Thanks to its extensive rail network, getting around Japan is incredibly convenient with public transport, though you might be overwhelmed with the sheer number of rail lines and platforms in major stations. Thus, having an internet connection for your Japan trip is a necessity.
To stay connected, you might be thinking of getting a local SIM or pocket Wi-Fi. They can be a hassle to get though, especially when you’re tired after an hours-long flight, not to mention the language barrier when buying last minute locally. You may also book online, but the options can be limited. That’s not even counting the fact that you have to find the counter to claim the SIM or pocket Wi-Fi, which can be a hassle in Japan’s biggest airports.
With these in mind, Globe has its new GoRoam Japan package that promises to be a must-have for your next Japan trip. That’s because it’s incredibly easy to get via the GlobeOne app, all while providing a big data allocation. It activates instantly when you land, thanks to the fact that you can book the bundle ahead of your trip.
All You Need to Know About Globe’s GoRoam Bundles
For years now, Globe has been offering an array of roaming options for both prepaid and postpaid subscribers. Personally, I’ve used Globe’s roaming promos in my trips since international travel opened again. In particular, I used Globe’s Roam Surf promos which came with various validity and data allocation options, which are best enjoyed for cross-country, longer travels – also via the GlobeOne app or even GCash if you’re a Prepaid customer.
Recently, Globe launched GoRoam in various countries, including Japan. While each country has a different version to match the local SIMs, all GoRoam offers have an impressive data allocation and promo duration, that offers travelers roaming at never-before-seen rates. For Japan, GoRoam comes with 10GB of mobile data that can be used for up to 30 days, all at a price of just PHP 1,600. Yes, that means you get 10GB of data which should be more than enough for your navigation and multimedia needs for a month, especially when you travel and transit to different cities within Japan.
So when you book this promo in advance, you can get connected right as you land, making it the most hassle-free mobile data choice for your travel needs. It being instantly available is just one of the reasons to get it though.
Why You Should Get it Instead of a Local SIM
To start, let’s compare with a local SIM. In Japan, you can buy a mobile data SIM at the airport, but if you do so, you’ll spend more as the prices are often more expensive per GB compared to other options. You can also buy in big chain stores like Bic Camera, but you’ll have to navigate your way there without internet, not to mention that it can be daunting to get a SIM locally.
Of course, you can pre-book a SIM via popular services, but the rates will skyrocket when you need a SIM for longer than a week. What’s more, you’ll also have to pick up the SIM at a counter in the airport. These counters can be hard to find, not to mention they close early. If you land late, you won’t be able to get these.
The same can be said for pocket Wi-Fi options. One thing to contend with when using pocket Wi-Fi is limited battery life, and you’ll need a power bank to keep it running throughout the day.
As for data allocation, many SIMs and pocket Wi-Fi devices in Japan advertise “unlimited” data, though these can be misleading. Often, you can only use a couple of GBs per day at 4G speeds. Once you exceed this, your speed gets throttled. What’s worse, you often don’t have a way to track your data use.
These aren’t issues with GoRoam Japan as you get 10GB of data uncapped for 30 days, all at a price that beats most other mobile internet options. As an added benefit, it’s easy to pre-book so you can get internet access as soon as you land! Plus, you can easily track your data use during your trip via the GlobeOne app. So now, you no longer have to consider switching to a local SIM anymore, since you get roaming’s convenience at close-to-local rates.
Plus, if you guys love shopping in Japan, and doing online transactions, you need an OTP linked to your mobile banks. If you switch to a local SIM, you won’t receive these OTPs.
If for some reason your flight gets delayed or even get canceled, don’t worry as GoRoam Japan has a built-in safety feature. For postpaid, you won’t be charged until the promo activates when you land in Japan. Meanwhile, prepaid subscribers will get their load credited back to their account after 48 hours of your booked trip if the promo isn’t activated. This happens automatically, so you won’t have to worry in case your trip hits a snag.
GoRoam Japan: Step-by-Step Guide
So, are you going on a Japan trip soon and need a hassle-free mobile internet solution? Here’s a handy guide on how to get GoRoam Japan ahead of your trip:
Step 1: Open your GlobeOne app, select your prepaid (Globe/TM) or postpaid account, and click “Buy Promos.”
Step 2: Scroll through the options until you see the Advance Booking banner. This banner features the phrase “Click to Book.”
Step 3: Select your destination country from the options, in this case “Japan.”
Step 4: You’ll then see the available promo options. Choose “GoRoam Japan.”
Step 5: On the next page, you’ll see a calendar where you can select the date of activation. Note that this promo will be ready for activation anytime once it’s already at 12 AM PH time on the day that you selected.
Step 6: Confirm booking details and click “Book Now.” Note that postpaid customers won’t be charged yet. Meanwhile, prepaid customers will need to charge the promo to their load balance.
Step 7: Once booking is successful, you’ll get an SMS notification confirming the purchase. You can also check the status of your promo through the GlobeOne app in the “My promos in advance” tab.
[Note: Simply turn on your device’s mobile data and data roaming to activate the promo on your scheduled trip date
Get GoRoam Japan Now Exclusively on the GlobeOne App
With that, you should now have fast and hassle-free mobile internet access for your trip. So, whether you’re shopping in Shibuya or eating til you drop in Dotonbori, you’ll always be connected for navigation or for sharing your travel stories online.
GoRoam is available now exclusively through GlobeOne. Other than Japan, Globe recently launched GoRoam’s country-exclusive offers in Canada, Australia, and Vietnam. This expands its coverage around the Globe, with the service also available in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
Download the GlobeOne app can be downloaded for free on the Apple Store and the Google Play Store. Check out this LINK to start enjoying its features.