Tokyo, Japan + Add a trip

Actually, if you walk around, it's pretty common to find open wifi access points. Get yourself some sort of WiFi scanner (I use WifiTrak and WiFinder on an iPhone), and you're good to go. Other than that, the ANA lounge has a free wifi, and the range extends beyond the lounge; Needless to say, you shouldn't do that.

I'm not aware of any completely "free" WiFi access, other than on a "catch as catch can" basis. You can get internet access included in the cost of hanging around in a lot of manga cafes, etc., but that's not really very different than simply paying for access in an Internet cafe. (It's not that expensive as I recall.)

2nd floor lounge in the Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinkjuku

Free wifi was available in the hostel I stayed in - the Khaosan Ninja in Asakusa.

Most coffee shops will have Wifi, if not your hotel will most likely have it. Again if your desperate Akihabara is full of internet cafe's.

Contrary to some of the above replies, I find the consensus from overseas visitors is that there are very few free hot spots compared to some other countries. Some tips that could help though:

- As mentioned above, manga/internet cafes are great value. You get access to unlimited hot/cold drinks and the hourly cost (maybe 300-500 yen) is maybe cheaper than getting a non-refill drink at a cafe. - Fon does have the 2nd biggest global network here. Check the Fon site for details, I believe Livedoor Wirelessis a local partner here.

A couple of other options for getting wireless internet access:

Free use of PCs with internet access - A971 in Roppongi Midtown and Wired Cafe in Shibuya: http://www.cafecompany.co.jp/pdf/english.pdf

Free wireless hotspot for diners - www.fujimamas.com - Cafe Miyama shops listed here: http://www.ginza-renoir.co.jp/miyama/ - Ginza Renoir listed here: http://www.ginza-renoir.co.jp/renoir/index.htm

In the big electronic stores, like Yodobashi or Biccamera, some of the computers on display are connected to the internet. These are usually not intended as free internet access services, but the staff in the shop won't bother you if you use them for a short while.

One convenient spot I've found is outside of JR Shibuya Station when you exit towards the Hachiko statue, at the back of the plaza facing the main intersection there's a large area map and clock. If you stand infront of the map facing the intersection, there's an open FREE wi-fi spot. If you have a mobile wi-fi device it's a great spot to quickly check your email. A bit inconvenient with a laptop though.

I think FREESPOT is the most widly spread free WIFI service in Japan. You can find them on this map. http://freespot.com/gmap/

Click on the map at the top of the page, and it will show you a google map with the WIFI spots.

There are two large free outdoor hotspot, one is in Harijuku just down one block from the railway station towards Sando. The other is in Shibuya right outside the station near the statue of Hachiko.

But it is mostly quite hard to find free internet in Japan.

Ginza, Apple store or Shibuya Apple store.

If you are living in Japan or come to Japan often and needs Internet connection outside, you can get data card from Emobile? I see many locals uses these cards to do Internet at cafe etc.

Starbucks in Shiodome (not the station, down in the plaza) has free Wifi. So far I have not found another Starbucks that has free WiFi.

I found a free WIFI connection (YBBuser) just outside the Akihabara Yodobashi Camera entrance facing some photo printing shops and the Tokyo Metro entrance

Take a look at http://www.freespot.com/users/map_e.html they seem to list open WiFi hot-spots across Japan.

I found one in Tsumago of all places. [Lovingly restored 16th century postal village AND free WiFi!]

Virtually all hotels in Tokyo come with an Ethernet connection as standard and unlike in Europe it tends to be free.

Word of warning though; not all hotels with Ethernet will provide you with a cat5 cable, so make sure you bring one along. [Otherwise, just pop to the local Bic Camera, or some such, and get yourself a cheap cable.]