Where Can I Get a Portable Wifi in Japan
Renting a Pocket WiFi in Japan
Planning to rent a pocket WiFi in Japan for your upcoming vacation? There are so many Japan WiFi rental providers out there and choosing one can be overwhelming. Having been to Japan 10 times in the past, I have personally tried and tested 3 of the most popular portable WiFi rental providers in Japan – Pupuru WiFi, Ninja WiFi and Getyourguide's HIS WiFi. So based on my "personal experience" using these pocket WiFis as a tourist like you, let me share with you some tips to help you pick the right pocket WiFi rental in Japan! 🙂
The Best Pocket WiFi in Japan
So what is the best pocket WiFi in Japan? If you are short in time, here are key takeaways on how you can choose the best pocket WiFi rental in Japan for your upcoming trip.
- Based on my personal experience, the best pocket WiFi in Japan overall for tourists is Pupuru WiFi (high-speed version) considering reliability, speed, data usage and price.
- For last minute same day pocket WiFi rental in Japan airports, the best is Ninja WiFi.
- For long term stays of 30 days and more, Getyourguide's HIS WiFi is an affordable choice.
- Train and subway lines are complex in Japan. You need constant internet connection to access Google Maps and check live train schedules while on the go.
- It is best to pre-book your Japan pocket WiFi online. Over the counter rentals in Japan airports are very expensive and can charge as much as 2x of online rates.
- Choose a Japan pocket WiFi rental with a good track record of reliability, high-speed connection and unlimited WiFi.
Pocket WiFi in Japan: The Complete Guide
In this Pocket WiFi in Japan travel guide, we'll cover:
- What is a pocket WiFi?
- Do you need pocket WiFi in Japan?
- How much does pocket WiFi cost in Japan?
- Can I rent pocket WiFi in Japan airport?
- Is it better to get pocket WiFi or SIM card in Japan?
- My accommodation provides a pocket WiFi or a Handy Phone, is renting my own pocket WiFi in Japan still necessary?
- How can I get pocket WiFi in Japan?
- What do I need to consider before renting a Japan pocket WiFi?
- What is the best pocket WiFi for Japan?
- Quick Comparison: The 3 Best Pocket WiFi Rentals in Japan Tested and Compared
What is a pocket WiFi?
A pocket WiFi or portable WiFi is a small portable device which allows you to connect to the internet while on the go. It works in the same way as your WiFi router at home wherein you just need a password to connect to WiFi. The only difference is that a pocket WiFi is small enough to be carried around in your pocket or in your bag. Pocket WiFis in Japan usually allow 5 to 10 devices to be connected simultaneously to it. So it is a great option for couples, families or groups to stay connected when traveling around Japan.
Do you need pocket WiFi in Japan?
Yes! While most accommodations in Japan offer free WiFi, you need constant internet connection to check real-time train schedules when you are out. Renting a pocket WiFi in Japan makes navigating around much easier, and is usually cheaper and much more reliable than global data roaming.
During my first trip to Japan several years back, I traveled around Japan without internet since pocket WiFi rentals were not widely available at that time. It was a nightmare! We missed a couple of spots from our itinerary since we kept getting lost. The paper map we had wasn't that helpful either.
So ever since that first trip, I always make it a point to rent a pocket WiFi with me so I can maximize my precious vacation time on sightseeing rather than getting lost. So if you're heading to Japan for the first time, don't make the same mistake as I did. Rent a Japan pocket WiFi so you can enjoy sightseeing and not worry about getting lost! 🙂
In summary, here are the key advantages of renting a pocket WiFi in Japan:
- Easier commute. With access to Google Maps, you can check real-time train and subway schedules while on the go. In Japan, train and subway lines are so complicated. Commuter trains can go to a different destination even if departing on the same platform just a few minutes apart.
- Easier navigation. In Japan, a great majority of streets do not have street signs. With your pocket WiFi and Google Maps, it is far easier to find your way around to get to tourist sites, restaurants and your accommodation.
