Sim vs. ESim vs. Pocket Wifi – Which is Better for Your Japan Trip?

Having a decent internet connection is going to make your Japan trip easier and there are now more ways than ever to get online in Japan. You can pick from local wifi, a roaming package, a Japanese SIM card, an eSim, or pocket wifi (also known as portable wifi) – but which is better for you? We help you decide.

‘We’ are me, Helen, a complete tech numpty – and Mr Japlanease, an ex-telecoms engineer, and the tech brain of the house, who has checked all of the below. I’ve used all of the available methods on my trips to Japan and understand the pros and cons of each – and, trust me if I can connect a device to the method, you can!

Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

Do You Need to Be Online in Japan?

I hear people ask this a lot – after all, my mum will clear off to Spain for a fortnight (or Thailand for a month) and not think about getting a SIM card. Her hotel Wi-Fi is enough.

Japan is a different beast though. The cities are huge and you’re likely to be exploring further than the local beach bar. Trying to get from A-B in Tokyo is not easy without some kind of map app. Being online also helps you check your train times, find the best platform, and locate the right exit so you don’t spend your whole trip inside Shinjuku Station.

If you’re visiting theme parks like Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, or Universal Studios Japan, paper maps are no more so you have to use the app to get around, find out the ride waiting times, and, in the case of Disney it’s also how you buy the Premier Access tickets that allow you to jump the queues.

And then there’s Google Translate; Our last trip wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun without being able to use this to fill in the gaps in a conversation between us and people we got chatting to. It also comes in handy for menus, translating signs at shrines and temples, chatting with hotel staff and so much more.

Admittedly, a lot of Tokyo does have public wifi, but it’s not everywhere – and Disney doesn’t have it past the front gate, so, having something that allows you to get online under your own steam whenever you need to is just going to help your Japan trip feel a little bit easier – which is, after all, what we’re about.

The Most Common Ways to Get Online During a Japan Trip

Some of you will know this, but, if getting online abroad is a bit new to you, here are the choices for connecting to the internet in Japan.

Public Wi-Fi: The big cities in Japan have good public Wi-Fi networks in places like stations, coffee shops, and some stores. You can sign into these and get online regularly throughout your trip – but, you won’t always have access when you’re moving around.

International Roaming Packages: These are organized before you leave home with your current SIM provider.

Japanese SIM Cards: These go into your phone, and either physically replace your normal SIM card, or, if you have a phone with dual SIM capabilities, sit alongside it. They link to a Japanese phone network making it cheaper to get online.

eSIM: These are installed on your phone via an app and run alongside your normal SIM. You just switch your data over to be controlled by them. They are the cheapest option. Note – some eSim periods start when you sign up for a data plan, so, while you can set up the apps that run them on your phone in advance, don’t buy your data until you’re ready to turn it on, as your days will start counting down from that point.

Pocket Wi-Fi: These are small stand-alone devices that you carry, and they act as a router to connect you to the internet wherever you are. They’re also known as Portable Wi-Fi. They’re good if you need a lot of data or don’t want to buy SIMs for the whole family.

How Should YOU Get Online in Japan?

Deciding whether it’s best to use eSim or physical SIM or Pocket Wi-Fi in Japan, can depend on a few different things about you and your trip – so, here are our suggestions for the best options for different types of travelers. You might fit into a couple of categories in which case, the best option is the one that appears in most of them.

Note: Because this blog is all about keeping things simple, this post won’t compare package sizes or connection speeds from different brands in depth.

If you’re like me and just want something that works and lets you post pics on Facebook and use Google Maps, detailed specs are information overload. Mr Japlanease has checked that all the products we suggest have decent speeds, offer good-sized data packages, and are run on reputable Japanese phone networks. If you want specs, though they are all available on the various product pages.

I will however, cover a little bit of technical detail at the end to help you decide what size package you need as this can be a bit baffling if you’re not used to thinking about your internet usage.

So, let’s get down to finding the best choice for you.

Do You Just Want the Cheapest Option?

Then pick an eSim. No matter what company you choose, they are much cheaper than buying physical SIMs and, if you’re traveling solo or as a couple, they’re cheaper than renting Pocket Wi-Fi, especially over longer periods.

Exact prices vary depending on how much data you need and how long you want the card to run. The package I got on Ubigi cost me 1200 yen for 3GB for 30 days and I had no problems with it. but they have other package lengths and data provisions.

Another good company to consider is Mobal who has been working in Japan for many years.

They cost a little more than Ubigi, but they have a great reputation.

Their 3GB package costs 2800 yen for 16 days.

Just in case you missed it above, remember, an eSim data package goes live when you buy it so, your 5, 10, or 30 days start counting down from then – so don’t buy it too far before your trip. You can set the app up in advance but don’t download a Japan package until just before you’re ready to fly so you don’t waste days.

