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Apple, gadgets & AI

7 articles

A top-down flat-lay on natural linen: a plain matte-black power bank, a braided USB-C cable, a navy passport-sized booklet and a clear zip bag of small items, spaced evenly apart, with no capacity markings, certification marks or logos anywhere. Cover image for the 2026 guide to power-bank rules on flights in Japan — two per person, up to 160Wh — and where to charge once you land. No text, no people.

Power Banks on Flights in Japan, 2026: Two Per Person, 160Wh, No Charging On Board

Since April 24, 2026, flights to and from Japan allow two power banks per passenger, rated 160Wh or less, and charging them in the cabin is prohibited. Here is what the official rules say, and how to prepare.

Japansoso Editorial Team·9 min read

Tech

Mac mini M5 in 2026: a Japan-angle outlook on yen prices and buy-now vs wait

Apple still hasn't announced a Mac mini M5 (as of July 2026). We split the shipped M5 chip's measured gains from the mini's rumors — then tackle yen pricing, buying in Japan, and the honest buy-now-or-wait call.

Soma Tachibana·9 min read

A plain smartphone held up in one hand in warm morning light, its screen showing only a generic map with a single location pin, against a softly blurred Japanese station concourse and streetscape. No logos, no readable text, no visible face. Cover image for the 2026 guide to the essential apps and phone settings — translation, transit, maps and emergency alerts — that help visitors navigate Japan.

Tech

Essential Smartphone Apps & Phone Setup for Japan 2026

Master Japan with your phone across four pillars: translation, transit, disaster safety and handy tools. When to use Google Translate, Lens and VoiceTra, Google Maps and transit apps, plus the JTA's Safety tips and earthquake-alert settings, all verified for 2026.

Soma Tachibana·9 min read

Tech

Japan eSIM vs SIM Card vs Pocket WiFi: A Practical 2026 Comparison

For visitors, staying connected in Japan comes down to three options: eSIM, physical SIM, or pocket WiFi. Here is how they work, what they cost, how to check device compatibility, and how to pick the right one for your trip in 2026.

Japansoso Editorial Team·9 min read

A close-up of a hand tapping a plain unbranded smartphone on a ticket-gate card reader in a Japanese train station, the gate blank and the background blurred, no face visible. Cover image for the 2026 visitor's guide to using transit IC cards on your phone.

Tech

Japan IC Cards on Your Phone: A 2026 Visitor's Guide

Can you load Suica, PASMO or ICOCA onto your own phone? iPhone is great, most overseas Android phones simply can't, and foreign Visa cards get rejected at top-up. A practical, device-by-device guide for 2026.

Soma Tachibana·11 min read

Tech

Buying Gadgets in Japan as a Tourist: 2026 Practical Guide

Japan's November 2026 refund-style tax exemption, Apple Stores dropping tax-free, the giteki mark and shutter sound on iPhones, and whether retailer points stack with tax-free. A field-tested look at who actually saves money and who shouldn't bother.

Soma Tachibana·12 min read

A top-down view of three travel connectivity tools — a smartphone, a pocket Wi-Fi router, and a SIM-eject pin beside an empty tray — on a warm wooden desk. Cover image for the 2026 guide to choosing eSIM and mobile data in Japan.

Tech

eSIM and Mobile Data in Japan, 2026 Edition — Choosing by Use Case

A look at travel eSIMs, pocket Wi-Fi, and local SIMs through how they actually get used, not through a price table. How many GB you burn in a day, who each suits, and who it doesn't. All prices are as of June 2026 — confirm them on the official sites.

Soma Tachibana·8 min read