All day long I tried to use up all the free Wi-Fi while enjoying sightseeing in Hiroshima.
This article was translated from Japanese to English using AI. Click here to view the original article (in Japanese).
The G7 Summit was held on May 19, 2023. Do you know where it will be held?
The prefecture is famous for "okonomiyaki" and "oysters." Do you know it?
Yes, this year's G7 Summit was held in Hiroshima!
In fact, Hiroshima is a major free Wi-Fi city for those in the know! This time, our editorial staff, Chavo P, spent a day touring Hiroshima, which is the focus of attention for the summit.
We prepared Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect in advance, a great app that automatically connects to the Internet when you visit a free Wi-Fi spot. This time, while using this app, I will show you where you can use free Wi-Fi while touring Hiroshima's top tourist attractions.
If you are a future traveler or a G7 leader, please refer to this page.
A one-day round-trip route practiced by the editorial office! Free Wi-Fi is available at all spots!
Now it's time to head to Miyajima, home of the World Heritage Site Itsukushima Shrine!
Miyajima-guchi Ferry Terminal
First, we will head to Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage Site and one of Hiroshima's most popular tourist destinations. To cross over to Miyajima, where Itsukushima Shrine is located, we went to the Miyajima-guchi Ferry Terminal.
I did not see any stickers anywhere indicating that Wi-Fi was available, but I was able to connect. I am treated as if I am a VIP. Maybe they think I am a G7 leader?
I was able to use "Hiroshima_Free_Wi-Fi" at the Miyajima-guchi Ferry Terminal right away.
However, I did not see any stickers, and without the app, I would have almost missed it.
At this ferry terminal, ferries of JR West "Miyajima Ferry" and "Miyajima Matsudai Kisen" run alternately. The ferry terminal is right next to each other, and you can take either one. If you are a free Wi-Fi fanatic, you may want to board the "Miyajima Matsudai Kisen" ferry, which also offers "Hiroshima_Free_Wi-Fi" on board.
It is a 10-minute ride to Miyajima Pier, bobbing in the waves.
Around Itsukushima Shrine
Itsukushima Shrine opens at 6:30 in the morning. Miyajima is said to be crowded during the daytime, but by visiting early in the morning, before souvenir stores and other stores open and with few people, I was able to relax and take in the scenery in the quiet air.
The leaders of the deer nation were there, so I greeted them!
We walked to Miyajima Mikasa beach near the Otorii (Grand Gate). Even outdoors like this, Wi-Fi is well connected. Where in the world is the Wi-Fi access point?
It's up there! It blends in perfectly with the landscape! Without the app, I would never have noticed it.
There is no Wi-Fi inside the Itsukushima Shrine shrine pavilions. If you want to use Wi-Fi immediately, the access point in the bathroom of Daigan-ji Temple, located right in front of the shrine's exit, is convenient.
It is a tasteful high-tech restroom with Wi-Fi access. When continuing, do so on a bench, not in the bathroom.
Hello, Chief? Can you please give me three more days to cover the event? If I don't, I'll end up spending a whole day just covering Miyajima!
Miyajima Pier
Like the Miyajima-guchi terminal, free Wi-Fi was also available at the Miyajima Pier ferry terminal, but I didn't see any stickers. Some people may not even realize that Wi-Fi is available.
On the way back, we took a high-speed boat to the Peace Memorial Park at once. It takes less time than taking the ferry and train. (It is a bit more expensive, however.)
The pier for the high-speed boat is "Pier No.3", which is a little bit far from the ferry pier. The signal was weak, but the Wi-Fi was working. From here, the boat will spend 20 minutes on the ocean and 20 minutes on the river.
When you reach the river, you can go out on the deck and enjoy a nice breeze!
This experience is typical of Hiroshima, which prospered through water transportation.
Let's pray for peace! Around Peace Memorial Park
We have arrived at the Peace Memorial Park, a vast area of land. This was originally a downtown area, but its sad to say that its no longer there. But now, as a park, it has become a place of rest and relaxation for those who are still alive today.
Although Wi-Fi is not available throughout the entire area, the World Heritage Site "Atomic Bomb Dome," "Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum," and "Peace Memorial Park Rest House" are well equipped with free Wi-Fi. If you need Wi-Fi outdoors, you should aim for the access point right in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome.
Access point overlooking the Atomic Bomb Dome
Lush greenery makes walking enjoyable! Let's not do any more work today!
Peace Memorial Museum is a place where you can feel the tragedy of the atomic bombing and the importance of peace. It is a heart-wrenching place, so I suggest you visit only after you have caught your breath and prepared yourself.
Feel like a lord at Hiroshima Castle ~ Shukkeien Garden
Hiroshima Castle
After being destroyed by fire during the war, the castle was reconstructed with reinforced concrete. The castle is like a museum, with explanations about the history of Hiroshima Castle and exhibits of swords, armor, and other armors and furnishings associated with the castle. It is unique that the exhibits are modeled after "samurai residences" and "merchant residences," even though they are inside the castle.
There is also an exhibit where visitors can experience the weight of a Japanese sword.
I am a princess, so I cannot hold anything heavier than chopsticks.
