If you are wondering what to do with your communication environment during your stay in Japan, pocket wifi may be the solution.
It is more practical than a prepaid SIM card, especially useful for group travel or if you have multiple devices, and very easy to retrieve and return.
Here are some recommendations for renting a portable wifi router in Japan, as well as some tips to keep in mind and some recommended services.
What is Pocket Wifi?
the Pocket Wifi is a small portable wifi router that acts as a mobile WiFi hotspot and establishes high-speed broadband connectivity that can be shared by up to 10 users at a time. It is easier to set up than prepaid SIM cards, especially useful if you are traveling in a group or have multiple devices (e.g. two smartphones, a tablet, laptop). Public WiFi hotspots are not good in Japan. By using it, it’s easy to be always connected, you can easily communicate with family and friends, upload to social media and research things on the go .
How to rent a pocket WiFi in Japan?
Renting a pocket WiFi in Japan is very easy. You can either pre-order it online before you set off, or you can rent it at Narita, Kansai Haneda,and other airports. However, we strongly recommend to order it online before you go to avoid any disappointments when you arrive. During busy periods, a pocket wifi may be sold out at the airport counter.
Ordering online also gives you the opportunity to compare prices and get the best deals. It allows you to select options like whether you want to collect it at the airport or have it delivered to your hotel.
It’s actually fairly easy to book a pocket WiFi router online. All you need to do is fill out an online application to select the device you prefer, the rental period, your preferred pick-up location and your details. You don’t need to wait a long time at the airports to rent and you can get it when you arrive. If you rent a pocket wifi at the airport without a reservation, you may regret it because you need to wait a long time to fill out an application and also the price at the airport is expensive
Two things to keep in mind when booking pocket Wi-Fi online
There are a few things to keep in mind when booking pocket wifi through online services. It is important to understand them, as they are common to all services.
1. If you cannot pick it up at the airport
If you reserve pocket Wi-Fi online and pick it up at the airport, there are two types of locations where you can pick it up. Airport post office and pickup counter.
Airport Post office
Airport post offices have fixed hours of operation, so if your flight is delayed, you may not be able to receive your mail.
Typical international airport post office hours are as follows
Narita Airport Post office
8:30 – 20:00 (All year round)
Haneda Airport Post office
9:00 – 17:00 (Weekdays only)
The pickup counter
The pickup counter is open for a relatively long time, but you may not be able to receive your package after hours.
The following services will forward the pocket wifi to a designated location or refund if you fail to receive it at the airport.
Lightpocket : Pocket Wifi
CDJapan Rental
2. Reservations must be made one week in advance
The average delivery time in Japan is about 3 days. When booking online, you need to take into account the time difference, so please make your reservation at least 4 days prior to your arrival in Japan.
Especially in September, December, March, and April, when many travelers come to Japan and pocket wi-fi rentals increase in Japan, many services run out of stock of pocket wi-fi, so it is advisable to make reservations one week before coming to Japan.
3 recommended services
While some pocket Wi-Fi rental services specialize in services for foreign travelers, we will introduce 3 services that are often used by Japanese as well.
LightPocket
As noted above, they are flexible and responsive to problems. Rental prices are also reasonable.
Ninja Wifi
The Ninja Wifi is not well known to Japanese, but it is a rental service for foreigners provided by the company that handles the most rental Wi-Fi in Japan. There are a variety of options available, so you can decide in advance on different pick-up and return methods.
Wi-Fi RENTAL Store
They are a long-established company in the rental WIFI industry. It can be delivered all over Japan and can be received at their offices.
I am Japanese and my nickname is Momo.
I have been working in the mobile telecommunications industry for about 7 years and am familiar with Japanese telecommunications services. Although my English is not very good, I would like to provide useful telecommunication-related information to those who stay in Japan as accurately as possible.
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