Mountain town in Kanagawa, Japan
Internet in Hakone: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Hakone?
Median fixed broadband in Japan is 234 Mbps and mobile is 66 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Cafés are small and short-hours; hotel lobbies are the usual workspace. Mobile data works in the main towns.
Getting online in Hakone
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Fibre is in some buildings, but monthly lets are rare. Ryokan wifi is usually included but can be slow. |
| Cafés and coworking | Cafés are small and short-hours; hotel lobbies are the usual workspace. Mobile data works in the main towns. |
| Tourist SIM | Data-only SIMs and eSIMs sold at airports and Bic Camera or Yodobashi, about ¥2,000–6,000; voice numbers need a residence card. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | docomo, au, SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile |
| Monthly data plan | ¥3,000–5,000 ($19–32) |
Coworking in Hakone
There's no dedicated coworking scene here; people work from cafés and accommodation.
Internet speeds in East Asia
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
| Country | Fixed | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 362 Mbps | 89 Mbps |
| Macau | 322 Mbps | — |
| Taiwan | 298 Mbps | 111 Mbps |
| South Korea | 251 Mbps | 251 Mbps |
| China | 238 Mbps | 176 Mbps |
| Japan | 234 Mbps | 66 Mbps |
| Mongolia | 86 Mbps | — |
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Hakone?
Median fixed broadband in Japan is 234 Mbps and mobile is 66 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Cafés are small and short-hours; hotel lobbies are the usual workspace. Mobile data works in the main towns.
Which SIM card should I get in Hakone?
Data-only SIMs and eSIMs sold at airports and Bic Camera or Yodobashi, about ¥2,000–6,000; voice numbers need a residence card.
Can I use an eSIM in Japan?
Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.
More about Hakone
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Sources
Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.