Staying Connected in Japan

Pocket Wi-Fi, eSim or International Data Plan

Which is the best method to stay connected in Japan?

Eventually while researching your trip to Japan you will come across the most important yet easily forgotten question, "how do I use my phone?" That's the really junk part about traveling to another country, unless you connect to free Wi-Fi somewhere your device is no more than an mp3 player. The question remains how do we stay connected without finding an internet cafe or stay held up in the hotel room? Well you could always disconnect from your device and connect with the world around you BUT, that doesn't work in Japan as well as we would have hoped for. We found that unless you are prepared with paper print outs for your reservations to hotels, attractions or theme parks you need to provide a QR code or digital tickets.

Services at a Glance

Pocket Wi-Fi

• Easily Available

• Portable

• Multiple Users

eSIM/SIM

• eSIM just requires access code

• Best way to have one device on "normal" service

• Limited Use terms, i.e. Data only

International Data Plan

• Immediate Use upon arrival

• Uses your current plan for voice and data

• Only available on a Daily Basis for some carriers

Pocket Wi-Fi

Mobile Hot Spot providing you data at 4G+ speeds.

Pros

• Available nearly everywhere, if you order online ahead of time

• High Speed Connection right at your convenience

• Can connect to multiple users

Cons

• One of the more expensive options

• Often bulky devices take

• You have to worry about it loosing battery as well as your device

• You have to return the device before leaving Japan

  
  

Mobile Hot Spots or Pocket Wi-Fi, as they are called in Japan, are a hugely popular option when considering how to stay connected. There aren't a ton of carriers but there are a bunch of businesses offering their services. While its tough to speak on all the little nuances of the contracts that are out there do make sure you read all the terms before selecting your provider as not all are equal. What's more important to pay attention to is the bandwidth and connection type. Some offer Unlimited data but on 3G speeds, others offer daily caps of 5GB but at 4G speeds. Depending on what you need there's an option for everyone but renting these devices come with limits.

Despite being a dedicated device the Pocket Wi-Fi are dependent on Cellular Signal and all the attributes associated to that system, good or bad. I can attest, however, to not having very many service outages. We had the Sakura Mobile provider in Tokyo and even at the bottom of the Shinjuku Station we had service, in fact, even Google Maps we were able to navigate to our platform with no trouble.

We found that the average price per day was about $8-10 a day per device. Generally that comes with insurance and a prepaid envelope to send it back. This doesn't include a battery or power bank that's rented to you from the company but you could always use your own, you might want to weigh the costs. For a two week trip we paid around $100.00 per device, we got two so we could separate off to our own adventures, so all in we paid $200.00 for two weeks of 4G LTE access (with 27GB download throttle for excessive use).

eSIM and SIM cards

Connect like a local.

Pros

• Enter access code and that's it, it's on your phone

• Lowest cost option

• Many options to fit your need

Cons

• Your phone needs to be unlocked to use

• There are so many levels of plans it could be dizzying choosing

• Most are Data only, no talk or text

If this method applies to you, this could be a game changer. There are a lot of carriers or providers to make using a SIM worth your while, choosing a plan is not terribly complicated, rather, it's qualifying for the SIM that makes it challenging. This has only been attempted by us with iPhone and some Android devices and only with eSIMs, no physical chips.

Many of the companies require that your phone be unlocked, yes, even for electronic or eSIMs. Typically this occurs, especially in the States, due to a carrier like AT&T locking the service so you don't use them for a like piece meal service. This is also due to them wanting to have you on their payment plans, which is worth it's weight in another post entirely, but even though you can still get another phone line on some of the new phones with an eSIM but only with the same carrier. Unlocking the phone grants you capability to load other carrier eSIMs on there, so, you could potentially have a temporary Japanese cellphone using their network and no roaming

Typically you'll receive about 40-50mbps download and somewhere between 12-15mbps upload unless you happen to be in the city center where sometimes if you are near a repeater town you can get up to 70mbps. This also depends on whether or not the SIM you get has 4G LTE or 5G access so it's vital that you pay attention to the deal you're electing, especially if speed is a factor.

When looking at the cost factor there are a few things you will want to take into consideration. First is how long you will be in town and how much you plan to use, plans we've seen start at 8GB for ¥2,700, this is fine if you plan to use Wi-Fi but plans with looser data caps will cost more. Typically these "tourist" eSIMs have a limited use window like 7 days or 14 days. Another factor to consider is these are priced per phone as you can only have it connect to one phone. You can hot spot off that persons phone, but it'll use data rather quick especially if you're using maps or social media.

Some places to start for this would be on Klook, Sakura Mobile or Mobal. Each have their own details and restrictions but definitely worth checking out if like us your are in this unlocked phone boat.

International Data Plan

The Power of your own Data plan.

Pros

• Utilizes your own data & voice plan

• Reliable connection, lightning fast data

• No additional devices or downloads required

Cons

• The MOST expensive option

• Cost is per Phone

• Not Available in all Countries or Regions

The last method on our list is probably the easiest and fastest data and voice plan on our agenda to talk about. International Data Plan or IDP, is available from the three major US carriers: T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon. I had some help from other collaborators and editors for the Tabinistas to complete our review of this program. We, meaning Cyndy and the kids are on AT&T, Darin had Verizon and our friend Lance (@utarochan on IG) has T-Mobile. So reviewing the options from most expensive to least is: AT&T at $10.99/day, Verizon $100.00/mo and T-Mobile...your plan cost but with $0.25/min for talk. See your plan provider for more details.

Let's talk reliability for a second, all of these US carriers have a strange commonality: the all utilize whatever provider tower is in range so it could bounce from SoftBank, NTT Docomo and KDDI. At one point we could use all three in a single day, which is unlike in the States where you stay locked on one carrier and if your signal sucks, it sucks. There is a trade off to all this, one you can stay on the best signal strength but it jumps around and you may loose signal. This is ok for being on foot or in a train but if you're driving, seriously awful.

We, including Darin, did see, however download speeds of up to 280mpbs and uploads near 80mbps which is really just like home. Occasionally, if in deep parts of the major cities like Osaka or Tokyo it would drop to 230mbps.

However, with T-Mobile Lance saw highs of 50mbps and lows of 19mbps in Central and Western Tokyo. So, if connectivity in Japan is a major motivator you may want jump ship to another US carrier if these numbers are deal breakers in any category.

Which One Do I Choose?

Well...that really is up to you.

We like cost effective.

We like Easy.

We have kids who suck up bandwidth like a hurricane.

We drive in the country side.

We're constantly on social media.

	Cost	Connection	Compatibility	Speed
Pocket Wi-Fi	+/- $8.00 per day	4G LTE	Any device	50mbps d/l
eSIM	7, 14 day plans start @ $30.00	4G LTE	Unlocked Phones ONLY
International Data Plan	depends on plan $10.99 to $100.00	5G	Major Carrier Devices	100mbps+ d/l

Traveling by Yourself?

• If you're by yourself and don't have an unlocked device your carrier plan either T-Mobile or Verizon, stick with their plans.

  
  

• If you're flying solo and have an unlocked device go eSIM, but especially if you get a local number because a lot of reservations require it.

Traveling as a Group or Family?

• As a Family or Group, pick a Pocket Wi-Fi you'll get more mileage per device per person, but if you are going different directions get multiple units.

  
  

• As a Family you could get adults the eSIM or International Data Plan and hot spot the kids whenever applicable if you want to manage their screen time.