Internet Service

ADSL, Cable and Fiber services are available in most areas and generally come with no data restrictions. Speeds of 100 Mbit/sec should be possible anywhere. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can also provide telephone service or cable TV, and bundling several services from one company is cheaper than piecing them together. The first one or two months of service are sometimes free as a bonus for becoming a customer.

Places to shop begin your search for an ISP:

• Your local electronics store
• The Internet booths on the first floor of Yodobashi Camera near JR Hakata represent many companies, with friendly and helpful staff who are somewhat accustomed to foreign customers.

All ISPs offer similar service plans, and Internet phone (IP) calls to other users of the same network are generally free.

Some of the main ISPs are:
Dion by KDDI Tel 0077-7076 for connection and set-up.
Fusion GOL Tel 0120-987-800 for general enquiries.
SpinNet Tel 03-6888-2500
Yahoo! BB Tel 0800-1111-130 for toll-free English support.

Internet Cafés in Japan are more than just rows of computers against a bare wall. They are lavish 24-hour facilities with amenities like semi-private booths, game rooms, food and drink, book and DVD libraries, footbaths, massages and showers. Pillows and blankets are even provided for late night customers. If you miss the last train home but can’t afford a hotel, net cafés become a pretty decent option. The booths are rented by the hour, or have special night time packages. Purchase of a membership card is usually required, which may cost you a couple of hundred yen, and for which you may need to provide some form of identification.

Cybac has four locations in Fukuoka City: Hakata, Tenjin, Nishijin and Hakozaki. Vending machine drinks, slushy machine, toothbrushes, toothpaste and bath essentials are free at the front desk.

Making International Calls via the Internet

Yahoo! BB’s ¥3 per minute international calling rate via its IP phone service was once one of its biggest draws. However, now that Skype has made Internet calling free, IP phone rates, no matter how low, are a moot point.  Skype also has paid calling plans that allow you to ring any phone from your computer for those phonecalls to people on the other side of the world without a computer or Skype.