Are you overwhelmed trying to work out how to stay connected while travelling through Japan without incurring hefty roaming charges? Having travelled extensively throughout Japan, we’ve personally used and compared Japan pocket wifi rental devices for our own family to enable us to share comprehensive reviews with you.

Pocket wifi devices have been our key to easy and continuous connectivity, from the heart of Tokyo to the seaside vistas of Miyajima Island.  We’ll help you to choose the right pocket wifi rental option to maximise your travel experience in Japan.

Summary of Recommended Best Pocket Wifi Japan Rental Options

Here is our summary of recommended Japanese pocket wifi rental options for those of you just looking for some quick recommendations without reading the whole article. 

On our holidays in Japan, we have personally used all our recommended pocket wifi rental Japan options, so we are well-placed to provide advice.  We can confirm that all of the Japan wi fi products recommended below worked well and were easy to set up and use.

Read below for further information about each recommended provider and to learn more about their products.

Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Many people consider internet access practically essential, particularly when travelling. It’s possible to travel without it, but the Internet makes travel so much easier. You can use it for many things like navigating using Google Maps, translation apps, making bookings, streaming Netflix, posting photos to social media, and accessing train/bus timetables and news sites.

While it has become easier to find free public wifi, there are still plenty of concerns with using it, such as the time to find and connect to public wifi, poor signal strength, slow speeds and internet safety.

Renting a Japan pocket wifi to get internet access is for many people a bit of a ‘no-brainer’ as it’s small, cheap, encrypted as well as password protected and it has great battery life.

We’ll explain how to rent a Japan wifi router and introduce you to some of Japan’s very best wifi providers. We’ve also negotiated deals with a number of the best pocket wifi Japan rental companies and given you discount codes for their products.

At the end of the article, we also have a comprehensive frequently asked questions section in which we have tried to answer as many as possible of the questions about accessing the internet and using pocket wifi. Armed with this information, you will be in a great place to choose the best Japan pocket wifi during your holiday or visit.

What is a Pocket Wifi?

A pocket wifi is a small portable mobile wifi router with a built-in sim card. Think of it as being like a phone without the fancy screen or advanced operating system. Other common names for a pocket wifi include a Japan travel wifi, mobile hotspot, mobile wifi, wi-fi dongle, mifi, portable wifi hotspot and portable wifi router.

It takes a 3G, 4G or 5G mobile signal from a mobile network such as Docomo NTT, then creates a secure, private wifi network. It’s secure and private because of its built-in encryption and a password to connect to the wifi.

It’s very easy to use. All you have to do is turn it on, connect your devices to the pocket wifi router wifi hotspot, and you are ready to get started. Then stream your favourite shows, use social media, browse the internet and use your apps. And remember to recharge it each night. 

For big days out, which are typical when you are travelling, also having a backup battery is a good idea to enable you to recharge your rental wifi device and phone while you are on the go.

At the end of your visit, you either return your portable wifi Japan to the return counter at your departure airport or, alternatively, your rental pocket wifi provider may include a prepaid return envelope which you can use to post your wifi device back to your provider. 

Each airport in Japan has a post box easily accessible before you go through security, so make sure you remember to post your device before entering the security check zone!

Is Pocket Wifi in Japan worth it?

Yes. You get plenty of data at a great price (cheaper than a cup of coffee per day). They’re also really easy to get set up, have an excellent battery life, and can support plenty of connected devices, making them great for larger groups.

In some circumstances (such as solo travellers or groups with limited devices), a SIM card will work better. For certain people, using free wifi hotspots or using their normal mobile/cell phone provider’s international roaming plan may work best for their needs.

Best Pocket Wifi in Japan

We have done the research to help you find the best Japan wifi rental for your visit to Japan, with options to pick it up from any of the major Japanese airports or to have it delivered to your hotel. A key tip is pre-ordering your portable pocket wifi rental at least one week before your arrival date in Japan.

Below is a Japan pocket wi fi comparison table to help you quickly decide which option will suit you best.  If you are arriving or departing early or late, ensure you check the opening hours for your pick up and return options on the supplier’s page after you click through below.

