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25% off Japan Pocket Wi-Fi and SIM Card Orders @ Japan Wireless

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JPW004

Currently Japan-Wireless is running a 20% off your order campaign for Pocket Wifi and SIM cards for use in Japan, using the code JPW001.

I discovered while playing around with the checkout that if you enter JPW004 you will instead get 25% off for the whole order. I can't seem to find anywhere online this code being advertised so orders might get cancelled?

However I booked my wifi last night for my travels in November and hasn't been cancelled yet!
Used their "Premium" Speed pocket wifi last year and it seemed to work pretty good both in Tokyo and Hakone.

Premium WiFi Price Table

Days Price 20% "JPW001" 25% "JPW004"
1 day $33 $26 $25
2 days $42 $34 $32
3 days $50 $40 $38
4 days $59 $47 $44
5 days $68 $54 $51
6 days $76 $61 $57
7 days $85 $68 $64
8 days $90 $72 $68
9 days $94 $75 $71
10 days $99 $79 $74
11 days $104 $83 $78
12 days $109 $87 $82
13 days $113 $90 $85
14 days $118 $94 $89
15 days $123 $98 $92
16 days $127 $102 $95
17 days $132 $106 $99
18 days $137 $110 $103
19 days $142 $114 $107
20 days $146 $117 $110
21 days $151 $121 $113
22 days $156 $125 $117
23 days $160 $128 $120
24 days $165 $132 $124
25 days $170 $136 $128
26 days $175 $140 $131
27 days $179 $143 $134
28 days $184 $147 $138
29 days $189 $151 $142
30 days $194 $155 $146

Related Stores

Japan Wireless
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closed Comments

  • +2

    how would it compare to just getting a normal e-sim?

    https://esimdb.com/japan

    • I guess it depends on your situation. The pocket wifi is handy for me so I can use it between multiple devices/persons.

      • +2

        sure, you could hotspot but then using up battery.

        • Yeah exactly it. Especially when you're already going to hit that battery hard already with GPS/Maps, because its Japan haha

          • +4

            @anthpls: ozbargainers have plenty of powerbanks though ;)

            • @impoze: … and a 10 Ah brand new powerbank is just ¥1000 ($10) at Daiso.

          • +1

            @anthpls: Make sure you use Maps.Me for offline maps in Japan!

            • +2

              @maaaaatthew: What are the benefits of using this over Google Maps, which now let's you save offline maps for Japan?

              • @divineiniquity: Yep, I used GMaps all along for 2 weeks with an offline copy of Tokyo, no problem (btw, GMaps has had offline maps for 4 years, at least).

          • +1

            @anthpls: I paid TravelKon $28 for a Taiwanese sim with 10GB that roamed to Japan. It was plenty for 2 weeks. Most of the time, I was using free hotspots all around Tokyo, with an app from NYT that switched between hotspots automatically, so I wouldn't spend my hard earned data unnecessarily.

            • @wisdomtooth: Could you please elaborate what this NYT app is please… Play store only lists apps from New York Times?

        • +1

          Careful, hotspot is not readily available for all carriers in Japan like it is in most places. Definitely DYOR if this is your plan.

      • Is it just as safe as using your personal SIM card?

    • Unlimited data

  • Would you recommend Hakone? It looks pretty nice.

    • +1

      Absolutely amazing imo. Lots of nice sights, food, etc.

      Stay for a night in a ryokan and try and get a room with a private bath. Nothing beats sitting in the warm water on the balcony watching the sun rise in peace and quiet.

    • +1

      I loved it, my partner not so much. We stayed near Hakone-Yumoto Station. If you want the onsen ryokan experience near Tokyo it's recommended. Try and book a ryokan that serves your kaiseki meals in your room for the full experience. My favourite memory was waking up early to get to the onsen before everyone else and enjoying the solitude watching the mountain view and the birds the the river below.

      Reasons my partner didn't love it but still enjoyed it, because it's an onsen, most rooms do not have a private shower. We went during the off season so a lot of the shops were closed or closed early. If you don't book dinner there won't be (m)any restaurants open. This didn't happen to us at Hakone becasue we booked dinner in our room, but it's true for most onsen towns. And she's not really into onsens :)

      The Hakone 1-day loop is fun too. I think everyone should do it at least once. Theres a pirate ship! :)

  • +5

    Seems very expensive and a pain to use pocket wifi.

    We just got back and had an e-sim for myself and wife and it was cheaper than this.

  • Can you pick up from Tokyo airport/ hotel but drop off at Osaka airport/hotel?

    • +2

      From my experience they give you a return envelope and you can drop it off at any postbox. No formal drop off method which is handy.

