These days, traveling without an internet connection seems almost unimaginable. Whether you're looking up directions, booking tickets, staying in touch with loved ones, or sharing your adventures on Instagram, internet access has become essential—even on the other side of the world.
Japan, one of the most technologically advanced countries, offers impressive network coverage, including in rural areas. However, for French travelers, using a standard mobile plan can be expensive due to roaming fees.
While Japan Experience's internet options are our top recommendation, there are several other ways to stay connected.
Is Free Internet Available in Japan?
Yes, and that’s excellent news for travelers! Japan offers a wide range of free internet access options.
Free Wi-Fi in Hotels
Most hotels in Japan provide free Wi-Fi for guests, but the quality of the connection varies:
- Modern hotels: Typically offer stable and fast connections in your room. For example, the APA hotel chain provides excellent Wi-Fi access with each room having a dedicated network.
- Traditional ryokans and guesthouses: Wi-Fi may be limited to common areas or unavailable altogether.
Connecting at Cafés and Restaurants
To accommodate tourists, the Japanese government has expanded free Wi-Fi access in public spaces:
- Airports: Major airports like Narita, Haneda, and Kansai offer unlimited free Wi-Fi.
- Transportation: Some train lines (including the Shinkansen) and metro systems have free Wi-Fi networks.
- Public spaces: Cities like Tōkyō and Kyōto provide free hotspots, although connection quality depends on the number of users.
However, these networks often experience issues:
- Registration can be complicated.
- Connections are typically limited to 30 minutes.
- Speeds may be slow, especially on crowded networks.
Tip: Download the Japan Connected-Free Wi-Fi app before your trip. It helps you locate and automatically connect to free Wi-Fi hotspots throughout Japan.
Using Your Mobile Plan in Japan: Not Recommended
Mobile carriers charge steep fees for roaming in Japan, even with travel-specific options. For example, here’s an overview of standard costs for French mobile carriers:
| Operator | Phone call | SMS | MMS | Data |
| Bouygues | Emitted: 2,30 € / min Received: 1,00 €/ min |
0,30 € / SMS | 10,24 € / Mo | 10,24 € / MB |
| Free | Emitted: 0,22 € / min Received : 0,30 € / min |
0,27 € / SMS | 1,05 € / MMS | 9,70 € / MB |
| Orange | Emitted: 2,90 € / min Received: 1,90 € / min |
0,28 € / SMS | 1,10 € / MMS | 13,31 € / MB |
| SFR | Emitted: 2,90 € / min Received : 1,32 € / min |
0,66 € / SMS | 1,91 € / MMS | 13,20 € / MB |
For instance, during a trip to Japan, we briefly activated mobile data to find our hotel’s address on Google Maps. The result? A 45 € bill for just a few minutes of connection!
Conclusion: Disable mobile data and switch to airplane mode to save battery and avoid unexpected charges.
Affordable Solutions for Internet Access in Japan
To stay connected without breaking the bank, several options tailored for tourists are available, including prepaid SIM cards, eSIMs, and pocket Wi-Fi devices.
Japan Experience’s Offer: Great Value for Money
Japan Experience provides some of the best value for internet access, offering multi-format SIM cards, eSIMs for compatible phones, and pocket Wi-Fi devices for pickup in Japan.
Advantages of SIM Card
- Unlimited 4G data on a national network.
- Quick delivery in Europe
- Reliable customer service and English-language support.
Pricing
| Duration |
(unlimited data, ship. inc.) |
(daily rental between 5 and 50 days) |
(limited data) |
| 8 days | 26,00 € | 50,00 € | 23,00 € (30 GB) |
| 16 days | 31,00 € | 82,00 € | 28,00 € (50 GB) |
| 31 days | 36,00 € | 142,00 € | 35,00 € (50 GB) |
| Max | - | 50 days : 197,00 € | 91 days : 74 € (135 GB) |
How It Works
- Choose between a SIM card, eSIM, or pocket Wi-Fi.
- Provide your details to place the order.
- SIM card: Delivered to your home in Europe. Insert it into your phone upon arrival in Japan and discard it after use.
- eSIM: Configuration instructions are emailed to you.
- Pocket Wi-Fi: Pick it up in Japan (airport or hotel) and return it at the end of your trip.
SIM Cards, eSIMs, or Pocket Wi-Fi: Which One to Choose?
SIM / eSIM
- Best for solo travelers with unlocked phones.
- eSIMs are especially convenient since they don’t require a physical card.
- If your phone supports it, enable hotspot sharing to connect other devices.
- Bring a SIM removal tool if using a physical SIM card.
Pocket Wi-Fi
- Ideal for groups or families, as it supports multiple devices.
- Offers ~12 hours of battery life but requires regular charging.
- Must be picked up and returned in Japan.
- Device quality and battery performance may vary depending on prior usage.
