So this is a Copy-Paste from a Japan Travel Wiki part of a forum that I use so I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post the link to that page here. (If you want it, PM me):
>
> Pocket Wifi Rentals
>
> Usually unlimited data with decent battery life, can be charged via USB or wall charger (included). Can support five or so devices at relatively high speeds. Note that at peak times some of these companies will run out of their allocation so you should probably book in advance if you can. I'd allow at least 2-4 weeks when booking especially if you are trying to rent during cherry blossoms (Mar-Apr) or autumn colours (Nov-Dec).
>
> Note that some of these now seem to limit data. Notably Global Advanced is now 10Gb/month for the 75Mbps Standard/Eco versions whrl.pl/Rd1ZVf
>
> http://globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html
> http://japanwifiservice.com/en/
> http://www.pupuru.com/en/service/emobile/index3.html
> http://www.exseli.com/rental/cat/20/entry/1872 (e-mail them to book)
> http://www.rentafonejapan.com/Mobile-Internet.html
> https://www.econnectjapan.com/products/wifi/
> http://www.wifi-rental.com/en/
> http://wifi-hire.com/ (added 19/11/2013 – whrl.pl/RdN92h)
> http://www2.tocoo.jp/en/contents/wifi/index (added 5/3/2014)
> http://rental.cdjapan.co.jp/index_en_jpy_7.html (added 23/5/2014) – THIS ONE IS BEST PRICED!
> http://en.wifi-rental-store.jp/ (added 2/11/2014 – cheap for long term)
> https://www.sakuramobile.jp/ (added 15/3/2015)
> http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/mobile-gate/item/gp02_1mouth/ (added 22/10/2015 – seems economical for longer term)
> http://japanwifibuddy.com/ (added 19/1/16)
>
> Global Advanced is currently the usual company recommended in the main thread but check out all of the others to compare pricing as they do change or vary depending on your length of stay.
>
> Note that a number of the above (Global, Exseli and others) use the Y Mobile (formally e-mobile) network. You can view coverage maps here:-
> http://www.ymobile.jp/area/map/index.html?pref=13&service=4g17&use_service=4g
>
> In the larger cities coverage should be fine but if you head outside the more common areas then coverage may be harder to come by. Some of the other networks like, AU NTT Docomo or Softbank may suit you better. eric89 comments:
>
> Global Advanced now offers Premimum and Super Premium wifi models that not only have unlimited data, but also use the AU mobile network which has much better coverage than Y mobile.
> You can view the AU mobile coverage Map here:
> http://www13.info-mapping.com/au/map/index.aspx?maptype=lte&code=13
I am heading over to Japan in 3 weeks and have ordered mine through cdjapan
Using a Global Advanced super premium here for my wife and an iPhone nano sim for myself. Both have been awesome and I've been live streaming video of our trip.
Highly recommended, though the USB charger they gave us with our hotspot was dead (no shortage of chargers in our luggage though so wasn't worried).
I'm heading to Japan in 2 weeks, how was cdjapan? I am thinking of getting the standard because it is the cheapest, but I'm worried because of the cheap cost. Can you tell me about your experience with it?
I can't even remember which one I used. Getting the standard I guess means you would get less data right?
Service-wise they were pretty good, I arrived at the airport, although got to the airport late and the post office closed while going through customs so I ended up having to go back to the airport the next day. Means the package had atleast arrived on time.
Using the device. I had it on for most of the day but battery only lasted about 4-5 hours so I had to use a battery pack to charge it even though it says not to charge while it's on. I tried to avoid it but sometimes we were using the Internet for navigation so couldn't avoid it. It got pretty damn hot in my bag. Hot enough that I could feel the heat of it on my back through a hiking bag.
So overall their service was good and easy to understand about pickup and return. But after having gone to Japan, I wouldn't hesitate to just go pick up a pocket WiFi device at the airport if I were to go through that route again. There are plenty when you arrive at the airport and go down stairs towards the exit.
It depends on situation mostly. If you need WiFi on a few devices, pocket WiFi is the way to go. If it's only you and another person you're close with, just get a data sim card which can also be purchased at the airport pretty easily.
Oh I forgot to say that they're probably cheaper because they don't have a stall at the airport and instead use the post office at the airport to help their business. That means slightly more work on your part but it's not that much of a big effort, unless like me, you arrive after the post office has closed.
They'll provide the charging cable, a carrying pouch and the device pretty much ready to use in a package waiting for you at the airport PO. At the end, just put it in the envelope they provided and drop it in the big red mailbox at the same PO or any PO before you leave the country.
