Japan launches free Wi-Fi on Mount Fuji

Japanese officials have decided to implement eight wi-fi hot spots around Mount Fuji on Friday.

Climbing to the top of Mount Fuji, Japan’s tallest mountain, is an incredible feat, but what’s the point if you can’t tweet or Instagram about it once you get there?

According to a report by Asahi Shimbum, the project is aimed at enticing tourists from the US and Europe to hike the 12,388 foot high volcano.

Japan has been increasing the number of its public Wi-Fi hotspots as it gears up to host the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. NTT DOCOMO Inc. will provide the service for 72 hours from the initial log-in, which should be plenty of time for most climbers to reach the summit and share it with the world.

One of the most intriguing places in Japan, the amount of tourism being generated from the mountain has dropped lower over the years. Sometimes, “pre-registering” is even necessary: That is, creating an account for a venue’s free wifi beforehand, at some place where you do have Internet access.

Virgin America also announced an upgraded Wi-Fi system yesterday, which will be fast enough to allow passengers on its flights to stream YouTube and Netflix. To create awareness of the WiFi hotspots, local officials are also planning to hand out as many as 70,000 brochures to hikers to give them instructions on how to use the Free Wifi.