When I visit Japan last time, I’m surprised that most trains in Japan (JR trains) are equipped with a free wifi and the free wifi is very useable to browse the web, send an email, chat with friends, watch an online video, or even play a light online game as long as you don’t do the video streaming or video call. (You will barely need to use your phone’s internet.)

So I have tested the wifi speed using Speedtest.net on two JR trains: Shinkansen and N’EX. Here are my findings:

1. Shinkansen

   • Service name: Shinkansen_Free_Wi-Fi

   • Type of tested wifi: Free wifi

   • Speed for local connection:

     • Download: 1.21 Mbps

     • Upload: 1.98 Mbps

     • Ping: 64 ms

     • Server location: Osaka, Japan

   • Speed for international connection:

     • Download: 10.8 Mbps

     • Upload: 0.58 Mbps

     • Ping: 167 ms

     • Server location: Los Angeles, CA, USA

   • Tested date: Feb 19, 2019

2. N’EX (Narita Express)

   • Service name: JR-EAST_FREE_Wi-Fi

   • Type of tested wifi: Free wifi

   • Speed for local connection:

     • Download: 4.19 Mbps

     • Upload: 0.86 Mbps

     • Ping: 74 ms

     • Server location: Tokyo, Japan

   • Speed for international connection:

     • Download: 3.55 Mbps

     • Upload: 0.61 Mbps

     • Ping: 188 ms

     • Server location: Los Angeles, CA, USA

   • Tested date: Feb 24, 2019

As you can see, the internet speed isn’t bad on the JR trains and it’s surprisingly good for international connection.

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