ULTIMATE GUIDE Japan Data Plans: Pocket WiFi, eSIM, SIM Card Compared

Here's how to choose the best internet data plan for Japan travel! Comparing Pocket WiFi, eSIM, and SIM card options. Download our cheat sheet of the top data plans for Japan visitors, with links and coupons: kenshoquest.com/wp-content/up... Best pocket WiFi for most users: www.japan-wireless.com/?via=k...
Save 10% with coupon JWKENSHO. Best eSIM: www.japan-wireless.com/esim?c... Follow link to save 15%.
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POCKET WIFI
Japan Wireless ( best for most users, comes with power bank ): www.japan-wireless.com/?via=k...
🌟 Save 10% with coupon JWKENSHO
Sakura Mobile ( best for traveling for 45+ days ): www.sakuramobile.jp/joji808-top
Ninja WiFi ( best for power users, dedicated high-speed data ): ninjawifi.com/en
🌟 Save 10% with coupon KENSHO10
Mobal (best for digital nomads, keep device after 90 days): www.mobal.com/japan-wifi/?sou...
JAPAN eSIM
Japan Wireless: www.japan-wireless.com/esim?c...
🌟 Follow our link to save 15%
Sakura Mobile eSIM: www.sakuramobile.jp/joji808-top
Mobal eSIM ( data-only OR data + Japanese phone number): www.mobal.com/japan-esims/?so...
INTERNATIONAL eSIM
Ubigi: Ubigi: few.cellulardata.ubigi.com/?P...
Airalo: airalo.pxf.io/ZQJnJQ
15% OFF ( New customers ): NEWTOAIRALO15
10% OFF ( Existing customers ): AIRALOESIM10
PHYSICAL SIM CARD
Japan Wireless: www.japan-wireless.com/?via=k...
🌟 Save 10% with coupon JWKENSHO
Mobal SIM: www.mobal.com/japan-sim-card/...
SMS MESSAGES
GoogleFi referral code: K61DXJ
🌟 $20 credit once active for 30 days
POWER BANK
Power bank portable charger: geni.us/futurizta
Follow our link to save 10%
TIME STAMPS
00:00 Choosing a data plan for Japan
00:40 Is your phone locked or unlocked?
01:50 Most internet plans are data-only
02:26 Unlimited data is misleading
03:28 Major networks in Japan
03:57 Home carrier
04:40 Pocket WiFis
08:32 Options available if phone is unlocked
08:37 eSIM embedded SIM
10:14 Japanese eSIM companies
11:49 Global plans
12:15 Physical SIM cards
13:06 Receiving SMS text messages
14:24 Why get a Japanese phone number?
15:16 Get both pocket WiFi and eSIM?
16:34 Summary
17:24 Which option will you choose?
#japantraveltips #pocketwifi #esim #kenshoquest
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🌺 ABOUT US
Aloha! We are a worldschooling family with three young kids. Our home base is the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii. We've been living a nomadic lifestyle for the past 15 years. We hope to inspire you to begin your own quest!

[@KenshoQuest]

Find the right pocket WiFi or eSIM for your Japan trip! Download our cheat sheet of the top data plans: kenshoquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/KQ-Japan-Internet-Options-V3.pdf The best option for most people is Japan Wireless: www.japan-wireless.com/?via=kenshoquest Save 10% with JWKENSHO, eSIM: www.japan-wireless.com/esim?coupon=ESIMKENSHO&via=kensho

[@angelblaise1]

I paid for a Mobal SIM, and they shipped it to Puerto Rico to my address without a problem. I bought it a couple of months before my trip, it took about a month, but I got it, and when I went to Japan in April I put it in the phone, I had to input the SIM info manually (they send the instructions by email and with the SIM card) and started working immediately. It worked awesome for the 15 days I needed it.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, thanks for sharing your experience and how you got it working, this helps a lot :)

[@happy_sady]

George and Heidi, you're amazing and generous with your time and knowledge! Thank you!

[@KenshoQuest]

Our pleasure. Thank you!

