Guide to NURO Hikari | Prices, Reviews and How to Apply

Are you considering Nuro Hikari for your internet needs in Japan?

Nuro Hikari is a popular internet service that is well-known for its impressive connection speeds. However, navigating the details of its services and contracts can be challenging since the website is entirely in Japanese.

This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about Nuro Hikari, including connection speeds, pricing, English support, installation fees, customer reviews, and more. We’ll also explain technical details in simple terms to ensure it’s easy to understand, even if you’re new to fiber internet.

Let’s get started!

In this article, we’ll cover

1. What is NURO Hikari?
   Outline of Nuro Hikari
2. Plans and Pricing
3. Connection speeds and allocated data
   Connection Speed
   Why is Nuro Hikari So Fast?
   A Speed Comparison of Nuro Hikari and FLET’s Hikari
4. Coverage
   Installing Nuro Hikari in Apartments May Be Complicated
5. English support
6. Installation process
7. Reviews
   Positive Reviews
   Negative Reviews
8. How to apply
9. Summary: Pros and cons of NURO Hikari
   Pros
   Cons
10. If you are looking for fiber internet as an international resident in Japan

1. What is NURO Hikari?

Nuro Hikari is a high-speed fiber-optic internet service provided by So-net, a company under the Sony Group.

The standout feature of Nuro Hikari is its impressive speed, offering two main plans:

• A 10 Gbps plan with maximum download and upload speeds of up to 10 Gbps, and
• A 2 Gbps plan with maximum download speeds of up to 2 Gbps and upload speeds of up to 1 Gbps.

These speeds make Nuro Hikari one of Japan’s fastest fiber internet services.

If you’re a SoftBank user, you can also enjoy a 550 JPY/month discount on your cell phone bill when you sign up for Nuro Hikari.

That said, there are a couple of downsides to consider. Nuro Hikari’s coverage area is smaller than other providers, and the installation process tends to take longer.

Here’s a quick summary of Nuro Hikari’s key features:

Outline of NURO Hikari

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2. How Much is Nuro Hikari?

Below are the fees you need to be aware of when signing up for Nuro Hikari.

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The initial fee is a one-time payment made during the application process. Monthly fees vary based on the type of building you live in and your chosen plan:

• If you live in a house, you’ll be charged the Single-Family House Plan price.
• If you live in an apartment, you’ll be charged the Apartment Plan price.

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3. Connection speeds and Data Allocation

The connection speeds and data limit information for NURO Hikari are as follows:

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*Note: The average connection speeds written above are the latest as of December 2024.

Connection Speed

Nuro Hikari’s maximum theoretical speeds are 10 Gbps for downloads and 10 Gbps for uploads, depending on your chosen plan (2 Gbps vs. 10 Gbps) However, actual speeds will vary based on factors like your location and network traffic. Customer reviews are a helpful resource for getting a better idea of real-world performance.

For example, the Japanese site Minsoku aggregates user reviews for various internet services. Based on over 20,000 reviews, the average speeds experienced by Nuro Hikari users are:

• Download speed: 746 Mbps
• Upload speed: 633 Mbps

These speeds are more than sufficient for activities like streaming, online gaming, and video calls.

Why is NURO Hikari so fast?

Nuro Hikari uses its own dedicated network infrastructure. Unlike most other providers that rely on the NTT Flet’s Hikari network, Nuro Hikari experiences less congestion, allowing for consistently faster speeds.

A speed comparison of NURO Hikari with FLET’S Hikari

For reference, here’s a comparison of Nuro Hikari’s speeds with those of NTT FLET’S Hikari:

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*The average speeds are numbers as of December 20th, 2024
*Data taken from: Minna no Net Kaisen Sokudo (みんなのネット回線速度)

The following chart provides an overview of activities you can perform at various internet speeds:

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While Flet’s Hikari isn’t as fast as Nuro Hikari, it still offers reliable performance for most tasks. However, if speed is your top priority, Nuro Hikari may be the better choice.

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4. Coverage

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The coverage of NURO Hikari currently spans about 50% of Japan. Before applying, you should confirm whether your location is within Nuro Hikari’s service area to save you time and frustration.

Installing Nuro Hikari in Apartments May Be Complicated

Nuro Hikari’s plans and offers can vary based on your apartment building and region.
If you’re planning to use Nuro Hikari’s Apartment Plan, there are specific requirements and challenges to keep in mind.

First, verify whether your building has the necessary equipment for Nuro Hikari. If not, additional equipment installation may be required, which can involve a complex process subject to strict regulations.

Even if you live in an area covered by Nuro Hikari, installation may not be possible if you’re in an apartment without the necessary infrastructure. Always check with Nuro Hikari beforehand to confirm.

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5. English support

Unfortunately, NURO does not offer English support. If you’re not fluent in Japanese, you may need the assistance of a Japanese-speaking friend throughout the process.

