Japan is one of the top tourist destinations in the world for several reasons. One, it is blessed with beautiful and breathtaking natural scenery. Two, it is home to many ancient historical and cultural spots that tell of the long and vibrant history of the country. Three, it has a wide selection of delicious dishes — from ramen and sushi to takoyaki and curry rice. And four, its people are polite and friendly, always ready to go the extra mile to help a confused foreigner.

If Japan is the next place on your bucket list, you should start preparing for your trip now. Search for cheap flights and accommodations, and get working on a rough itinerary. Also, do some research on Japan SIM cards. If you have very little or zero knowledge of the Japanese language, or if it is your first time in Japan or traveling abroad, a Japan SIM card can help calm the travel jitters and make your experience so much better.

Below are 10 reasons why you wished you had purchased a Japan SIM card for your Japan trip:

1. So you did not get lost as often as you did.

Navigating the streets of Japan can be quite challenging for foreign tourists. You might find yourself wandering aimlessly for hours, trying to find your way to an attraction, or walking down the wrong alley on your way back to your hotel late at night. With a Japan SIM card, you can enjoy 24/7 access to Google Maps and other map and navigation apps to help you get to your destination without any problems.

2. So you could keep in touch with family and friends.

If your family and friends want you to check in with them every day and keep them updated about your adventures in Japan, a Japan SIM card can give you superfast internet — all day, anywhere in Japan — that is great for using video and voice call apps, such as Facetime, Facebook Messenger, Skype, and Line.

3. So you could properly order food at restaurants.

Nowadays, there are many restaurants, cafes, and diners in Japan that have English menus and English-speaking staff. However, there are still some that are not as English-friendly. Not knowing any Japanese should not stop you from experiencing the wide variety of tasty foods Japan has to offer. With a Japan SIM card, you can take advantage of various translation apps, such as Google Translate, whenever you encounter a Japanese-only establishment.

4. So you did not have to rely on public WiFi hotspots.

WiFi hotspots are becoming more and more common in popular tourist areas around Japan. At train stations, tourist information centers, airports, cafes, department stores, and even on trains, tourists can easily connect to the internet and enjoy free access. However, what if you are stuck somewhere without any WiFi hotspots nearby? If you have a Japan SIM card, you will never have to worry about that.

5. So you could look up train and bus routes anytime, anywhere.

If you want to know what public transportation to catch to get from your hotel to a museum, for example, you can look up that information via Google Maps, Hyperdia, or other similar apps, and a Japan SIM card can provide you reliable internet connection to access these resources.

6. So you did not have to wait until you were back at the hotel and had access to the free WiFi to upload your pictures and videos to your social media.

Many people prefer to post their vacation photos and videos to Instagram, Facebook, and other accounts right after taking them. Some even do live streams of their train rides, hike, lunch, and other activities. If you are the same, having a Japan SIM card should be your priority.

7. So you did not have to stare blankly into space while on a long train or bus journey.

Traveling between cities in Japan can take a bit of a while. From Tokyo to Kyoto, for example, the one-way Shinkansen journey takes about two and a half hours. If you get easily bored, you should get a Japan SIM card that allows you to connect to the internet and watch movies and television series, listen to podcasts and music, and other things to keep you busy.

8. So you could search for opening hours, entrance fees, and other information on tourist sites and attractions whenever and wherever.

While working on your itinerary, you may forget to take note of the opening hours, ticket and reservation rules, and other information about the places that you want to visit. You may also even neglect to look up national holidays that may coincide with your trip. With a Japan SIM card, you can easily look these up before you head out or while waiting for your bus or train, saving you from going there and not being let in, and allowing you to make changes to your plans on the spot.

9. So you could enjoy a superfast and reliable connection anywhere in Japan.

Yes, public WiFi hotspots are free of charge, but their connection tends to slow down and be spotty when a lot of people are using them. Uploading a couple of photos or loading the search results may take ten times longer. But, if you have your own Japan SIM card, your internet access is all yours, whether you are in the big and bustling cities or in the rural and less touristy areas.

10. So you did not have to worry about carrying and charging an extra device.

Renting a pocket WiFi is one option that tourists can choose to have internet access in Japan. While it offers various benefits similar to that of a Japan SIM card, it has a few cons that a Japan SIM card does not have — i.e. having another device to have to charge and have additional weight to carry every day.