Because I’m hopeless with technology, and Mr Japlanease wasn’t going to be with me when I first arrived, I did practice with a 1-day local package just to make sure I knew how it worked.

Do You Want the Easy Option?

If you’re not technical connecting devices, swapping SIMs, downloading eSIMs, and the worry that you might do it wrong and end up with a huge data roaming bill, can all sound a bit stressful. However, as I said, I’m a tech numpty and so, I’m judging this section by my own skills – and the good news is, I have made them all work albeit with a little help with one of them.

Therefore in order of ease to set up…

International roaming is usually very easy to set up and, if you do get stuck, you can talk things through with your telecom supplier at your leisure in your own language – and maybe even take it into a shop for them to help you.

The next easiest to set up is Pocket Wi-Fi as you literally switch it on and connect it to your phone – and it comes with the reassurance that you can turn off your data roaming so you know you’re not going to get charged for using your phone accidentally.

Klook offers a Pocket Wi-Fi Device from Ninja Wi-Fi from AU$4.95 a day that handles five different devices. It offers unlimited data (3GB at high speed) a day and a good upload speed.

If you’re trying to keep costs down, eSim is also pretty easy to set up and I liked that, with my Ubigi SIM, I could clearly see that I was correctly enabled for cellular data and that my normal number was only for voice calls in my phone settings.

The trickiest to use is a physical SIM, as you have to fiddle with some settings in your phone – however, every time I’ve picked up my SIM from the Klook suppliers in Japan they’ve helped me set it up.

The only time I didn’t use Klook, and have a helper in Japan, it didn’t work properly. But because it completely overrides your own network there’s no risk that you’ll make a mistake and end up with a big bill which is reassuring.

If you’re not technical and like the sound of a physical SIM, you can check rates at Klook here. Either ask them to help you set it up, or at least do it near the counter so they can troubleshoot if it doesn’t work.

Do You Want to Keep Your Phone Number Live?

For most phones (dual SIM phones aside) your best choice here will be International Roaming, either alone – or if you want to keep the costs down – combined with an eSIM or portable WIFI.

As I said above, this is how I handled my last trip, I took out a very cheap international roaming package from my home provider ($25 for a year on Amaysim for any Aussies on here) to receive any text messages from my credit card and then used an Ubigi eSim for my data use. You just tweak the settings in your phone to tell it which number/plan is for voice/text and which is for cellular data.

Just remember incoming calls may be charged on your roaming, so tell family not to call unless it’s an emergency, and ignore anything else!

Is Your Phone Unlocked?

Unlocked means your phone isn’t tied to one carrier/network. If you’re on a contract that includes both your phone and your data plan, your phone might be locked. In this case, you won’t be able to use a Japanese SIM or an eSIM.

The first step if you do want to use either of those, therefore, is to ask your provider if you can unlock your phone. If they say no, then Pocket Wifi or International Roaming from your network are your best choices.

Are You Traveling As a Family?

If so, pocket Wi-Fi might be the better choice as all of you can use the same device, which may work out cheaper than buying individual physical SIM cards for everyone. However, you do have to stay together – it won’t help if you regularly split off to do separate things.

Also, watch out if your kids are big streamers, they may use more data than you think so make sure your plan allows for that. The Ninja Wi-Fi device below has pretty good data limits but if someone does get a bit carried away, you don’t lose connection it’ll just slow down for the rest of the day.

If you have teens who might want to go off and do their own thing, eSims will be the cheapest way to get everyone connected.

Are You Flying Early or Late?

Japanese SIM cards and Pocket Wi-Fi are normally picked up at the airport – which is okay if your flight arrives when the pick-up point is open. However, if you arrive on a very early flight, you might have to hang around for a couple of hours, and if you arrive on a late one, you might be totally out of luck.

If you arrive before 7 a.m., or after 8 a.m., then an eSim, International Roaming Package, or a Japanese SIM delivered to your home, or hotel, or that you can pick up outside of the airport are better choices.

Mobal is one company that offers the choice to have a Japanese SIM sent to your home, or, offers pick up at locations outside of just the airports. In Tokyo, for example, you can also collect your SIM in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa, and near Tokyo Station.

You can also find Pocket Wi-Fi companies that deliver to your hotel. But remember, Pocket WiFi also has to be returned when you leave Japan so, if you’re leaving on an early flight, check if there’s an option to drop it off if the counter is closed or post it back to the supplier.

Do You Need a Japanese Phone Number?

Then book an Unlimited SIM with Mobal.

Maybe you’re traveling to see friends or family in Japan, or on business, and want a way for people to call you without having to deal with international charges, or, if you’re buying tickets for some Japanese events it’s easier if you have a Japanese phone number – Mobal is one of the few eSim companies that can provide you with a Japanese phone number to use during your stay.

