Internet in Japan, the two-minute decision
A decade ago I handed guests pocket wifi routers. Now I tell almost everyone the same thing: install an eSIM at home, land connected, skip every counter.
eSIM if your phone supports it (iPhone XS or newer, most recent Androids). Buy online before the flight, scan, done. Data-only, so you keep your home number for texts and calls over wifi.
Pocket wifi still makes sense for a family sharing one connection or if you carry a laptop everywhere. It is one more battery to charge and one more thing to return at the airport, which matters more than people expect on departure morning.
Physical tourist SIMs exist at the airport but the queues and the fiddling put them third on my list. Only pick one if your phone cannot do eSIM.
Whatever you choose, download two things before you land: the Tokyo area in Google Maps offline, and Google Translate's Japanese pack. With those plus data, the city opens up: menus, train changes, taxi destinations, all handled.
What is the best way to get internet in Japan as a tourist?
For most people with a recent phone: an eSIM you install before you fly. Five minutes, no pickup counter, no hardware to return, plans from a few dollars. Pocket wifi only wins for groups or laptop-heavy work trips.
Is there free wifi in Tokyo?
In hotels, konbini, stations and cafes, yes, but it is patchy and login-walled on the street, and you need maps exactly when you are BETWEEN wifi. Do not plan a trip around free wifi, get data.
How much data do I need for a week in Japan?
Heavy map use, translation, photos to the cloud and some video runs 1 to 2 GB a day for most travelers. A 10 to 20 GB plan covers a one-week trip with room to spare.
Does Google Maps work in Japan?
Perfectly for transit, it is the single most important app for your trip. Train departures, platform numbers and fares are live. Only station EXIT choice is where it gets vague, which is exactly what this guide fills in.