Should I Get a Pocket Wi-Fi in Japan? - JAPAN and more

While there is not necessary have a SIM card to do calls or register on different places or for some services? I’m deciding between getting a sim card or rent that pocket Wi-Fi

[@JapanandMoreTours]

SIM Cards are best if you have an unlocked mobile phone and you are traveling alone. It's a little less expensive than a pocket wifi router, and you don't need to carry anything other than your phone. For more info on this read this article -> japanandmore.com/do-i-need-a-japan-travel-sim-card/ Pocket WiFi Routers are a much better option if you are traveling with 2 or more people. Then everyone in your group can connect to the internet with just one pocket wifi router. This is much cheaper than everyone getting their own SIM cards. For more info on this read these articles -> japanandmore.com/wifi-internet-access-in-japan/ and japanandmore.com/pocket-wifi-japan/ Also, if you need to use a laptop or tablet, the pocket wifi router is better. It's faster than tethering to your phone.

[@aqustks]

@@JapanandMoreTours This is great information, thank you!

@@JapanandMoreTours Thank you very much!!

[@joyjoy534]

@@JapanandMoreTours I always get the sim card since pocket wifi requires everyone to stay together. Sim card allows freedom for everyone to have different itineraries such as split up and meet up later. Not to mention the speed is generally double that of pocket wifi.

[@JapanandMoreTours]

True, a SIM card does give more independence, but one must have an unlocked phone in order to use a SIM card. That’s why we usually recommend a Pocket WiFi router. Many people in the US have leased phones that are locked to one carrier, so they would not be able to use a SIM card.

[@spydude38]

We rented a pocket-wifi in advance of arrival for our trip to Japan in 2018. Was able to pick up at Narita airport and use it every day of our trip from Tokyo to Hakone, then onward to Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, Osaka, and back up to Tokyo. Everyone in our group of 4 was able to stay connected the entire time. When in the hotel the other couple logged into the hotel's wifi. It was a Godsend.

[@janicesmith9706]

Thank u so much! Im t mobile too. Ok 5 devices per wifi.

[@spritemoney]

You should make a video on how to buy your own pocket wifi, and how to put a SIM card in there as a frequent tourist. I may want to buy a pocket wifi but change out the SIM card when I travel to other countries.

[@JapanandMoreTours]

Thanks for the idea.

[@arneberg9072]

Also all the best by the link you added !!!! Saved me from all the struggle around the hole question - Great // )))

[@JapanandMoreTours]

Glad it helped!

[@portraitonetelo1897]

Tks for the tutorial. I understand TP-Link sells standalone pocket wifi devices. It would be good to have a review or some advice on purchasing such device(s) and then buying some of the available Japan sim cards. This will make it convenient and won't require returning of device etc. Need recommendations on which cards will work in such a scenario with own device. Hopefully, there are plug n play solutions.

[@irregularmana6216]

I have one on my current trip and it is a god send. I am in Gujo Hachiman and I am still getting wifi. It is fast and as long as you charge it when you charge your phone it is hassle free.

[@audreyq192]

Which plan did you buy?

[@irregularmana6216]

@@audreyq192 the mid plan. There was a low end and a high end, I wanted reliable plan and Japan Wireless reviews said the mid plan was the best value

[@audreyq192]

@@irregularmana6216 thank you! I need reliability too since it's my primary source for mapping things

[@irregularmana6216]

@@audreyq192 you're welcome. Yep it was reliable service in a rural place in the hills

[@colinrenfrew48]

Helpful, thanks.

[@ivannachoo]

We did ninja wifi and it was pricey and wifi service would cut out in buildings. Only worked 80% of the time. I would not recommend.

[@lenasin6867]

Thank you! This was so helpful! I'm really enjoying all your videos.

[@arneberg9072]

Thank ya 4 the info )))

[@JapanandMoreTours]

Any time!