Japan Pocket Wifi Features Compared

When comparing products, be aware that most companies promote the fastest possible speed which can range from about 150 Mbps (megabytes per second) download speed to 612 Mbps. You may see even higher speeds.

The better measure is average speed which normally ranges from 40 to 50 Mbps, but it can be significantly lower or a little higher depending on a range of factors. We talk about this more in our FAQ section towards the end of this article.

Another feature to pay attention to is the amount of data. Most companies promote their product as having unlimited data, but for most products, this is subject to an excessive usage clause which may cause speed to be reduced until the next day.

The amount of data at 4G speeds for all of our recommended providers is extremely generous. You are very unlikely to face speed restrictions unless you are extremely heavy data users.

NOTE: The prices in this article are current as of June 2023.

Japan Wireless Pocket Wifi Rental in Japan

Ninja Wifi Pocket Wifi Rental for Japan

Sakura Mobile Pocket Wifi Rental in Japan

Long Term Pocket Wifi Japan

If you plan to visit or live in Japan for more than 90 days, Mobal has an excellent long term option for pocket wifi.

FAQS about renting a pocket wifi in Japan

In our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section of this article, we’ll answer many questions about choosing the best pocket wifi for Japan. We’ll also look at the advantages and disadvantages of different ways to get online in Japan, including renting or buying a pocket wifi or sim, using a free public Japan wifi hotspot, or using your normal mobile or cell phone provider.

How do I choose the Best Pocket Wifi in Japan?

There are heaps of companies through who you can rent a portable wifi in Japan. There’s a lot to think about when comparing pocket wifi providers and products such as price, speed, amount of data, battery life, and number of devices it can handle.

We’ve done the hard work comparing some of the top choices for pocket wifi in Japan. This will make it easier for you to decide what is the best wifi router in Japan for you.

Be aware that it is a very normal marketing strategy for companies to promote their products in the best possible light while downplaying any negatives. Therefore, it is important to closely check out details when comparing. In the following FAQs we’ve highlighted a number of things to look out for.

How Do I Get Online When Travelling?

There are lots of different options to get access to the internet when you visit a different country. This FAQ section looks at the advantages and disadvantages of the various options.

Best Japan eSim Plan for Tourists [2024]

A Japan eSim is a great newer option for easy and convenient access to the internet without going through the hassle of finding free wifi hotspots and the associated security concerns. It’s common for your accommodation provider to offer wifi for guests, but once you step outside, you won’t be able to use it anymore.

Access to the internet is even more important as a traveller – uploading photos, using social media, and finding your way around with Google Maps and public transport information are just a few examples of when you will need it. Here’s our article on some of the apps we have found useful when travelling to Japan.

The eSim function is available on all more recent mobile phones – before choosing one of the e Sim Japan options below, check whether your phone is eSim compatible. If you have an older phone which is not eSim compatible, then check out the options to either purchase a Japan sim card or rent a pocket wifi for Japan.

Japan eSim Summary of Recommended Plan Options

For those of you just looking for some quick recommendations without reading the whole article, here is our summary of our recommended Japan eSim options.

eSim Japan Prepaid Options

What Japan e sim plan will best suit your needs for your trip to Japan? The answer to this question depends on your individual needs with considerations such as:

• How long you will be travelling
• What will you be using the data allowance for
• How often you will need to use data
• Whether you require voice and SMS services or data only

Data only plans along with apps such as Skype or Whatsapp should suit most people. Consider setting up a Skype number so you can easily call people and they can easily call you.

This article provides an overview of the features and costs for various Japan travel esim options. All of our recommended eSim options are data only, so if you need a local phone number in Japan then check out our detailed article on Japan sim cards.

Costs are accurate as at July 2023, but prices may go up or down depending on product pricing, exchange rate changes and various promotions offered by the different providers.  This article will be periodically updated to reflect the latest prices.

Japan eSim Prepaid Data Only Options

Below are details of the prepaid data only eSim options for Japan travel for 30 days or less. Click on the links to check out further information and to make your booking.

