Japan SIM vs Malaysia SIM

Pumpkin_rrr on 05/05/2017 - 08:53

Hubby has been researching wifi options in Japan and got his head spinning. Think I need to help him out.

We dont quite like the idea of Pocket Wifi in Japan, not sure why it's popular. It seems very expensive, a hassle to pick-up, carry yet another device, as if we havent had enough devices…. The other Doco thing just sounds like Telstra Air, no-no….

Back in Malaysia it seems so simple: buy data and/or phone SIM from anywhere anytime, got either data or phone on the go, all the time, everywhere. And it's cheap-as. Even public free wifi is everywhere: KFC, hotels…. From what we read, wifi is patchy in Japan.

Our hotels say they do have wifi, but firstly some reviews say they are not reliable, and we also need data/phone as we walk around the city. We need to be contactable the whole time, be it phone, WhatsApp, FaceBook etc……. