An information access system includes a reader/writer device and an information storage device. In the information storage device, a receiver unit senses a carrier of an RF signal at a first frequency for detection, in a first time period occurring at time intervals, and receives an information request signal in response to detection of a carrier of an RF signal at the first frequency, and senses a carrier of an RF signal at a second frequency in response to reception of the information request signal. In the storage device, a control causes the receiver unit to sense a carrier of an RF signal at the first frequency for detection, in a second time period after a sleep time period which is shorter than the time interval, in response to non-detection by the receiver unit of a carrier of an RF signal at the first frequency in the first time period.