{"id":510618,"date":"2026-04-03T10:55:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T10:55:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/510618\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T10:55:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T10:55:17","slug":"tokyo-turns-its-phone-booths-into-free-wi-fi-hotspots-and-heres-how-to-use-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/510618\/","title":{"rendered":"Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here\u2019s how to use them"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-729502\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Japan-Wifi-hotspot-free-public-telephone-booths-Tokyo-society-phone-technology-travel-tourist-inform.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>A vital service you\u2019ll need to know about in the event of a disaster.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>With pretty much everyone owning a mobile phone these days, public telephones are on a steady decline worldwide. Though the same is true in Japan, governments here see them as vital lifelines in times of disaster, so much so that their availability must be maintained under the telecommunications law, which classifies them as a \u201cuniversal service\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Despite being readily available, many of these phones tend to go unused on a day-to-day basis, but for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, this presented an ideal opportunity to further its efforts towards what it calls a \u201cConnected Tokyo\u201c. This urban strategy aims to create a city where residents, visitors, and businesses can connect reliably via 5G and public Wi\u2011Fi, especially in times of disaster, and in order to achieve that, the city is transforming many of its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy aligncenter size-medium wp-image-729508\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjQ4MCIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIiB2ZXJzaW9uPSIxLjEiIC8+\" data-sco-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775213712_810_Japan-Wifi-hotspot-free-public-telephone-booths-Tokyo-society-phone-technology-travel-tourist-inform.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-sco- data-sco-\/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">\u00a0The first public telephone booth to be equipped with Wi-Fi hotspot functionality appeared on 23 December, making this a new development for the city.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy aligncenter size-medium wp-image-729499\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjQ4MCIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIiB2ZXJzaW9uPSIxLjEiIC8+\" data-sco-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775213713_499_Japan-Wifi-hotspot-free-public-telephone-booths-Tokyo-society-phone-technology-travel-tourist-inform.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-sco- data-sco-\/><\/p>\n<p>The government is working with telecom company Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation (NTT East) to transform 1,500 of the 10,525 phone booths it operates throughout the city into free OpenRoaming-enabled Wi-Fi hotspots. OpenRoaming provides a free and secure Wi-Fi connection for users, at more than 3.5 million locations worldwide, with the only requirement being a one-off registration.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">\u25bc Public phones might look like something from a bygone age, but they now act as beacons for anyone looking for free Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy aligncenter size-medium wp-image-729500\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjQ4MCIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIiB2ZXJzaW9uPSIxLjEiIC8+\" data-sco-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775213713_544_Japan-Wifi-hotspot-free-public-telephone-booths-Tokyo-society-phone-technology-travel-tourist-inform.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-sco- data-sco-\/><\/p>\n<p>So how do you actually register to use the service? Well, thankfully the process is smooth as there are handy English-language instructions, and after you\u2019ve registered once, you never have to do it again, giving you quick and easy access to millions of Wi-Fi spots around the globe.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">\u25bc Every Wi-Fi enabled phone booth has a poster with a QR code to help you get started.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy aligncenter size-medium wp-image-729501\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjQ4MCIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIiB2ZXJzaW9uPSIxLjEiIC8+\" data-sco-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775213713_614_Japan-Wifi-hotspot-free-public-telephone-booths-Tokyo-society-phone-technology-travel-tourist-inform.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-sco- data-sco-\/><\/p>\n<p>If you have no Internet connection to begin with, simply turn on Wi-Fi on your phone while at the booth and look for a network called START_TOKYO_Wi-Fi. Connect to it and the setup page should open automatically.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy aligncenter size-medium wp-image-730132\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMjQiIHdpZHRoPSI1MTIiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIiAvPg==\" data-sco-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_8942.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"1024\" data-sco- data-sco-\/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">\u25bc Then Tap \u201cRegister Here\u201d, agree to the terms, and verify your identity using your Google account, Apple ID or LINE account.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy aligncenter size-medium wp-image-730131\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMjQiIHdpZHRoPSI2MDciIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIiAvPg==\" data-sco-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_8941.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"607\" height=\"1024\" data-sco- data-sco-\/><\/p>\n<p>Add your email address, tap Download profile, and then allow the download when prompted.