Mobal vs Sakura Mobile: Advantages & disadvantages

Looking for a pocket WiFi for your trip to Japan? This comparison between Mobal WiFi vs Sakura Mobile will help you make the right choice.

Whether you are visiting Japan for a few days as a tourist or spending months working as a digital nomad, a reliable internet connection is essential. Imagine not being able to share photos of Japan’s stunning cherry blossoms on social media. Or missing a video call with loved ones. Or failing to respond to an urgent work email. Let’s face it — we depend on internet access for almost everything we do. Public WiFi in Japan is still limited and often difficult to access, especially if you don’t speak Japanese. That’s why both tourists and locals turn to pocket WiFi devices — compact, portable routers that fit easily in your bag or even your pocket

They let you connect multiple devices at once, giving you fast, secure internet on the go. Alongside SIM cards and eSIMs, pocket WiFi has become one of the most popular and practical solutions for staying online in Japan. But which one should you choose? With so many options on the market, picking the right one can feel overwhelming. To help you decide, we’ve prepared a side-by-side comparison of two of Japan’s most popular options:

Mobal WiFi vs Sakura Mobile

We’ll gradually break down the key differences between Mobal WiFi vs Sakura Mobile. Keep reading — by the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly which one suits your travel style, internet needs, and budget. But first, here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you clearly see their main similarities and differences.

Comparison Mobal WiFi vs. Sakura Mobile

Both options offer reliable internet access across Japan, but a closer look reveals key differences worth noting. Both Sakura Mobile and Mobal WiFi provide 4G LTE connectivity throughout Japan. However, their service models and features differ in key ways. Sakura Mobile connects to Docomo. Mobal WiFi supports all four major Japanese networks: SoftBank, Docomo, AU, and Rakuten. Sakura Mobile offers better battery performance.

This is a general overview. Step by step, we will break down the features of each pocket WiFi provider and highlight their similarities and differences.

What’s Sakura Mobile and how does your rental service work?

Before diving deeper into this comparison between Mobal WiFi vs Sakura Wireless, let’s take a closer look at today’s contenders.

Sakura Mobile is a wireless WiFi rental service operated by Og, Inc., a Japanese company founded in 2014. They offer several internet solutions tailored to both tourists and long-term residents in Japan. Their product range includes: Physical SIM cards, eSIM options and pocket WiFi devices. Pocket WiFi devices (focus of this comparison with Mobal WiFi)

Like any reliable pocket WiFi rental service, Sakura Mobile offers a smooth and well-organised system for both collection and return. First, you book online through their official website and complete the payment process for your selected plan. You can collect your pocket WiFi device at: Post offices in major international airports in Japan, your accommodation (hotel, Airbnb, etc.), Sakura Mobile’s office in Shinjuku, Tokyo. At the end of your trip: Place the pocket WiFi and all accessories in the prepaid return envelope included in your rental kit, drop the envelope into any mailbox across Japan.

What’s Mobal WiFi?

Mobal is another portable WiFi service designed for use in Japan. Its device uses Soft SIM technology, offering 4G LTE coverage via all major Japanese networks. Like Sakura Mobile, Mobal also provides: Physical SIM cards, eSIM solutions. And of course, the pocket WiFi (our focus today)

A key difference is that Mobal WiFi is built mainly for home use, not short-term travellers. That makes it ideal for: Digital nomads, international students and mid- to long-term visitors. You can use Mobal for travel in Japan, but you’ll need to weigh whether buying the device is worth it.

Unlike Sakura Mobile’s rental model, Mobal WiFi requires: Purchase of the device and a minimum 3-month contract to activate the service. Monthly fee: $33.00. At the end of the three-month contract, the WiFi router is yours and you can continue to use Mobal’s service every month or cancel it. Early cancellation? Cancel before 3 months = $19.94 fee. But if you return the router in good condition, you’ll get a refund for the cancellation fee.

Now that you know how both services work, let’s compare key features. We’ll analyse their pricing, coverage, battery life and more.

Mobal WiFi vs Sakura Mobile: Price and plan comparison

One of the first things travellers consider before buying a service is the cost. To help you understand how a pocket WiFi might affect your Japan travel budget, here’s a detailed comparison of Mobal WiFi and Sakura Mobile prices:

Price Mobal WiFi vs Sakura Mobile

As shown in the table, the data plans offered by Mobal WiFi and Sakura Mobile have very similar pricing. Both charge the same for the 100 GB plan, while the other packages are slightly more expensive with Mobal. The key difference lies in how each service operates. With Mobal, you must purchase the pocket WiFi device for $46.43 before choosing a monthly plan

As mentioned earlier, Mobal WiFi is designed mainly for home internet use. However, the device is compact and portable, making it suitable for travel around Japan as well. Keep in mind: Once you activate the service, you commit to a three-month contract. If you cancel early, a termination fee applies. That fee is refundable if you return the device in good condition.