    • +1

      You can "drop it off" at a JP Postbox (or at KIX/Itami's airport post office if you must). The whole package comes with a return envelope to mail it back

  • +1

    This sim card is less than half the price: https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/fee/saikyo-plan/en/?l-i…

    Don't bother with these english language resellers, they're usually price gouging. Also, the pocket wifi units are handy but aren't always as reliable as you'd hope. I used one for a few months and getting my mobile to stay connected was impossible.

    • Is the saikyo plan for tourists or residents? I can't find info on that page you linked. Pretty good deal if includes tourist.

      • +1

        I've been looking into it myself recently, and from what I can see, it looks like non-residents are legally not allowed to get a proper SIM card with the capability to make phone calls in Japan; you need a residence card in order to apply for one. Maybe you could apply for a data-only SIM, I'm not sure; but regular SIMs would be difficult to get without that card, I think.

        Some foreigners can get a residence card (i.e. if you're there on any visa that lets you stay for more than three months), but otherwise, your options are probably mobile wifi, e-SIM, renting a Japanese phone, or getting a data-only SIM.

  • +1

    btw, can we do one week vacation in Japan? never been there and thinking about the cost and whether does it worth just for a week. What should be the lowest budget ?

    • +1

      Depending where you're flying from, if you're willing to sleep in tiny areas, and if you just want to sight-see vs experiences.
      $300 flights if you're in a good spot like Cairns and get a deal.
      $350 unlimited train/bus ticket (optional, can forego if you only want to experience Tokyo).
      $50 per night cheap places to stay.
      Only visit free things like nature, temples, cheap/free museums.

      Could probs do 7 days for $1300. Less per person with some smarter spending or traveling with a couple people.

    • +1

      Wife and i are thinking the same. Not sure where to start.

      • +3

        We've been quite a few times and are currently planning our next one.
        I remember we used this website to plan our very first trip and it was pretty handy as they had suggested itineraries to stimulate our thoughts/interests - https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e623b.html. There are plenty of review websites that offer a lot more detail however this site might be a good starting point.
        Sadly, the JR Pass is about to lose the value it once had - https://www.japan-guide.com/news/japan-rail-pass-cost-increa…. We used to get the 14-day pass but it is increasing from ~$500 (currently) to $856. Curiously, you used to be able to get it cheaper if you purchased it on a Wednesday.
        I imagine that things have changed post-covid, but we used to wait until after 7pm to go and buy fresh meals from the FamilyMart/Lawson stores as they would drop the price by 50-70% to clear it out.
        Always look for the local Ramen shop. Awesome value for a big bowl of noodles. They would even fill the bellies of our teenage boys. Most even have good quality beer on tap.
        Anyway, I hope that this helps a little. Don't hesitate. Just go.

        • +1

          We also borrowed the Lonely Planet Japan book from the local library and researched the heck out of it.

        • Maybe just a week or so in one area rather than everywhere in one trip.

    • +1

      yeah, worth it, obviously fly to your destination (Choose between Tokyo or Osaka) and don't much time on transit between city's.

      ANA doing deals for about $900 return - might be able to do it cheaper if there's other deals on
      Accom - $100/p/n - Good accomodation in an AirBNB (not sure what you want - Busy and central look at Shibuya/Shinjuku might be a bit more, Hipster vibe look at Shimokitazawa, quieter look at Asakusa/Azumabashi near a train line)
      $150 for public transport per person for the week including transfers via train to & from airport (Pickup a tourist Suica at the station next to the airport)
      $220 on food per person (can be as cheap as 550 yen for soup and beer out of tourist areas, and up to $100/p in central areas)

      around $2k/p for something comfortable and not pushing it, could do much cheaper if that's what you're trying to achieve

    • +1

      Definitely. I just paid $285 RT direct flights BNE-Osaka next June (and that's after thinking $450 RT flights last June to Tokyo via Cairns were a good deal!). We found accommodation actually pretty cheap in Tokyo compared to Australia; plenty of options under $150/night, and quite a few under $100. Food is also pretty affordable and cheaper than eating out in Australia. If you absolutely need coffee, 7-Eleven's $2 coffees are actually not bad (vs the tar from our 7-Elevens and Australia's hyperinflated pretentious lattes and flat whites.

      • $285 RT direct flights BNE-Osaka

        That's great? Which airline. Unfortunately RT is around $1100 from Melbourne for my planned dates even with Cathay Pacific :/

  • +3

    esim is cheaper (like Bytesim, Travelkon, Airalo)

    Only benefit of using pocket wifi is if you have Voice over Wifi or SMS over Wifi (on Telstra or Boost plans) then since you're connected to Wifi it continues to work (which it won't over an e-sim)

    imho, setup LINE beforehand and use an e-sim

    • so voice & sms over wifi will work even without roaming?

      what's LINE?

