Pocket Wi-Fi Japan: How it works and best alternatives

How does rental pocket Wi-Fi work in Japan?

Let’s start with the basics — what exactly is pocket Wi-Fi? Pocket Wi-Fi is a portable Wi-Fi router, much like the one you have at home, that you can carry around with you. Whether you can actually fit it in your pocket depends on the size of the router because some can be quite hefty! The size will vary depending on how many devices you can connect to the router. The more connectable devices, the bigger the router. You can rent different routers that vary in GBs (some may be unlimited), connectable devices, and prices. 

How does pocket Wi-Fi work in Japan, specifically? You can rent these portable routers from various companies and stay connected across the country. Let’s take a look at your options. 

How to get pocket Wi-Fi in Japan

You’ll have a few options to get a Japan pocket Wi-Fi rental, some being more convenient than others. The best option depends on the flexibility of your schedule and whether you are willing to pay extra for shipping. Let’s take a look at how to get pocket Wi-Fi in Japan. 

Pre-order online

For us list makers and pre-planners, ordering a portable Wi-Fi router before we leave for Japan may be the best option. Companies like Japan Wireless, Ninja WiFi, and Sakura Mobile give you the option to order a router while you’re still at home. You can either pick up the router at the airport, have it delivered to your hotel reception or a residential address in Japan, or get it from one of the company’s offices.  

Get pocket Wi-Fi from the Narita, Haneda, Kansai, or Chubu Airport

The Narita, Haneda, Kansai, and Chubu airports all have pocket Wi-Fi “counters.” You can either pick up the router you pre-ordered from these counters or you can rent one right after you land. 

Rent it at your hotel

Some hotels offer pocket Wi-Fi rentals for their guests, but it’s important to double-check in advance. However, you can almost always pick up a router you pre-ordered online at your hotel’s reception. 

Pick up a router from a pocket Wi-Fi company’s office

Some pocket Wi-Fi rental companies like Japan Wireless have brick-and-mortar shops that you can get routers from directly. If you’re someone who avoids ordering online, this option allows you to ask the customer service reps questions in person. However, be aware that the offices might be located outside of Tokyo. 

How to return pocket Wi-Fi in Japan

You have a few options for how to return your Japan wireless Pocket Wi-Fi router once you’re done with it. Please note that each rental company may have different rules for returns, so it’s best to check their website. To return your portable Wi-Fi router, you can:

• Return it at the airport. The Narita, Haneda, Kansai, and Chubu airports all have designated return counters or drop boxes. You can even drop off the router at a different airport than where you picked it up, according to some companies. Make sure to check the company’s terms before doing so, though.  

• Mail it back. Some rental companies will give you a prepaid return envelope to stick it in and drop off at a post office or mailbox. 

• Leave it at your hotel reception. If you picked up your router from your hotel’s reception, you may be able to leave it there. 

• Put it in a drop box. Some companies have designated drop boxes. You can find where they are located on their websites. 

• Drop it off at the company’s office. This may be the least convenient option unless the office is nearby. 

Now that you know how to find and return a pocket Wi-Fi router in Japan, let’s dive into the top portable Wi-Fi providers in the country. 

Best pocket Wi-Fi providers in Japan and how much they cost

Considering that you can rent pocket Wi-Fi from over 30 Japanese companies, it can feel overwhelming to find the best pocket Wi-Fi in Japan. We’ll make it a bit easier for you by breaking down the services and costs of five of the most common portable Wi-Fi companies in the country. 

Please note that currency conversion is subject to change.

Pros and cons of using pocket Wi-Fi for tourists in Japan

Like all things in life, pocket Wi-Fi has its share of pros and cons. Make sure to read the next section for more convenient, reliable, and inexpensive alternatives to pocket Wi-Fi in Japan. 

Pros of pocket Wi-Fi

• It’s a convenient way to get high-speed internet on multiple devices. 

• It’s a good option if you’re traveling in a group. 

• It’s a more secure option than public Wi-Fi. 

Cons of pocket Wi-Fi

• You can lose your portable router.

• You can damage your portable router.

• You can have your portable router stolen. 

• If you need to return your router at the airport, you will have to set aside some time to do so. 

• The battery life isn’t always the best, so you might have to purchase a power bank. 

• You might need insurance if you want to avoid fees from potential router damage.

