mtpoktz

The one I used last year was gratis of our AirBNB host; I don't rent the one for this upcoming trip until October. I don't know how much data was included on last year's but my research indicates that if all I'll be using it for is Google Maps, Trip Advisor or Yelp, checking emails, and Facebook/Messenger for communication with my kids, 3GB should be fine.

 

 

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Thank you very much :)

Thank you for this post, honolulu traveler.

Given that you rented the lowest amount of data, was there any issue keeping under 3GB?

What a wonderfully detailed review. Thank you so much. My husband and I have traveled extensively in Japan pre or post cruises and agree that it's a fabulous experience. We haven't been to Hiroshima yet so that may be a future destination.

 

Your info about the pocket wifi is much appreciated. We used one last year while staying in a Tokyo airbnb, and it was so helpful. I didn't realize that it is also usable onboard the ship. (We'll be on the Diamond Princess in October and am curious if it will work there, too.). For anyone interested, you can rent one at Osanbashi pier, the airport, or beforehand thru the Cruise Port Navigation app. Same thing: it can be delivered to your hotel before the cruise and returned via the prepaid postage envelope. I think the cost is $35 upfront + $1/day.

 

Outside of the major cities like Tokyo, we found almost no hotspots (although we understand that Japan is installing new towers in anticipation of the 2020 Olympics). We have had the AT&T international phone/text plan for our Japan visits during the last 2 years, and it is touted as having lots of worldwide hot spots, but we never found any in Japan. That's why I'm going to get a mobile hot spot for our upcoming trip.

 

 

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I definitely think it was worth having the pocket wifi! I really liked being able to access Hyperdia and Google Maps whenever I wanted too. We also enjoyed having Skype available all the time. We are using Skype as our home phone with a Skype number and were able to forward our cellphones to the Skype number. Therefore we could stay in touch with family back in the States and make phone calls for free whenever we needed to and felt like it. I can't really tell you anything about hotspots because I honestly wasn't paying attention. I noticed that the crew was using the free wifi in the ports, but it is usually slow and hard to access. The pocket wifi worked well on the ship as well as in the ports. I think this was mainly the case because we really did not go out to "sea" very far in Japan and could always see land. Compared to the rate of ship wifi ours was a bargain!

Hope this answers your questions

Regards

Petra

Petra,

Thank you very much. I was going back and forth about the pocket wifi, but it sounds like it would be well worth it and make our trip easier. All of your information has been invaluable.

I look forward to reading more and seeing more beautiful photos!

Thank you both for your kind words and interest. It is very much appreciated!

 

Here is the link to the tour company that runs the "Geisha experience"

 

http://www.waraido.com/walking/gion.html

 

 

We pre-booked from the US and payed in cash on the evening of the tour. There were only 10 participants on the day we took the tour

 

Regards

Petra

Petra,

Thank you for the tour link.

Regarding wifi, do you think it is worth renting the mobile device, or are there enough hotspots, etc throughout the different cities that it's not really needed? My husband and I are DIYers as well, so we are considering this option. Also, was wifi working on the ship only at or near ports?

What a great review, Petra! Thank you for sharing.

Can you share the name of the tour company you used in Kyoto?

Hi Linda, Rick, and Rosa,

My husband and I are trying to arrange a private tour in Komodo. We are also on the Jan. 20th sailing with Millenium. I haven't gotten all of the details quite yet, but I'm hoping this will be a good opportunity outside of the ship's tour.

If you or anyone else is interested, please contact me at mtpoktzatcharterdotnet and I will contact you once I have all of the information :)

Melanie

Hello Rosa,

My husband and I are also on the Jan 20th sailing and just starting to look into private tours as well. I'm ususally not this late when it comes to making arrangements. If you find out anything about adding on to the Komodo tour, or if you need additional people to join private tour (at another port) please let us know.

Thanks,

Linda and Rick