Japan Wireless eSim Plan

A Japan Wireless eSim is a great option to have instant access to data when travelling to Japan.

The Japan Wireless options can be purchased for either 30 days, or on a daily plan where you choose how many days you need. For each time period there are several different high speed data options. The initial data allowance is at high speed, and you then get unlimited data at slower network speeds.

• 30 Day plans are either 30GB for $US 44, 10GB for $US 25 or 5GB for $US 14. When your data allocation is fully used, you will have no further access to data.
• The Japan Wireless Daily Plans enable you to choose your data usage level, and you will receive the allocated data at high speed, and if you need more data it will be throttled at a slower speed, so you never run out of data.
• Lite: 1GB from $US 3.50 per day, price per day reduces for longer periods.
• Moderate: 2GB from $US $4.60 per day, price per day reduces for longer periods.
• Heavy: 5GB from $US 8.30 per day, price per day reduces for longer periods.

Mobal eSim in Japan

The Mobal eSim in Japan is a great option to have instant access to data when travelling. Mobal offers a great selection of options, including 8, 16 and 31 days, with both high use and low use options for various time periods. Once you have used your high speed data allowance you will still have access to data at lower speeds.

• 8 days first 1GB / $US 14, 3GB / $US 17, 30GB / $US 23
• 16 days first 1GB / $US 16, 3GB / $US 20, 50GB / $US 28
• 31 days first 50GB / $US 35

Ubigi Japan eSim (use coupon code PRETRAVELLER to get your 10% discount)

The Ubigi eSim is a great option for instant data access when travelling to Japan, and includes free 5G access with a 5G compatible device. Ubigi is also able to be used in over 190 countries, so is a great option if you are planning a multi-country trip or travel overseas regularly.

The Japan eSim option is a great option for medium and high data users, with low, medium and high data options available as detailed below.

• 30 days, 1GB for $US4, 3GB for $US8, 10GB for $US17
• Monthly 5GB for $US10, Annual 24GB for $US38
• Asian Region eSim, 1 day/500MB for $US6, 30 days/1GB for $US12, plus monthly Asian plan options available.

Airalo eSim for the Asian Region

The Airalo eSim is a great option to have instant access to data when travelling to Japan. Airolo is also able to be used in over 190 countries, so is a great option if you are planning a multi-country trip or travel overseas regularly.

The Asian Region eSim option is a great option for medium and high data users, with low, medium and high data options available as detailed below.

The Asian Region eSim include data access in 14 countries including Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Hong Kong & Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, The Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam, making it also a great option for a multi-country trip.

• 7 days 1GB for $US5
• 30 days, 3GB for $US13, 5GB for $US20, 10GB for $US37
• 90 days 50GB for $US100
• 180 days 100GB for $US 185

Japan eSim FAQs

We have put together some Japan eSim FAQs to help you better understand this option to get cheap access to data while travelling.

Best Japan Sim Card for Tourists [2024]

Are you overwhelmed by the thought of staying connected while travelling through Japan? Struggling with how to manage multiple devices without incurring hefty roaming charges? Having travelled extensively throughout Japan, we’ve personally used and compared Japan sim cards for both our large family and for sharing our comprehensive reviews with you.

Our top pick is the Mobal data only or voice and data sim card, which can be delivered internationally to any location before you depart. You can therefore be ready to get started immediately after arriving in Japan.

Sim cards have been our key to easy connectivity, from the heart of Tokyo to the calm seaside vista of Miyajima Island.  We’ll guide you through choosing the right sim card in Japan to enhance your travel experience.

Our reviews will deliver the practical advice you need for easy connectivity, no matter how many connected devices you have. We look forward to exploring the world of sim cards in Japan to help you make the most of your visit.

Japan Sim Card Summary of Recommended Options

For those of you just looking for some quick recommendations for the best Japanese sim card providers for tourists without reading the whole article, here is a summary of our recommended options.  

Check out the below table to see your Voice and Data Sim Card providers in Japan and Sim Card Prices for Japan.

