One of the biggest concerns for tourists visiting Japan is, “How can I stay connected to the Internet?” The bad news is that for travelers accustomed to using public Wi-Fi, Japan’s public hotspots leave a lot to be desired. The good news is there are plenty of affordable ways to stay connected, including pocket Wi-Fi hotspots. Here’s why it’s useful and how to get it for your trip to Japan.
Public Wi-Fi hotspots: still unstable in Japan
If you’re staying in a hotel or long-term residence in Japan, there’s almost a 100% chance that some kind of Wi-Fi is available. (Even if there is good Of course, whether that is the case or not is another matter. )
The problem is when I go out in public. Despite its reputation as a technology mecca, Japan doesn’t have a lot of options when it comes to public Wi-Fi hotspots, even in big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
How bad? Last year, the site GOOD LUCK TRIP conducted a survey on what tourists find most inconvenient in Japan. Is the top answer 31.5%? Lack of accessible public Wi-Fi. The next most dissatisfied factor was the lack of communication with facility staff, which was far behind at 20.2%.
I have seen this situation improve over the past few years as both a tourist and a resident of Japan. When I first came in 2016, it was difficult to connect to the Wi-Fi endpoint even at Starbucks. Most major coffee chains now offer easy-to-use free Wi-Fi access. But many smaller chains and stores don’t do that. This is probably because they operate on low profit margins and cannot afford to pay their expenses.
Japan has known this is a problem for years. Before the Tokyo Olympics, there was a lot of discussion about how to improve this before tourists arrived. (Of course, the Tokyo Olympics didn’t go as planned.)
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Simply put, the lack of public hotspots remains a persistent and troubling problem even in Japan’s major cities.
Advantages of Japanese pocket WiFi
But don’t worry. There are several ways to stay connected when you’re in Japan. One option is to rent a pocket Wi-Fi device that acts as an Internet hotspot. You can connect your phone and other devices, so you can get reliable directions when you’re on the go, for example.
There are several benefits to using pocket Wi-Fi. First, it works whether you’re staying overnight or on the go. If the hotel’s service is less than expected, it can be used instead of the hotel’s Wi-Fi.
Then you can connect multiple devices. This is very useful if you are traveling with your family or have multiple devices such as laptops and tablets that you want to use while on the go.
Comparing Japanese pocket Wi-Fi to other options
Is pocket Wi-Fi the best option? There are other options. However, pocket Wi-Fi may be a better option in some situations.
The two best pocket Wi-Fi alternatives are:
roaming data
Most hometown providers offer some form of roaming data. For example, our previous provider, T-Mobile, offers 5GB of high-speed data on certain plans, but has speed caps of 256 kbps on others. You can also purchase blocks of international high-speed data (up to 50 GB for 30 days) for around $50 USD.
Challenges regarding roaming data when traveling to Japan
However, roaming data plans may not meet your needs. First, it’s quite expensive. Also, if you download large amounts of data (like watching videos on the subway), it can be very expensive.
Second, in my experience with T-Mobile, download speeds vary. Sometimes it’s fast, sometimes it’s very slow.
Third, many of these plans do not support tethering, i.e. connecting another device such as a laptop, tablet, or another phone.
SIM/eSIM
SIM is also an acceptable option. For the non-technical, “SIM” stands for Subscriber Identity Module. This is a small chip that attaches to the side of your phone and provides access to your provider’s cellular network.
SIM is a popular option for international travel. Simply take out your new SIM card, replace it with one you get from an airport retailer, and for a small upfront fee, you can enjoy data (and in some countries even text messages and calls).
The main problem with a physical SIM is that if you need both lines while in Japan, it can be a pain to insert and remove the physical SIM card. An eSIM is a “virtual SIM” that exists only in software and provides the same functionality without a physical chip. eSIMs are convenient because they can be stacked on top of your existing SIM card. This means that while you are in Japan, you can use your eSIM for data communications while still being able to send and receive text messages and calls on your main line.
(Side note: eSIMs are also great for Japanese residents. I use eSIMs through my local carrier AU, which allows me to keep my US line up for two-factor authentication. You can also easily contact family and colleagues in the United States.)
Issues with SIM/eSIM for traveling to Japan
However, this poses a major hurdle for both SIM and eSIM. This means it only works on SIM-unlocked phones.
When you purchase a new cell phone on your carrier’s payment plan, your carrier “locks” your phone to a SIM that only works on that network. This means that until you pay your phone bill and ask your provider to unlock her SIM, you can only use the SIM provided by your provider.
One workaround for this is to buy a cheap SIM-unlocked Android smartphone from eBay or Amazon and use it only for travel. But it’s expensive and can be more trouble than it’s worth. For example, some used cell phones only work with a SIM from a particular carrier.
Finally, most SIMs/eSIMs typically do not allow you to share data as a mobile hotspot. This means everyone traveling with you will need their own SIM for their phone.
Buy pocket Wi-Fi for your trip to Japan
One of the best deals is to find a hotel or accommodation that offers Wi-Fi on your pocket device. This is the best of both worlds, allowing you to use Wi-Fi in your room and take it with you when you go out.
Otherwise, we recommend renting a pocket Wi-Fi device from our friends at Inbound Platform. (Note: Affiliate Links – If you use this service, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. ) Inbound platforms deliver Wi-Fi to airports for pick-up or directly to hotels. If you need extra data or convenience, you can also rent your phone’s eSIM at the same time.
Inbound Platform Premium Pocket Wi-Fi supports speeds up to 187Mbps with no data limits. The battery lasts up to 20 hours without charging and can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.
Inbound Platform’s pocket Wi-Fi service has a high customer satisfaction rating of 4.7 stars. Customers give good reviews about its speed and reliability. Additionally, the inbound platform has an excellent customer service team that can respond to inquiries in English and multiple other languages.
You can rent pocket Wi-Fi devices directly from the Inbound Platform. Alternatively, you can create a custom itinerary or guided tour with Unseen Japan Tours, which we will rent on your behalf. As part of your trip to Japan, we can also help you book transportation from the airport and Shinkansen tickets.
source of information
Ranking of “things that foreigners find inconvenient in Japan” on the day they visit. The Japan travel information site “GOOD LUCK TRIP” developed by “Chikyu no Arukikata” has been announced.