Best alternatives to pocket Wi-Fi in Japan

If you’ve weighed your options and realized that pocket Wi-Fi isn’t for you, don’t panic —  alternative ways to get internet access in Japan are available. Plus, you won’t have to worry about picking up and returning a router. Let’s take a look at your options.

Get a prepaid SIM Card for Japan

A local SIM card is the tried and true method for crafty travelers to get mobile data abroad. Three of the top carriers in Japan are Sakura Mobile, Japan Wireless, and Mobal. Here’s a breakdown of the three companies’ tourist SIM card offerings:

Please note that currency conversion is subject to change.

However, be wary of the drawbacks that come with a local Japanese SIM card. For starters, Japan has a strict fair usage policy (FUP), which can impact your cellular data speeds during certain hours. For instance, Sakura Mobile says that the speed will drop after 2 GB of usage per day for multiple days in a row and “If usage exceeds this, speeds may drop to 200 KBPs without notice.” The FUP may be inconvenient if you plan on burning through a lot of data per day, but it’s unfortunately unavoidable. 

If you’re experienced in local SIM card hunting, you’ll also notice that these plans are quite expensive compared to SIMs from other countries. 

The good news is that you’re left with cheaper options for accessing mobile data in Japan. 

Use free Wi-Fi in Japan

Public Wi-Fi at cafes, hotels, and airports is usually an option for free internet access. However, many travelers have reported that free, reliable Wi-Fi is hard to come by in Japan — especially outside of big cities. Aside from Japan’s particularly slow public Wi-Fi, public Wi-Fi is never the safest option for getting online. This is because hackers can impersonate free networks so that when you connect, you’re vulnerable to having your personal data stolen. No matter how relaxing your time at an onsen might have been, a notification alerting you of fraudulent credit card charges would surely leave you anxious.

Due to the slow browsing speeds and cybersecurity risks that come with using public Wi-Fi, we suggest a better alternative for getting internet access in Japan. 

Best alternative: Get an eSIM for Japan

Our top choice for accessing high-speed internet in Japan is by getting an eSIM. Unlike with pocket Wi-Fi, you won’t have to worry about picking up, dropping off, or carrying around a router. All you need to do is download an eSIM app, choose a mobile data plan that works for you, install your eSIM, activate it, and boom — you’ve got high-speed internet at your fingertips, all done from the comfort of your phone. eSIMs also tend to be more affordable than traditional SIM cards, portable Wi-Fi, and turning on your international roaming. Cheaper data = more money to spend on all the irresistibly cute knick-knacks Japan has to offer (and really, they’re limitless). 

With a Saily eSIM, you can also top up on data as you go. You’ll get a reminder when 80% of your data has been used up so you can easily purchase more in the app. 

One more eSIM perk? Unlike a physical SIM card, you can’t lose, damage, or have an eSIM stolen (unless you have your entire phone stolen (but that shouldn’t be a problem in Japan (be careful anyway (are we at four parentheses now?)))). 

Overall, eSIMs are affordable, convenient, and flexible. So when you’re faced with the question “Do I need pocket Wi-Fi in Japan?” consider an eSIM for Japan instead.

Do you really need pocket Wi-Fi in Japan?

The bottom line — do you need pocket Wi-Fi in Japan? In our humble opinion, no, you don’t. While pocket Wi-Fi can be a great way to get a reliable connection on multiple devices, portable Wi-Fi has a few major pitfalls. Most plans are expensive, you’ll need to go through the hassle of picking up and returning the router, your router could be stolen, lost, or damaged (which will leave you with fines), and you may need to rent a power bank as well to keep the battery alive for longer. 

All in all, much cheaper and more convenient alternatives to pocket Wi-Fi exist. That being said, Japanese SIM cards aren’t exactly one of them, because they tend to be more expensive than the global average. You could turn on your international roaming, but that’s going to break the bank even more. You could stick to free public Wi-Fi, but that isn’t exactly convenient, nor is it particularly fast or stable in Japan. 

The best option is to download an eSIM app and pick a mobile data plan that works for you. If you run out of data, you can always top up on more. And best of all, everything is done from the comfort of your phone. 

Whether it’s the food, temples, anime, love for mascots, or breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji that brings you to Japan, have an incredible trip!