When I was growing up, I was always told that we have so much to learn from Japan. I grew up during the rise of the Japanese auto industry, I was taught “Japanese” business tactics, and I watched movies like Gung Ho that portrayed discipline, perseverance, and efficiency.

On my first trip to Japan, though, I wanted to explore the weird and wacky high-tech world the media has portrayed so often. What I found was a place that isn’t as “high tech” as many westerners assume but rather a relatively “low tech” cornucopia of conveniences that could make many westerners jealous.

Jennifer Hahn

My Internet: $13/7-day sim from Amazon and Airbnb-provided portable Wi-Fi.

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The first thing I noticed was the lack of “open” Wi-Fi before leaving for Japan. My research found that in most places, free Wi-Fi had to be registered for before entering Japan; it’s not ubiquitous. Despite the airports or an occasional restaurant or tourist site offering free Wi-Fi, I found this to be true. Luckily, my Airbnb provided me with a free mobile access point, and my $13 sim for my unlocked Blu Android phone filled in the gaps.