I just wanted to share an awesome app that I used when I was in Japan for 2 weeks. I originally reserved a pocket wifi for over $100 for my trip, but later I learned about an app called airalo that provides virtual SIM cards for data at an extremely affordable price. Example: I got the 5 gb package for $11.50! They also sell regional SIM cards if you are going to backpack through several countries over a span of time.
The network speed was very fast, easy set up, and responsive support. Make sure your phone is UNLOCKED and ESim compatible.
Edit: seems like there is some confusion regarding “new number” with the eSim. Just want to clarify that Airalo doesn’t give you a new number, it only grants you internet connection at your destination. You can use WhatsApp or Google voice to call your loved ones because those 2 apps work over internet connection. iMessages will work as long as you have internet so I don’t think that’s an issue as well.
If you want a new number and want to call other landline or people who don’t use those apps, look into eSim+, it’s also an app. You pay $7 per month for a new number, and calls and texts are charged on a minute/text basis ( you can essentially call Any country). I used that app to make local calls in Japan ( restaurants, hotels, etc )
28 comments
This is awesome advice! I was about to purchase pocket wifi for a 2 week trip. Do you know if this works with Iphone?
We just used Airalo for a trip to Mexico and it worked great, and was cheap. We didn’t have any issues and was easy to install. The one thing I saw on reviews was the company has grown very fast so customer service is poor. But we didn’t have any problems. Glad it worked well for you!
I always choose pocket WiFi in Japan just because it’s more convenient for me and work, but Airalo has always been great every time I’ve used it. Using it now in fact. Holafly, I can’t say the same.
I’m getting an ESim as well, but from Ubiqi. 10GB for 17 Euro, I think. (I’ll be going for 19 days)
If your phone has international service, do you need a pocket wifi? I was just in Mexico and my phone (Verizon) has international service. It worked fine the whole time. Does this not exist in Japan?
Fwiw, I used a pocket wifi through ivideo for my trip 2 weeks ago and it worked perfectly for 3 people. I think total cost was around 18€.
Did it give you a new number with the SIM card or is it the same number if you’re texting people while you’re there? Thanks for the tip!
I actually got airalo before I left after some advice from here and must have gotten the unlucky end of the stick because it would not work no matter what I did. Tried it at the airport, no go, again later at the hotel, nope. Just used my phone’s internationally plan.
So what if you’re out of luck on not having an unlocked phone and non compatible esim phone? lol
I used a pocket WiFi from Japan Wireless for our 11 day trip and it worked seamlessly except for when the servers got overloaded. I panicked thinking the WiFi crapped out since it wasn’t able to locate a signal for over an hour. I found free WiFi and sent an email to the company. They didn’t get back till hours later, after the WiFi started working again, saying it was a server issue that was out of their control. Outside of those two hours of panicking, I was satisfied with the pocket WiFi. The only time it was inconvenient is when my fiancée and I needed to go separate ways. Thankfully there’s free WiFi all over Tokyo.
At the time i just got a sim and popped it on the second slot of my phone at the time. Worked perfectly. (Sam S10+)
I tried to used Airalo in Japan a couple weeks ago. The speeds were horrifically slow. Wrote the cost off and bought an e-sim through Ubigi and had much better speeds.
We’ve used Airalo in Central America and Europe without issue, not sure what their problem in Japan is.
Makes sense if you travel alone.
What do you mean by UNLOCKED, op?
Got a physical SIM when ordering my JR pass from Japan experience.
31 days unlimited.
Stayed for 18 days and used about 13GB (heavy I know but it was a lot of Google translate/maps/ researching stuff).
Coverage was incredible, even in remote areas and away from big cities.
Worst was when actual in a big building such as ginza 6
I used pocket wifi for 12 days. Had me, wife and kids phones connected along with iPads at the hotel at times. Worked great. Pretty small overall and lasted nearly a day( had a usb battery bank too when needed)
Paid $80 ish for the whole rental. eSim would be my choice if I was solo though
It seems like on both this sub and the other one the Pocket Wifi vs. eSIM/SIM debate is as hotly contested as one’s choice of computer/phone operating system is in other subs.
It really comes down to personal preference and what works best for you. Just because it doesn’t work the way you want it do does not make it a bad choice for anyone other than you
Ubugi was amazing. Zero issues and absolutely would use it again. 17$ for 10 Gigi’s of data
I got both Ubigi and pocket wifi, and stopped using pocket wifi after the first day. Ubigi’s speeds were much higher, as was the reception. And it was nice just not having to carry an extra device. Plus, two Ubigi eSims were cheaper than one pocket WiFi.
What are the data speeds like though airalo? A few people saying it’s not worth getting because of the horrifically slow speeds?
You can also order a physical SIM card from Japan rail online before the trip. Unlimited data (up to 3gb a day or so, then they nay limit the speed, but you’re not in Japan to watch Netflix all day on your phone) and very cheap.
If you need more devices connected, just create a hotspot from your phone…
Pocket Wi-Fi is kind of a scam in a day and age where everyone can create a “pocket Wi-Fi” from their phone. But if you’re drowning in money, it still is an option I guess…
Thank you for the tip! I’m going to Japan in 2 weeks and this sounds like a much better deal for me since I’m going alone
I used Airalo in Uruguay and Ecuador last year. Worked great.
I intend to use it again when I visit Japan & Vietnam in October.
Airlo got advertised by influencers but is a much worse network tha Ubigi in Japan.
I had friends who used it said it was basically not working at times and mostly used it to gps places. Any other usage was impossibly slow.
I used Airalo in Ireland and it worked great, but totally effed my network settings on return. I had to hard reset my phone because nothing was working despite all settings being put back to normal.
I thought you could have a locked phone but your phone had to be esim compatible for it work. Am I wrong?
Does using a Esim give you a new number? Or are you using your own phone number for iMessage and WiFi calling through rain’s data? I’ve had an esim capable iPhone for several years now but have never used one
Yeah I’m honestly not sure why pocket wifi is so heavily recommended here when sims/e sims are much easier.