[@nobodynothing00000]

I ordered the pocket wifi with power bank to pick up at Haneda airport. do I still need VPN, I mean I will be the only one on the wifi signal

[@itzDFOM]

im interested in renting a pocket wifi, but im struggling with the process of returning it back after my trip is done

[@JapanandMoreTours]

It’s usually an easy process. Some companies will give you a self addressed, prepared shipping label and envelope to ship the pocket router back on the day you leave. There are post boxes at the airport you can drop the package off at. Many rental places also have kiosks at the airport you can drop the router off at. Any company you choose will give you very clear instructions on how to return their router. And it shouldn’t be difficult to do. It’s worth it. I’m in Japan now with my US phone, and it’s still slow even though I got the Japan package. My pocket WiFi saves me from so much frustration.

[@hermes8258]

Thanks for this tip. As I have a phone and a tablet, this route (a router!) probably makes sense. But as eSIMs for iphones are cheap, other than multiple devices what's the advantage? Last time I passed through Japan on business (I needed to make phonecalls and moreso send and receive texts) I bought a normal SIM card from a company that shall remain nameless (think cherry blossom...) that had a minimum of 3-months, *plus* if you don't cancel by a certain date you have to pay a fourth month. All at about $40 per month. You do the math. I chose this because I knew I would be returning some months later. Never again. I am a world traveller. Japan is not like other countries. China is more accessible. Japan is as if another planet.

[@audreyq192]

So the 5GB rental plan would still be too slow?

[@JapanandMoreTours]

Ninja WiFi with the 3G plan will work well. It’s plenty fast for using maps, surfing the web and sending photos. Using your carrier from the US is where we have people run into issues. Ninja 3G is 👍 good.

[@manojfernando1028]

thanks

[@wrongsideof40]

Soo useful, again. We'll get a pocket Wi-Fi for our upcoming adventure! We're renting a car and wondering if google maps is all we need for getting around. Can we enter an address in English, I wonder? Thanks!

[@JapanandMoreTours]

Google maps works best. Good land marks. English works well.

[@AnekProsper]

I didn t know this. I’m so lucky

[@JapanandMoreTours]

Thank you! Glad you like it, and we're happy to help. :)

[@EJMusic735]

Did you upgrade your international plan while in Japan for T Mobile and/or have the high speed data? Or was it just the regular speed that didn't work well

[@JapanandMoreTours]

Reg. speed and it’s painfully slow. Instead we got our own unlocked pocket wifi router off of Amazon and then we get SIM cards from Sakura Mobile. We communicate via messenger and FaceTime. Much faster and more reliable.

[@ItzCherry2022]

I do have a pocket wifi, but its so slow when it Reaches 6 pm it goes fast after 1 am but I cant wait that long, how can I fix my Wifi’s speed?

[@JapanandMoreTours]

I’m not a pocket WiFi tech, nor a service provider, but it sounds to me like your issue is with your service provider. 6pm to 1am is a very busy time and it sounds like your speed decreases because of the number of people using the service. I don’t think it’s a hardware problem. Contact your service provider.

[@stewartould3669]

Reason why it slows down is because you only get on average 3 GB a day, which is what they consider reasonable use. Then all pocket Wi-Fi,s will drastically slow down.

[@ivankaivanova8848]

Hi ,can we buy before go there from our country?Not planning to fly back from Tokyo,so can’t back renting device

[@JapanandMoreTours]

Pocket Wi-Fi rentals come with a self addressed, prepaid envelope for you to mail the pocket Wi-Fi back. You can mail it from any Japan Post Office or Japan Post Box in Japan. Every airport I’ve been to in Japan has had a post box.

[@ivankaivanova8848]

It’s a relief,thank you

[@vivace9051]

Do i need pocket wifi and a international data plan? At&t offers 5g service in Japan. Not sure if thats not going to be that way in Kyoto though. Im sure in Tokyo connection would be good. Just curious if I should get both just for one phoen.

[@JapanandMoreTours]

You just need one or the other, not both. If you have a carrier that has a good data plan for Japan, that will work. For us, we find the pocket WiFi to be a better option. AT&T and Verizon have an option of $10/day for 5G in Japan. From what our tour participants have told us, it’s a good speed. If your traveling with two or more people the Pocket WiFi may be a better option. For one price, all travelers in the party can connect to the internet on one pocket WiFi. This may be more economical. Just remember that everyone must be within range of the pocket WiFi to connect though.

