Do You Really Need a Portable Wi-Fi Device When Traveling to Japan?
Siva McAteer • June 24, 2025
Here’s My Honest Ryoko Review
Hey hey! It’s Siva McAteer, your go-to travel enthusiast and certified adventure chaser. ✈️💃
So let’s talk about something we all rely on (whether we admit it or not) when we travel: INTERNET ACCESS. Because let's be real—what good is discovering an adorable cat café in Tokyo if you can't post about it immediately or Google how to get back to your hotel after one too many matcha lattes?
Before my latest trip to Japan (yes, the 12-day dream cruise I can’t stop talking about), my amazing husband surprised me with something super thoughtful: two Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi devices—one for each of us. 💕 (Yes, I know. Keeper.)
📦 Unboxing the Magic
When I opened the Ryoko box, I was honestly kind of shocked—this little gadget is tiny. Like, "wait... this gives me Wi-Fi?" tiny. It comes with a little key, and that’s it. No mess. No chaos. Just a pocket-sized router ready to roll.
We chose Ryoko because we wanted to skip the whole eSIM setup while abroad. The plan? Use Ryoko for Wi-Fi anywhere—hotels, train stations, Ubers, you name it. ✨
🌍 Does It Actually Work?
Short answer: Yes... but with caveats.
Where it worked great:
Right when we landed in Japan, we were able to fire it up and get instant access to Google Maps, translation apps, currency converters—you know, all the lifesavers.
We didn’t have to buy a ship Wi-Fi package. Big win.
We called Ubers, found restaurants, navigated side streets—it worked beautifully on land.
Where it didn’t work:
In the sky. Nope. Nada. If you’re hoping to scroll or message from 30,000 feet… Ryoko isn’t your girl.
Out at sea. No surprise, but don’t expect signal in the middle of the ocean.
💭 My Honest Take: Would I Use It Again?
If I had to do it all over again? I’d probably go the eSIM route. Don’t get me wrong, Ryoko is super convenient and worked well once we were boots-on-the-ground in Japan. But having reliable coverage everywhere, even during travel days, would’ve been next level.
That said, Ryoko is a solid option if:
- You’re avoiding the eSIM learning curve
- You want no-hassle, portable Wi-Fi in a simple, shareable format
- You’re mainly using it while walking around cities, not while flying or sailing
Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi Pros & Cons
👍 Pros:
- Compact & easy to use
- No SIM card setup required
- Works great in urban areas
- Saved us from buying cruise Wi-Fi
👎 Cons:
- No internet mid-flight or at sea
- Slightly less reliable than eSIM for international coverage
So there you have it—my honest Ryoko review from a Japan-loving, Wi-Fi-needing, UGC-creating travel gal. 💼🌏
Got questions about travel gadgets or planning your own Japan dream trip? Drop a comment, message me, or stick around for more travel gear reviews and tips. More goodies coming soon!
💻📶🗾
Siva McAteer
Travel Creator • Cruise Addict • Technology Lover
Hey friends, It’s Siva McAteer here, and I’m so excited to finally spill the tea on one of the smartest travel decisions I made before heading to Japan. 🗾 Let’s rewind a bit. While deep-diving into travel forums and tips (you know the rabbit hole), I kept seeing this golden nugget of advice: “Skip the clamshell suitcase.” Apparently, in Japan, hotel rooms and cruise ship spaces can be tiny, and those clam-style cases that split wide open? Yeah, not ideal. So I went on a mission… and I found THE luggage. ✨ Say hello to my new travel BFF: Hanke Luggage I ended up getting not one, but two pieces of Hanke luggage: the carry-on and the 24-inch wide-handle spinner. Spoiler alert: they’re both AMAZING. My husband also got one too! Let me tell you why I’m obsessed: 🔄 Top-Loading = Total Game Changer No more having to throw my stuff across a tiny hotel room just to open a suitcase. This beauty opens from the top, like a trunk, so I could just pop the lid and grab what I need without taking over the whole room. 💻 Laptop Safe-Zone Built In This was huge for me. I wanted to bring my laptop but didn’t want to lug around my usual backpack. Enter: front pocket access. It’s sleek, padded, and safe. I could slide my laptop right in, along with chargers and snacks (of course), and breeze through TSA like a boss. 🌀 Glide Like Butter The wheels on this thing? Chef’s kiss. I mean, they glide so smooth it’s like they’re floating. My driver even stacked my carry-on on top of the bigger case and rolled both with one hand like it was nothing. That’s luxury. 🛠️ Heavy-Duty Handle + Smart Interior Design The handle is strong and comfortable—no wobbly nonsense here. Inside, there are plenty of compartments, pockets, and even belts to hold everything down. It keeps everything organized, neat, and secure. 🔐 Secure Lock System There’s a lock on top that you just push to open—no zippers to wrestle with or complicated combos to remember when you're jetlagged. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to using a clamshell suitcase again. Between the smooth wheels, laptop compartment, and the ultra-practical top-loading design, this luggage made my travel experience a breeze. If you’re prepping for your next adventure—especially somewhere like Japan—trust me, this is the one. Want to check them out for yourself? Here are the exact ones I used (and loved): Hanke 24-Inch Top Open Zipperless Spinner Luggage – Graphite Grey Hanke 20-Inch Carry-On with Wide Handle – Graphite Grey Hanke 26-Inch Multifunctional Spinner – Blackish Green Got questions about travel gear, planning a Japan adventure, or how to live your best cruise life? Drop a comment or DM—I’ve got so much more to share. And don’t forget to follow for more travel tips, UGC reviews, and my behind-the-scenes on life as a content creator on the go! ✈️💼🌏 Until next time, Siva McAteer
Okay, I’m doing a very serious PSA today. Whatever you do—DO NOT (I repeat, do not) take a Celebrity Cruise to Japan. Why? Because you’ll never be the same again. You’ll be spoiled for life, and I’m talking next-level vacation vibes here. Imagine this: waking up every morning to a brand-new, fabulous port, eating and drinking like royalty (yes, all day), and being pampered from sunrise to sunset. One day you’re exploring the neon-lit magic of Tokyo, and the next you’re soaking in serenity in a quiet Japanese coastal town. And the best part? You don’t have to lift a finger—the staff on Celebrity Cruises treats you like a literal celebrity. It’s been a week since I got back, and honestly? I’m still recovering. I'm having vivid dreams about adventure, excitement, lights, and laughter every night. It’s like my brain can’t stop reliving the experience (not that I’m complaining!). The cruise was 12 days of nonstop magic—top-tier food, amazing entertainment, a crew that went above and beyond, and ports of call that felt like stepping into another world. I can’t say enough about how incredible it was. So again… don’t do it—unless you’re ready to be absolutely obsessed and daydream about going back forever. (And if you’re into living dangerously and want to experience it for yourself… hit me up. I’ll hook you up with all the details 😏) Seriously, it was a vacation of a lifetime, and I can't wait to share more videos and posts about every stop, every bite, and every memory. Stay tuned—this is just the beginning! Celebrity Millennium 12 night japan to south korea cruise May 26 — Jun 7, 2025 #BestVacation #Japan #CelebrityCruises #Foodies #UGC #UGCCreator #MustDo #PSA #Travel #TravelAgent #Review #12DayCruise
