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
Imagine ending a full day of adventure in Hiroshima with a dining experience that feels like a 5-star restaurant—all while floating across the sea. That’s exactly what you get when sailing with Celebrity Cruises, and on Day 6 of my Japan journey, I experienced it firsthand at the Metropolitan Restaurant on board the Celebrity Millennium.
It’s showtime aboard the Celebrity Millennium! One of my favorite parts of cruising—aside from the incredible destinations—is the onboard entertainment. Every evening brings something new, and tonight’s show was extra special: Cello in Love featuring the amazing cellist Wendy Law.
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Winning! Japanese arcades aren’t just games—they’re a whole cultural experience. On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, we stepped off the ship and into the neon world of a Hiroshima arcade. And let me tell you—it was one of the highlights of the day! Japanese Arcades: More Than Just Games In Japan, arcades are called game centers, and they’re everywhere. While they’ve been declining in numbers since their 1980s peak, there are still around 4,000 arcades across Japan today. At their height, there were over 44,000 nationwide—yes, more arcades than convenience stores! What makes Japanese arcades so special is that they’re not just for kids—they’re fun for the whole family. You’ll find multi-story game centers filled with crane games, rhythm machines, retro classics, and even photo booths (purikura). Crane Games – The Ultimate Challenge 🐾 The most iconic part of any Japanese arcade? The crane games, also known as UFO catchers. These machines lure you in with cute prizes that look easy to grab… but are way trickier than they seem. After a few tries (and maybe some encouragement from bystanders), I managed to win not one but two Mofusand plush toys! 🎉 For those new to Japanese pop culture—Mofusand is an insanely popular series of cute, chubby cats often dressed in shark or animal costumes. They’ve become a favorite prize in gachapon machines and arcades across the country.
Beer, sake, oysters, rice balls… THIS is how you eat your way through Hiroshima! On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, we stopped at a cozy spot called Holiday Shokudo—and it turned out to be one of our favorite meals of the trip. Now, the name Holiday Shokudo literally translates to Holiday Cafeteria, but don’t let that fool you. This isn’t your standard cafeteria food—it’s a warm, inviting restaurant that serves up authentic Hiroshima delicacies, from fresh oysters to comforting rice balls.
One of my favorite parts of cruising through Japan is that every port offers a new surprise. On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise, we docked in Hiroshima—and after exploring the Peace Memorial Park, I couldn’t resist checking out the Hiroshima gift shop. And let me tell you… this stop was full of quirky, delicious, and uniquely Japanese treasures!
On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, we arrived in Hiroshima—a city that has become a global symbol of peace and resilience. Visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was one of the most moving experiences of the entire trip. The park itself is more than just a green space. It’s a living memorial—filled with monuments, memorials, and symbols—that quietly remind every visitor of Hiroshima’s hope for a world without war. Best of all? Entry to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims is completely free, making it accessible for everyone to learn, reflect, and remember.
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When you think of cruise ship breakfast, you probably picture pancakes, waffles, and maybe a classic omelet station. But on Day 6 of my Japan cruise aboard the Celebrity Millennium, I discovered something a little different—and a whole lot more exciting: the Make Your Own Noodle Bowl station at the Oceanview Café. And let me tell you, this was not your average breakfast.
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