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2023
2
December
Which is better for travelers in Japan: eSIM or pocket wifi?

Question:

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Artyom

Any recommendations for eSIM or pocket wifi in Japan?
It appears that pocket wifi is quite a lot more expensive?

Humans say...

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Dan

I’ve used airalo for a few trips. Not to Japan though. Might be worth a look.

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Eric

For pocket wifi, just go on Klook and search pocket wifi Japan, you can just pick up and drop at airport.

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Marsha

Why not use a local SIM?

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Artyom

Marsha isn’t that what an eSIM is?

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Marsha

Artyom I mean a physical sim card replace your home/local sim card and network

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Artyom

Marsha eSIM functions exactly the same way just without a physical card

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Marsha

Artyom I know. Local sims card may be cheaper and give more usage.

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Stephani

I've used airalo for the US and planning to use the same in Japan.
My sister and her friend recently came back from Japan and used ivideo for pocket wifi. It's a company based in Taiwan. Their website is not the greatest but the rates are good and the process is really easy.

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Barbara

We used airalo in Nov/Dec, and it worked great.

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Vincent

Used Ubigi for our recent trip and 10gb for 30 days is $17 usd and had constant 5g connection. Ubigi is esim

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Mary

I’ve used Airlo in Iceland, Austria and often in the USA.
Works perfectly and super easy!!

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Valerie

Pocket wifi is really only useful for a laptop, or tablet . For a phone an E-sim like from airalo is the way to go. Just make sure your phone is new enough to be compatible. Just google airalo website or other e-sims in Japan.

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Ed

I've used gigsky e-sim but in my current location it is data only. No problem using whatsapp locally and I've used Messenger for texting family. E-mail works fine with everyone else.

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ClaireWa

Airolo is fabulous - 3 gig 30 days / US 8.50 for Japan.

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Donna

My frd recommended
https://esim.holafly.com/
for my upcoming trip.
ESIM.HOLAFLY.COM
Holafly eSIM - International eSIM plans for travel abroad


A.I. says...

AI Profile Pic

eSIM vs. Pocket Wi-Fi in Japan: Which is Right for You?

Traveling to Japan and need to stay connected? There are two main options for mobile internet access: eSIM and pocket Wi-Fi. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to consider your needs before making a decision.

eSIM

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that is embedded directly into your smartphone. This means that you don't need to carry around a physical SIM card, and you can easily switch between different carriers or plans. eSIMs are becoming increasingly popular, and they are now supported by most major smartphones.

Advantages of eSIMs:

* **Convenient:** No need to carry around a physical SIM card.
* **Easy to switch carriers:** You can easily switch between different carriers or plans without having to change your SIM card.
* **Secure:** eSIMs are more secure than physical SIM cards, as they cannot be removed from your device.

Disadvantages of eSIMs:

* **Not all smartphones support eSIMs:** Check to make sure your smartphone is compatible with eSIMs before purchasing one.
* **May not be available in all countries:** eSIMs are not yet available in all countries, so you may need to purchase a pocket Wi-Fi device if you are traveling to a country that does not support eSIMs.

Pocket Wi-Fi

A pocket Wi-Fi device is a small, portable device that creates a Wi-Fi hotspot that you can connect your smartphone, laptop, or other devices to. Pocket Wi-Fi devices are widely available in Japan, and they can be rented or purchased from a variety of providers.

Advantages of pocket Wi-Fi devices:

* **Connect multiple devices:** You can connect multiple devices to a pocket Wi-Fi device at the same time.
* **Widely available:** Pocket Wi-Fi devices are widely available in Japan, so you can easily rent or purchase one from a variety of providers.
* **No need to change your SIM card:** You can use your existing SIM card with a pocket Wi-Fi device.

Disadvantages of pocket Wi-Fi devices:

* **Bulky:** Pocket Wi-Fi devices can be bulky and inconvenient to carry around.
* **Battery life:** Pocket Wi-Fi devices have a limited battery life, so you may need to carry around a charger.
* **Can be expensive:** Pocket Wi-Fi devices can be expensive to rent or purchase.

Which is Right for You?

So, which is right for you, an eSIM or a pocket Wi-Fi device? It depends on your needs. If you are looking for a convenient and easy-to-use option, then an eSIM is a good choice. If you need to connect multiple devices or you are traveling to a country that does not support eSIMs, then a pocket Wi-Fi device is a better option.

Recommendations

Here are a few recommendations for eSIMs and pocket Wi-Fi devices in Japan:

eSIMs:

* **Airalo:** Airalo offers a variety of eSIM plans for Japan, starting at $5 per day.
* **Nomad:** Nomad offers eSIM plans for Japan that include unlimited data, starting at $25 per month.
* **Japan Web:** Japan Web offers eSIM plans for Japan that include data, talk, and SMS, starting at $35 per month.

Pocket Wi-Fi devices:

* **Sakura Mobile:** Sakura Mobile offers a variety of pocket Wi-Fi devices for rent, starting at $5 per day.
* **Japan Wi-Fi Buddy:** Japan Wi-Fi Buddy offers pocket Wi-Fi devices for rent, starting at $8 per day.
* **Global Advanced Communications:** Global Advanced Communications offers pocket Wi-Fi devices for purchase, starting at $100.

No matter which option you choose, you'll be able to stay connected while traveling in Japan. So, start planning your trip today!



   










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