Kyoto, Japan's traditional ancient capital. The number of visitors from overseas is increasing, and the city is bustling every day.

Did you know that an underground shopping mall named "Kyoto Porta" extends from Kyoto Station, the departure point for many of these travelers?

The name "Kyoto Porta" is derived from the Italian word "porta", meaning "gate" or "entrance". As the name suggests, it is the gateway to Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, where visitors are welcomed at the beginning and sent off at the end of their visit. Kyoto Porta, which offers a variety of stores of all sizes, including gourmet foods that can only be found here, Kyoto souvenirs exclusive to Kyoto Station, and the latest fashion and cosmetics, will soon mark the one-year anniversary of its merger with The Cube, the specialty shopping area of the Kyoto Station Building, in March 2023. Furthermore, it is a hot spot in Kyoto Station, which is scheduled to undergo a major renovation in the future.

Furthermore, the free Wi-Fi installed is of genuine quality. When we actually used it in our editorial office, it was truly stress-free, and we were surprised at how easy it was to use.

Even in hard-to-reach underground locations, the signal was strong and the speed was very fast. This is one of the best of the various free Wi-Fi spots. The Wi-Fi has just undergone a major upgrade in January 2024. The release states the following.

・The new Wi-Fi line will be able to serve 1,000 people at the same time.
・The expansion of access points will enable Wi-Fi to reach not only common areas, but also every corner of the retail space.
・Wi-Fi access is available inside the Porta building even in the event of a disaster or cell phone outages.
・Wi-Fi connection settings are available in seven languages.
・Linkage with Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect, a free Wi-Fi application that automatically connects to the Wi-Fi network.
・Seamless communication with "WESPO," an application exclusively for members of JR West Group shopping centers, and "WESTER," a common point service application for JR West Group

ニュースリリース NTTBP｜NTTブロードバンドプラットフォーム
https://www.ntt-bp.net/articles/2024/01/kyoto-porta.html

The article is full of details, but what in the world were the intentions behind the addition of the Wi-Fi?

We asked the key persons responsible for the Wi-Fi installation, Ms. Akiyo Yabu, Managing Director and General Manager of Sales Division, who is in charge of Kyoto Porta's marketing strategy at JR West Kyoto SC Development Corporation, Mr. Kazuo Yamada, General Manager of Technical Management Department, and Mr. Mitsunobu Shimazu, who was in charge of Wi-Fi installation at the Service Front Desk of NTTBP's Facilities Service Department. and Mitsunobu Shimazu, who was in charge of Wi-Fi installation at NTTBP's Service Front Desk in the Facilities Service Department.

From left, Mr. Shimazu, NTTBP, Mr. Yabu, Kyoto Porta, and Mr. Yamada

We were faced with the problem of poor reception due to the underground shopping mall

Q.First of all, please tell us about the event that led you to add Wi-Fi on a large scale.

--Ms.Yabu: Since this is an underground shopping mall, there were areas where it was difficult to get a cell phone signal. We received many complaints from customers and tenant store staff that they could not get a connection. As a result of the various payment methods now available, the number of customers using QR code payment has increased, and as the JR West Group is making major efforts to expand its point service applications (such as "WESTER" and "WESPO"), it was absolutely necessary to improve the communication environment.

Q.So Wi-Fi became an option.

--Ms.Yabu: The mobile carriers tried everything they could to improve the signal to the point where they said, "We can't do this any more," but even so, they couldn't reach a fundamental solution. When we were thinking about our next move, we began to consider "free Wi-Fi" as an option.

Our goal was "proactive Wi-Fi"

Q.What exactly did you aim to enhance Wi-Fi?

--Ms.Yabu: First of all, we wanted to make sure that Wi-Fi could be used throughout the facility. We wanted to eliminate any impression that "it's usable at one point, but it's not easy to use somewhere else". We also wanted to make the Wi-Fi easy to use for many people.

--Mr.Yamada: The other thing we wanted was for many people to be able to connect to Wi-Fi at the same time. We had a particularly strong desire for this.

Q.Kyoto Porta is popular not only with tourists, but also with local Kyoto residents and people working in Kyoto, and attracts many visitors.

--Ms.Yabu: At times, Kyoto Porta attracts as many as 200,000 visitors. We wanted to create an environment where we could connect properly even when it was crowded, so we aimed for Wi-Fi that could be used by 1,000 people at the same time.

Q.That's amazing, as far as we know, only a very limited number of facilities have a design that can be used by 1,000 people at the same time.

--Ms.Yabu: This is not just about business, is it? We, who operate in the Kansai region, experienced the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, so we wanted to be prepared for emergencies. We thought it would be good to have Wi-Fi in case of such an emergency. Kyoto Porta also serves as a temporary stay facility for people who have difficulty returning home in the event of an emergency. It would be really worrisome if a disaster occurred during a trip. We wanted to make sure that the facility would be able to protect not only local customers but also tourists from disasters. This area is also connected to the station, so it needs to fulfill a variety of roles.