[@jaybeltisroy8239]

Rented Japan Wireless for 18 days. Internet is fast and reliable with no lag. Used it for about 12 hrs max with 2 iphones and a working laptop daily and never experiend data cap. It has worked so far in fukuoka, Oita, hiroshima, and Osaka. Will be travelling to tokyo on monday and will see how the connection works there.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, thanks for sharing your experience, it's great to know! The itinerary sounds awesome :)

[@jaybeltisroy8239]

@@KenshoQuest yes i am so amazed how fast the pocket wifi works and again no data cap ever. Indeed this is the best wifi option in japan. Love japan and already planning to go back next year 😂😂

[@raksham123456]

I used Japan wireless during my recent Japan trip, it worked very well in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kamakura, Hakone, and Tokyo.

[@ufcpa1]

Thank you for your fantastic channel. We just returned from a three week trip to Japan, which was fabulous, in large part due to your advice. Echoing other comments regarding Japan Wireless. We rented their higher speed pocket WiFi and were very happy with the service for our entire trip, including all of the usual places, along with a trip across the mountains from Toyama to Matsumoto, where we only saw one small coverage issue. We used 60gb of data over the trip and did not notice any throttling.

[@Invictus22656]

@@jaybeltisroy8239 thanks for sharing. I'm planning to use japan wireless on my next trip as well. But I'm a solo traveller, would you say it's better to use an eSIM if I'm travelling alone?

[@saml1965]

Great video! Thankyou so much!

[@silviawhetsell7432]

Thank you! I just rented the pocket Wi-Fi from Japan wireless and used your code. Can’t wait to start using.

[@noelfrancisco5778]

Thank you so much for the suggestions and promo codes :)

[@KenshoQuest]

You're welcome!

[@rohankhare9020]

Awesome video!! Will be travelling from India for 12 days. Your channel has been a great help!!

[@shaunm382]

Appreciate everything you all do. We went with an esim for one line and pocket wifi for the rest of the fam. Worked wonderfully and everything was super easy to pickup/set up. No issues with data throttling.

[@Fangirl4bands]

I’ll be arriving in a few weeks. I just got a new phone, so it’s carriert locked. I’ve been doing some research about pocket wifi this week, so I love that this is the first video I see when i clicked on your channel. Perfect timing

[@KenshoQuest]

Let us know if you have questions :)

[@jaywilliams3453]

i used your older video (haven't watched this one yet!) and did Japan wireless pocket wifi. It worked great! i had it delivered to my hotel and dropped it in the mail. other than the battery running out, it worked great. Thanks for the video!!

[@KenshoQuest]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@gailcrockett9883]

Thank you!

[@rank1839]

Thanks!

[@KenshoQuest]

Thank you!

[@MrAmk3rd]

Howdy all. Sitting on the shinkashen Tokyo to Osaka right now. I tried to order the Japan wireless but they no longer allow pickup at terminal 1 in Narita international airport, per their website. So we went with Sakura Mobile, picked it up at terminal 1, no issues with it. We went to Akita 1st leg of trip on the train, i switched back and forth between the Wi-Fi on the train and noticed when one was out both were out. Using a VPN and 3 phones and a tablet on the pocket Wi-Fi, no issues with data usage. I set up a travel modem in the hotel room so we don't use it in the room. Been in country since July 4 today is the 7th. So far, no complaints with Sakura. Thanks for your vids!! I discovered your channel a month before we left and you truly helped with all the info on here. We look forward to more. 👍👍👊👊🤘🤘 Texas

[@KenshoQuest]

Thanks for sharing your experience and your setup. Good stuff!

[@darthdiddums845]

Used Sakura Mobile last year during a 16 day visit. I received a pocket wi-fi that had no charge in the device...Lucky for me I had memorised the route from Haneda to Tokyo Station to catch a connecting overnight bus to Kyoto...and don't get me started on Kuro Neko! Plus, I had to reset the device every morning for it to connect to my phone...which I didn't work out until day 4. Thank heavens for Maccas free wi-fi and internet in my hotel! Exciting times indeed! This year I'm opting for an esim and will keep my fingers crossed. 😅

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, thanks for sharing your experience. It's helpful for everyone. Sorry you had issues with your pocket wifi. It certainly happens. But glad you knew the route. eSIMS are the future!

