Mobile Internet access in Japan

[Escapegoat]

Anyone been to Japan recently and used one of these wifi widgets? Stuff like this:

http://japanwifibuddy.com/

Any advice?

[Cyder]

I used one for 3 months from Japan Wireless and it was very good for the most part. I was streaming 6natioms rugby and other TV live through it and used it while travelling around with the network never to my memory dropping out on me.

[edc]

I made do with the free wifi on the JR train building network, subway system, shopping centres etc. Depending on where you are going and what usage you expect you could just make do with picking up a wifi network sporadically during the day.

[walamai]

I used these guys at the end of 2015 http://rental.cdjapan.co.jp/index_en_jpy_10.html

I rented a SIM, I think I got the 10 day one (about £20). I picked it up from the post office at the airport - just showed them the receipt and ID (as I recall) and was up and running minutes later. It comes with a postage paid envelope and you just drop it in a post box as you leave. Dead easy.

[loafer123]

I used the SoftBank counter in arrivals. Worked well on the trip and dropped it off at out outbound airport at the end.

[sooperscoop]

Just pick up a wifi egg from arrivals, from one of the counters.

Also look up an App called JapanFreeWifi, it's by NTT Docomo so legit, and maps all free wifi points, press one button and voila.

[Beggarall]

Any update on this? I have heard that wifi coverage is improving in Japan. Is it OK to use UK mobiles or is it best to either buy a Japanese sim or get one of those wifi dongles? Any idea how much they cost. Vodafone indicate i can use my UK allowances for £6 per day......

[parabolica]

Some swear by the wifi gadgets, but I just used my phone as normal and paid the extra £6 per day (also with vodafone) and everything worked fine. You really do need it for working out all the exits to the tokyo tube stations, but coverage in Japan is awesome - full bars even when you're on the underground!

[tim0409]

I was in Tokyo last year and bought an inexpensive sim from a BIC Camera shop (following advice I had read on one of visitor sites); it was B Mobile and worked really well for internet access. I found it really, really helpful for things like google maps.

[Escapegoat]

I'm also with Vodafone, but do not have huge amounts of data with my plan, so £6 per day for my next trip (30 days) would work out way too spendy.

So I'm looking at the pocket wifi thingies - https://tokyocheapo.com/business/internet/rent-wif... - approx £3 per day.

[HotJambalaya]

Pick up a sim at the airport when you land after baggage reclaim.

I got one 7 days unlimited data (called Unari kun sim) which was great. Cant remember the price but they had several to choose from and it worked perfectly

[Escapegoat]

HotJambalaya said:

Pick up a sim at the airport when you land after baggage reclaim.

I got one 7 days unlimited data (called Unari kun sim) which was great. Cant remember the price but they had several to choose from and it worked perfectly

Will do. This time I've got 3 hours at Narita waiting for a connection, so time to scope out the options. The pocket wifi thing is attractive because it means the OH's Mac and my iPad can use the connection.

Maybe the SIM can be used with the mobile as an access point?

[loafer123]

Escapegoat said:

Will do. This time I've got 3 hours at Narita waiting for a connection, so time to scope out the options. The pocket wifi thing is attractive because it means the OH's Mac and my iPad can use the connection.

Maybe the SIM can be used with the mobile as an access point?

Japan used to use different frequencies, so your mobile may not be compatible. I recall having to get a special dual band phone back in the noughties when travelling there on business.

Of course the onset of 4g/5g may have superseded this!

[HotJambalaya]

Just found my image of the options/prices etc

[wong]

Went to Japan for the summer holidays in 2016, 2017 and 2018. All 3 years we stayed in Air b'n'b's. In all three instances, these pocket wifis were included in the price. Some have a limited usage per day/ every 3 days/ or week. Once we banned the kids from Youtubing , then they worked well.