Getting to know the five "wifi rental" brands in Japan

Brands & coverage "rental wifi" for travel in Japan

If you are in the USA, you would know Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint for mobile phone services. If you are planning to visit Japan and thinking about using a mobile wifi router, I will introduce the following 5 brands in Japan.

Softbank

Wifi rental plans by Softbank are probably the most preferred in Japan now. They cover most areas where people live, and offer fast speed. I have used "PocketWifi 501WH" shown above with an unlimited data plan for 2 weeks by Softbank in Toyama city, and had a stress free experience. 

Softbank utilizes 4 different bands including band 8(900MHz), which they call Platinum Band, and internet connection is supposed to be very good even during heavy data traffic hours such as lunch time and evening hours.

There are 2 models available for rent and they function very similarly.  The major difference is that maximum of 14 devices can be connected with 303ZT, while 501WH can take 10 devices, but 501WH has  a built-in TV tuner.

Hybrid 4G LTE/ up to 14 devices(303ZT) / data plan: unlimited (no daily limit, either)

Up to 187.5Mbps download, 37.5Mbps upload.

Click here to check the coverage with 303ZT.

Click here to check the coverage with 501WH.

Y!mobile

Y!mobile (formerly emobile) is a very popular brand for mobile wifi routers in Japan. As it's so popular, there are a lot of users of this network and the traffic can be jammed sometimes. But if you want to make a quick and "affordable" decision, "PocketWifi" models from Y!mobile won't go wrong.  I have used GL06P in Toyama city a couple of times and it worked fine, just a bit slower compared to a Softbank plan, as it is not one of the latest & fastest model.

4G LTE / up to 10 devices / data plan: 7Mbps (up to 25) per month max is common

Up to 75Mbps download, 25Mbps upload.

Click here to check the coverage.

au (KDDI)

au is a good carrier to use even in remote areas such as mountains and seashores (99% they claim). It also utilizes the band 8(900MHz), which they call Platinum Band, and internet connection is supposed to be good.

The only thing with au is that you will likely not be to find the latest models for rent, so overall users' experience aren't as good as their competitors.

They say if you plan to wander about Japan, off the beaten tracks away from big cities, this network will be a better choice.  au is known to be good especially in Hokkaido and Okinawa. 

4G LTE and 3G / up to 10 devices / data plan: unlimited as long as you stay under 500MB a day

Up to 75Mbps download, 25Mbps upload.

Click here to check the coverage.  Wifi Walker (HWD11 by Huawei)

Docomo 

Docomo used to be NTT(=Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation) the government-owned corporation for many years. It was privatized in 1985, and now the mobile phone division is called "NTT Docomo." The company covers the largest areas in Japan, even remote islands and some mountains.  It's the safest network to stay with if you want to access the internet, especially if you don't know where you are going.

Docomo is the largest carrier in Japan and offers the widest coverage. If you are not a heavy internet user, you won't have a problem at all times.

The downside is that Docomo plans often come with limitations, such as "for unbroken LTE connection, 3GB max for the consecutive 3 calendar days." (If you did it, the data speed will be throttled until the next day.) The connection can be sluggish during busy hours in crowded areas, but it's getting better day by day.

If you want to climb Mt Fuji and other mountains, Docomo is the best choice as they organize a special bus tower in popular areas in the peak season. Also, if you plan to go fishing, Docomo might be the most helpful on the water.

4G LTE (and 3G) / up to 10 devices / data plan: unlimited (E5383), 7GB(Xi)

E5383: Up to 300Mbps download, 100Mbps upload. Xi NI760S: Up to 75Mbps download, 25Mbps upload.

Docomo Xi 760S

Click here to check the coverage.

WiMax

UQ WiMax W01

WiMax towers are located only in cities. Not such a good idea if you travel remote areas.  Some people prefer WiMax, WiMax 2+ because of their light and sleek bodies of the routers. Their routers are also thought to be some of the fastest.

If you would like a LAN cable connection, there are WiMax models available which come with a cradle with a LAN jack on the back side of it.

WiMax 2+ W01: Up to 220Mbps download, 10Mbps upload.  WiMax: Up to 40Mbps download, 15.4Mbps upload.

Data plan is unlimited as long as you stay below 3〜10GB within 3 days.

Click here to check the coverage.