When traveling to Japan, one of the most challenging aspects is the difficulty in accessing the internet easily. Japan has limited free Wi-Fi availability, making it not easily accessible for travelers. For those considering a trip to Japan, I highly recommend booking a Prepaid SIM card, an eSIM, or a Pocket Wi-Fi before arriving.
In particular, I strongly suggest renting a Pocket Wi-Fi. Compared to SIM cards or eSIMs, Pocket Wi-Fi excels in terms of connectivity quality, price, and data capacity. Renting a Pocket Wi-Fi can greatly assist during your stay in Japan, allowing you to look up directions, stay in touch with friends and family, and remain connected effortlessly.
Renting a Pocket Wi-Fi is possible at Haneda Airport.
This article will introduce the features of services that offer reasonably priced Pocket Wi-Fi rentals at Haneda Airport.
You can rent a Pocket Wi-Fi directly at the counter in Haneda Airport, but it's advisable to make a reservation before coming to Japan.
Advantages and disadvantages of booking before coming to Japan are as follows
Advantages of booking a pocket Wi-Fi before coming to Japan
The rental price for Pocket Wi-Fi provided by internet service is usually cheaper than renting directly from shop-operated services.
During peak travel seasons, airport counters might run out of stock, but not all internet services offering Pocket Wi-Fi rentals online will run out of units.
When picking up your Pocket Wi-Fi at the airport's post office or counter, having a prior reservation allows for immediate collection, reducing your waiting time.
Disadvantages of renting a pocket Wi-Fi at the airport without a reservation
There might be an additional charge for airport rentals, which could surpass the regular rental fee.
During busy travel times, there might be no units available for rental at the airport, even if you go to the counter intending to rent a Pocket Wi-Fi.
Airport counter rentals require application, and during peak travel times, the high number of applicants leads to longer waiting times.
The procedure is simple: just present your passport at the post office and pick up your Pocket Wi-Fi.
Most Japanese Pocket Wi-Fi providers allow you to make a reservation online and pick it up at the post office.
Post offices are public institution, airport fees are not charged to providers, so rental rates are significantly lower for services that are picked up at the post office.
| Airport Post office | Counter | |
| Lightpocket | ||
| eConnect Japan | ||
| WI-Fi Rental Japan | ||
| CDJapan Rental |
If you make a reservation a pocket wifi in advance for a service that allows you to pick up your Pocket Wi-Fi at the airport counter, you can receive your Pocket Wi-Fi even if your flight arrives late at night. Rental fees are higher, but the service is highly convenient.
However, these services are not open 24 hours a day.
To secure the best Pocket Wi-Fi rental at Haneda Airport, it's advisable to make a reservation in advance and select a plan that suits your needs. Additionally, consider options in case you can't pick it up, such as opting for hotel delivery or choosing a service that offers forwarding options.
People considering renting Pocket Wi-Fi at Haneda Airport might imagine renting from dedicated rental shops. However, most Japanese Pocket Wi-Fi rental services arrange for pickup at the Haneda Airport post office. While shops at airports offering Pocket Wi-Fi rental services have longer operating hours and are convenient for travelers, they incur high operational costs and airport usage fees. Consequently, these costs get added to the Pocket Wi-Fi rental fees, making them higher. Moreover, as only a few companies operate at airport shops, not all desired plans may be available. Post offices, being public services, are open to any company to use as a pickup point for Pocket Wi-Fi. This openness and price competition tend to reduce rental costs, making it fairer for users. Reserving Pocket Wi-Fi online before coming to Japan and picking it up at the airport post office ensures lower prices, availability of desired plans, and avoids stock shortages. This is likely the most favorable option.
There might be instances where you can't collect the reserved Pocket Wi-Fi at the post office or airport counter due to flight delays or changes in the arrival airport. In such cases, there are services that can forward the device to your accommodation, such as your hotel. By reserving for pick-up at Haneda Airport through services like Lightpocket or CDJapan, even if you can't collect it there, they will forward it to your hotel.
If your flight is scheduled to arrive after 4 PM, considering potential delays and immigration procedures, it might be better to arrange for the device to be delivered to your hotel rather than picking it up at the airport. Most Wi-Fi rental services can deliver the Pocket Wi-Fi to your hotel, allowing you to receive it upon hotel check-in.
If you want to communicate immediately upon arrival at the airport, you may want to consider purchasing an eSIM.
High-capacity eSIM plans at local Japanese prices
If you are transferring from Haneda Airport to a local line and arriving at a regional airport, please pick up your pocket Wi-Fi device at your hotel.
Regional airports often lack post offices and places to rent pocket Wi-Fi devices. They also do not sell SIM cards.
If you need to rent a pocket Wi-Fi device, please pick it up at your hotel.
At Lightpocket, we offer delivery to hotels. We also handle address confirmation, so you don't need to worry if you don't know a Japanese address.
Japan Pocket WiFi for Travellers
For those who could not purchase a SIM card at the airport or rent a Pocket Wi-Fi, eSIM is convenient.
Japan eSIM for Travellers