Back Street Alleys in Japan Don't Have Street Signs - Better than global data roaming. Global data roaming fees are expensive and can be a hit or miss. By using your pocket WiFi to connect to the internet, you can say good-bye to global data roaming charges! Just make sure to turn off your mobile data when you land in Japan to avoid unintended fees from your home network.
- Shareable WiFi. Depending on the pocket WiFi you rent in Japan, you can share your WiFi up to 5 to 10 devices simultaneously. So it is a very cost effective way to get connected and keep everyone entertained in your travel group while traveling in Japan.
- Easy and secure to use. Using a pocket WiFi is as easy as 1-2-3. All you need is a password to get connected. With constant internet connection from your pocket WiFi, there is no need to hunt for public WiFis in Japan which are inconvenient, unreliable and may not be secure enough.
How much does pocket WiFi cost in Japan?
Local providers rent out high-speed unlimited pocket WiFis in Japan within similar price range of about USD 50 for 1 week of rental or just about USD 7 per day. The prices can vary slightly depending on the season. The key is to book ahead online to get affordable rates.
When choosing a pocket WiFi to rent in Japan, the number 1 consideration should be a reliable provider rather than the cheapest rental rates you can find. There's no point of saving a few dollars if your pocket WiFi won't turn on in the middle of your trip. This actually happened in one of my trips to Japan when my tour group mate's cheaper pocket WiFi suddenly won't turn on even if with battery charge. Imagine if this happens to you. So my ever reliable Pupuru WiFi came to the rescue and I just shared my Pupuru internet connection with them. I later learned that they only got the replacement from the cheaper pocket WiFi company after 2 days so it was such a hassle.
Can I rent pocket WiFi in Japan airport? (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, etc.)
You can rent pocket WiFi in any Japan airport like in Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, and New Chitose (Sapporo). However, over the counter rentals are expensive and can cost up to 2x of online rates. It is best to pre-order online and just pick up your order upon arrival.
Is it better to get a pocket WiFi or SIM card in Japan?
Internet from pocket WiFi is shareable. So it is better to get a pocket WiFi over a SIM card in Japan if you are travelling as a couple, family or group. With a pocket WiFi, you don't need to change SIM cards and go through complicated SIM card activation process.
SIM cards in Japan can get pretty expensive too if you consider the limited data provided.
My accommodation provides a pocket WiFi or a Handy Phone, is renting my own pocket WiFi in Japan still necessary?
These days, your Airbnb host may provide you a free pocket WiFi or your hotel in Japan may provide you with a Handy Phone. Having personally tried both options in my past trips to Japan, renting your own pocket WiFi is still a superior choice if you want to be assured of a reliable and secure internet connection when you are out sightseeing.
Airbnb pocket WiFi can be a hit or miss based on my personal experience. You never know if the previous occupant has maxed out the pocket WiFi's fair usage policy. If that is the case, the pocket WiFi might become very slow or unusable when it's your turn. In my personal experience, my Airbnb host just left the pocket WiFi without any password, so I was not able to use it during my first few days of stay.
I've also personally encountered some hotels in Japan offering free Handy Phone. While it is great for making free international calls, the Handy Phone's WiFi connection has restrictions depending on the hotel. In some hotels, tethering of WiFi from the Handy Phone is restricted so you cannot use the WiFi on your own mobile phone or share it with others. In some hotels, tethering or sharing of WiFi from Handy Phone is allowed but the data cap is very limited. So for convenience and to avoid potential security issues of using a "public mobile phone", it is still better to rent your own pocket WiFi in Japan.
How can I get pocket WiFi in Japan?
Renting a pocket WiFi in Japan is easy. You can book in advance online or you can rent one over the counter in major airports in Japan like Narita, Haneda or Kansai when you arrive. Advance online booking is highly recommended for cheaper rates and to guarantee availability. It is best to book at least 1 week in advance during normal season and at least 2 weeks in advance if you're heading to Japan during peak seasons such as cherry blossoms or autumn foliage.
