Arriving at Kansai International Airport often marks the true beginning of a journey through Osaka and the wider Kansai region. This is especially the case in 2025, with the Osaka Expo welcoming a huge crowd of visitors every day. To navigate the area easily and efficiently while staying in touch with relatives, one of the most critical steps for travelers upon landing is to secure reliable internet access, as connectivity shapes the rhythm of the entire trip.
At KIX, three main solutions await: pocket WiFi, SIM cards, and eSIMs. Each option offers its own strengths, designed to suit different travel styles, whether for a solo trip, a family vacation, or a business trip with demanding schedules. We explore them below.
Kansai International Airport (KIX) offers travelers several options to get online as soon as they step off the plane. Whether the priority is budget, convenience, or the ability to share data among multiple devices, the airport has solutions to meet different needs.
Pocket WiFi functions as a portable router, creating a secure wireless connection that can be shared among multiple devices simultaneously. It is particularly convenient for families or groups, as a single unit covers everyone’s smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
SIM cards, available at kiosks and vending machines in the airport, provide data directly to your unlocked phone. Once inserted, the device connects to a Japanese carrier’s network and is ready to use immediately.
Lastly, eSIMs remove the need for physical cards entirely. You simply need to download a digital profile onto a compatible phone (usually by scanning a QR code) and then activate the plan following a few easy steps. It makes for an ideal option if you prefer a paperless solution and want to avoid handling hardware.
Pocket WiFi units at KIX can usually be collected from staffed counters. Certain providers, such as NINJA WiFi, also offer automated smart lockers, making the process quick and easy, with no long lines or paperwork. Travelers simply grab the device and go. This year, you can even pick up your WiFi device directly at the Osaka Expo (East Gate, Locker Pickup) between 9 am and 9 pm. Returning it is equally straightforward, with drop boxes located in departure areas or the option to send the device back from another city entirely. For example, a unit picked up in Tokyo (whether at Haneda or Narita) can be returned in Kansai or even in Okinawa, providing travelers with a high degree of flexibility.
The process is essentially the same for SIM cards, except that in most cases, they do not need to be returned to the provider. NINJA WiFi’s SIM cards are ready for immediate use once placed in an unlocked phone, and can be disposed of once the trip comes to an end.
eSIMs streamline the process further by eliminating physical cards altogether. A quick scan of a QR code installs the plan directly on a compatible smartphone, allowing travelers to be online within minutes. No pickup or return is therefore required. The only caveat is device compatibility, which should be checked before departure.
Short-term visitors often find pocket WiFi an economical choice, primarily when costs are split among multiple travelers. For example, with NINJA WiFi, unlimited daily plans can be as low as 770 yen per day for 3GB, or 1,980 yen per day for unlimited use. Naturally, sharing a single router among three or four people quickly reduces the effective price per person.
SIM cards vary in structure: NINJA WiFi offers plans such as 1GB per day at 3,795 yen for a week, or other data bundles, like 20GB for 30 days. Overall, these plans are straightforward for solo travelers who prefer to have data directly on their phone without an additional device.
eSIMs are designed with flexibility in mind, and NINJA WiFi offers total data bundles ranging from 5GB for five days at 3,102 yen to 100GB for a whole month at 18,403 yen. Plans can be selected based on stay length and data needs, offering precision without overpaying.
Typically, solo travelers prefer SIM cards or eSIMs because they require no additional device to carry. For families or groups, pocket WiFi often provides better value. Business travelers, especially those who need uninterrupted access to video calls, email, and cloud storage, may opt for pocket WiFi or eSIMs with generous or unlimited data, ensuring a stable and professional online experience throughout their stay.
The following section addresses the most common questions travelers have about WiFi rental at KIX—from late-night arrivals to unexpected device issues.
Many airport counters close by evening, making it difficult to pick up a SIM card or pocket WiFi if your flight lands after hours. However, the smart pickup lockers mentioned above, offered by NINJA WiFi, solve this problem by allowing device collection outside of regular hours. You will simply need to book ahead of time.
Another option is to reserve an eSIM, which does not require collection, allowing you to connect instantly, even if you arrive at the airport late at night or early in the morning.
Your trip might run longer than expected; in this case, extending a rental plan would be more practical than arranging a new one. Of course, extension fees vary by plan and provider; with NINJA WiFi’s mobile routers, the daily rates are as follows when notification is given at least one day in advance:
Note that failing to notify in advance results in a higher charge—an additional 1,617 yen per day for each extra day—and that for premium plans already exceeding 1,617 yen per day, the rental and optional service fees are applied to all excess days, regardless of whether an extension was requested.
Regarding returns, pocket WiFi units do not need to be returned to the same airport. As mentioned above, a device picked up in Kansai can be returned in a different region, such as Hokkaido, providing flexibility for travelers who cover multiple regions.
Losing a pocket WiFi unit or failing to return it can be costly, so notifying your provider promptly is essential. With NINJA WiFi, the standard replacement surcharge for a lost or damaged mobile router is 40,000 yen. Reporting the loss or theft immediately is strongly recommended, regardless of whether an insurance plan was purchased.
If you choose to opt for the Insurance + Battery Plan at 440 yen per day, you can then avoid these charges entirely. Such coverage includes 100% protection for the rented WiFi device and all accessories, and it even comes with a spare battery to keep you connected throughout the trip. Forgetting to return a unit simply results in additional daily rental charges until the device is received, but having insurance in place offers peace of mind against unexpected costs.
Reservations for pocket WiFi are necessary however, on-the-spot rentals and purchases of SIM cards are available at Kansai Airport but availability is not guaranteed. If you arrive during a busy period, such as this year’s Osaka Expo, you may find specific plans out of stock. Pre-booking remains the safest option for securing the data plan that fits your trip, while on-the-day purchases should be considered a backup rather than a primary plan.
With the Osaka Expo 2025 already welcoming visitors from around the world, Kansai has become a focal point of global exchange. Reliable internet access is therefore an essential component of navigating and fully engaging with the Expo: from managing logistics to enriching encounters with exhibits, staying connected turns a visit into a more memorable experience.
Landing at Kansai Airport with data ready to use allows you to step directly into the rhythm of the Expo without delay: navigation apps guide you from the terminal to the event grounds. In contrast, translation tools allow you to engage with staff and materials across multiple languages. Inside the Expo itself, digital interactivity is woven into the fabric of many pavilions—apps, augmented reality features, and online content layers extend the experience beyond what is physically on display. Additionally, reliable WiFi also allows you to capture and share your discoveries instantly, whether through a live video call with family back home or a photo journal on social media.
The Expo may be the centerpiece of your trip, but Osaka and the surrounding Kansai region offer further exploration opportunities. Relying on hotel or café WiFi often leaves gaps in coverage, particularly when traveling between cities, and roaming fees quickly add up. A secure mobile connection ensures you can book last-minute train tickets, research restaurants, or find your way through Osaka’s lively districts without interruption. Flexibility also matters for longer journeys: as mentioned earlier, NINJA WiFi’s pocket WiFi devices collected at Kansai can be returned in a different region, making it easier to extend your travels without worrying about logistics.
Experiencing Osaka Expo 2025 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the proper connectivity solution ensures you can focus on the wonder of the event rather than the frustrations of logistics. Choose the option that best suits your journey—whether a SIM, eSIM, or pocket WiFi—and step into Osaka fully prepared. Book your device in advance to secure peace of mind, avoid long lines, and make the most of every moment at the Expo and beyond.