shelleyk,

1. Yes I was referring to the router (unit).

2. Yes again. When I wrote that I was referring to connecting ANY type of computer or iPod, iPad etc.

Sorry just woke up!

Thank you for the clarification.

The Apple Express does work by extending the hotels wired internet as wireless.
It works basically the same as the modem described by Hanuman previously.
I've used it in various Japanese hotel rooms with no problem.
If you are tech challenged you may want to set it up or have someone set it up before you go. There is now a IOS app, Airport Utility to help with setup.

One other thing to keep in mind is that you can save documents and webpages so they are accessible without WiFi.
The app Instapaper/IBooks can save documents/PDF files for offline viewing.
The JNTO Guides are particularly useful.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/index.html

Also you can take a screen shot of maps or information that will be saved to your photo roll. After my last trip I deleted various photos of expanded station maps, hyperdia schedule screens,google map directions diagrams, and menus saved to photos by the screen shot option.

"To take a screenshot on an iOS device (iPod touch, iPad and iPhone), simply press then release
the home button and the power/sleep button at the same time. These buttons do not need to be held down for long, just a simple press and release. The screen should flash white and there should be a camera shutter sound (if the volume is on) to indicate a successful screenshot. Open the Photos app and tap Camera Roll to view the screenshot."

Have fun !

Very true kalihiwai2 but....

TP link router, in my example = $21.99

http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WR7...+N+Nano+Router

Apple Airport Express = $89.99

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-AirPort-...irport+express

The TP Link is way smaller and lighter + cheaper :)

Shelly...You are right. Take what you have, print the schedules at home that you might need, use the hotels computer if you are stuck or find an Starbucks or the like if needed. have a great trip

kalihiwai2-Thanks for the link for Instapaper/Books. While researching that link my DH found a similar app called Pocket which is free and which he is now learning about. It's nice Fodorites can broaden our horizons not only for travel, but also for technology.

Hanuman-We've ordered the mini router. At $23 it certainly is a bargain. Thanks again for your help.

Karen-Hope you and Bob have a wonderful trip.

Great and useful thread--my thanks to all.
Re apple support, in general I think it is great, but they do not always know everything as proven by this thread.

ShelleyK,
I'd would second the advice above, use the hotel computer, they often have one in a business center or behind the desk which you can use.
I have travelled with an ipod touch and found it very useful, particularly if you download maps (many are free) before you go. We've found this invaluable all around the world and far cheaper than using data on a phone. I'm sure there are some great apps for travel in Japan.

Have fun!

I forgot to add, thanks for the details on the travel router, it's something that could be very useful. Though I hate to think of how mach stuff I'm carrying to feed my technology fix!

shelleyk I think you've made the right decision with the mini router. Have a good trip!

I don't think I've ever been in a Japanese hotel in the last few years that didn't have a public computer in the lobby. Only once did we have to pay for access in a "business center" at a hotel.

I was in tokyo for a week in oct and I used my ipad mini and wifi in the hotel.
I printed out a lot of info ahead of time, like metro system, which can be overwhelming at first.i would not waste money on a computer. There is wifi in most hotels and in McDonald which is all over

What you’re looking for is called a “netbook.” I travel with a Samsung N120: Windows XP, 10 inch screen, 160 GB hard drive, 2.8 pounds, both wireless and cable connectivity, large keyboard for it diminutive size, screen stands by itself, packs well in a carry-on, in effect a small laptop without the cd drive (to save weight and complexity). I couldn’t find this exact one on Amazon but ASUS sells their more powerful version there for under $300.00.

Don’t trust your trip to an IPOD Touch alone. Its hardware and operating system are not up to the demands of the websites you may need to access in your travels—knowledge acquired first hand in mine. You want multi-generation hardware reliability and as universal an OS and browser as possible (Windows/Firefox—particularly if the sites you’ll be viewing are English versions of Japanese originals).

As for the lobby, wouldn’t you really rather do your next day’s travel research in the comfort and privacy of your own room, not standing at a common workstation or paying by the minute in the business center? You should also keep in mind that the touch-screen/smart phone/i-pad fad we’re currently suffering through has led to a huge increase in the street theft of these expensive gadgets. (I recently emerged from a subway exit in London just in time to witness--not ten feet in front of me—a man having his smart phone ripped from his hands by a swiftly passing bicyclist. The thief sped away, the victim stood for a moment in stunned silence and than ran, yelling, after him. I can’t imagine studying an i-pad screen on a city street—any city.

Probably too late but what I'd suggest, if you have devices which you are happy browsing the web with, is to rent a mobile wifi device. We rented one for our 19 night trip (and for last year's 17 night trip) from rentafone Japan, was cheap, very very easy and worked a treat. Advantage was we could also access it in cafes/ restaurants when out and about, to bring up maps or venue information, if we changed our plans, or got lost.

We are a week into our trip and are making do with the ipod and a router ( Thank you Hanuman) to convert hotel hard wiring into wifi in our room. Seems to be working fine for us so far, but I can see how the mobile wifi would be nice to have.　

Glad that everything work shelleyk and enjoy your trip!

Shelley, glad your trip is going well. And that the router option is working well. :-)