WiFi is Hard to Find

Shibuya Crossing is undoubtedly what comes to mind when you think about Tokyo. It is that one site, similar to Times Square in New York, that appears in each major motion picture shot in the city. It's quite a spectacle, with large neon billboards and signs as well as a network of streets where literally hundreds of people will cross into oncoming traffic. It strongly reminds us of the type of technical hub that comes to mind when we think about Tokyo.

It's surprising to realize that the city is not as open technologically as you might imagine given that places like that are its defining characteristics. You might spend some time looking if you're seeking for a place to connect to some free WiFi. Japan is not a hotspot for hotspots, unlike the US, where the majority of hotels, cafes, and even restaurants offer free WiFi to patrons. Some hotels only offer free WiFi in the lobby, if at all.

The fact that practically every cell phone plan in Japan includes data is a major factor in the lack of WiFi. They don't need to build up WiFi hot spots if everyone already has access to the internet. Even individuals who use laptops for work carry cards to access their personal networks on their mobile devices. Technically speaking, Japan is quite well connected to the internet; you only need to travel there and don't expect access to be provided.