Japan - Pocket Wifi - Necessary?

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Shindig

1368 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#306098 28-Jun-2023 09:10

While travelling around Japan would one of the pocket-wifi devices be advisable?

14 days, unlimited data is just over $100NZ

Spending time travelling around, not just in Tokyo.

Staying at airBnBs.

I would appreciate any opinions

cheers

The little things make the biggest difference.

boosacnoodle

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3095719 28-Jun-2023 09:38

It will save your phone's battery life vs hotspotting, so don't see why not.

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ToPGuNZ

340 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3095726 28-Jun-2023 09:53

We are getting one, based on our research it is recommended plus we have two teenagers who are very keen to share their experience so this option should work well for us.

I went with Japan Wireless, pick up at airport, here is a 25% discount code I found on a travel blog that worked for us. JPW001

https://www.japan-wireless.com/en/rates#premium-wifi-part

LostBoyNZ

543 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3095730 28-Jun-2023 10:02

I'd really recommend it yes. While not cheap, compared to the overall cost of the holiday it's relatively small and saves you a lot of phone battery life. GPS in particular is so helpful there, even in their larger train stations for example, it's certainly not ideal to run low on phone battery.

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Shindig

1368 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3095748 28-Jun-2023 10:14

Thanks team, ordered one!

The little things make the biggest difference.

Subway

34 posts

Geek

#3095779 28-Jun-2023 12:02

Was in Japan last month for 2 weeks and used an esim from Ubigi for around $25 NZD for 10gb. Worked really well. If you've got 3-4 plus that need data pocket wifi would probably be suitable.

SpartanVXL

973 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3095783 28-Jun-2023 12:14

Yes, I can attest to Japan Wireless too. If you have multiple people or use a lot of data the unlimited usage is very useful (yes it is truly unlimited at roughly 4G speeds). Otherwise a esim with data package and maybe phone number if you need to make calls e.g. reservation bookings, contact info etc. for one person.

You otherwise can’t get a phone number easily unless with one of those tourist sims. A bit annoying if you do need one, otherwise you can get around without it in 90% of cases.

01EG

588 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3096170 29-Jun-2023 11:24

We(2 of us) just came back from Japan(3 weeks travel) and we used "Airalo" eSim data each of us, it has app and you can top-up data if you run out, works all data ok, we have been all around Japan. eSim very easy to buy and install. if you decide to use please use my referral code "OLEG2244". I bought 20Gb plan but used 10Gb only for 3 weeks but we also used WiFi accomodations. Our option of a pocket-wifi device was too, but we though it is expensive