I. Overview
Some apartments in Japan offer free internet that’s included in your rent. While it sounds like a steal at first, people soon realize that the bandwidth is shared throughout the entire building. So, for anyone who finds themselves doing any of the following at peak hours:
- Streaming
- Online games
- Watching videos and movies
Then you’ll notice that it’s quite terrible. Even simple YouTube videos at 480p are slowed to an abysmal crawl when everyone in the building is online at the same time. Fortunately, Japan also boasts some of the fastest internet around. You’d be surprised too to know that despite its speed, some internet services can be quite cheap compared to many western countries, making your transition to living in Japan that much smoother.
II. Japan’s Fiber Optic Internet Service Providers
While it will cost more, we recommend getting a fiber optic connection to your place for a more steady and solid internet speed. Listed below are some of the most popular providers. Not all providers are available nation-wide, so be sure to check that they support your area and apartment.
- NURO Hikari
- au Hikari
- eo Hikari
- BBIQ
- SoftBank Hikari
- Docomo Hikari (English available)
- Gaming+
- Some service providers will offer package deals in conjunction with your cellphone plan. For details on the cost, performance, and services included, please consult the official website, or arrange to speak with a representative from the provider you are interested in for the newest and most accurate information.