[@Lun3aa]

i have used ubigi in japan and found it to be very reliable...so much so that i occasionally use it in my home country too when i need data...the speeds were fine for my usage - surfing and communications etc - occasional video streaming worked fine but of course the data volumes are lower than you'd get with a pocket wifi. was perfect as for solo traveller as i didnt need a japanese phone number.

[@KenshoQuest]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@quietlywandering1995]

I used Japan Wireless in spring 2023 on Honshu & Hokkaido for 6 weeks and had no problems. Autumn 2023 I used Sakura Mobile for 9 weeks on Okinawa and constantly got slowed with the fair usage provision at 3Gb. Location may play a big part of when that provision comes into play. Just my observations.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, thanks for sharing your experience. This is great for others who still need to make a decision! I believe you are correct about the FUP issues in Okinawa.

[@johnnymathers6412]

Great video very informative. Do you have a recommendation for power banks to charge phones and devices

[@KenshoQuest]

We like Anker brand power banks: amzn.to/4btovxi and also Futurizta: geni.us/futurizta. These are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you purchase through our link.

[@JDanielAV]

I will go in September to Tokyo, I will get that eSim with the 15% for 50GB thank you!

[@KenshoQuest]

You’re welcome! Have a wonderful time in Japan.

[@ShelbyCorGT500]

Thank you so much for your info, I found out some of the places in the airport ( Narita ) close at 18:00 hours. This makes it difficult to pick your pocket WIFI.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, most pocket wifi companies also can send directly to your accommodation. If you prefer the airport, you might want to contact the company directly to know their current hours of operation as this can change.

[@ShelbyCorGT500]

@@KenshoQuest thank you so much !! We love your content and we’ve learned so much !!!

[@eisenklad]

just to add for those using their own phone with E-sim/international plans, your phone might not support all 5G bands in use in Japan. so your speed might dip because you will fall back onto 4G/3G.

[@NathanHesson]

Even if your phone is locked, newer iPhones have dual sim and you can use the second sim for data plan

[@happy_sady]

Hi George. Where's the cheat sheet you mentioned comparing the options? I believe you mentioned it would be in pdf format.

[@KenshoQuest]

Here's the pdf cheat sheet kenshoquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/KQ-Japan-Internet-Options-V3.pdf

[@Sofr3shsoclean305]

If I get the pocket wifi do I pay an upfront amount or is it a plan type of deal? I will be in Japan in September for 16 days and then plan to head to South Korea...Also thank you for the informative videos as always 👊

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, great question. It depends on the plan, but most, including your case of 16 days would be a one-off payment in full upfront.

[@gailcrockett9883]

Excellent Review. Planning to use my home carrier Verizon international plan. Not tech savvy Will be in Japan for 50 days starting in September traveling to Morioka, Hachimantai-shi, Sendai, Miyako, Kyoto and Hakadote. Would you advise that I get a Japanese phone number and which carrier WiFi? Traveling with my son who lives in Japan and/daughter who does not. Thank you

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, if you think you will either need to make local calls, restaurant reservations or other types of reservations then having a Japanese number is a good idea. Also, for your length of trip it is nice to have since you will be traveling to more remote areas. For this reason, we always get a Japanese number. For WiFi you can't go wrong with either Sakura Mobile or Japane Wireless. The are both super easy to use. I believe Sakura is having a sale at the moment. Have a great trip!

[@bluesteelbass]

Great information, thank you. Is it just me, or do all Voice + Data with a Japanese phone number, all carry an extra fee for any outgoing call or text? I see ¥33-44 per minute outgoing domestic numbers, and ¥5.5-33 per domestic text. Am I only finding the gaijin part of their websites? Looking at SIM cards only, no eSIM. Even the long term plans have the same outgoing rates.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, you are correct. This is the fee structure. Any outgoing call or text will incur a fee. I have checked with other carriers and they charge as well. I'm curious about this and will inquire as I don't know why. You might need a physical address in Japan and visit a carrier like Softbank or Docomo directly to get a plan without fees. But this will not be easy as a tourist.

[@happy_sady]

Greetings from Miami. Regarding Go Taxi App; I downloaded it and set it up with my US phone # (while in the US). Does that mean that I'll have to have my Iphone roaming ON while using the Go Taxi App in Japan (in order for the US phone number registered in the App to work)? Separately, is a whistle an important item to take to Japan - for emergencies, like an earthquake? I noticed Heidi has one. Finally, do you have an affiliate link for a men's "passport wallet" since carrying passport on your person is required in Japan.

