Tourist destinations in Japan such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido, and Okinawa are popular, but there are also many charms in rural cities. Unlike Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, rural cities are less crowded and offer a comfortable experience. While many travelers arrive at rural airports via major ones like Narita, Haneda, and Kansai, it's challenging to find places to rent pocket Wi-Fi or purchase SIM cards at rural airports. This limited availability poses a challenge for travelers to access the internet. Moreover, there are few places in rural cities that offer pocket Wi-Fi rentals or handle SIM cards.
This article describes how travelers visiting rural areas of Japan can obtain Pocket Wi-Fi and SIM cards outside of Japan's international airports.
For visitors to Japan, especially those exploring rural areas, pocket Wi-Fi provides the most reliable means of communication. While SIM cards and eSIMs offer convenience, they may encounter compatibility issues with different frequency bands in rural areas compared to Tokyo or Osaka. However, pocket Wi-Fi devices are specifically designed for communication in Japan and do not face such compatibility issues.
Unlike SIM cards or eSIMs, pocket Wi-Fi devices offer high data capacity plans, exceeding 100GB. This makes them ideal for travelers using smartphones and laptops, especially when traveling with family or friends, as a single pocket Wi-Fi rental can suffice for multiple users, making it cost-effective.
Setting up a pocket Wi-Fi device is hassle-free and requires no complicated configuration like SIM cards or eSIMs. Simply power it on, and you're ready to go. It's extremely convenient.
At most rural airports in Japan, there are no shops offering pocket Wi-Fi rentals or selling SIM cards. This can be inconvenient for travelers who need internet access immediately upon arrival, such as for checking maps or local information and tourist attractions. In such cases, eSIMs are the most effective solution.
Many travelers may want to rent pocket Wi-Fi, but unfortunately, it's not available at rural city airports. and also there are few stores for renting pocket Wi-Fi in town either.
You cannot rent Pocket Wi-Fi at airports in regional cities. Even in city centers, there are few stores that sell Pocket Wi-Fi. Therefore, to use Pocket Wi-Fi in rural areas, the only options are to reserve Pocket Wi-Fi in advance before coming to Japan and pick it up at the hotel where you will be staying, or to pick up Pocket Wi-Fi at a post office near where you will be staying.
Before arriving in Japan, it's recommended to book a pocket Wi-Fi online and have it delivered to the hotel where you'll be staying. While you can also pick it up at Narita or Haneda Airport, but if your flight is delayed, you will not be able to pick up your Pocket Wi-Fi. Having it delivered to your hotel is the most reliable option.
Additionally, rental shops that deliver pocket Wi-Fi to hotels offer lower rental fees compared to airport rental shops, making it significantly cheaper to rent a pocket Wi-Fi device.
Receiving a pocket Wi-Fi device at hotels is straightforward. Simply place your order through an online shop and provide your hotel's address for delivery.
You can also receive Pocket Wi-Fi at the post office. International airports in Japan such as Narita and Haneda have post offices, and many rental shops arrange for Pocket Wi-Fi pickup at these post offices. Similarly, you can receive Pocket Wi-Fi at post offices in rural areas.
When visiting rural cities, it's important to consider frequency band compatibility, as SIM cards and eSIMs may not work well with smartphones sold outside Japan. Pocket Wi-Fi devices eliminate such concerns, offering a worry-free solution for travelers visiting rural areas.
Before visiting Japan, consider reserving a pocket Wi-Fi or a SIM card online and arrange to pick it up at your hotel upon arrival.
eSIMs are also available for purchase anytime, anywhere.
Japan Travel eSIM
Both options have their advantages. Pocket Wi-Fi allows for connectivity with multiple devices, making it ideal for group travel or when carrying multiple devices. Consider frequency bands when in rural areas.
Pocket Wi-Fi vs. eSIM (SIM card) : Which is better for traveling in Japan?
With services like LightPocket, returning a pocket Wi-Fi is hassle-free. Simply place the device in the provided return envelope and drop it in any mailbox or hand it to a postal clerk at the post office. There is no return fee, making the process very straightforward.
Pocket Wi-Fi Rental