori, including "Osaka_Free_Wi-Fi". "NAMBA_Walk_Free_Wi-Fi" is available at Namba Walk, an underground shopping mall in Osaka.

There are many more free Wi-Fi spots

• Whity_UMEDA_Free_Wi-Fi
  Free Wi-Fi available at Whity Umeda (Osaka Underground Mall)
• Avetica_Free_Wi-Fi
  Free Wi-Fi available in Abechika (Osaka Underground Mall)
• COMS_GARDEN_Free_Wi-Fi
  Free Wi-Fi available at Kyobashi Coms Garden (Osaka Underground Mall)
• NAMBA_NANNAN_Free_Wi-Fi
  Free Wi-Fi available at NAMBA NANNAN (Osaka Underground Mall)
• shinsaibashi
  Free Wi-Fi available in almost all areas of the Osaka Shinsaibashisuji Shopping Arcade

Impressions of using free Wi-Fi in Kyoto and Osaka

I was able to save a good amount of data traffic on my 2-day/1-night itinerary. You can save a lot of money by using free Wi-Fi frequently.

In Osaka, there was free Wi-Fi at many train stations and tourist attractions, so I did not have to worry about getting lost. Kyoto also had good free Wi-Fi at major stations, so please make good use of it.

Tips for Using Free Wi-Fi at Your Travel Destination

There are two tips for using free Wi-Fi in unfamiliar places.

1. When in trouble, go to Lawson.
2. Install the free Wi-Fi application "Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect"

Lawson's free Wi-Fi is available nationwide and can automatically connect with "Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect". It is also useful when traveling.

"Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect" is also recommended. It helped me easily find Wi-Fi nearby from my location. The Android version will auto-connect even if you don't know the name of the available free Wi-Fi network. It is a reassuring ally when traveling!

Related link：Is "Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect" really safe?　Comparison with the case when the application is not used"
https://www.ntt-bp.net/column/en/blog/2021/10/post-66.html

Please enjoy your travel in Japan by making good use of free Wi-Fi.