pocket wifi, same day, narita

[privileged]

Hi,

I've been gone 4 years, heading back tomorrow for a visit.

Pocket wi-fi did not exist when I lived there. I've poked around and done some searching but I'm not totally clear on how this works and would appreciate up to date information if anyone has it.

What I want: get off plane, find place, rent thing, begin using.

I've heard a lot about reservations and shipping etc.

Is there a downside to waiting til I land? My flight gets in at 4 on a weekday so it seems like stuff would still be open. I'm not really worried about the best, fastest, most convenient deal. I can walk around the airport and spend a little more time or even money getting it together.

I just don't want to show up and be told it HAS to be shipped get it a few days later.

I realize most people posting here live in Japan so maybe don't have a lot of first hand experience.

Just hoping someone can help me with something kind of current. You know I'm just looking for anything important to know in advance like "100% definitely worth it to reserve in advance" would be great to know.

thanks!

[kurogane]

I actually don't really know what you're talking about there, but I have rented cell phones from these guys numerous times. They're fast, reliable, and friendly, and it seems quite affordable to me. Is this maybe what you are looking for:

http://www.rentafonejapan.com/Mobile-Internet.html

Anyways, highly recommended, and I don't even get a commission for saying that

One other thing: the rental joints I have seen at the airports struck me as being F'IN!!!!!!!!!!! expensive. I seem to remember 1000 yen per day being fairly normal, though I might be wrong.

Anyhoo, check it out, have a good trip.

[matsuki]

Going the other way, this trip I finally became fed up with my Verizon "MiFi" service and switched to "boost mobile" that is more net oriented when it comes to setting up and a bit cheaper. Definitely happy I switched. Verizon was literally a new problem to contend with each trip here.

[kurogane]

So these are pocket mobile Wifi routers? Cool idea, glad I don't need one. Maybe I should get a smartphone and just use it as a Wifi terminal. It certainly would have made my bicycle Journey without Maps from Asakusa to Takobanana a lot easier last fall.

[privileged]

I sincerely appreciate the quick responses!

I know you can rent phones. I guess my thoughts were I don't really need to dial phones in Japan; what I need more is internet. Most people in Japan I talk to on the Line app. Back in the states, facebook messenger, what's app. Even google maps for finding my way around, etc.

The advantage there is it uses my current US phone, so I don't have to download or install anything or figure out my contacts again, etc. Just use it like I use it in the US.

Yes, I've gotten lazy in my time away...

[matsuki]

You're not lazy, it's exactly what I do and very useful. LINE and SKYPE virtually eliminate the need for phone rental.

[chibaka]

http://globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html
http://www.pupuru.com/en/service/emobile/index3.html
http://www.exseli.com/rental/cat/20/entry/1872
http://www.rentafonejapan.com/Mobile-Internet.html

Boom...

[privileged]

what makes me nervous on those is they talk about "delivering" the wi fi to the airport for my pickup.

really sounds like i have to order in advance. 24 hr in advance i kind of think i slept on this.

[privileged]

it's the evening of the 18th in the us. i leave 19th, so land in tokyo evening of 20th. tried to reserve a pocket wi fi for pick up from rentafone. i'll post how it goes...

[Coligny]

it's the evening of the 18th in the us. i leave 19th, so land in tokyo evening of 20th. tried to reserve a pocket wi fi for pick up from rentafone. i'll post how it goes...

Or not...

[Bucky]

When we were in Tokyo in May, the AirBnB we stayed at had a pocket WiFi unit that we took with us everywhere we went. It was great giving us instant, solid connectivity. In the US I use T-Mobile and they allow WiFi calling so it worked out well. Highly recommend it. The one downside was it got hot so you need to keep it in a backback or somewhere that the heat won't bother.

[privileged]

this worked great. picked up at airport and works nicely and easily. on it now! mine gets a little warm, not that bad. anyway, thanks!

[chibaka]

this worked great. picked up at airport and works nicely and easily. on it now! mine gets a little warm, not that bad. anyway, thanks!

What worked great exactly?

[Russell]

What is the carrier?

I have one of AU, but am not very satisfied with it.

In cities it's OK, but being in an area that is even a little bit rural is sufficient to make it loose its signal.

[kurogane]

I know their rental cell phones use Softbank. I rarely go full rural anymore but coverage on outlying Okinawan islands is fine, assuming that the pocket wireless fairies swim and dance on the same miasma as the cellphone ones do.

[privileged]

this worked great. picked up at airport and works nicely and easily. on it now! mine gets a little warm, not that bad. anyway, thanks!

What worked great exactly?

I mean it did what it was supposed to. It was easy to pick up, it has essentially one function which is unlimited internet access. It couldn't be easier. It has one button. On/Off. When it was on I could use internet and text messages on my phone. It will eventually die if you use the shit out of it all day though.

I had it 2 weeks. I dropped it at the Narita Airport PO just before security. 9000 yen, which was $77 to me by paypal.

I’m not saying this is a steal or great or I’d love it if I lived there, but I don’t — for a 2 week vacation, this did exactly what I wanted and I was very happy with the price.

[chibaka]

I mean it did what it was supposed to.

Just tried one of these on a short trip to the UK. Worked well, probably easier than messing with SIM cards especially as we used 3 devices. Skype for calls, mails, messaging and maps all no problem. Just as Japan is coming to terms with unlockable phones too.......