--Mr.Shimazu: With this in mind, we adopted ring-shaped wiring that is difficult to break. Even if one side is disconnected, the Wi-Fi itself will not be disconnected. We have also prepared a high-spec line. In an emergency, the use of the system will be particularly concentrated, and the quality of the system is of course high enough for 1,000 people to use it at the same time, but it is also designed with a margin that can tolerate an increase in the number of users. I think we were able to realize Mr. Porta's wishes.

Q.I actually used the system a while ago, and the speed was really surprising.

--Mr.Shimazu: As I explained, the design can withstand congestion, so on a weekday like today, we can use the system at blazing speeds.

Precise environment construction based on research, which cannot be obtained just by increasing the number of installations

Q. How did you select the Wi-Fi installation vendor?

--Mr.Yamada: We initially thought we would only ask NTTBP to do a survey. There was no other company that we could ask only for a survey. However, when we talked to NTTBP, they were very responsive and explained the results of the survey in scientific terms. They said they could also do the work, and when they proposed it to us, the price was very reasonable.

Q.Were there any factors that were decisive for you?

--Ms.Yabu: At first, we were talking about installing access points at all stores in the facility. However, NTTBP told us that they could create a signal environment that could reach every corner of the facility without having to install access points in every store, based on a thorough investigation of not only our Wi-Fi but also other signals flying around, including junk ones. He did this as a matter of course, but it was very helpful that he provided us with the evidence based on such a thorough preliminary survey.

--Mr.Shimazu: If we were to install them in all the stores, we would have to do construction inside the stores, which would be inconvenient for the tenants. By installing them on the aisle side, we can reduce the number of access points. We have explained those things to you.

--Mr.Yamada: The cost saved by the lean radio design could be put toward improving performance, and I think they gave us a near 100-point response.

--Ms.Yabu: We were also attracted by the multilingual support, the reporting function, and the maintenance management. Also, the ability to use Japan Wi-Fi auto-connectis great. It connects to free Wi-Fi immediately! I have installed it since you told me about it, and it is useful in many places besides Porta.

Access points on the ceiling
Meticulously calculated coverage with no gaps

Aiming to be the best commercial facility in Kyoto

Q. How have customers responded to the new Wi-Fi after it was installed?

--Mr.Yabu: I think it has been well received. In this day and age, many people post bad events such as "bad signal" or "no connection" on social networking sites, and we saw it several times before we installed this Wi-Fi system. Recently, however, there have been no such negative postings, and on the contrary, we have started to see posts saying, "It connects at a great speed. In addition, not only customers but also store staff are happy to use the system, which makes us feel "glad we did.

Q.What is your vision for Kyoto Porta in the future?

--Mr.Yabu: We aim to become the most beloved commercial facility in Kyoto by our customers. After the Corona disaster, the value of "actual stores" was reconsidered, but looking around the building, which is crowded with customers, I think customers recognize the value of real stores. I believe that the sense of fun and excitement will continue to change with the times. The enhancement of Wi-Fi is one of the ways we are doing this.

--Mr.Yamada: Being the best in Kyoto means that we may be the best in the world. I would like to aim for something like that in Kyoto.

Q.I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.

--Ms.Yabu: Thank you very much. If I may advertise a little, just in March, it will be the first anniversary of our integration with The Cube in the Kyoto Station Building specialty store area. From March to May, 38 stores, including some that will be opening for the first time in the Kansai region, will be renovated one after another! Events will also begin, and Porta will become even more enjoyable.

--Mr. Yamada: We hope you will enjoy it with high-quality Wi-Fi.

2024 Spring Renewal｜Kyoto Porta
https://www.porta.co.jp.e.sd.hp.transer.com/

Q.Thank you very much for your time today.

--Ms.Yabu: Thank you very much.

--Mr.Yamada: Thank you very much.

A "real" experience in a place where tradition and cutting edge can be tasted

The beautiful interior of Kyoto Porta, a fusion of tradition and newness

In Kyoto, they say that something of really good quality is called "honmamon". Kyoto Porta is sprinkled with "honmamon" here and there. For example, the West Street, under the supervision of a long-established landscaping company that has been in Kyoto since the Edo period, is designed to represent actual Kyoto, including the Kamo River. Natural stone is also used as a material.

Natural materials and historic designs are everywhere in this eye-catching space.

Kyoto Porta is also characterized by its hospitality that combines the good old Kyoto style with the latest in light and sound entertainment.

The high quality free Wi-Fi that has been carefully selected may also be said to be "real". If you are planning to travel to Kyoto, please visit Kyoto Porta to experience the hospitality of the old and new together!

Finally, we recommend using Japan Wi-Fi auto-connectwhen using Kyoto Porta's Wi-Fi: simply go to the Wi-Fi spot and you will automatically have Internet access, so there is no need to panic when you want to use an app in a store. If you haven't used it yet, please give it a try.

2024 Spring Renewal｜Kyoto Porta
https://www.porta.co.jp.e.sd.hp.transer.com/