Mobile internet

Japan Wireless Pocket WIFI review: Cost, speed, pros & cons

We tell our Japan Wireless pocket wifi review. Coverage, plans and rates - is it what you need for your travels?

When planning a trip, one of the most important things to consider is how you’ll stay connected. Thankfully, more and more companies now offer internet solutions for travellers. But that also means it can be difficult to decide which one to choose. To help you narrow it down, today we’re sharing a full review of a service that’s especially popular among tourists in Japan: Japan Wireless. We’ll cover everything you need to know, including: Japan Wireless Pocket WIFI review, data plans and pricing, customer support and how the service works. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, keep reading—we’ll help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.

In this article

What’s Japan Wireless and how does it work?

Let’s start with the basics: What’s Japan Wireless and what does it offer? Japan Wireless is a company that specialises in pocket WiFi rentals and SIM card sales exclusively for use in Japan. It operates under the name Inbound Platform Corp., based in Tokyo.

With over ten years of experience, it has become one of the most trusted names among international travellers visiting Japan. Its popularity is especially high among those who: Need unlimited data plans and rely on constant internet access for work or navigation.

How does it work? It’s very straightforward. You rent a pocket WiFi device from Japan Wireless, and when you switch it on, it automatically connects to the best available mobile network in your area. The service offers 99% coverage across Japan, ensuring a stable connection almost anywhere you travel.

Japan Wireless reviews: Plans and prices

Before diving into the pricing, here’s something important to consider: To use Japan Wireless, you must rent a pocket WiFi device. This increases your overall cost. Currently, the company offers two pocket WiFi models, which we’ll discuss in a moment.

Once you’ve chosen your device, you can select either a daily rental or a long-term plan. What are the plan options? Here are the available data plans:

Short-term plan: From $3.90/day (when rented for 28 days or more)
Super long-term plan: From $4.10/day (also for rentals of 28+ days)
Amperio plan: $32 for 30 days.

One of the biggest reasons travellers choose this provider: All plans include unlimited data. The only difference between them is in: Maximum speed and battery life. While the Premium plan reaches speeds of up to 187 Mbps and offers 20 hours of battery life, the Standard plan reaches 120 Mbps with 18.5 hours of battery life.

What is our opinion of Japan Wireless? Is it a cheap option? When comparing prices, Japan Wireless sits around the middle of the market for pocket WiFi in Japan. But it does offer a few key advantages: Unlimited data with every plan and a free external battery included in your rental. Another strong point is its flexibility. Whether you’re travelling for a few days, several weeks, or a full month, Japan Wireless has a plan to suit your trip.

Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍

Buy Global eSIM

Japan Wireless pocket WiFi: Rental reviews, delivery and return

As mentioned earlier, you’ll need to rent a pocket WiFi to use Japan Wireless services. The good news? Unlike companies that only sell devices, Japan Wireless allows flexible rentals—for days, months or even a full year.

The entire process is quick and easy. Just: Go to the Japan Wireless website, select your rental dates, choose your preferred pocket WiFi model and pick a delivery location. The price will vary based on the length of your rental and the device you choose. Earlier we told you that there are two available. You can choose between:

Business WiFi:
- Connect up to 5 devices
- 18.5 hours of battery life
- Speeds up to 120 Mbps
- Free power bank included

Premium WiFi (Perfect for streaming and gaming)
- Connect up to 10 devices
- 20 hours of battery life
- Speeds up to 187 Mbps
- Free power bank included

Planning an extended stay in Japan? Japan Wireless also offers monthly rental plans with more competitive pricing:

3 months: $132 ($44/month)
6 months: $240 ($40/month)
12 months: $446 ($37/month)

Japan Wireless has a reputation for quick delivery times. Once your booking is confirmed, you can: Collect the device at airports, hotels, or pick-up points or have it shipped to your home before departure Delivery usually takes 1–2 business days.

Returning the device is just as easy. Place everything into the prepaid return envelope provided, drop it in any postbox in Japan or leave it at your hotel reception. Do this on the final day of your rental

What if you return it late? Late returns incur additional daily charges. You’ll also need to pay if the device or accessories are lost or damaged:

Pocket WiFi device lost or damaged: ¥40,000 ($266)
Power bank lost or damaged: ¥2,000 ($13)
USB cable lost or damaged: ¥1,000 ($7)

Japan Wireless offers optional insurance plans: Regular Plan: Covers 50% of the replacement cost Gold Plan: Covers 100% of the replacement cost

Japan Wireless coverage and connection speed

When choosing a pocket WiFi, coverage is key. Japan Wireless guarantees nationwide coverage across Japan, even in rural or mountainous areas. Their devices offer reliable 4G LTE and 5G speeds, ideal for navigation, streaming, and remote work. The only places where you might experience limited service are very remote or mountainous areas.