[@MatthewChengHLim]

Hi Any idea whether Pocket Wi-Fi would work on cruise ship while cruising around Japanese ports ??

[@JapanandMoreTours]

I'm not sure

[@BL-jm3pl]

Hi , I started following you after I bumped with your channel searching for Japan information . Your channel have good and precise information. Are you by any chance JW? Thank you so much.

[@JapanandMoreTours]

Thank you so much 😊

[@BL-jm3pl]

@@JapanandMoreTours Do you customize the tour? Or you have a schedule to follow? Also, can I have individual o family tours instead of a group of different people? I’ll like to have the freedom in choosing where I would like to ho. They are certain places that I won’t visit due to religious beliefs and I prefer to have options in that case.

[@JapanandMoreTours]

We do do private tours. We only do tours during the spring and fall. You can check our availability here: japanandmore.com/japan-tours/private-japan-tours/

[@JK-ru5vo]

Which specific brand? wifi did you get? And is it unlimited data?

[@JK-ru5vo]

Actually all good I read the link you provided very helpful

[@JapanandMoreTours]

I bought an unlocked mobile router off Amazon. Then I get an unlimited Sakura Mobile data SIM card. I bought my own router because we bounce between Thailand, Japan and the US - so it’s just easier to have our own. But you can also rent an unlimited WiFi router from Sakura Mobile. You can read more about this at japanandmore.com/do-i-need-a-japan-travel-sim-card/ and japanandmore.com/wifi-internet-access-in-japan/

[@meiwunoviatt1526]

@@JapanandMoreTours Thank you so much. We have our own pocket WiFi too because we travel a lot. We have been searching for information on using our own pocket WiFi in Japan and the SIM card to buy for it.

[@Watta1089]

@@JapanandMoreTours

[@audreyq192]

Would you say the 3G/day plan is enough for one person and long train rides?

[@JapanandMoreTours]

It’s going to be slow if you do anything, and I mean anything, other than texting. Maps, loading websites, streaming, etc will be SLOW. Many trains do have WiFi, but that’s not guaranteed. I highly recommend a pocket WiFi. Either Sakura or Ninja. You’ll be thankful.

[@audreyq192]

@@JapanandMoreTours yes I'm getting the ninja wifi. It offers a 3G/day plan. Is that good enough for Google maps

[@JapanandMoreTours]

Yeah. Ninja WiFi will work fine for maps and surfing the net. I thought you were asking about your US phone on Japanese 3G. My T-Mobile plan gives me 3G, but it’s a lot slower than the pocket router we use. Ninja 3G will be fast enough to load maps and send pics on WhatsApp and other messaging apps.

[@MatthewChengHLim]

Hi, would anyone have an idea whether the Japanese WiFi will be able to work while cruising on board around Japanese ports ? Appreciate any comments/guides - thanks

[@JapanandMoreTours]

No idea

[@djvmsdjvms]

If i get a pocket Wi-Fi do i also get a sim card for my phone?

[@JapanandMoreTours]

With a pocket Wi-Fi, you don't need a sim card for your phone.

[@aqustks]

Would it need to be turned off while changing? Can it be left on for the whole duration of the trip?

[@JapanandMoreTours]

I’ve always used my pocket WiFi while plugged in without issue. I think it’s fine to leave it plugged in during use. Read more here: japanandmore.com/pocket-wifi-japan/

[@aqustks]

@@JapanandMoreTours How about a VPN, will I need one when connecting to the pocket wifi? Is the connection to the wifi secure or encrypted?

[@irregularmana6216]

​​@@aqustks I got one from Japan wireless, it has a password so no one should be able to hop on it. Mine also has a screen that show you how many devices are on your wifi device so you can see if someone else is trying to use your wifi but I have been using it throughout Japan and have had no hacking issues or anyone trying to log into my stuff.

[@JapanandMoreTours]

They routers are password protected. If you normally use a VPN on your device, it should work with a pocket WiFi router.

