Fiber Internet vs. Pocket WiFi in Japan: Which Should I Choose?

It might be hard to imagine the internet connection speeds and data limits of Japan’s internet types, making it difficult to know whether to choose fiber internet or pocket Wi-Fi.
In most cases, both fiber internet and pocket WiFi will require 2 to 3-year contracts, so you won’t be able to simply try something else if you don’t like the service.
But have no fear.
After reading this article, it should be more clear to you whether you should use pocket Wi-Fi or fiber internet.
We’ll avoid the complicated jargon so you can get all the information you need quickly and simply.

If you’re looking for internet in Japan, you may have the following questions:

• Which is better: fiber internet or pocket WiFi?
• The portability of pocket WiFi is convenient, but what’s up with the internet speed and data caps?
• Is there anything else to keep in mind when deciding on what type of internet to use?

This article will answer all of these questions and more:

1. The quick answer: Should you choose fiber internet or pocket WiFi?
2. The best 5 pocket WiFi plans in Japan
3. The best 7 fiber internet plans in Japan

1. The quick answer: Should you choose fiber internet or pocket WiFi?

There are many elements you should pay attention to when choosing internet. Out of the following five aspects, what do you want to prioritize the most?

1. I want the fastest internet speeds possible
2. I want to use a lot of data
3. I want to connect to the internet even outside of the house
4. I want the cheapest internet I can get
5. I need internet connection right away

Let’s go into more detail.

a) I want the fastest internet speeds possible

Those who want or need fast internet connection should choose fiber internet.

To give an example, the following is the difference in connection speeds between fiber internet and pocket WiFi in Tokyo.

• *The connection speeds will change based on factors such as the provider or your device. However, these numbers should not be too far off from what you will experience.
• *Most providers list numbers such as 1Gbps as the fastest possible internet speed, but these numbers are only the theoretical maximum speeds. In reality, your internet speed will not reach this number. The numbers here provide a more accurate representation of actual internet speeds.

Here are some things that you might want to do using the internet and the necessary speed that you will need to accomplish them.

As you can see, participating in online meetings or playing online games can be difficult with pocket WiFi; those who will be working from home or plan to play online games frequently should get fiber internet instead.

While pocket WiFi can achieve speeds of up to 40Mbps, depending on the day and time, it can go down to as low as between 1 and 5Mbps.

Because pocket WiFi uses a mobile network, there is no guarantee that the connection will always be stable.

However, if you are just trying to watch YouTube, there shouldn’t be any delays while streaming using pocket WiFi.

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b) I want to use a lot of data

If you are planning on using large amounts of data daily, choose fiber internet.

Pocket WiFi plans will always have data caps; in comparison, with fiber internet, the amount of data you are allowed to use is unlimited.

Here is a comparison of the different plans at Sakura Mobile. You can also see how they differ from fiber internet.

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For reference, below is a table showing the types of things that you can do with Sakura Mobile’s plans.

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If you are not planning on using very much data, then Sakura Mobile’s Pocket WiFi should work perfectly fine.

On the other hand, if you want to stream videos for long amounts of time or you need to use Zoom for school or work, it would be a better decision to get fiber internet.

For school and work in particular, it is a lot more inconvenient to have bad internet connection. Thus, we strongly recommend getting fiber internet.

Fiber internet is also the right choice if you are planning on sharing the internet with your family or roommates.

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c) I want to connect to the internet even outside of the house

If you want to be able to connect to the internet anywhere, you will be looking at getting pocket WiFi.

As you probably know, fiber internet can be used wirelessly if you have a router, but it is limited to inside the house.

In addition, there are very few places in Japan where you can use free WiFi. Establishments like Starbucks, McDonald’s, and a few other cafes have free WiFi, but it’s safe to assume that you will not have access to WiFi when you are outside of the house.

If you want to use internet on the go, pocket WiFi is the correct choice.

au, SoftBank, docomo, and WiMAX cover 99% of Japan’s populated areas, so you should not have any problems.

However, note that if you are in rural areas of Japan, underground, in the mountains, or in buildings where the walls are very thick, there is a chance that your signal will become very weak.

If you are worried about the coverage in your area of residence, contact your provider before entering a contract to make sure that you can use the pocket WiFi device without any issue.

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d) I want the cheapest internet I can get

For those of you who prioritize cost-effectiveness over everything else, it would be wise to choose pocket WiFi.

No matter the provider, pocket WiFi is always going to be cheaper than fiber internet.

Below is a table showing the details of Sakura Mobile’s pocket WiFi plans and home internet service.

Scroll right for more →→

• *All prices listed include tax

For example, if you do not need unlimited data, you can save money on your monthly bill by getting pocket WiFi with a plan that has 10 GB or 30 GB per month.

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e) I need internet connection right away

For those who need access to the internet as soon as possible, we recommend that you choose pocket WiFi.

This is because fiber internet can take anywhere between two weeks and a month from the time that you apply until you can start using it.

Conversely, once you apply for pocket WiFi, it will only take a few days until the device is delivered to your door.

The reason that fiber internet takes so much longer is because it requires an installation.

Sometimes, because there are not enough electricians available to visit all the houses that need internet, your installation date may be pushed back further than you would like.

