Staying Connected in Japan
Our trip to Japan would have been much more hectic and less enjoyable had we not been able to connect to the internet while on the road. Being able to quickly look up directions to new spots on Google Maps that were not available in offline mode was something we could not have done the trip without. Although Japan has fairly good Wi-Fi coverage at public locations such as hotels, cafes and 7-11 we were often away from Wi-Fi. We only had access to the cell network, which leaves two main options for staying connected while in Japan! Both options are fairly affordable ranging from about $4 - $5 USD per day for a premium unlimited portable Wi-Fi to approximately $1.30 - $1.50 for a personal SIM with some restrictions. Most phones will accept Japanese SIM cards, but it’s best to first check compatibility with your mobile provider.
Portable Wi-Fi
The first option is a portable Wi-Fi device such as the one we rented from Japan-Wireless. This device uses the cellular network to provide a portable Wi-Fi signal that you are able to connect up to 10 devices to. With multiple options available there’s bound to be a plan and device that suits your needs. The portable Wi-Fi device allows you to have an Internet connection almost anywhere you go. We were surprised at how good the cell network coverage was in Japan, and even on the backcountry slopes we were visiting, we had coverage. There are a few companies that offer this service, but I could not recommend Japan-Wireless enough. They provided easy pickup and drop-off options and had a great response time when I ran into a connection issue which was then quickly resolved.
Japan SIM Card
The second option you have is to purchase/rent a SIM card, which in most cases only gives you access to data and not an actual phone number to use for calling. There are several reputable companies to choose from but we had a great experience with Klook and Mobal. Klook’s SIM cards are only valid for a certain number of days and then they expire, which means you may have to purchase several depending on the length of the trip. They do offer plans with unlimited Wi-Fi or some with data restrictions, giving you plenty of options to suit your needs. They also offer convenient airport pickup at most of the major airports in Japan. Mobal was another company that we tried out and they offer a similar service but have some different plans that also include voice and text as well as ones geared towards more extended stays. It’s nice to have options, especially if you don’t want to be swapping out SIMs every week or so. They also offer airport pickup as well as the option to have it mailed to your house ahead of time so that you’re ready the moment you land!
