When I was preparing for our trip to Japan, I made sure to visit travel blogs for some tips and suggestions. I came across some blogs that suggested renting a pocket WIFI for your trip since there's no free WIFI (aside from some establishments or hotels, of course) and you can't use Google Maps even in offline mode in Japan. So after reading those posts, I finally decided to rent one and chose the one from Pupuru.
Pupuru is a site where you can rent a mobile phone or WIFI unit for use during your stay in Japan. It's so easy to book a unit from them. I just followed the steps and tips from the blogs that I read. I booked a unit a few days before our trip although it is highly suggested that you book way before especially on peak seasons. Our trip coincided with the Cherry blossoms' peak but, thankfully, I was still able to rent a unit! I simply went to Pupuru's site and filled up the necessary details including credit card details for the payment (fyi, I used my Yazz card for this transaction and it worked haha). I rented the au WIFI Walker HDW11 (4G LTE) one, which doesn't have any data limit and can connect up to 10 devices.
On the USE Detail on the order section in their site, all you have to do is choose the type and number of unit/s that you want to book. Then you have to fill up the dates on when you are exactly going to rent and return the unit/s. I followed a tip from one of the blogs I read (I forgot which one it was) and that is to not include an external battery and a damage insurance fee anymore so that the rental fee will be much cheaper. Just make sure that you take good care of the unit while renting it and to charge it properly.
After filling up the USE Detail section, you have to fill up the Customer Details. This includes personal details such as an email address, which they will use to send you the confirmation and receipt.
Lastly (the reason why I love their service), is you have to fill up the How to Receive Your Phone section. Here is where you indicate how you want to receive your unit. You can pick it up either at the Narita International Airport Terminal 1 or 2 or have it delivered straight to your hotel!! So convenient! After choosing one, you have to input your Flight no. and time of arrival. If you want it delivered to your hotel, you have to indicate its address, the time you want it delivered and the details of the recipient. After this, all you have to do is wait for the confirmation and receipt that will be sent to the email address you provided.
I had it delivered to our hotel since it's more convenient that way. The receptionist at the hotel gave me the unit as soon as I finished filling up the form for our stay. I didn't even have to show any proof or receipt since the recipient's name is the same name we used for booking the hotel. They already prepared the unit for us way ahead! Smooth and amazing service in Japan! 😁
I was so excited and happy that I immediately opened up the box as soon as we got inside our room. This is very unlike me since every time we travel, I usually explore our hotel room first before doing anything else haha!
The WIFI unit came in this box.
The unit came with a small pouch which housed the unit and other stuff included in the package.
Aside from the WIFI unit, charger, papers with rental details, the package also came with the "How to Use" cards and the paper envelope, which you have to use when you return the unit before leaving Japan.
It's so easy to return the unit as well. You just have to put all the stuff included inside the envelope, seal it and drop it off at any postal office or mailbox. You can find these mailboxes anywhere in Japan and even in the airport from where you'll depart. The mailboxes are color red or orange and have the Japanese character which looks like a letter T with a line above it.
You can easily search for the post office/mailbox closest to your hotel or that is located inside the Airport terminal you'll be leaving from. You also don't have to pay for anything because the fee is already included in the total bill. You also don't have to fill up anything anymore because the information is already attached in the pouch. In any case, you can also ask your hotel to be the one to drop it off for you! So convenient! 😊
Our total bill was 10,260 JPY for 7 days of rental. The breakdown included 7000 JPY for 7 days rental, 1500 JPY (required fee of 1500 JPY/unit) and the postage fee of 1000 JPY. The postage fee of 1000 JPY is for the delivery payment for the return of the unit. We didn't purchase an insurance fee and just made sure that we took good care of the unit since it's much more expensive to pay for the damage fees! Also, don't forget to return it before you leave Japan because it's much more expensive to have it delivered back from your country.
The WIFI connection in Japan is really fast and reliable so we didn't have any problems with our unit and its signal. You can also book a phone in their site if you need one. It's pretty expensive but I think it's better to book via their site in advance than to just look for an actual store when you get there (I also think this would cost you much more). The unit was also very easy to return, very convenient and hassle free! I really love their service and would definitely use Pupuru again for any other future trips to Japan! 😁
