With so many options on the market for Japan Pocket WiFi, trying to understand which WiFi device and data plan is right for your next trip can be a real headache. Should you go with:
- WiFi router or a SIM card?
- Unlimited or Pay-As-You-Go?
The more you compare competitors, the more you can get confused.
But look no further! Keep reading to find out what you need to know about Japan Pocket WiFi before you book.
Staying Connected With Japan Pocket WiFi
Staying connected in Japan is easy, affordable, and one of the best investments you can make for a stress-free trip. With reliable WiFi, you can focus on what you want to see and do—without wasting time figuring out how to get there or make plans. Maps, translation apps, bookings, and social media all work seamlessly when you have fast, stable internet at your fingertips.
Is Japan Pocket WiFi Right For Me?
A Japan Pocket WiFi router is a guaranteed one-size fits-all solution for your WiFi needs—and the pros greatly outweigh the cons.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 🌸 No APN setup | 🌸 Requires recharging |
| 🌸 Easy connection | 🌸 A little bulky to carry around |
| 🌸 Reliable in the city or countryside | |
| 🌸 Connect up to 12 devices | |
| 🌸 Easy to carry | |
| 🌸 Secure connection |
What makes the Pocket WiFi router a great choice is that as soon as you open the package and turn it on, you can connect any WiFi-enabled device like:
- Smartphones
- Tablets
- Laptops
- eReaders (Kindle, Nook, etc.)
- Handheld gaming consoles
If your motto is "simpler is better," you can't get any simpler than a Pocket WiFi router!
Unlimited vs. Pay-As-You-Go Pocket WiFi Plans
Every traveler has different WiFi needs in Japan. At a minimum, you want to have access to necessities like Google Maps, translation apps, and email reservations. Additionally, you may want to be able to stream videos and music, Skype, upload images to share with friends and family, and more. To know which data plan is right for you, ask yourself these two questions.
- Am I okay with slow WiFi if I go over my daily limit?
- How connected am I to WiFi?
Wondering how much data you need for your Japan trip?
Read our guide below!
How Much Data Do You Need in Japan? A Traveler's Guide
Am I Okay With Slow WiFi If I Go Over My Daily Limit?
Both unlimited and pay-as-you-go offer the same basic solution, but there are some important differences to consider when picking the best plan for your needs.
Unlimited WiFi Plans
The main benefits of unlimited WiFi over pay-as-you-go WiFi is that:
- You're always guaranteed data even when you go over your daily data limit. Most "unlimited" plans include "throttling," which reduces your upload and download speeds once you exceed a certain amount of high-speed data. However, by monitoring your usage, you can manage your daily data and minimize slowdowns. Sakura Mobile also provides an online account page, making it easy to track your data usage in real time.
- Your daily limit resets automatically, so you won't have to wait long to return to full-speed internet. There's also no need to purchase extra data if you use up your allowance. If the daily limits feel too restrictive, some providers—like Sakura Mobile—offer tiered plans that let you choose a higher daily data allowance before throttling begins.
Need unlimited data for your trip?
Check out our blog comparing the Best Pocket WiFi Rentals with Unlimited Data to learn more!
Pay-As-You-Go WiFi Plans
The main benefits of pay-as-you-go WiFi over unlimited WiFi is that:
- You're given the flexibility to use the data as you need it. If you know that you will need to reserve a large amount of data for only one or two days on your trip, then having no daily data restrictions may be an important deciding factor.
- Your data speed will never slow down, but it will stop once you've reached your plan limit. At this point, you will need to "top up" your data by buying more.
How Connected Am I to WiFi?
Both types of plans have pros and cons as shown above, and both can also offer most travelers enough data to meet their needs while in Japan. By understanding how connected you are to the internet, you can have a better idea of how much data you should buy once you're ready to book an unlimited or pay-as-you-go plan.
Light Data Users
If you plan to access WiFi sparingly, we suggest going with a basic unlimited WiFi plan or a low-data pay-as-you-go WiFi plan. For the unlimited plan, throttling probably won't kick in at any time since you will mostly be using your WiFi for simple searches that don't drain your data. These "light user" plans are good if you regularly:
- Check train routes
- Search for restaurants
- Translate English to Japanese
- Check your email
Heavy Data Users
If you need reliable internet throughout the day, we recommend choosing either an unlimited WiFi plan with a high daily data cap or a pay-as-you-go WiFi plan that provides at least 3 GB of data per day.
For pay-as-you-go plans, you can estimate your daily usage by dividing the total data allowance by the number of days in your trip.
These plans are best suited for heavy data users who regularly:
- Post on Facebook and Instagram
- Upload pictures
- Stream music
- Watch YouTube
- Perform business-related tasks
🔎 Don't get stuck with the wrong carrier while traveling in Japan.
Learn about what you should know about Japan's Mobile Networks here!
➡️➡️Japan Mobile Network Guide for Travelers and Tourists
Sakura Mobile Unlimited Pocket WiFi Plans
At Sakura Mobile, we understand that each traveler in Japan uses WiFi differently, so we've designed our Pocket WiFi rentals to meet your unique data needs. Shop our tiered Unlimited Pocket WiFi plans that offer guaranteed service even after you hit your daily limit!
