How To Rent A Pocket WIFI In Japan: Best Options

How To Rent A Pocket WIFI In Japan: Best Options
Kennis
Kennis 
Updated
| 4 min read

If you’re visiting Japan on a vacation, you will find that being connected to the internet is a must. With the lack of wifi in public spaces, renting a pocket wifi in Japan is the best option for you.

Vacations are a time for travelers to retreat from the frenzy of modern life, to be free of all digital connections. And yet, as with the constant feeling of having to snap a picture to share with their friends and followers. Coupled with the anxiety of all those unanswered emails and texts, many travelers express ambivalence about unplugging while on the road. Fortunately, for those who simply aren’t in a position to sever themselves from their digital appendages. Here’s a new, portable wifi option that gets you connected throughout Japan without exorbitant roaming fees waiting for you back home. Get access to unlimited data connection with these pocket wifi routers!

Pocket wifi router: your new travel buddy

e-mobile GL10P (Yahoo! Wi-Fi)
Source: Photo by user Tatsuo Yamashita used under CC BY 2.0

What is a pocket wifi router?

Pocket wifi router is a mobile broadband modem that works exactly the same as any other Internet-connected modem. Designed for use without location restraints, its portability, and strong Internet connectivity allows you to enjoy a surfing experience with seamless connection whichever part of Japan you’ll find yourself in.

In spite of its size, the pocket wifi router is a great alternative to roaming plans and prepaid SIM cards. Especially when you are traveling in large groups. A single connection from your pocket wifi router can be tethered to multiple devices simultaneously for their digital communication needs.

Why renting a pocket wifi is necessary for your Japan trip?

This may come as a surprise to most first-time visitors. But for one of the world’s top tech-hubs, staying connected in Japan is much more challenging than most travelers perceive.

Public WiFi remains unreliable, so it would be inadvisable to rely on these tenuous and inconsistent connections for navigation, travel planning or to stay connected at any given moment during your vacation. As such, most travelers turn to prepaid SIM cards for internet access. The tight regulations on the SIM cards make pocket wifi the best option while you are in Japan.

Benefits of pocket wifi while you’re in Japan

Avoids expensive roaming charges

Making calls, sending texts and using data services outside of the provider coverage can wind up being an astronomical sum if travelers do not monitor their usage closely. And it is not uncommon for travelers to rack up outrageous roaming charges that can cost more than the entire trip.

But why spend a fortune on roaming charges when there are more affordable alternatives? You’ll never have to worry about extortionate phone bills again with your portable wifi router while you’re in Japan.

Unlimited data allowance

Although some travelers may prefer purchasing a SIM card given that it eliminates the clutter of carrying and the hassle of charging an extra device, this convenience comes with data limit compromises.

On the other hand: Users can enjoy unlimited high-speed data with a portable wifi router, even in the most remote regions of Japan.

Multi-device connectivity

Travelers bring on average two to three electronic devices with them on a trip. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, e-readers and cameras; keeping all of their gadgets connected means purchasing a new data plan for each device. One cost-cutting solution would be to rent pocket wifi while you’re in Japan. Besides providing a single point of connection for your multiple devices. It can be shared with family members and friends.

Best pocket wifi options

Brand NINJA WIFI Get Your Guide Klook Japan Rail Pass
1. Price US $5.35 (per day) US $27.87 US $5.45 (per day) US $11.80 (per day)
2. Data Amount Usage Unlimited (high speed data of 3GB, 5GB, 10GB per day) Unspecified Unlimited (high speed data of 3GB, 5GB, 10GB per day) 5GB (per day)
3. Duration No minimum rental period limit 5 to 30 days No minimum rental period limit From 5 days
4. Battery Life 6-9 hours Unspecified 6-9 hours 6 hours
5. Pickup & Return Pickup & return at airport counters or delivery service (available with extra fees) Delivery service to your hotel/accommodation, return at the airport Pickup & return at airport counters or delivery service (available with extra fees) Collect and return at selected airports in Japan.
6. Last Minute Order 1 day before (dependent on your pickup location) 1 day before (dependent on your pickup location and the season) 1 day before (dependent on your pickup location and the season) 1 day before (dependent on your pickup location and the season)

NINJA WiFi

NINJA WiFi is one of our top picks for Pocket Wifi in Japan. You’ll be spoilt for choice with the selection of deals available on NINJA WiFi. Choose your ideal pocket wifi router from a variety of plans and types of devices. You’ll have them delivered to your home, hotel, or office at a small cost.

Trip101 readers get a 20% discount on their NINJA WiFi purchase, simply follow the link below for the deal.

Meanwhile, those on a last-minute dash can pick up and return them at the airport counters or the Shinjuku Counter for free. Check our latest article about NINJA WiFi!

Get a 20% discount with the promo code trip101

Data: Unlimited (high speed data of 3GB, 5GB, 10GB per day)

Collection/Return: Delivery service to your hotel/accommodation. Collection and return at airport.

Getyourguide

Through Getyourguide, visitors can rent a pocket wifi router with 4G LTE. Plans range from 5 to 30 days, starting from 27.87 USD. Visit Getyourguide and order to have your pocket wifi router delivered to your accommodation in Japan.

Data: 4G LTE with plans ranging from 5 to 30 days

Collection/Return: Delivery service to your hotel/accommodation, return at the airport

Klook

With Klook, you can rent pocket wifi with unlimited data access with up to five devices. There isn’t a minimum rental period limit and no deposit is required. On top of that, you can enjoy the convenience of collecting and returning the pocket wifi at any major international airport in Japan.

Data: unlimited (high speed data of 3GB, 5GB, 10GB per day)

Collection/Return: Collect and return at any major international airport in Japan.

Japan Rail Pass

A standard hotspot rental through Japan Rail Pass would cost USD 59 over a span of five days. This pocket wifi router is supported by Japanese service provider AU. The pocket wifi router offers a stable and fast connection at 4G speeds.

You can pick up and return the pocket wifi routers at one of the following airport counters: New Chitose Airport, Narita International Airport (T1 & 2), Haneda Airport, Chubu Centrair International, Kansai International Airport, Naha Airport, Fukuoka Airport, Niigata Airport.

Data: unlimited

Collection/Return: Collect and return at selected airports in Japan.

How to purchase your pocket wifi router

Online reservations

All of the aforementioned companies provide online rental options. It’s never been easier to stay connected on your travels; with just a few clicks. Your pocket wifi router would be ready and waiting to be retrieved upon your arrival in Japan.

For travelers planning a trip during peak travel periods, you have to keep in mind that some providers’ pocket wifi routers may run out of stock due to the surge in demand. Just make sure to rent your pocket wifi router in advance.

Kiosks

Visitors who haven’t made online reservations can usually drop by one of the kiosks present in most of the international airports throughout Japan. You can purchase your pocket wifi router from the local mobile service providers, albeit at a higher price in general.

Simple steps to set up your pocket wifi router

Huawei E5
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Huawei used under CC BY 2.0

This set-up process can be completed in a matter of seconds. Just switch the power on, tap the Network Name (SSID) and enter the password into your devices.

Staying connected in Japan

Gone are the days when vacations in Japan meant going off-the-grid - no more roaming fees, constant replacements of SIM cards, seeking for free wifi in cafés, restaurants and malls. Now you have internet access in your pocket.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Kennis is a passionate writer with the unique opportunity of exploring the world since the age of five. Her heart is truly captivated by the adventures she embarks on with her family, as they have...Read more

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