Wi-Fi To Be Added To 143 Tokyo Subway Stations For Foreign Visitors

Above, the Handomon Line's entrance at Shibuya Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the best things about Tokyo is the city's extensive public transportation system consisting of trains, subways and bus lines. It is so good, one really doesn't need to own a car there.

A new perk is being inaugurated at Tokyo's subway stations for those who can't live without being online while waiting for the subway train to arrive.

Rocket News 24 reports:

As if public transportation didn’t already have enough going for it, next month things are about to get even better, as over 100 Tokyo subway stations are about to start offering free Wi-Fi to foreign travelers. 

As part of the lead-up to Tokyo hosting the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, the city has been putting renewed efforts into conveniences for overseas visitors. Starting December 1, the newest perk is free Wi-Fi at selected stations along the Toei and Tokyo Metro subway lines, as well as on certain city-operated busses. 

The service will be offered at 143 stations, selected due to the large number of foreign passengers that pass through them, on the Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku, Oedo, Ginza, Marunouchi, Hibiya, Tozai, Chiyoda, Yurakucho, Hanzomon, Namboku, and Fukutoshin Lines. Users will need to download the free Japan Connected Free Wi-Fi app before they can access the network. Each session is valid for three hours of service, and there’s no limit on the number of sessions for a single user.

The highlighted lines listed above are the ones I've frequently used while in Tokyo.

To read more, go here.