[@KenshoQuest]

For GoTaxi we only received the initial text message when setting up the account. After that everything was done within the app, with no need to receive text messages. It's personal preference if you want to bring a whistle. It's a safety precaution in general to help get found, whether when hiking or after an earthquake. Sorry, we don't have a recommendation for a men's passport wallet. We carry our passports together in a small bag, and I carry mine separately in my purse. 🌸 Heidi

[@jorgeornelas4722]

I got a question on the pocket wifi. Will I still be to receive calls and texts from my country using a pocket wifi or is it required to have an eSIM for that?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, in order to receive a text message via SMS and make calls, meaning it is through your cellphone and not your internet data plan, you need to have either an eSIM or physical SIM with a Japanese number. Or you can switch to using your home carrier to use phone texting/calling in Japan. You cannot make 'real' phone calls nor 'real texting' through a pocket wifi. You can, however, use VoIP apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger with a pocket Wifi. Note, this uses your internet data and is completely different than SMS or making a phone call through your phone.

[@happy_sady]

I will travel to Japan in 2 weeks and will like to get an eSIM for data, voice and text with a Japanese phone number. My flight arrives late at night in Osaka, and prefer not to deal with eSIM matters at the airport.I have an unlocked iPhone 13. Please help with the following questions: 1. Do I need to order the eSIM (Voice+Data+text) while I'm still in the US? 2. If I order the eSIM now while in the US, can I choose a later date (like 7/25/24) it to be active/turned-on. I want to avoid paying for a plan while I'm not using it. 3. Once I've activated my Japan eSIM, can I still continue to receive incoming texts/calls to my main U.S. phone number?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, let me try to answer your questions :) 1. Yes, it is best to order ahead of time. 2. Yes, you can choose the exact date to be activated. Note, once you being the activation process, your plan will start within 3 days. Regardless, if you have completed set up or not. 3. Yes, as long as your phone has dual capabilities such as either 2 eSIMs or a physical SIM and an eSIM. For your U.S. line, you will most likely need to turn on roaming in order to use it. But please check with your carrier to be sure. Also of importance. Since you will be getting an eSIM with a Japanese number, you will need to verify who you are, as per Japanese regulation. If you choose mail delivery to the U.S. then you will be required to upload your ID for verification, then they will mail you the activation code to your home address. So please give extra time for this. Otherwise, you can pick up the activation code upon arrival in Japan. Just show your ID and they will give you the code. We hope this helps :)

[@bluecheese1675]

Great video, my question is for Japan Wireless esim, can it be used as a hotspot itself for a 2nd phone/device to connect to?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi yes it can. Usually by default, eSIM companies don't have this enabled. You will need to enter APN settings on your phone to get the hotspot feature to work. You will need to contact Japan Wireless for this info. It's easy to set up.

[@bluecheese1675]

@@KenshoQuest Thanks for the quick response! Just checked my device and it is not compatible to use eSIM, that leaves the option as pocket wifi or physical sim only. By the way, is the coverage for Japan mobile providers similar in Hokkaido region?

[@KenshoQuest]

@@bluecheese1675 Yes, we spend a lot of time in Hokkaido and all carriers have worked well except in the most remote areas.

[@bluecheese1675]

@@KenshoQuest got it, thanks again!

[@Exojjang808]

Are you familiar or know anything about T-Mobile WiFi. As I asked T-Mobile reps and they said services work and a sim not needed. If I do get an e sim would I still get texts through to my original phone number?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, not familiar with T-Mobile WiFi so I can't really speak to that. Now, if you get an eSIM you will not be able to get texts through it unless you port your original number to the eSIM. This is only possible with carriers like Google Fi. If you get a Japanese eSIM through Mobal, you will be assigned a Japanese number only. So you might want to verify with t-mobile if you will be able to receive SMS I(text messages) through your original number.

[@tceller08]

We were planning to get a pocket wifi but also use luggage forwarding. So, this won’t work because we won’t have a local number?