Travel Sim Japan Compared With Japan Portable Pocket Wifi Rental and eSim Plans – Pros and Cons

We have personally used travel sim cards, pocket wifi devices, and eSim plans for Japan over multiple visits.  As a result, we have learned the pros and cons of each option. Here are my thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Japan Sim Card for Tourists

Before purchasing a Prepaid Japan sim card, you need to ensure that your mobile phone is unlocked.  If your phone is locked to your home network provider, you cannot use this option.  

If you use a major Japanese phone provider such as the SoftBank network or the NTT Docomo network, you should have reasonable phone coverage in both urban and rural areas.

Most Japan prepaid sim cards are easy to install.  Most come with a sim card inserter tool, enabling you to pop out the sim card slot on your phone.  If you have a single sim card phone, you must remove your home sim card, carefully store it, and then insert your Japanese sim card. 

If you have a dual sim card phone, leave your existing phone sim card in the slot, and add the Japan sim card into the second slot.  For prepaid data sim cards for Japan, the activation process is easy – follow the directions from the sim card provider. 

For sim cards in Japan with a phone number, an additional activation process usually includes verification of your identity.

Once installed, we personally find that Japanese sims are much more convenient than renting a pocket wifi device, as you do not need to recharge and carry an additional device.  Using your phone as a mobile hotspot is also easy if you have a generous data allowance. 

While travelling, you should purchase a backup battery so you can recharge your phone while you are out and about, but otherwise, it is set and forget.  You can dispose of the Japan sim card at the end of your trip.

Japan eSim Plans for Tourists

Newer generation phones can use eSim functionality to get cheap data for your phone while travelling.  First, check your phone to determine if a Japan eSim plan is an option.

For each provider we recommend in our detailed article on eSim options for Japan, they each will use either a dedicated app or, alternatively, you will receive a QR Code to activate your eSim plan.  Go through the activation process as detailed by your provider, and you should quickly be ready to get started.

Pocket Wifi Rental in Japan

Pocket wifi rental units are a great easy option to use if you have a locked phone or phone without eSim functionality, don’t want the hassle of replacing your sim card in your phone or if you have a larger group who all want to use a single option to access data while you are exploring each day. 

You pick it up from the rental counter after arriving in Japan, turn it on, and then log in to the wifi hotspot, generated using the supplied hotspot name and password. 

You will the straight away have access to data.  The only downside of pocket wifi devices is that you need to recharge them each night and carry them each day as an extra item.

Most Japan pocket wifi devices come with a generous data allowance, as it is common practice for data speed to be reduced after you exceed your data allowance.

For many portable wifi routers, battery life is about 6-9 hours, so you will either need to conserve your battery life, recharge the unit, or use a backup battery to ensure you have phone charge for the whole time you are out exploring.

If you prefer to rent a portable pocket wifi, I suggest you check out our Best Online Pocket Wifi Rental In Japan For Tourists article to assist you to choose the option which will suit you best.

How to Choose the Best Japanese Sim Card for Tourists

What prepaid sim card for Japan will best suit your needs? The answer to this question depends on your individual needs with considerations such as:

• How long will you be travelling
• What will you be using the data allowance for
• How often will you need to use data
• Whether you require a Japan sim card with a phone number

This article overviews the features and costs of various tourist sim card Japan options.

Data-only plans, along with apps such as Skype or Whatsapp, should suit most people. Think about setting up a Skype number so you can easily call people, and they can also easily call you.

Costs are accurate as of June 2023, but prices may go up or down depending on product pricing, exchange rate changes and various promotions offered by the different providers.  This article will be periodically updated to reflect the latest prices.

Prepaid Japan Sim Card with Phone Number 

Below is a comparison of the Voice and Data prepaid sim card Japan options.  These are available primarily for foreigners staying in Japan for longer periods, such as students and expats. 

Note that tourists can also use Mobal sim cards as they offer set periods of 30, 60 or 90 days.  A 30-day card can be used for less than 30 days.  Our recommended providers also offer longer term sim card options which are detailed in the table below.

Click on the links below to check out further information and to make your purchase.

