Staying Connected While Traveling in Japan
In the modern era, we’re pretty much connected all of the time. At this point we have to be mindful about disconnecting, which is a huge change from even ten years ago.
When you travel it’s important to establish if and how much you plan to be connected. Do you need to use your phone regularly? Send texts/SMS messages? Is a data-only strategy going to get you through your trip?
I’ve tried every method of connectivity over the years, and this is what I’ve learned. Depending on which degree which with you’d like to have access to the world while you’re in Japan, there may be something here for you.
Regardless, it is valuable to consider a the following:
Do you plan to stay as connected as usual while traveling?
i.e. Do you plan to stay engaged with social media with regularity? Do you plan to upload a large volume of photo and video or stream entertainment?
Do you need to make phone calls without additional fees, or will phone calls be reserved for emergencies?
How much data do you typically consume? How much do you plan to consume while traveling?
Will you have access to WiFi to help manage your data needs?
How many devices need to connect while you’re on the go?
Option 1: Your Phone Provider
Your current phone provider is typically one of the first things that comes to mind, naturally. Major carriers can offer two main types of plan: A La Carte day packages, and monthly plans. How long you plan to be away and your data needs will help determine what is most cost effective.
Here’s some information from the US’ “Big Three” carriers:
More info from T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T here. T-Mobile does have free international data at 256 kbps. I personally use it as a fallback.
Pros & Cons of using your existing phone provider:
Pros:
Convenient - billed to your existing phone plan
Cons:
May not be cost effective based on personal needs
May not have working coverage - several people on the trip I recently led had no coverage for several days with one of the above providers despite being billed daily. It took several hours of calls using other phones and the wifi hotspot (below) to get that resolved for them.
Option 2: Wifi Hotspot
A wireless hotspot rental can be a great way to have access to data across several devices. If you look around the airport terminal after you arrive you’ll see several wifi hotspot rental counters. There are even more available online for pre-order. During my time living in Japan I actually opted for a hotspot at $35 per month with my disconnected US phone instead of a phone contract and a Japanese phone. I still stand by that as being an amazing decision!
Last time I used Japan-Wireless.com and it was a reliably great connection. The hotspot included a power bank as well. It was at my hotel when I checked in, and I used the included return envelope and dropped it into the nearest mailbox before heading to the airport. No waiting in lines or fuss needed. Because I was leading a group, anyone who happened to have trouble with their carrier’s phone plan was able to connect to this hotspot and get their issues resolved. Next time I lead a group I will certainly be renting this again.
Here are the rates for Japan Wireless’ short-term plans as of September 2023
Pros & Cons of renting a wifi hotspot:
Pros:
Affordable rate with strong signal
Convenient airport pickup or delivery to hotel
Convenient return via mailbox or airport terminal
Connect several devices across traveling companions or personal items
Ideal for working on the road, particularly on bullet trains
Cons:
Charging and keeping up with an additional device
Option 3.1: SIM Cards
If you’ve been traveling for a while, you’ve seen them: SIM cards. They are typically found in shops and vending machines in and out of airports worldwide. The premise is simple: Pick up a SIM in your travel area containing a set amount of data and/or minutes, swap it for your own sim in your phone, and access domestic phone towers. Available to pre-purchase or buy on arrival. You can purchase varying rates for varying days. This is a choose your own adventure type of connectivity tool, and your mileage may vary.
Pros & Cons of SIMs:
Pros:
Inexpensive
Accessible for older model phones
Cons:
Removing your own SIM to use a temporary SIM means you risk misplacing your SIM card, unless your phone has 2 slots
Topping up/adding funds can be difficult.
Option 3.2: e-SIMs
These days I much prefer eSIMs over physical SIMs, particularly because my phone is new enough to allow for such a thing. The convenience is tough to beat. My go-to brand for eSIMs is Airalo. Their offerings are very straightforward and affordable, and I can top up my data at any point if I happen to use more than I’d planned.
Here are the current rates for eSIMs in Japan with Airalo as of September 2023:
Pros & Cons of eSIMS:
Pros:
Convenient to purchase and add funds
Competitive rates (check out the largest package for Japan above - 26 USD for 20 GB of data!)
Push notifications alert you if data or time remaining is running low
Easy to use installation guide
Cons:
Only compatible with newer phones
Requires installation prior to arriving at destination country
Not intuitively easy to install for all phone types
Option 4: WiFi Only:
During my first trip abroad (coincidentally, to Japan) I had no additional funds to spend on a phone plan. Staying connected, at that point in my life, was a luxury. If that’s your plan/preferred method just be sure to find secure connections when possible. There is public wifi available in Japan - some sponsored by cities and towns, with other connections available at hotels. I recommend you download your maps and other vital items for offline access and reconnect at your hotel or hostel in the evenings.'
If you don’t already, please consider using a VPN while traveling! Even in places that feel safe to you, your data is at risk. Your bank information and other sensitive data can be compromised, particularly using unsecured public wifi. My personal favorite is Nord VPN for the comprehensive data protections it offers at a fantastic price. You can run as cheaply as you want on your connection while abroad, but at the minimum consider investing in the safety of your data before you hit the road. For more information about Nord VPN and any promos they may be running (you know I love a good deal) check it out here.
I personally prefer to select an option based on what I need for that particular trip.
No matter your budget, your timeline, or your preference — there is a great fit for you.
