Sakura Mobile

Which of these September dance festivals would you add to your Japan bucket list? 🌸👘👇

📍 Owara Kaze no Bon Festival (Toyama | Sep 1–3)
📍 Okinawa Zento Eisa Festival (Okinawa | Sep 4–6)
📍 Gujo Odori Dance Festival (Tokyo | Sep 4–6)
📍 Gujo Odori Dance Festival (Gifu | Ongoing through Sep 7)

💡 Traveler Tip: Festival venues can get crowded, and navigating train schedules or uploading videos in real time requires fast, reliable internet.

Don't get stuck without signal! Grab a Sakura Mobile Travel eSIM or Pocket Wi-Fi for instant, high-speed 5G data across Japan from the second you land. 📶✨

Save this post for your September trip planning! 📌
🔗 Link in bio to order your eSIM in under 3 minutes!

"If you throw trash, you lose cash." 🛑🚮

Tokyo has officially launched a major campaign to combat street litter in its busiest tourist districts—and dropping trash in Shibuya can now cost you on the spot!

Here is what you need to know before exploring Shibuya, Harajuku, Ebisu, or Yoyogi:

🚨 The Fine: 50 designated officials are patrolling Shibuya Ward enforcing ¥2,000 on-the-spot fines for littering (payable via cash, card, or QR code). Cigarette butts count as litter too!

✨ The Good News: Convenience stores, takeout vendors, and vending machine operators in Shibuya are now required to provide trash bins, so finding a place to dispose of food packaging is about to get much easier!

4 Easy Rules to Stay Fine-Free:

1. Carry a small daypack bag: Keep a tiny plastic bag in your backpack for wrappers until you find a bin or return to your hotel.

2. Bin where you buy: Dispose of food packaging and drink bottles right at the konbini (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) or vending machine where you bought them.

3. Don't eat and walk: Eat your street food near the stall where you bought it!

4. Sort your waste: Burnable trash, PET bottles, and aluminum cans go in separate bins.

Finding nearby convenience stores, translating Japanese sorting signs, and mapping your day through Tokyo requires continuous, high-speed mobile data.

Link in bio → Select 'Get eSIM' or 'Pocket Wi-Fi' to stay connected on your trip! 📶

Do you need 5G in Japan, or is 4G LTE enough for your trip? 📱🇯🇵

If you're trying to decide between mobile plans for your upcoming trip to Japan, here is everything you need to know about local network coverage, speeds, and device requirements.

4G LTE vs. 5G in Japan:

4G LTE: Handles all essential travel tasks smoothly—Google Maps, transit apps, translation, and messaging.

5G: Ideal for heavy data users who stream high-definition content, make frequent video calls, or use their phone as a mobile hotspot.

Network Reliability: Japan's 5G network covers major metro areas and tourist hubs. If you venture into remote areas, service automatically falls back to 4G LTE so you stay connected.

Before You Buy a Travel eSIM:

Unlock Your Device: Ensure your phone is unlocked by your home carrier before departing. Locked phones cannot accept foreign eSIMs or SIM cards.

Band Support: Standard Japanese 4G bands include B1/B3/B18/B19, while 5G uses n77/n78/n79.

All current Sakura Mobile travel eSIM plans support fast 5G networks by default, with reliable 4G backup across all major Japanese carriers.

Read our full guide to Japan 5G coverage, frequency bands, and eSIM activation via the link below! 👇
🔗 https://www.sakuramobile.jp/blog/japan-sim/japan-mobile-network-guide-travellers-tourists/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=japan_sim_card_esim

🐈 Looking for a cat café in Tokyo? Choose one that puts the cats first. 🐾
Tokyo is home to many amazing cat cafés, but not all of them prioritize animal welfare. That's why we've put together a guide featuring cafés and spaces that are known for providing safe, comfortable environments for their feline residents.

💬 Have you visited any of these cafés? Or do you have another ethical recommendation? Let us know in the comments!

📱 Whether you're navigating to your next cat café or discovering more of Tokyo's hidden gems, stay connected with Sakura Mobile's Travel SIM & eSIM.

🌸 Visit the link in our bio to get connected!

🏖️ Need a beach escape without leaving Tokyo? 🌊☀️
Whether you're looking for crystal-clear water, surfing, or a relaxing day by the sea, these beaches make the perfect getaway just outside the city.
🌸 Which one would you visit first? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️

🔗Visit the link in our bio to get connected!

Flying domestic out of Tokyo soon? Haneda Airport's rules are changing on September 1 ⚠️✈️

If you’re planning a domestic flight out of Haneda to places like Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo, or Okinawa, take note: airlines operating domestic flights at Haneda Airport are tightening baggage check-in rules.

Starting September 1, you MUST check your bags at least 30 minutes before departure. Miss the 30-minute cutoff? You won't be allowed to check your luggage, and you risk missing your flight. Airlines are actively enforcing this rule to reduce departure delays and speed up operations.