Sakura Mobile is a more flexible and travel-friendly option. You can rent the device on a daily basis and get unlimited data—ideal for both short and long trips. Well, there’s one important detail: Although sold as unlimited, the plan has a fair usage policy. If you exceed 3 GB per day, your speed may be throttled temporarily. In other words, you’ll still have internet access, but at a slower speed. For longer stays, Sakura Mobile offers monthly plans of 100, 200, and 300 GB.These options provide more than enough data for most travellers.

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What’s the coverage like in both cases?

Both services offer the same coverage area—they operate exclusively in Japan. Both Mobal WiFi and Sakura Mobile offer strong internet coverage across almost all of Japan. However, signal strength might drop in remote or mountainous regions.

The key difference is that Mobal WiFi connects to multiple networks—SoftBank, Docomo, AU, and Rakuten. You can’t choose the network manually; the device auto-connects to the strongest signal available. Meanwhile, Sakura Mobile uses Docomo’s 4G/LTE network, known as the fastest in Japan. So, whichever option you choose, you’ll enjoy solid coverage and reliable high-speed data

Mobile hotspot: Mobal WiFi vs. Sakura Mobile

Let’s continue this comparison between Mobal WiFi and Sakura Mobile. As you’ve seen, unlike global internet plans, both services require you to rent or buy a pocket WiFi device. Now, let’s move on to two other key differences: How many devices you can connect at once Battery life.

With Mobal WiFi, you can connect up to 10 devices at once. However, Sakura Mobile supports up to 15 devices simultaneously. This means you’ll have internet on your smartphone, laptop, tablet, or any other WiFi-enabled device right away. This also means that multiple users can connect their phones at the same time—ideal for families or travel groups. So, if you’re travelling in a group and need to connect several devices to the network, Sakura Mobile is the better choice.

Here’s where we see more differences. The battery performance of Sakura Mobile’s pocket WiFi is quite impressive: 20 hours of battery life, which should be enough for most travellers throughout the day. Of course, battery life can vary depending on: Network strength, number of connected devices and daily usage intensity. Still, you’re unlikely to run into problems. On the other hand, Mobal’s pocket WiFi offers up to 12 hours of continuous use, and slightly more on standby mode. Once again, Sakura Mobile’s device has the upper hand.

Problem solving: Mobal WiFi vs. Sakura Mobile

Let’s now look at one final, crucial factor that could tip the scale between Mobal WiFi and Sakura Mobile — the quality and efficiency of customer support. Having reliable assistance during your trip is essential, especially if you experience issues with your pocket WiFi. Moreover, having support in English is crucial. A service limited to Japanese won’t be much help for most travellers.

Mobal WiFi provides English-language support, which is a big advantage. However, their communication channels are somewhat limited. When you access the support section on their website, you’ll find a well-organised FAQ section. But if that doesn’t solve your issue, you’ll need to fill out a contact form and wait for a reply. There’s no live chat or WhatsApp support available.

Sakura Mobile offers a similar set-up. Its official website includes a detailed FAQ section and a contact form for specific queries. However, only regular customers have access to exclusive support. Temporary users won’t find live chat or WhatsApp options either.

So, both companies could improve their customer service by offering more accessible channels, such as 24/7 live chat and WhatsApp support, especially for international travellers.

Mobal WiFi vs. Sakura Mobile: Which one should you take out?

If you’ve decided that a pocket WiFi is the best solution for staying connected in Japan, it’s time to pick your provider. The right pocket WiFi service depends mostly on how long you’ll stay in Japan. If you’re travelling for tourism and staying short-term, Sakura Mobile is a practical solution. Its device rental prices are competitive and it includes unlimited data (note: speeds slow down after 3GB per day). The booking, delivery, and return process is also quick and hassle-free, which is great for travellers.

For longer stays, Sakura Mobile still holds up well, offering monthly plans with 100 GB, 200 GB, or unlimited data. Mobal WiFi offers similar data plans, but you’ll need to purchase the device upfront.

In terms of coverage, Mobal connects to the strongest available network at any given time, including SoftBank, Docomo, AU and Rakuten. Sakura Mobile only uses Docomo, which is the fastest and most reliable in Japan. However, Mobal supports fewer devices simultaneously than Sakura Mobile, which can be a deal-breaker if you’re travelling in a group. And, when it comes to technical support, there is a clear tie between the two pocket WiFi providers.

If you’d rather avoid carrying and managing another device, go for a global eSIM from Holafly Connect. You’ll be able to choose between different data packages and you’ll also have internet in many other countries.

Mobal WiFi WiFi vs Sakura Mobile: Frequently Asked Questions

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