How fast is the connection? According to their website, Japan Wireless provides smooth performance for: Web browsing, streaming films or series, making video calls. All devices operate on 4G LTE standards, with theoretical maximum speeds depending on the model:

Business WiFi: Up to 120 Mbps download
Premium WiFi: Up to 187 Mbps download

As always, actual speeds depend on your location and network traffic. Most users report: Download speeds between 50–150 Mbps, upload speeds between 20–50 Mbps.

Japan Wireless pocket WiFi: Battery life review

Battery life is crucial when you rely on a pocket WiFi during your trip. Here’s what Japan Wireless offers:

Business WiFi: Up to 18.5 hours continuous use.
Premium WiFi: Up to 20 hours continuous use.

Do They Include a Power Bank? Yes—both devices include a free power bank. This reduces your need to search for sockets or charging stations during the day.

Users report that charging the devices takes around 3 to 4 hours. Charging is done via USB connection.

Review of Japan Wireless pocket wifi reviews and service: Battery. Source: Shutterstock

Alternatives to Japan Wireless

To wrap up our review of Japan Wireless, let’s take a quick look at the competition. When it comes to travel connectivity, it’s only natural to compare similar services and choose the one that best suits your trip. There are plenty of companies offering mobile internet for travellers. But we’ve narrowed it down to three of the most popular alternatives among tourists:

Holafly Plans

Want to have internet on your travels but can’t see how to fit yet another device in your suitcase? In that case you’re interested in Holafly Plans. Unlike Japan Wireless, it doesn’t use a pocket WiFi device. Just like Japan Wireless, Holafly offers unlimited data for €64.90 ($67.90). But it also has flexible plans: 10 GB for €39.90 ($40.93), 25 GB for €49.90 ($51.19). This makes it ideal for different types of travellers.

Holafly Plans provides coverage in over 170 countries. If your trip includes Japan and other destinations, this option might suit your itinerary better than a Japan-only solution. All plans run on a monthly subscription model. You can cancel or switch anytime. No need to worry about manual top-ups or renewals.

Japan Wireless pocket WiFi reviews vs. TravelWifi

Have you decided to opt for the traditional pocket WiFi format? TravelWifi may be a more flexible option than Japan Wireless, especially when it comes to delivery and returns. You can either buy or rent the device. TravelWifi works in over 130 countries. Their data plans are quite flexible and there are options for just a few days, but also monthly packages. Some of their prices, to give you an idea, are as follows:

Sapphire 2: Connect up to 5 devices – $149.
Sapphire T2: Improved speed and stability – $179.
Sapphire 3: Longer battery life, connect up to 10 devices – $249.
Sapphire 5G: 5G connection with 12 hours of battery life – $399

Japan Wireless pocket WiFi reviews vs. Solis WiFi

If you’d rather buy a pocket WiFi instead of renting, Solis WiFi is a strong option. This device uses vSIM technology, meaning it doesn’t require a physical SIM card. It automatically connects to the strongest network available in over 135 countries. Solis WiFi data plans:

Global Day Pass: Unlimited data for $9/day
Pay-as-you-go (per GB): Best for light users at $12 per GB.
Unlimited Global Subscription: No limits, $99/month.

Pros and cons of Japan Wireless

To close our review of Japan Wireless pocket WiFi, here’s a summary table showing its key pros and cons. This will help you decide if it’s the right fit for your trip:

Pros of Japan Wireless	Cons of Japan Wireless
Reliable coverage across Japan, even in rural areas.	Only works in Japan—not suitable for multi-country travel.
Option to rent the device—ideal for short-term stays.	No purchase option, rental only.
Unlimited data included in all plans.	Daily rental cost can be high compared to eSIM alternatives.
Fast delivery to hotels, airports, and private addresses in Japan.	Device must be returned at the end of your trip.
Long battery life, plus option to add a power bank.	No support service 24/7 in multiple languages.

Pros and cons of Japan Wireless pocket wifi reviews and service