What do I need to consider before renting a Japan pocket WiFi?
Before getting a pocket WiFi rental in Japan, here are the top 3 things to consider.
- Unlimited WiFi
- Softbank Mobile Network
- Easy Delivery / Pick Up and Return
1. Unlimited WiFi
Always choose unlimited WiFi option regardless whether you are a light user or a heavy user. There are pocket WiFi providers which rent out cheaper pocket WiFi for 1 GB/day limit, but that's not enough data especially when you are sharing data with your travel group. Also, our mobile phones consume more data compared to 5 years ago, especially with the increase in popularity of videos, social media and photo auto-back ups. You will be surprised that even casual use of Facebook eats up a lot of data since there are a lot of videos in there these days.
During my latest trip to Japan, I tried to measure how much data I consumed as a usual tourist. With 3 people connected to my pocket WiFi, our group consumed an average of 2.5 GB/day of data which comes to about 0.85 GB/day per person. So, if you get a 1 GB/day plan, it is really not enough to be shared with your travel group. Besides, the price for the 1 GB/day plan is not really that far from the unlimited plan. If you think about it, the unlimited plan offers more value for money.
But the big question remains – is unlimited data really unlimited? Almost all of the pocket WiFi providers in Japan claim "true unlimited" data. However, in all the 3 providers with unlimited plan which I've tried, there's a fair usage policy on the fine print which is enclosed together with the pocket WiFi. The fair usage policy threshold of unlimited data is usually 3 GB/day which is still great to be shared by about 3 to 4 people. If you're more than 4 people in your travel group, it is recommended that you rent more than 1 pocket WiFi. Not only does it allow you to ensure uninterrupted WiFi connection without worrying about the fair usage cap, it also allows your group to stay connected even if you go on separate ways.
Pupuru WiFi, Ninja WiFi and Getyourguide's HIS WiFi all offer unlimited WiFi plans. Keep in mind that Ninja WiFi also offers a cheaper 1 GB/day version.
2. Softbank Network
For tourists, the best telecom network for price, data speed and coverage is Softbank based on my personal experience. There are 3 major telecom carriers in Japan which are NTT Docomo, Softbank and Au KDDI. Choose a pocket WiFi rental plan with Softbank network if you are a usual tourist. If you plan to spend more time in off-the-beaten paths like deep in the mountains or remote sites not accessible by public transportation, Au network can provide a better coverage. NTT Docomo is the largest telecom carrier in Japan but portable WiFi rentals using this network are quite rare.
Having been to Japan 10 times in the past, I was able to use pocket WiFi with Softbank network extensively in Japan. Given its 99% coverage all throughout Japan, I can personally confirm that the Softbank data signal worked very well in the following areas based on first hand experience as a tourist.
- Golden Route – Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hakone, Lake Kawaguchi (area surrounding Mt Fuji), Hiroshima
- Central Japan – Kanazawa, Nagano, Toyama, Nagoya, Japan Alps Area, Takayama, Shirakawago, Shin Hotaka
- Kyushu Area – Fukuoka, etc.
- Hokkaido Area – Sapporo, Asahikawa, Furano, Biei, Noboribetsu, Hakodate, etc.
Pupuru WiFi, Ninja WiFi and Getyourguide's HIS WiFi all offer WiFi options using Softbank network.
Some of the rental providers offer various plans from different network providers. For example, Pupuru WiFi offers 2 types of unlimited plans – High-Speed plan powered by Softbank network and Broad-Coverage plan powered by Au network. So it is important to keep the mobile network in mind before you book even if you have chosen a specific pocket WiFi rental provider in Japan.
3. Easy Delivery / Pick Up and Return
How to Receive Your Pocket WiFi
Choose either hotel delivery or airport pick up for convenience. Depending on the provider, here are some options to choose from to get your pocket WiFi.