Mobal Japan Sim Card Voice and Data – International Delivery

The Mobal Japan Sim – Voice+SMS+Data is a great option to have both unlimited data as well as a Japanese phone number which you can use to make and receive calls and SMS messages in Japan.

Free worldwide shipping means that you can order and receive your sim card before you depart, and it also makes it easy to activate it prior to your arrival in Japan. Check out our detailed Mobal Sim Card Review at this link.

The first 7GB of data per month is at high speed, and you then get unlimited data at slower network speeds. The high-speed data allowance is reset on the first day of each month. Incoming calls and SMS messages are free, and you will pay additional fees for outgoing calls and SMS messages. as detailed below:

• Outgoing domestic calls ¥39 per minute
• Outgoing international calls (selected countries) ¥65 per minute (includes Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA)
• Outgoing international calls to other countries ¥200 per minute
• Outgoing domestic SMS messages ¥29 per message
• Outgoing international SMS messages ¥140 per message

The Mobal Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card can be purchased for either a 30, 60 or 90 day period for pricing from $US 39 to 53 per month.

Sakura Mobile Sim Card – Data+Voice+SMS – Japan Airport Collection or Hotel Delivery

The Sakura Mobile Japan Sim Card – Data+Voice+SMS is a great option to have both a great data allowance as well as a Japanese phone number which you can use to make and receive calls and SMS messages in Japan.

Free next day shipping to either your hotel or airport in Japan means that you can order your sim card before you depart and collect it ready to get started after you arrive in Japan.

The first 4 or 25GB of data per month is at high speed, and you then get unlimited data at slower network speeds.

Incoming calls and SMS messages are free, and you will pay additional fees for outgoing calls and SMS messages. as detailed below:

• Outgoing domestic calls ¥33 per minute
• Outgoing international calls from ¥69 per minute
• Outgoing domestic SMS messages ¥5.5 per message
• Outgoing international SMS messages ¥55 per message

The Sakura Mobile Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card can be purchased for an initial activation fee of $US40, and you will then pay a monthly fee of $US23 per month for 4GB per month, or $US31 per month for 25GB of data per month.

Japan Travel Sim Card Data only

Below are details of the Japan prepaid data Sim card options for travel for 30 days or less. These are the most common types of Japan data sim cards available for tourists. Click on the links to check out further information and to make your booking.

Mobal Sim Card – Japan Sim Card Unlimited Data

The Mobal Data Only Sim Card is a great option to get a Japan unlimited data sim. Free worldwide shipping means that you can order and receive your sim card before you depart, and also makes it easy to activate prior to your arrival in Japan. Check out our detailed review of the Mobal Japan Sim Card at this link.

The first 3GB of data per month is at high speed, and you then get unlimited data at slower network speeds.

The Mobal Data Only Sim Card can be purchased for either a 8, 16 or 31 day period for pricing from $US 29 to 53.

Sakura Mobile Data Only Sim Card

The Sakura Sim Card – Data Only is a great option to get an unlimited data Japanese data sim. Your sim card for Japan travel includes free next day shipping to either your hotel or arrival airport in Japan.

The first 3GB of data per month is at high speed, and you then get unlimited data at slower network speeds.

The Sakura Mobile Data Only Sim Card can be purchased for either a 8, 15 or 30 day period for pricing from $US 35 to 71.

Sim Card Geek Data Only Sim Card – International Delivery of Japan Sim Card Airport Collection

The Sim Card Geek Mobile Data Only Sim Card is a great option to get either unlimited data or a smaller data allowance Japanese sim card for travellers. Your Japanese tourist sim card includes free international delivery or airport pickup.

Sim Card Geek offers a great range of Japanese data sim cards to suit every traveller, as detailed below.

• Unlimited Data Options. Available for 5/12/21 days for prices from $US 25-50.
• High Use Data Options. Available for 8/16/31 day options with 1GB per day included data for prices from $US 25-50.
• Low Use Data Options. Available for 14/30 day options for prices from $US 32-36.

Japan Sim Card FAQs

We have put together some Japan Sim Card FAQs to help you better understand the options to get cheap access to data while travelling.

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Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.