eSIM vs. pocket Wi-Fi in Japan: Cost and features comparison

What is an eSIM for Japan?

An eSIM works just like a physical SIM card, minus the card itself. When you opt for an eSIM, you can sort everything out from the comfort of your phone — no need to search for a local Japanese SIM cards in a store or an airport kiosk. Just download an eSIM app, choose a plan that works for you, install the eSIM (which can take seconds), and activate your plan (another couple of seconds). In a few minutes, you’ll be able to look up what nattō is and what makes it so slimy (don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it!). 

Once you’ve worked out the best time to visit Japan, bought your tickets, and learned how to say “Kon’nichiwa,” the next thing you need to settle is how you’re getting online. Travelers are increasingly choosing eSIMs as an affordable mobile data solution. Let’s see why by weighing the pros and cons of using an eSIM for Japan. 

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Pros of an eSIM for Japan

We should start by highlighting the benefits of using an eSIM in Japan — there are a lot of them!

• eSIMs tend to be more cost-effective than local Japanese SIM cards.

• You can easily install and activate your eSIM on your device through an eSIM app. You won’t have to search around for a physical prepaid SIM card.  

• You won’t need to carry anything with you since eSIMs are embedded into your device. 

• You’re unlikely to lose or damage your eSIM directly because it lives inside your device.

• If you install and activate your eSIM before the trip, you’ll have mobile data the moment you land. 

• eSIMs are a plastic-free option! That’s a win for the environment.

Cons of an eSIM for Japan

Getting an eSIM for Japan does have some drawbacks.

• You’ll need a reliable internet connection to install an eSIM, but you can always do this before you land in Japan.

• Not all phones are eSIM compatible — though most are.

• You may not have a stable connection in rural areas (but this applies to pocket Wi-Fi as well). 

What is pocket Wi-Fi for Japan?

Pocket Wi-Fi is a portable router, much like the one you have at home, that you carry around with you. You can rent one of these routers from over 30 companies in Japan. Let’s weigh the pros and cons of renting pocket Wi-Fi for Japan and see if this service is worth the price. 

Pros of pocket Wi-Fi for Japan

Pocket Wi-Fi comes with some notable advantages, though not as many as an eSIM.

• You can get internet access on multiple devices at once — that’s the big selling point.

• Pocket Wi-Fi can be purchased before you travel and delivered to your accommodation when you arrive in Japan.

• You have many Japanese pocket Wi-Fi companies to choose from, so you can shop around for the best deal. 

Cons of pocket Wi-Fi for Japan

Leaving aside for a moment how expensive pocket Wi-Fi can be, most pocket Wi-Fi routers still have some serious drawbacks.

• You can lose, damage, or have your portable Wi-Fi router stolen, leaving you with hefty fines from the rental company. 

• You’ll have to carry the router and, likely, a power bank around with you. 

• You will need to charge your portable Wi-Fi router, in addition to any other devices you’re carrying.

• If you’re relying on a pocket Wi-Fi router in a group and the group splits up, some people will lose access to the internet. 

• You will need to set aside time to pick up and return the router or arrange delivery options. 

• Even if the plan includes unlimited data, the networks you connect to may have a fair usage policy (FUP), meaning that they have the right to throttle your connection if you use more than a certain amount of data each day. This applies to many eSIM apps as well, though.

eSIM vs. pocket Wi-Fi in Japan: Features comparison 

We’ll directly compare an eSIM app and a pocket Wi-Fi device to see how their various features stack up against each other.

eSIM vs. pocket Wi-Fi in Japan: Cost comparison 

Before you can work out how much it costs to go to Japan, you’ll need to know how much you’re paying for internet access. To get a clear price comparison, we’ll use Saily as an example, contrasted against pocket Wi-Fi costs based on the average prices from three popular providers: NinjaWifi, Japan Wireless, and Sakura Mobile. Remember that the pocket Wi-Fi prices we’re listing below reflect the average across three companies, and not a specific plan or provider. 

Key differences between an eSIM and pocket Wi-Fi in Japan

You can get online in Japan with both eSIMs and pocket Wi-Fi systems, but one probably suits your travel needs more than the other. Let’s summarize the key differences between these options.

• Hardware. The most obvious difference is how the hardware works for these internet solutions — eSIMs run on your smartphone, while pocket Wi-Fi relies on a small router, hired for the duration of your trip. If you’re a pocket Wi-Fi user, you need to arrange delivery or pickup for the router, keep it charged throughout your trip, and then return it at the end. All that extra hassle contrasts sharply with an eSIM, which is just installed on the phone you’d be carrying anyway. 

• Price. An eSIM app is almost always cheaper than a pocket Wi-Fi device because if you go with a portable router, you’ll usually pay extra to rent it. eSIM users just pay for their mobile data. Most pocket Wi-Fi plans are also aimed at bigger groups, which means paying for larger data allowances. You can pay for extra data on a Japanese eSIM plan if you want, but it’s entirely up to you.

• Convenience. Pocket Wi-Fi devices, generally speaking, are just more hassle than eSIMs. The last thing you want on a trip to Japan is an extra device to carry with you, especially one that needs to be charged to work. If the router is lost or broken, you’ll also have to pay more at the end of your trip, making pocket Wi-Fi a headache that eSIM apps just aren’t.

So should you choose pocket Wi-Fi or an eSIM in Japan?

Choose an eSIM in Japan — it’s cheap, convenient, and you already own all the hardware you need for it. Almost every eSIM app lets you tether other devices to your hotspot, so pocket Wi-Fi really doesn’t offer anything unique, beyond an extra weight in your pocket and a higher price tag. But are there any situations in which portable Wi-Fi is the better option?

Why choose portable Wi-Fi over an eSIM?

If your device doesn’t support eSIM functionality, then a pocket Wi-Fi router could be a good choice. While most smartphones made since 2020 are eSIM compatible, some lower-cost models still aren’t. Not sure if your phone will work in Japan? You can check our list to see if your device is compatible. 

That said, if your device won’t work with an eSIM, you might still be better off getting a local SIM card rather than a portable Wi-Fi device. Local SIMs work on most smartphones, are usually quite cheap, and (in most cases) let you tether other devices.

Why choose an eSIM over pocket Wi-Fi?

Ultimately, eSIMs are almost always the best choice for a trip to Japan, beating pocket Wi-Fi across the board for six main reasons.

1. eSIMs tend to be far more cost-effective than pocket Wi-Fi while offering the same network speed and coverage. 

2. You won’t have to keep an extra router or power bank with you. 

3. You won’t have to worry about charging a router.

4. You’ll waste no time picking up or returning a router. Installing and activating an eSIM is done quickly through an app on your phone. 

5. You won’t have to pay a deposit for a portable Wi-Fi router. 

6. You can install and activate an eSIM before you get to Japan, so you’ll have mobile data the moment you land.

eSIM vs. pocket Wi-Fi in Japan: Key takeaways 

Portable Wi-Fi is really only worth using if your smartphone doesn’t support eSIM apps. Otherwise, an eSIM is more affordable, easier to set up, and almost always cheaper. 

You can also get online in Japan using public Wi-Fi, internet cafes, and local or Asia-wide SIM cards, but why deal with the stress? An eSIM can be purchased before you even fly, and it will activate the moment you land in Japan.

Using an app like Saily, you can share your connection with other users and devices and top up your eSIM whenever you need more data. Saily users also get access to powerful security features, like web protection and ad blocking, making the online experience safer.