- Hotel Delivery – This is the best option if airport pick up is not available, or if you are arriving during odd hours of the day when the airport pick up counter is not open. Also, hotel delivery is a safe choice especially during typhoon season in Japan (July – October) when flight diversions can happen due to bad weather. This situation actually happened to me when my flight got diverted from Narita to Haneda at the last minute. Good thing, I had my pre-ordered pocket WiFi delivered straight to my hotel instead of Narita airport pick up. Pupuru WiFi, Ninja WiFi and Getyourguide's HIS WiFi all offer hotel delivery option for their pocket WiFi.
Pupuru Wifi Hotel Delivery - Airport Pick Up – This is the best option for last minute or same day over the counter pocket WiFi rental in Japan. Also, if you're staying in an Airbnb and if your host cannot receive any packages ahead of your arrival, then airport pick up option would be able to solve your problem. However, keep in mind that the pick up counter of pocket WiFi providers in Japan airports are not open 24/7, so you have to consider your arrival time and airport pick up counter operating hours before you choose this option. Both Pupuru WiFi and Ninja WiFi offer airport pick up option during online booking. While Ninja WiFi offers last-minute same day booking and pick up at their airport counters.
Ninja Pocket Wifi Airport Counter at Haneda International Airport 
Pupuru Wifi Airport Pick Up Counter at JAL ABC - Shop Pick Up – This option is less ideal especially if you have pre-booked your pocket WiFi online. Personally speaking, I find it a bit inconvenient to go to the pocket WiFi provider's shop which can be out of the way in my day's itinerary. Also, the shop's opening time of 10AM can be pretty late especially for tourists like us who start our day early. However, shop pick up can be a great choice if you're looking for same day last minute rentals once you're already in the city. Both Ninja WiFi and HIS WiFi offer shop pick up service in Tokyo.
Harajuku Tourist Information Center (HIS Wifi Shop Pick Up Option)
How to Return Your Pocket WiFi
For easy return of your pocket WiFi without complications, it is best to choose a pocket WiFi provider with a prepaid return envelope included. Depending on the provider, here are some of the return options offered.
- Prepaid Return Envelope – This is the most straight forward return option and my personal choice for returning my pocket WiFi. You just seal your pocket WiFi in the prepaid return envelope provided and you have 3 options on how to return it: (1) have it returned by your hotel concierge, (2) drop it in any red mailbox which can be found anywhere in Japan, or (3) drop it in the red mailbox at the airport before you go through immigration. Both Pupuru WiFi and Getyourguide's HIS WiFi provide prepaid return envelope when you rent with them.
Pupuru Wifi Sealed in Prepaid Envelope Dropped in a Red Japan Post Box - Airport Return Box – This return service is unique with Ninja WiFi in which you can return the pocket WiFi at their airport counter. However, you have to go to the airport's arrival lobby to find Ninja's airport counter which is in a different floor from the airport's departure area. This can be quite stressful if you're running late for your flight, so be sure to be at the airport early if you're returning your Ninja pocket WiFi this way.
Ninja Wifi Airport Counter Return Box at Haneda International Airport - Yamato Transport – This is another unique method of return offered by Ninja WiFi. Depending on your order, you get either a non-prepaid or prepaid Yamato delivery slip. You can return your pocket WiFi via Yamato Transport, a popular courier / logistics company in Japan, via your hotel's concierge or at any convenience stores in Japan. If you get a non-prepaid Yamato delivery slip, you'll have to pay an additional fee of about USD 10 upon return. Either way, I find this method to be quite uncertain. Ninja WiFi will base the return date when Yamato Transport pick ups the pocket WiFi from your hotel or convenience store, and not from the time you drop it off.
Ninja Wifi Returned via Yamato Transport at a Convenience Store
What is the best pocket WiFi for Japan?
So out of the 3 most popular pocket WiFis in Japan which I've personally tried, which one is the best? Pupuru WiFi, Ninja WiFi or Getyourguide's HIS WiFi?