[@davidshahin9753]

How much did U pay for your pocket wifi?

[@JapanandMoreTours]

Honesty, it was so long ago I can’t remember. It currently a hundred bucks on Amazon - amzn.to/2XJRQxE

[@davidshahin9753]

@@JapanandMoreTours Thank U

[@davidshahin9753]

So if I buy a pocket wifi in U.S, will it work in Japan?

[@JapanandMoreTours]

It has to be “unlocked”. It can’t be tied down to a provider (like T-mobile, Verizon, etc.,).

[@davidshahin9753]

@@JapanandMoreTours Thanks

[@michaelnguyen1597]

Can you call out or in

[@JapanandMoreTours]

You can use WiFi calling or What’s App (or similar). You do not get a phone number, so you can’t make calls on a local mobile network. Read more at japanandmore.com/do-i-need-a-japan-travel-sim-card/ - #2 provides a SIM card with phone number. You’ll need an unlocked phone.

[@Bodneyblue]

Hi, I am heading to Japan in about 5 weeks for 3 weeks...I am traveling alone...I won't be Vlogging or any of that kind of thing. I just need the wifi for directions..navigation....I wont be sending emails.. or posting things to social media...as I say..I have no-one to stay in contact with....I might need to reply to the odd Whats App message from landlord or utilities services...But that will be very limited....Other than that..just for navigation..So I am looking for the cheapest non fancy wifi..I am thinking I might get away with no pocket wifi (to save money) because I am not a media user or vlogger etc and I have a nav ap that is able to downlaad maps for offline use...so?...Do you have any suggestions?....Thank You.

[@JapanandMoreTours]

If your phone is unlocked, I would recommend just getting a SIM Card. If you use your cell phone regularly in your home country, then you will want some type of internet connection. You can read this article to get more information about SIM Cards. japanandmore.com/do-i-need-a-japan-travel-sim-card/

[@davidshahin9753]

I am not very cell fone/computer savvy....U wrote that U bought an unlocked pocket wifi from Amazon, was it Amazon in Japan? Y did U need sim cards on top of pocket wifi? My wife and your truly will B heading 2 Tokyo in Oct. Planning 2 stay either 3 or months. Thanks 4 your help

[@JapanandMoreTours]

Bought my pocket WiFi on USA Amazon - amzn.to/2XJRQxE.

[@salguodrolyat2594]

Need a sim in the phone for WhatsApp to work.🤔

[@davidshahin9753]

@@salguodrolyat2594 thanks

[@deandreeeborra2226]

I have a pocket wifi here in Philippines is it possible that I could use it in Japan?

[@JapanandMoreTours]

If it is unlocked it will work in Japan. I have my own unlocked pocket WiFi and it works no problem. Just reserve an unlimited data plan SIM card. You can read more about it on our website (japanandmore.com/do-i-need-a-japan-travel-sim-card/).

[@deandreeeborra2226]

@Japan and More Thank you

[@shuhuikline2303]

Get to the point

[@JapanandMoreTours]

Point = get a pocket WiFi router for your trip to Japan.

[@bigboobiessogood]

You say unlimited data and that you can use it all day for the pocket WiFi but all I can find is they limit you to like 5GB or 10GB then they throttle you to the point of dial up speed so it becomes almost useless. Just watching a few KZbin videos at night in your hotel room you'd almost use up that sort of limit.

[@JapanandMoreTours]

Most, if not all, hotels in Japan have free WiFi. The pocket WiFi is for when you are out and about. I use it to access Google maps, connect with people (texting and WiFi calling), using apps, and sharing photos. I’ve never had an issue with data or data speeds. I recommend using your hotel’s WiFi to watch KZbin., and/or for gaming, since these types of activities are data heavy.

[@salguodrolyat2594]

Better to buy a finite amount of data(50 or 100 GB). No throttling while you are using up the whole amount of data.😁

[@L5biszz]

Is it true that with pocket wifi you find special japanese Pokemon?

[@JapanandMoreTours]

Don’t know. Pokémon is Japanese slang for pocket monster though. Just cracked an egg of knowledge.