What is the best SIM or setup to use on a 3 week holiday in Japan? I have an Android phone and on TPG here. Need some calls and some data (maybe 1-2GB/month).Don't want massive roaming bill when I get home!
Best SIM for Mobile in Japan
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I used Yokoso Sim http://www.ebay.com.au/usr/yokososim-au?_trksid=p2047675.l25…. They were the cheapest I found when I bought my SIM last month, and seem to have discounted their stock now.
Just got back from 13 days in Japan on Sunday.
I went into a BIC Camera store (electronics giant) in Shinjuku and got a prepaid So-net SIM (www.so-net.ne.jp/access/mobile) for my android phone. It's an MVNO for NTT Docomo and 4G LTE coverage was great as I travelled from Tokyo down to Hiroshima. It cost JPY2100 (AUD25) for 31 Days with 4GB data, but no call time.
The online registration process is quite convoluted and you need a sales guy that speaks English to help translate when you go online and activate the SIM. There is no English website. You will also need a credit card for the prepaid registration service and you pay for the SIM card at the counter.
They will also ask you to stipulate an expiry date, which automatically cancels the service when you leave Japan.
The salesguy advised to get a new prepaid SIM if I needed more data as it is cheaper than topping up.
In comparison, renting a SIM card for Android phones from http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/simrent.html will cost you JPY20,400 for 21 days. That includes 1000JPY worth of free calls and unlimited internet access and Tethering services.You're going at the right time. Cherry blossoms are sprouting and should be in full bloom while you're there!
we looked at this a while ago. There are sites that discuss living in Japan for expats/foreigners.
From memory you can get a phone with data only, then make all your calls using data (voip). You can rent a phone already set up, or get a data sim. Most people don't get a ph account - I don't think it is possible for foreigners. And, there doesn't seem to be one dominant network re coverage. If you're staying in just one city or cities coverage shouldn't be an issue of course.