Are You a Heavy Data User?

As I’m sure you know, it’s going to be better to do data-heavy tasks when you’re back using the hotel Wi-Fi as then you won’t drain any data allowance, but if you want to know you can do anything anywhere then Ninja Pocket Wifi offers unlimited data packages, with 3GB a day of high-speed data. If that’s not going to be enough, you can upgrade to 10GB, or even 50GB of high-speed data daily.

Do You Travel Light?

Pocket Wi-Fi devices are just one more thing to carry – I’m already carrying a phone and a power bank, plus a purse full of 100 yen coins to buy gachapon toys with, lugging a wifi as well just makes my bag too heavy.

Physical SIM, eSIM, or International Roaming are better if you don’t want to carry a lot.

Try a Physical SIM from Klook here, or have a look at your options via Mobal here.

Or Book an eSim from Ubigi here.

Do You Want to Use Multiple Devices on the Move?

If you want to watch movies on the bullet train, or, need to check email on your laptop while on the move, then you need a SIM or eSim that allows tethering, or Pocket Wi-Fi.

Ninja Pocket Wi-Fi offers the highest amount of high-speed data daily, from our choices,

Or, if you’re just going to be working on a laptop or checking email on your tablet, Ubigi allows tethering to other devices on their eSim plan.

I linked my tablet to my phone on one journey to send some emails, and it worked with no problem.

How Much Data Do You Need to Buy?

The above has hopefully helped you decide what method you want to use to get on the internet in Japan, but, your next choice is what package to buy, and this can be confusing.

I see numbers like 1GB, and 3GB – and have no idea what that means in real terms. Have I bought enough or will I get cut off after I answer 3 emails and watch a video of a dog rolling in a puddle?

So, here’s an idea of what a couple of package sizes will allow (source: Three Mobile) so you can decide how much you need for your trip.

For every 1GB… you can do (one of) the following every day for a month

40 minutes of web browsing

20 minutes of social media apps

Or Over a Month

Listen to 22 hours per month of music

Watch 1-2 films (low or medium quality)

Using Google Maps for about 25 hours

If you buy 4GB… you can do the following every day for a month

3 hours of web browsing or at least 90 minutes of social media

40 minutes of browsing and 2 hours of music

40 minutes of browsing daily and a few films each month (medium quality)

Use Google Maps for about 100 hours over the month

Remember though, if your holiday is shorter than a month, you can increase those amounts as your data allowance only has to last, say 14 days, not 30.

Pros and Cons of Each Method

If you’re still a bit confused or want to make sure you’re making the right choice, to finish off our guide to getting online in Japan, here are the main Pros and Cons of each option

International Roaming

Pros: You don’t have to do anything once you get to Japan. You just organise it before you leave home and the minute you touchdown it should switch on.

It keeps your phone number live.

Available for locked phones.

Cons: Prices can vary and, for a decent amount of data.

They can be more expensive than buying a Japanese SIM or eSim.

Japanese SIM Cards

Pros: Lots of choice of speed and data packages, and coverage is good all over Japan

In a single SIM phone, they totally override your own SIM, there’s absolutely no concern that you might accidentally use the wrong network and end up with a huge bill.

Mobal will give you a Japanese phone number in their Unlimited SIM Package.

Cons: They aren’t the cheapest option.

Setting up a physical SIM in Japan can be a bit fiddly as you have to change some settings in the backend of your phone.

Unless you have a dual SIM, the new one will override your home phone number which can be tricky if you need to get security codes from your credit card company to buy something like Premier Access at Disney.

eSim

Pros: The cheapest option.

Easy to set up.

Combined with international roaming these allow you to keep your own phone number live, or quickly switch it on, (if you enable a cheap international roaming package) for texts.

Cons: If you set it up incorrectly, and have roaming enabled on your phone, you could, possibly, use the wrong account for data which might get expensive – although your phone company should send you warning messages if this happens.

Pocket Wi-Fi

Pros: Up to ten devices can connect to some Wi-Fi devices which makes it good for families or people who want to use a phone and a tablet/laptop.

Easy to connect. Lots of data.

Available for locked phones.

Cons: They can get expensive on longer trips as you pay by the day.

It’s one more thing to carry, you have to charge them, and if there are a few of you all trying to charge multiple devices in a room there aren’t always enough USB points or adaptors as it is!

You have to physically pick them up, and also drop them off somewhere before you leave Japan.

Make sure the company you choose offers full insurance in case you lose or damage the device while you have it.

So that’s our guide on whether you should use an eSim, SIM card, or Pocket Wi-Fi in Japan. If you do have any more questions, head over to our Facebook Group and we’ll try and answer them

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