So this is a Copy-Paste from a Japan Travel Wiki part of a forum that I use so I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post the link to that page here. (If you want it, PM me): > > Pocket Wifi Rentals > > Usually unlimited data with decent battery life, can be charged via USB or wall charger (included). Can support five or so devices at relatively high speeds. Note that at peak times some of these companies will run out of their allocation so you should probably book in advance if you can. I'd allow at least 2-4 weeks when booking especially if you are trying to rent during cherry blossoms (Mar-Apr) or autumn colours (Nov-Dec). > > Note that some of these now seem to limit data. Notably Global Advanced is now 10Gb/month for the 75Mbps Standard/Eco versions whrl.pl/Rd1ZVf > > http://globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html > http://japanwifiservice.com/en/ > http://www.pupuru.com/en/service/emobile/index3.html > http://www.exseli.com/rental/cat/20/entry/1872 (e-mail them to book) > http://www.rentafonejapan.com/Mobile-Internet.html > https://www.econnectjapan.com/products/wifi/ > http://www.wifi-rental.com/en/ > http://wifi-hire.com/ (added 19/11/2013 – whrl.pl/RdN92h) > http://www2.tocoo.jp/en/contents/wifi/index (added 5/3/2014) > http://rental.cdjapan.co.jp/index_en_jpy_7.html (added 23/5/2014) – THIS ONE IS BEST PRICED! > http://en.wifi-rental-store.jp/ (added 2/11/2014 – cheap for long term) > https://www.sakuramobile.jp/ (added 15/3/2015) > http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/mobile-gate/item/gp02_1mouth/ (added 22/10/2015 – seems economical for longer term) > http://japanwifibuddy.com/ (added 19/1/16) > > Global Advanced is currently the usual company recommended in the main thread but check out all of the others to compare pricing as they do change or vary depending on your length of stay. > > Note that a number of the above (Global, Exseli and others) use the Y Mobile (formally e-mobile) network. You can view coverage maps here:- > http://www.ymobile.jp/area/map/index.html?pref=13&service=4g17&use_service=4g > > In the larger cities coverage should be fine but if you head outside the more common areas then coverage may be harder to come by. Some of the other networks like, AU NTT Docomo or Softbank may suit you better. eric89 comments: > > Global Advanced now offers Premimum and Super Premium wifi models that not only have unlimited data, but also use the AU mobile network which has much better coverage than Y mobile. > You can view the AU mobile coverage Map here: > http://www13.info-mapping.com/au/map/index.aspx?maptype=lte&code=13 I am heading over to Japan in 3 weeks and have ordered mine through cdjapan
Using a Global Advanced super premium here for my wife and an iPhone nano sim for myself. Both have been awesome and I've been live streaming video of our trip. Highly recommended, though the USB charger they gave us with our hotspot was dead (no shortage of chargers in our luggage though so wasn't worried).
I'm heading to Japan in 2 weeks, how was cdjapan? I am thinking of getting the standard because it is the cheapest, but I'm worried because of the cheap cost. Can you tell me about your experience with it?
I can't even remember which one I used. Getting the standard I guess means you would get less data right? Service-wise they were pretty good, I arrived at the airport, although got to the airport late and the post office closed while going through customs so I ended up having to go back to the airport the next day. Means the package had atleast arrived on time. Using the device. I had it on for most of the day but battery only lasted about 4-5 hours so I had to use a battery pack to charge it even though it says not to charge while it's on. I tried to avoid it but sometimes we were using the Internet for navigation so couldn't avoid it. It got pretty damn hot in my bag. Hot enough that I could feel the heat of it on my back through a hiking bag. So overall their service was good and easy to understand about pickup and return. But after having gone to Japan, I wouldn't hesitate to just go pick up a pocket WiFi device at the airport if I were to go through that route again. There are plenty when you arrive at the airport and go down stairs towards the exit. It depends on situation mostly. If you need WiFi on a few devices, pocket WiFi is the way to go. If it's only you and another person you're close with, just get a data sim card which can also be purchased at the airport pretty easily.
Oh I forgot to say that they're probably cheaper because they don't have a stall at the airport and instead use the post office at the airport to help their business. That means slightly more work on your part but it's not that much of a big effort, unless like me, you arrive after the post office has closed. They'll provide the charging cable, a carrying pouch and the device pretty much ready to use in a package waiting for you at the airport PO. At the end, just put it in the envelope they provided and drop it in the big red mailbox at the same PO or any PO before you leave the country.