      • LINE is a very popular messaging app… also does payments and other things. They have hundreds of millions of users, mainly in Asia.

        • ok, so use that to pay at a lot of places?

          • @impoze: Cash is king, but a lot of places (chains and established businesses) accept Credit Card
            LINE is just messaging and communication, with some businesses using it as a method of booking or in store queueing too

      • Yes, as long as your provider supports it and enabled on your phone. Afaik you'll still need to leave the service enabled, but leave roaming off.

    • I am with Boost and was just thinking to do roaming. 5GB for $40 for 14 days. Or am I better off with a eSim? First time going to Japan and I have no idea what I am doing. Thanks

      • +2

        If your phone takes esim, then that's definitely the best option. If it doesn't, getting a physical data sim — plenty of it on eBay for $30 for 15 days — with unlimited data!

        • +1

          Thank you. I think my google pixel 6a can do eSim. I will look into it.

          • +1

            @swifteagle: Now you're just bragging XD

            • +1

              @wisdomtooth: I am feeling overwhelmed, however, I can't wait to get there. Time is moving very slowly!

              • +1

                @swifteagle: What's the plan? We did 2 weeks in Tokyo with a nearly 6-y/o boy last June. Tickets to Osaka next June are already booked ($285 RT ea direct from BNE — now I'm the one to brag! XD).

                • @wisdomtooth: That is awesome, we are doing 2 weeks with our 7-year-old girl. Did your boy enjoy it? I think we will be walking a bit, so hopefully she does not complain too much. We are doing 6 nights in Tokyo, 3 nights in Kyoto and 2 in Osaka. Who did you book through to get such great prices on your tickets? We paids $1300 return each, ouch!

  • +2

    The limitations of a pocket WiFi isn't worth the hassle unless the person needing the internet will never be away from the group. I can only think of young children who would need internet for the tablet who obviously will always be with a parent.

    Just get sims if you're travelling with young adults or adults. Anyone can go anywhere anytime and not lose internet.

  • What's the best e sim? Ubigi?

    • Ubigi is owned by NTT DoCoMo, Japan's largest carrier, so the coverage will be better than some other providers. The app is ugly and outdated, but once you're setup, you don't need to look at it. Airalo has a pretty app… but the network might not be comparable to NTT DoCoMo.

  • +1

    Just came back with eSim got from ozb for $25 for 30 days 10gb a day or something, didn't have any issues. Everyone just leeched off my hotspot. I don't need to have to carry another device in my bag or pocket.

    • Which one did you use, any link?

  • +1
  • +1

    I remember the pocket wifi hire was a popular option on arrival to Japan in 2010. Didn't expect anybody still using them. I'm going to Japan for Christmas and definitely not gonna be hiring one. An unlimited data sim costs $20 for 10 days on eBay.

    • i thought japan gov didnt allow temporary sims for tourists?

      • I definitely used one (from TravelKon, not these on eBay, which do seem a better deal!).

    • This one?

      $24 delivered, to be accurate, but yeah, not a bad deal.

      • +1

        Yes, that's right. It just shows $5 off for me as a Plus member. Good deal.

      • thanks for this. good deal.

        just to confirm, this is a physical sim right?

  • So many awesome deals for people using an eSim. My phone uses a physical sim though. Hmmmm the hunt continues!

    • +1

      I paid TravelKon $28 for a Taiwanese physical sim with 10GB that roamed to Japan. It was plenty for 2 weeks. Most of the time, I was using free hotspots all around Tokyo, with an app from NYT that switched between hotspots automatically, so I wouldn't spend my hard earned data unnecessarily.

      The only place where a pocket wifi might've made a difference (dunno) was Disneyland, where I could get next to no reception, and it was sorta critical to get updates on queue times in Disney's app.

      • Sorry if this sound noob but is hotspot safe to use for banking in the app?

        • Yeah, don't; it may be intercepted by a bot lurking about. Use a VPN with it; plenty of free or nearly free ones (after cashback) around here.

  • +1

    anyone used this mob before? $5.99 for 7 days seems super cheap
    https://www.globalyo.com/

    *edit - seems its 2gb total, not per day

    • Thanks, seems like a good deal for a week travel, just for whatsapp texts/calls.

      • Data calls will cost you a fair bit of data, especially if they're video calls. 2GB is pretty meager for a week these days; you'll need the data for maps, booking websites, etc.

        • Any other data SIM/eSIM deals for a 7 days trip? thanks

  • Get a local japan esim, not a dodgy foreign roaming one. e.g. https://www.bmobile.ne.jp/english/product.html

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