How to avoid getting caught off guard:

Arrive at Haneda earlier than usual (aim for 60–90 mins before domestic flights).

Have your electronic tickets, QR codes, and booking references pulled up on your phone before hitting the check-in line.

When you're racing against a strict airport clock, the last thing you want is slow public Wi-Fi stalling your mobile ticket downloads or gate notifications.

Stay connected on reliable, high-speed local data the second you arrive at the terminal!

Link in bio → Select 'Get eSIM' or 'Pocket Wi-Fi' to secure your connection before your trip! 📶

🏮 Experience the magic of Tokyo's summer festival season! 🎆
From traditional dances and glowing lanterns to incredible street food and spectacular fireworks, Tokyo's summer festivals are an unforgettable experience.
Here's our pick of 5 must-visit summer festivals in Tokyo for
✨ Chuo-ku Oedo Matsuri Bon Odori Taikai
✨ Koenji Awa Odori
✨ Asakusa Toro Nagashi
✨ Fukagawa Hachiman Festival
✨ Azabu Jūban Noryo Festival
💬 Which festival are you adding to your summer bucket list? Let us know in the comments!
📱 Whether you're navigating to your next festival, checking train schedules, or sharing your favorite moments, stay connected with Sakura Mobile's reliable SIMs and eSIMs.
🔗 Visit the link in our bio to get connected!

Heading to Japan with Vodafone Australia? Here’s what you need to know about costs, coverage, and time zone traps. 🛑🇦🇺✈️

Vodafone's $5/day roaming is a popular choice for Aussies visiting Japan, but depending on your trip length and data needs, it might not be your best option.

Key Vodafone Roaming Realities:

4G Only: Vodafone connects to Japan's NTT docomo network, but service is capped at 4G speeds—no 5G available while roaming.

Prepaid Expiration Trap: Prepaid roaming packs expire at midnight AEST (Australian time). Because Japan is an hour behind, your 1-day pack actually cuts out around 11 PM local time in Japan.

Cost Comparison: On 10+ day trips, Vodafone roaming ($50–$70 AUD) becomes more expensive than a dedicated local travel eSIM.

The Ideal Dual-SIM Setup:
You don't have to give up your Aussie phone number. By turning off data roaming on your Vodafone line, you can still receive bank security texts for free, while running your daily maps and translation data on a fast, 5G-capable Sakura Mobile eSIM.

Planning a trip to Japan? Compare Vodafone roaming rates against Sakura Mobile's local 5G eSIM options via the link in the first comment below! 👇

Booking flights to Tokyo? Picking the wrong airport is a $100 mistake. 🛑✈️

A common mistake first-time visitors make is assuming Tokyo's two main airports—Haneda (HND) and Narita (NRT)—are interchangeable.

Here is what you need to know before you book your ticket:

Haneda (HND): Located inside Tokyo. It takes about 20–30 minutes to reach central Tokyo via the Monorail or Keikyu Line. It's fast, convenient, and cheap to travel from.

Narita (NRT): Located in Chiba Prefecture, roughly 60–90 minutes outside Tokyo. Getting to the city requires taking the Narita Express (N'EX) or Keisei Skyliner (around ¥2,500–¥3,000+ per person).

The Hidden Cost: If your flight lands at Narita late at night after public transit closes, a taxi into Tokyo can easily run you ¥30,000+ ($200+ USD).

The Bottom Line: Narita is fine if you arrive during the day and plan your train transfer ahead of time—but if flight prices are similar, always choose Haneda.

Regardless of where you land, you'll need fast, reliable mobile data the moment you exit customs to look up train schedules and platform routes.

Pick up your Pocket Wi-Fi or set up your Sakura Mobile eSIM easily at both Narita and Haneda! Check out our plans via the link in the first comment below! 👇

You're ordering the wrong food at Japanese summer festivals. 🛑🥢

Japanese summer matsuri host some of the most vibrant street food cultures in the world, but if you don't know what to look for at the yatai (food stalls), you'll end up settling for basic convenience store food instead.

Here is what you SHOULD be ordering:

The Savory Staples:

Yakisoba: Thick wheat noodles stir-fried with pork, cabbage, and savory brown sauce.

Takoyaki: Crispy, golden octopus balls. (Just let them cool down for a minute before taking a bite!)

Ikayaki: Tender whole grilled squid coated in a smoky soy glaze.

The Sweet Treats:

Taiyaki: Crisp waffle fish filled with warm custard or red bean paste.

Chocobanana: Chocolate-dipped banana on a stick with rainbow sprinkles.

Baby Castella: Warm, pillowy bite-sized mini sponge cakes served fresh out of the mold.

Translating stall banners in dense crowds and finding your way home after the fireworks requires seamless mobile internet from day one.

Ensure fast, reliable connection anywhere in Japan with Sakura Mobile! Check out our eSIM and Pocket Wi-Fi plans via the link in the first comment below! 👇