In particular, during moving season in Japan (which takes place between February and April), the installation schedules tend to be very full. Worst case scenario, you may have to wait up to two months until you are able to start using the internet.

If you need internet immediately, you should get pocket Wi-Fi instead of taking the time to wait for installation.

With Sakura Fiber Internet, you will be able to receive a pocket WiFi device after you apply. This way, you can have access to the internet while waiting for your fiber internet to be installed.

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2. The best 5 pocket WiFi plans in Japan

So have you decided what type of internet to use? For those of you who are looking to use pocket WiFi, we have compiled a list of five of the best pocket Wi-Fi plans to recommend to you.

If you who have decided to use fiber internet, click here to jump to our recommendations for fiber internet.

• *All prices listed include tax
• *Sakura Mobile’s official site does not list plans over 30GB, but please contact us if you are interested in larger data options

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So, which one is the best?

If you are an international resident in Japan looking for pocket WiFi, the following most likely apply to you.

If this is the case, then we recommend Sakura Mobile.

Sakura Mobile is on the top of our list for long-term Pocket WiFi providers. Compared to other Japanese providers, Sakura Mobile does not have the restrictions of a two year contract. Plus, you will not have to pay an extra fee for the actual device.

The Pocket WiFi devices are on the docomo network, which is the largest in Japan. This means that you will be getting the highest quality possible when it comes to connection speed.

Additionally, Sakura Mobile has year-round English customer support. Having English-speaking staff to help you with your connection or other device issues can be a lifesaver if you are not fluent in Japanese. Compared to other providers that have little to no English support, this aspect makes Sakura Mobile suitable for international residents in Japan.

3. The best 7 fiber internet plans in Japan

For those who want to use fiber internet, we have compiled a table that compares the best fiber internet plans for international residents.

Scroll right for more →→

*All prices listed include tax
*The monthly fee includes the base fee, ISP fee, and WiFi router rental.
*The monthly fee is a comparison of the house-type fiber internet option of each provider.
*The initial fee includes the administrative fee and installation fee.
*This chart does not include smartphone bundle discounts and other discounts that require specific conditions to be met.

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So, which one is the best?

The internet that best fits your needs will depend on your situation.

However, we believe that the following apply to many of the international residents living in Japan:

If you believe that you fall into these categories, we recommend Sakura Fiber Internet.

• Sakura Fiber Internet Official Page

Here are some of the reasons.

English support

First and foremost, Sakura Fiber Internet is the only provider with full English support.

The reason that this is so important is that getting fiber internet without Japanese is impossible; looking through the website, reading the contract details, and installation will require you to know Japanese somewhere along the way.

Unlike pocket WiFi, the setup process for fiber internet can take up to one month. The process goes something like this:

If you do not have English support along the way, you will have to understand the contract and the instruction manuals, as well as be able to set the installation schedule and communicate with the electricians completely in Japanese.

Sakura Fiber Internet, however, does not require you to know any Japanese. The contract and all the communication between you and staff members can be completed in English. We also do not use any third-party translation companies, so we can offer you customer support that is fast and efficient.

Contract period

Another reason why Sakura Fiber Internet a good choice is that the contract period is very short.

The majority of companies in Japan require you to enter a two year contract when applying for fiber internet, but with Sakura Fiber Internet, your contract period is only three months. This is why monthly fees are slightly higher than competitors.

With Sakura Fiber Internet, you can cancel your contract any time after the three months; with other providers, you will only be able to cancel at a specific time once your contract period is up. Attempting to cancel your contract any other time will result in a large penalty, sometimes totaling over 20,000 yen.

Speed

Now on to what everyone is curious about: internet speed. Because Sakura Fiber Internet shares Japan’s most high quality network, NTT Flet’s Hikari, you are guaranteed to experience fast internet speeds. NTT Flet’s Hikari also covers more than 90% of Japan, meaning that you will have access to the internet wherever you go.

Taking into account the quality of English support, the short contract period, and the quality of internet, we can wholeheartedly recommend Sakura Fiber Internet to international residents in Japan.

• Sakura Fiber Internet Official Page

For those who do not think that Sakura Fiber Internet is a good fit

If you do not believe that Sakura Fiber Internet is suitable for your needs, you may fall into these categories:

• You do not mind entering a two year internet contract
• You have confidence in your Japanese abilities

If these apply to you, then we suggest that you consider services such as docomo Hikari, au Hikari, or SoftBank Hikari.

These three companies provide cellphone plans as well as fiber internet. If you have a cellphone contract and a fiber internet contract from the same company, you are eligible to save between 500 and 1,000 yen on your cellphone bill every month. It might be a wise decision to decide which company to get fiber internet from based on your current cellphone carrier.

docomo Hikari and SoftBank Hikari use the same network as Sakura Fiber Internet, NTT Flet’s Hikari. au Hikari, on the other hand, has a lower coverage rate than the other two, but does not vary in internet speed.

• Details of docomo Hikari
• Details of au Hikari
• Details of SoftBank Hikari

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In conclusion

So, do you feel a little bit more prepared to make your decision as to what internet to choose?

We hope that this article helped you to understand the different types of internet, as well as the type of plan that works best for you.

Good luck, and feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

• Sakura Mobile Pocket WiFi Official Page
• Sakura Fiber Internet Official Page

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