Traveling to Japan. Local cell service options?

Take a look at klook.com. I booked my wifi hotspot thru' them (on my trip last March). There are cheaper ones (that mail the hotspot to your hotel) but I find picking up and dropping off at the airport more convenient. They also have other tickets (tourist stuffs) for sale. I got my Disney tickets from them too.

stleeee wrote: ↑ Take a look at klook.com. I booked my wifi hotspot thru' them (on my trip last March). There are cheaper ones (that mail the hotspot to your hotel) but I find picking up and dropping off at the airport more convenient. They also have other tickets (tourist stuffs) for sale. I got my Disney tickets from them too.

A japanese co-worker suggested these guys:
http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com

I'm not overly concerned about pricing, since the company will be paying. Hotspots can be picked up at airport or delivered to hotel, SIMs only at airport. These portable wifi hotspots have their advantages, but I still like buying SIMs over renting hotspots or SIMs.

Visitors to Japan can buy prepaid data-only SIMs now. BMobile seems like a good possible option.
http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/english/index.html

• ¥ 3,480
• 30 days/5GB data
• Runs on NTT Docomo’s 3G/4G network
• Supports tethering to share out to other devices
• Delivery to hotel
• Nothing to return, like with the rental hotspots/SIMs (and therefore not being stuck without data after returning rental)
http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/english/index.html

This website lays out the various options for Japan: http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Japan

If you decide to go pocket wifi.

http://bestpocketwifijapan.com/sim-card ... -data-sim/

https://www.easygojapan.com/rental/en/n ... ewifi.html

Generally pocket wifi gives more data for the money, but they supposedly do throttle if you abuse.

There was another website that had speed tests of all the major providers.

I had experience with using the following 2 pocket wifi because they gave me the wrong one originally.
Pocket WiFi 303ZT on Softbank network
then Wi-Fi WALKER LTE HWD11 on KDDI Au

Supposedly KDDI Au provides 2nd best coverage vs Docomo while that's the most expensive option.
However, the WIFI range on the HWD11 is very poor compared to the 303ZT as we had multiple ppl using the hub and we couldn't get good speed if we're too far away.
Softbank speed was generally better too since I did do some speedtest when bored.
I kind of wish, we didn't do the switch.

This is the one we used: https://en.wifi-rental-store.jp/
They responded to our email quickly and sent out the new pocket wifi the next day to our hotel.
If you are going to be in urban area most of the time, then get the softbank 303zt is sufficient. The battery life does drain faster vs the HWD11 so bring a small powerbank and you can charge it on the go.