Best for Speed: PUPURU WIFI and NINJA WIFI
Based on my test, both Pupuru WiFi and Ninja WiFi are speedy with internet performing 2x much faster than Getyourguide's HIS WiFi. Also, the download speeds of Pupuru and Ninja have been quite consistent at 15 – 30 mbps whether tested in Tokyo or in far flung cities like Sapporo in Hokkaido from my personal experience.
In all honesty, I was surprised with the slower internet speed of Getyourguide's HIS WiFi compared with Ninja WiFi and Pupuru WiFi, especially that it came with a similar pocket WiFi model and same Softbank network as with its competitors. At first, I thought it must be a once off slow internet issue. But after testing it for 4 days in different areas in Tokyo (Harajuku, Shinjuku, Ueno, etc.) and going as far as Sapporo in Hokkaido, its speed averaged about 7 – 20 mbps which was consistently slower than the 15 – 30 mbps average speed of Pupuru WiFi and Ninja WiFi.
While most pocket WiFi providers advertise 150 mbps or 187.5 mbps as maximum speed, remember that it is just the "maximum speed" so don't get too serious about it. That speed is only possible if you are nearby the main telecom tower. As a tourist, actual download internet speeds of at least 10 mbps is already acceptable for general use such as Google Maps, Skype video calls, Facebook, social media, browsing the web or even watching short videos.
Best for Battery Life: PUPURU WIFI
With 3 people connected, Pupuru WiFi lasted about 8 – 11 hours whereas Ninja WiFi and Getyourguide HIS WiFi lasted only for 7 – 8 hours. While the pocket WiFi device model provided by these 3 providers are similar to each other which are all Huawei models, it looks like the batteries of Pupuru WiFi are better maintained. As a general rule of thumb, choose a pocket WiFi in Japan which advertises at least 8 hours of battery life. For extra long days, it is better to bring a power bank with you.
Best for Airport Pick Up and Last Minute Orders: NINJA WIFI
If you're planning to pick up your pre-ordered pocket WiFi from major airports like Narita, Haneda, or Kansai, getting a pocket WiFi from Pupuru WiFi should be sufficient. However, if you plan to pick up your pocket WiFi from other smaller airports in Japan such as Fukuoka or New Chitose (Sapporo), Ninja WiFi provides a wider airport pick up service. Among all the Japan pocket WiFi rental providers, Ninja WiFi offers the widest airport counter service nationwide available in 12 airports in Japan. Ninja WiFi also allows over-the-counter order for same day pickup, making it a great choice for last minute orders upon arrival. However, keep in mind that their airport over-the-counter rates are about 2x more expensive than online rates. So if you can plan ahead of time, it is best to book online in advance.
Best for Group Use: PUPURU WIFI
Considering the high speed internet and maximum simultaneous connectivity of up to 10 devices, Pupuru WiFi is the best pocket WiFi for groups among the 3 Japan pocket WiFis tested.
While Ninja WiFi is as speedy as Pupuru WiFi, Ninja's major drawback is that it can provide a different pocket WiFi device model and some of it can only connect up to 5 devices at a time. When I rented Ninja Wifi over the counter, I was surprised to receive a big pocket WiFi that's twice the size of the usual pocket WiFi device advertised online. In fairness, they were happy to oblige to change it to a smaller WiFi device when I requested for it. Upon further research, that big pocket WiFi can only connect up to 5 devices at a given time. When counting devices, keep in mind that you don't just count the number of people in your group. If you're 4 in your travel group carrying 2 devices each per person (1 mobile phone and 1 iPad), then you count that as 8 devices.
Quick Comparison: The 3 Best Japan Pocket WiFi Rentals Tested and Compared
As a quick summary, I've created the table below for easy comparison so you can decide which Japan pocket WiFi provider is best for you depending on your needs.
Best Pocket WiFi in Japan for Tourists OVERALL: PUPURU WIFI
Based on this test and my extensive travels in Japan, I can say that Pupuru WiFi is the best pocket WiFi in Japan for tourists overall taking all important things into consideration.