The "Hiroshima_Free_Wi-Fi" access point is located at the top of the keep. There is a Wi-Fi sticker on the top of the keep. Please note that there are no Wi-Fi spots outside or in the Ninomaru area. Photography is basically prohibited inside the site, but the view from the keep can be taken. This is a good place to take pictures of your memories of Hiroshima Castle and post them on SNS!
Going up the castle stairs makes you feel like you are attacking the castle! Free Wi-Fi reached only the 4th and top floors!
In addition to "Hiroshima_Free_Wi-Fi", Hiroshima Castle also had a Wi-Fi called "HIROSHIMA_CASTLE_GUIDE.
This is not provided to connect to the Internet. It is a special Wi-Fi that, when connected, will give you access to a dedicated site to listen to descriptions of the exhibits.
On this dedicated site, we could listen to audio in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean, in addition to Japanese and English. The display boards in the castle were mostly in Japanese and English, so this is especially helpful for those who are not fluent in these languages.
I found a cute character with a castle on his head. I wonder who lives in the castle on his head.
Shukkeien Garden
Shukkei-en Garden was a garden used by the feudal lords of the Hiroshima domain to entertain their guests, and is one of the most famous gardens in Japan, with its vast grounds filled with colorful flowers. A shared ticket with the adjacent Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum is also available, allowing visitors to enjoy a relaxing time in the garden.
Peonies and azaleas were in full bloom. Bamboo shoots in the bamboo grove look delicious...Oops, they were growing well.
Free Wi-Fi was available here near the ticket booth. It is hard to notice because there is no sticker, but you can use it.
【Chavo P.'s episode】
Rental bicycles are the best way to explore the city!
From Peace Memorial Park to Hiroshima Castle, and from there to Shukkeien, Each of them is close to each other, so you can go around on foot. However, we highly recommend renting a bicycle!
With electric bicycles, it's easy!
There were Community Cicle(Bicycle sharing) stations everywhere in Hiroshima City. (There were many, just like free Wi-Fi!)
Hiroshima city has few big ups and downs, and there are many wide sidewalks where bicycles can pass, so I thought cycling was quite suitable. It was quite pleasant to cycle along the riverside path! I hope you will give it a try.
Still more sightseeing spots where you can use free Wi-Fi in Hiroshima
Ebisu-dori Shopping Street
An arcaded shopping street. A variety of stores line the street, including a popular okonomiyaki restaurant. You can use "Hiroshima_Fres_Wi-Fi" at access points installed in the arcade. It is really available here and there, and it is wonderful!
....... (I ate too much okonomiyaki and am stuck here.)
Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art
This is the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art, which was just renovated in March 2023. Although in the city center, it is located at the end of a steep hill that would leave you breathless even on a bicycle with electric power assist.
There were no stickers or other information, but free Wi-Fi called "hmoca_free" was available inside the museum.
Contemporary art is difficult. ...... I don't know as much about it as my boss's sense of humor ......
Chavo P. woke up at 5:00 a.m. and started to tour around, but the sun was indeed starting to set. There were many more places I wanted to see, but since this was a day trip, I had to end here for the time being.
After the trip
Hiroshima is very conscious of free Wi-Fi
In order to compile this article, I looked back and was surprised by one thing. That is, almost every place had free Wi-Fi.
I thought I was going to cover places with free Wi-Fi, but I was constantly exposed to free Wi-Fi just by sightseeing as a matter of course. This is a wonderful thing, both from the standpoint of convenience and disaster prevention.
The "Hiroshima_Free_Wi-Fi" service is available not only in Hiroshima City and Miyajima, but also in Onomichi City, Fukuyama City, and many other places in the prefecture.
On the other hand, I got the impression that there were very few places with Wi-Fi stickers, which are supposed to signal that Wi-Fi is available, and even the editorial staff who went looking for Wi-Fi often only noticed the presence of Wi-Fi spots when they received a connection notification from the app. I felt this was a waste of time.
So it might be a good idea to have a rough idea of where you can use the Wi-Fi before you go. You can find information on where you can use "Hiroshima_Free_Wi-Fi" at the following website.
Related link: HIROSHIMA FREE Wi-Fi | Useful Information | The Official Guide to Hiroshima - Travel and Tour Information
https://dive-hiroshima.com/information/wifi/
How to use free Wi-Fi more comfortably in Hiroshima
Free Wi-Fi is available everywhere, and we want you to make the most of it. So, as I mentioned at the beginning of this article, please try using "Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect".
This is not to present our company in a favorable light, but it really helped us on this trip. The app's "auto-connect" feature allows me to use all the hard-to-find free Wi-Fi I could find. It is even more useful in unfamiliar places. It's also useful to be able to see a map or list of "nearby Wi-Fi".
This app can connect to many Wi-Fi services in addition to "Hiroshima_Free_Wi-Fi. Please install it when you travel".
Related link: Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect | Automatic Connection App For Free Wi-Fi
https://www.ntt-bp.net/jw-auto/
Related link:HIROSHIMA FREE Wi-Fi Area | Useful Information | The Official Guide to Hiroshima - Travel and Tour Information
https://dive-hiroshima.com/information/wifi-area/
It's a bit busy to visit in a day. Stay one or two more nights.
I want to come back again regardless of work. Raw oysters and sake, wait for me!
Of course, there are many more fascinating spots in Hiroshima that I have not been able to introduce here. Why don't you find an opportunity to visit them? There are plenty of sights to see and free Wi-Fi spots waiting for you.