[@KenshoQuest]

You should be fine with just WiFi if you are forwarding your luggage from a hotel to a hotel. We often go into a Yamato Transport office to have our luggage forwarded to another office or an Airbnb rental. We need to provide a Japanese phone number in that scenario. 🌸 Heidi

[@tceller08]

@@KenshoQuest Thank you! We will be doing mostly hotel to hotel, hotel to airport at the end. This will be our second trip, but our first doing all of the planning ourselves. Your videos have been a tremendous help. We appreciate you. (and are using your links where possible)

[@Dave_and_Mylenes_Travels]

Thanks for the info. I would stick to Sakura. Japan Wireless took our money and wouldn’t help us get the eSIM working on our phone. They then said they would not refund us because we didn’t buy insurance. So we paid for Japan Wireless and got nothing, then used Sakura for the rest of the trip. Sakura is the way to go. Japan Wireless was not helpful, took our money and didn’t provide us with a working eSIM.

[@KenshoQuest]

Sorry to hear about your experience with Japan Wireless, but thanks for sharing, it helps others make the right decision for them. Glad Sakura worked out for you.

[@michaelmcconnell7122]

Very helpful, thank you! I will arrive in a few weeks and would like to be able to receive SMS on my existing US-based phone number (for purposes of 2 factor authentication requests). Can you clarify if the Google Fi approach you’ve mentioned would work for an existing number, or does it require establishing a new phone number? Thanks again

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, yes you can port your existing number to Google Fi if you prefer. This is what we originally did. The process is the same as if you did this through a regular network carrier such as ATT. Or you can get a new number. It's up to you. but if you choose to port your existing number please give some extra time since you will be traveling soon.

[@michaelmcconnell7122]

@@KenshoQuest Thanks again. I'm a little nervous about the Google Fi approach because I've read a lot about how VOIP solutions tend to be disallowed by banks sending 2FA SMS. But is Google Fi different from / better than other VOIP approaches?

[@KenshoQuest]

@@michaelmcconnell7122 yes, with Google Fi, you get an actual number ( or you can port your number ). so you will be sent SMS instead of VoIP. It works with banks.

[@michaelmcconnell7122]

@@KenshoQuest I see, makes sense. Thanks for the reply! Pumped to arrive in 1 week!

[@bonbonandpumpkin2463]

So if you want/ need to use Yamato transport you will need an actual phone number ?

[@KenshoQuest]

If you’re using Yamato Transport to ship your luggage from the airport to a hotel or from hotel to hotel, you don’t need a Japanese phone number. You can put the hotel’s phone number on the form. When we go into a Yamato Transport office and ship our luggage to another office or an Airbnb, we need to provide our Japanese phone number.

[@bonbonandpumpkin2463]

@@KenshoQuest Thank you for your answer 😊

[@ericbrinkhorst4616]

what to do if you already have an mifi? / pocket Wifi?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, you can use your pocket WiFi in Japan as long as it accepts a physical SIM . But you might to double check with the manufacturer to be sure it will work with Japans network frequencies. You can buy a physical SIM from the companies I mentioned on the video.

[@ericbrinkhorst4616]

@@KenshoQuest Understand! Thanks! I thought so, but now I am sure :)

[@melgordon2490]

What would you recommend for 1Adult and 1 teen going for 10days?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, if you will be together the whole time then a pocket wifi is the best choice, especially if you need a lot of data. However, if you might separate sometimes and if you each have an eSIM capable phone, this would be the better option.

[@melgordon2490]

@KenshoQuest We will be together the whole time, but the only thing would be if we accidentally get separated? So I thought maybe an esim each would be better and less expensive? I thought both our phones would be capatable as they are both only a few years old. Luckily, I just checked for compatibility, and my phone isn't on the list. 😪. It's a Samsung A73, their are no As on the list only S series. My son's is an iPhone 11 so his is compatible.

[@KenshoQuest]

@@melgordon2490 Sorry to hear about your phone not being compatible. Well, you can get a physical SIM.

[@melgordon2490]

@@KenshoQuest could I hotspot off of his esim?

[@klitzgerald]

Do I need to order the pocket wifi before arriving to Narita airport?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, I highly recommend that you preorder so you can choose the best option for your trip. But if you can’t there is availability at Narita. Just know that Narita can be super crowded and chaotic which means it might take a while.