Best Internet Service Providers in Japan (2025) | TopProviders.net
Complete city-by-city guide comparing speed, reliability, and coverage across Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Sapporo and more.
Top 5 Internet Providers in Japan
1. NTT East/West (フレッツ光)
Speed: Up to 10Gbps (Fiber) | Avg. 300 Mbps
Coverage: Nationwide (Best in urban areas)
Pros:
- Japan’s largest fiber network
- Extremely reliable service
- Stable connection for gaming
Cons:
- Requires separate ISP contract
- Setup can be complicated
2. SoftBank Hikari
Speed: Up to 1Gbps (Fiber) | Avg. 200 Mbps
Coverage: Nationwide (Strong in Tokyo, Osaka)
Pros:
- Good mobile bundle discounts
- English support available
- Fast activation
Cons:
- Peak time slowdowns
- Customer service wait times
3. au Hikari (KDDI)
Speed: Up to 5Gbps (Fiber) | Avg. 250 Mbps
Coverage: Nationwide (Best in Kansai region)
Pros:
- Fast speeds with low latency
- Good for online gaming
- Strong mobile integration
Cons:
- More expensive than competitors
- Complex contract terms
4. NURO Hikari (So-net)
Speed: Up to 10Gbps (Fiber) | Avg. 800 Mbps
Coverage: Major urban areas (Tokyo, Osaka, etc.)
Pros:
- Fastest available speeds
- Competitive pricing
- No bandwidth throttling
Cons:
- Limited availability
- Long installation wait times
5. Rakuten Hikari
Speed: Up to 1Gbps (Fiber) | Avg. 150 Mbps
Coverage: Expanding nationwide
Pros:
- Affordable pricing
- Simple English contracts
- Good for Rakuten mobile users
Cons:
- Inconsistent speeds
- Limited support options
Internet Providers by City
Tokyo Best Options
Top Providers: NURO (Fastest), NTT (Most reliable), SoftBank (Best bundles)
Avg. Speed: 320Mbps (Fiber), 150Mbps (5G)
Special Notes: Nearly all providers available. Check our guide to find top internet & TV service providers in your area.
Osaka Kansai Hub
Top Providers: au Hikari (Best performance), NTT (Widest coverage), NURO (Fastest)
Avg. Speed: 280Mbps (Fiber), 130Mbps (5G)
Special Notes: Many buildings have exclusive contracts with providers.
Kyoto Historic City
Top Providers: NTT (Most stable), SoftBank (English support), Rakuten (Budget)
Avg. Speed: 250Mbps (Fiber), 120Mbps (Mobile)
Special Notes: Historic districts may have infrastructure limitations.
Fukuoka Kyushu Region
Top Providers: NTT, SoftBank, au Hikari
Avg. Speed: 230Mbps (Fiber), 110Mbps (Mobile)
Special Notes: NURO not widely available here.
Sapporo Hokkaido
Top Providers: NTT (Only fiber option), SoftBank (Alternative)
Avg. Speed: 200Mbps (Fiber), 100Mbps (Mobile)
Special Notes: Limited options compared to mainland Japan.
Other Major Cities
- Yokohama: Same options as Tokyo
- Nagoya: NTT, au Hikari, SoftBank
- Hiroshima: NTT dominant, some SoftBank
- Sendai: NTT primary, limited alternatives
How to Choose the Best ISP in Japan
- Check building restrictions (many have exclusive provider contracts)
- Consider your needs:
- Gaming/4K: NURO or au Hikari
- General use: NTT with preferred ISP
- Budget: Rakuten or SoftBank
- Look at bundle options (mobile+internet discounts common)
- Verify English support if needed
Final Recommendations
- Best Overall: NTT with preferred ISP (Most reliable)
- Fastest Speeds: NURO Hikari (Where available)
- Best for Expats: SoftBank (English support)
- Budget Choice: Rakuten Hikari
Important Notes for Japan
Internet service in Japan works differently than many countries. Most fiber services use NTT’s infrastructure with a separate ISP contract. Installation can take 2-4 weeks.
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