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy size-medium wp-image-730141 aligncenter\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjUwMiIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIiB2ZXJzaW9uPSIxLjEiIC8+\" data-sco-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TMG-2.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"502\" data-sco- data-sco-\/><\/p>\n<p>Go to Settings, tap \u201cProfile Downloaded\u201d, tap Install, enter passcode, then tap Install again to complete the process.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">\u25bc Installation complete!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy size-medium wp-image-730143 aligncenter\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjQ5NyIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIiB2ZXJzaW9uPSIxLjEiIC8+\" data-sco-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TMG-3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"497\" data-sco- data-sco-\/><\/p>\n<p>Finally, go back to Wi-Fi settings, find START_TOKYO_Wi-Fi, tap the info or gear icon, and tap: \u201cForget\u201d\/\u201dDelete\u201d network.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">\u25bc While the steps we\u2019ve outlined are for iPhone users, the process is similar (and slightly easier) for Android users, with a walkthrough provided for them as well.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy size-medium wp-image-730140 aligncenter\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjQ5OCIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIiB2ZXJzaW9uPSIxLjEiIC8+\" data-sco-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TMG.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"498\" data-sco- data-sco-\/><\/p>\n<p>After registering, your phone will automatically connect to TOKYO_FREE_Wi-Fi whenever you\u2019re near a supported spot with no need to login again, giving you quick and easy accees to the secure encrypted connection provided by OpenRoaming.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy aligncenter size-medium wp-image-729509\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjQ4MCIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIiB2ZXJzaW9uPSIxLjEiIC8+\" data-sco-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775213716_424_Japan-Wifi-hotspot-free-public-telephone-booths-Tokyo-society-phone-technology-travel-tourist-inform.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-sco- data-sco-\/><\/p>\n<p>The project initially began in areas around major stations on the Yamanote Loop Line in central Tokyo, but it has now spread to more locations, including public parks designated as emergency shelters.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy aligncenter size-medium wp-image-729511\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9Ijg0MCIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIiB2ZXJzaW9uPSIxLjEiIC8+\" data-sco-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775213717_409_Japan-Wifi-hotspot-free-public-telephone-booths-Tokyo-society-phone-technology-travel-tourist-inform.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"840\" data-sco- data-sco-\/><\/p>\n<p>According to the metropolitan government, the new OpenRoaming Wi-Fi spots, rolled out over three years from 2025, will expand its Wi-Fi infrastructure threefold, bringing the total to approximately 3,600 locations. When announcing the initiative last summer, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike emphasised the importance of the project, saying, \u201cSecuring communications is a top priority in times of disaster. It will also provide a crucial lifeline for inbound tourists. Therefore, it is a very important initiative to install Wi-Fi by utilising public telephone booths.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With so many locations now providing the free service, you\u2019re never too far from a Wi-Fi hotspot in the city. Given the lifeline it provides in disaster-prone Japan, where they even have <a href=\"https:\/\/soranews24.com\/2026\/03\/12\/15-years-after-tohoku-tsunami-japans-free-disaster-phone-message-number-is-important-to-remember\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">a Disaster Message Call hotline<\/a>, the five minutes it takes to register might well be worth the effort the next time you\u2019re visiting Japan.<\/p>\n<p>Sources: Tokyo Metropolitan Government (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.english.metro.tokyo.lg.jp\/w\/000-101-005935\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/wi-fi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">2<\/a>)<br \/>Photos\u00a9SoraNews24<br \/>Screenshots: <a href=\"https:\/\/wi-fi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tokyo Metropolitan Government<\/a><br \/>\u25cf Want to hear about SoraNews24\u2019s latest articles as soon as they\u2019re published? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/RocketNews24En\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Follow us on Facebook<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RocketNews24En\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter<\/a>!<br \/>[ <a href=\"https:\/\/rocketnews24.com\/2026\/03\/23\/2723675\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read in Japanese<\/a> ]<\/p>\n<p>Like this:<\/p>\n<p>Like Loading&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"sd-link-color\"\/><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A vital service you\u2019ll need to know about in the event of a disaster.\u00a0 With pretty much everyone&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":510619,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[2306,86,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-510618","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mobile","8":"tag-mobile","9":"tag-technology","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom","12":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/510618","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=510618"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/510618\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/510619"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=510618"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=510618"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=510618"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}