- Always Reliable – I have personally used Pupuru WiFi over 5 times, and it has always been very reliable whether I'm in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima or in far flung areas such as in Hokkaido, Kyushu or Central Japan regions. What gets promised gets delivered. No surprises of late deliveries.
- Great for Groups – Unlike Ninja WiFi which can assign random pocket WiFi models, all the pocket WiFi devices of Pupuru WiFi allows you to connect up to 10 devices at a time. Combined with high speed internet, this makes Pupuru WiFi a great pocket WiFi choice for families and groups.
- Easy to Receive and Return – Whether I choose airport pick up or hotel delivery, my Pupuru WiFi has always arrived 100% on time basing on my experience using it 9 times in the past. The return method is likewise very easy and straightforward. All you need is to seal Pupuru WiFi in the prepaid envelope provided and you can have it returned by your hotel concierge, or you drop it off in any red mailbox in Japan or at the airport.
- Tried and Tested by Asiatravelbug Readers – Pupuru WiFi has been tried and tested by Asiatravelbug readers and they came back from their trips really happy! I will let their comments speak for themselves. 🙂
Make your travel hassle-free by renting a highly reliable pocket WiFi in Japan.
Book your high-speed Pupuru WiFi here.
Best Pocket WiFi in Japan for Same Day Rental: NINJA WIFI
If you are looking for same day pocket WiFi rental upon landing in major Japan airports like Narita, Haneda and Kansai, Ninja WiFi is the best choice.
I usually pre-book my pocket WiFi in advance. However, our itineraries may not go ahead as planned due to external factors such as typhoons which are beyond our control. In one of my trips to Japan, my flight got diverted to another airport at the last minute due to bad weather. As a result, I missed my local connecting flight and was left stranded in Tokyo for 2 days. So I had to scramble for a last minute pocket WiFi at Haneda airport. It was such a big relief when I saw Ninja WiFi's airport counter and I was able to rent a pocket WiFi on the spot! Never mind the expensive over-the-counter airport fees which cost 2x the usual pocket WiFi rental rates. You know, internet is life! 🙂 But if you can plan ahead, I highly recommend that you book online in advance to save money.
Book your Ninja WiFi here.
Best Pocket WiFi in Japan for Long Term Stays: GETYOURGUIDE'S HIS WIFI
If you are just a light internet user and if you'll be visiting Japan long term for 30 days or more, Getyourguide's HIS WiFi is a great affordable choice.
While Getyourguide's HIS WiFi is 2x slower than Pupuru WiFi and Ninja WiFi based on this test, a speed of 7 – 20 mbps is not that bad. When the speed is on the upper range, you can still use the internet normally as you would. However, once the speed hits the lower range of 7 mbps especially when you are in crowded areas, you may encounter a little trouble doing Skype video calls or watching videos online. In any case, Getyourguide's HIS WiFi is an affordable pocket WiFi option for long term stays in Japan of 30 days or more.
Book your Getyourguide's HIS WiFi here.
Other Japan Travel Tips:
- Heading to Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka? Check out Asiatravelbug's Where to Stay in Tokyo, Where to Stay in Kyoto and Where to Stay in Osaka guides.
- Looking for more information about Pupuru WiFi? Check out my comprehensive Pupuru Wifi Japan Pocket WiFi Rental Review.
- No Tokyo itinerary yet? No problem, we've done all the grunt research work for you! Check out Asiatravelbug's Tokyo Itinerary travel blog.
- Want to see Mount Fuji? Mount Fuji only shows up 80 days a year! Increase your chances of seeing Mount Fuji by checking out our How to See Mount Fuji blog. Other readers have reported to see Mount Fuji following Asiatravelbug's guide.
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Where Can I Get a Portable Wifi in Japan
Source: https://asiatravelbug.com/pocket-wifi-in-japan-rental/
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