Here are some scenarios where Japanese proficiency will be required:

• Applying for the service
• Coordinating the installation
• Changing your plan or canceling your contract
• Troubleshooting connection issues

If you’re not comfortable with Japanese, the lack of support could be a significant hurdle.

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6. Installation process

One of Nuro Hikari’s greatest advantages is its fast network speeds, but the lengthy installation process is a major drawback.

Unlike competitors like NTT Flet’s Hikari, which can typically complete installations in a single visit, Nuro Hikari requires two separate installation appointments. This extends the timeline considerably.

Here’s a general comparison of installation times:

• NURO Hikari: 1 to 3 months
• NTT FLET’S Hikari: 2 weeks to 1 month

While Nuro Hikari’s speed and performance may justify the wait, it’s important to plan accordingly, especially if you need internet service quickly.

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7. Reviews

Next, let’s take a look at some reviews of Nuro Hikari. We’ve gathered positive and negative feedback from users to give you a balanced perspective.

Positive Reviews

Fast Connection Speed

One of the most commonly praised features of Nuro Hikari is its fast connection speed. Here’s a review from a user who tested the speed:

NURO Hikari measurement results (IPv6 connection)

Ping value: 16.1ms

Download speed: 743.48Mbps (super fast)

Upload speed: 630.81Mbps (super fast)

Free Router
Another positive review mentions the free router that comes with the service, adding extra value:

nuro光民のわい、安いし早いし無料でWi-Fi付きルーター貸してもらえるしでニッコリ

— 生活が落ち着いてきたヒカルン (@yopparai_robos) March 23, 2020

Person A: “I have to get rid of my current garbage WiFi and get something new so that I can play Animal Crossing to my heart’s content”
Person B: “I use NURO Hikari and it’s cheap and fast. Plus they lend you the router for free so I’m satisfied.”

Negative Reviews

Long Installation Time
A significant downside mentioned by several users is the long installation process. Two users shared their frustrating experience:

When I had the NURO Hikari installation work done, the first of the two times was done inside the house, so I was able to make a reservation immediately even on the weekend. On the other hand, the second time, the outdoor work, had to be scheduled one month later. It’s difficult to make a reservation for the second time.

It will take two weeks for the New Year Holidays, and it will probably take three weeks. I won’t be able to work from January! What will they do? If this is how it’s going to be, I’ll ask another company. The NURO fiber optic service I’m using now doesn’t work at my new address.🥲 I can’t get through on the phone, and I haven’t received a reply to my emails. What will I do about my job if I can’t get through to the internet by the end of December?🥲

Difficulty Reaching Customer Support
Another frequent complaint is about the poor customer service experience:

If you are thinking of applying for NURO Hikari, you should definitely not do so. Even if you think it might be broken, the technical support desk is only open from 10am to 5pm on weekdays and they don’t accept inquiries via the web. Even if you manage to call them during your free time at work, you’ll have to talk to them for more than 15 minutes on the Navi Dial.

au Hikari here we go.

 

I want to cancel my NURO Hikari contract. I’ve been using NURO for about 10 years, but it’s a pain to have to chat with them when I have a problem.

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8. How to apply

You can apply directly from NURO’s official website by following these steps:

1. Choose Your Plan

On the application page, you’ll see two options: a Single-Family House plan (on the left), and an Apartment plan (on the right). Select the plan that best suits your needs, then click the red “Proceed to application” button.

2. Enter Your Address

Input your postal code and full address, and Nuro will confirm service availability for your area.

3. Customize Your Plan and Schedule Installation

You’ll be taken to a page where you can choose plan details and set up installation dates. Once this is complete, your application is finalized.

Visit the Nuro Hikari homepage here:

• NURO Hikari Official Page

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9. Summary: Pros and cons of NURO Hikari

Pros:

• Internet connection speeds are the fastest in Japan.
• SoftBank users can receive a 550 JPY/month discount on their cell phone bills.
• The WiFi router is provided for free.

Cons:

• Coverage is limited, and installation in apartments is may not be possible.
• No English support is available.
• Although there is no minimum contract period, there may be cancellation penalties depending on the plan.

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If you are looking for fiber internet as an international resident in Japan

As an international resident in Japan, you might be thinking:

• “The contract details for fiber internet seem complicated. I want reliable English support in case I run into any issues.”
• “I don’t want to pay a termination fee.”
• “I want fast and stable internet for my home.”

If any of these apply to you, we recommend considering Sakura Fiber Internet.

While Sakura Fiber Internet’s monthly fee of 6,480 yen may not be the cheapest, it offers 365-day English customer support, no binding contracts, and no termination fees.

Sakura Fiber Internet uses the NTT FLET’S Hikari network, which provides maximum speeds of 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps and covers over 90% of Japan’s populated areas. While it may be slower than Nuro Hikari at the 1 Gbps level, the speed is sufficient for online meetings, gaming, and other daily activities. The 10 Gbps plan is ideal for users who need ultra-fast connectivity.

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If you are interested, please check here for more details.

• Sakura Fiber Internet: https://sakuramobile.jp/internet

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