Get connected in Osaka

Osaka — Osaka Government Tourism Bureau proudly flipped the switch on its new free wi-fi scheme on Jan 29 last month. The first scheme of its scale in Japan, the Osaka Free Wi-fi project aims to connect foreign visitors to Osaka, by providing a readily available network of access points across the entire prefecture, including local train and subway stations, hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions. While initial coverage will be limited, a massive 8,000 additional access points are promised by the end of the year.

Access is provided in partnership with NTT and is completely free, but limited to 30 minute sessions. You can however, log on as many times as you like.

From Mar 1, users will also be able to access the Osaka Enjoy Rally, a new portal site that will provide up-to-theminute information and offer special discounts to participating attractions, museums and retail outlets.

These new initiatives are some of the measures aimed at improving services for foreign visitors to Osaka, as it works towards its ambitious target to attract some 6.5 million tourists a year by 2020.

Watch out for the red stickers popping up everywhere around Osaka in the coming months.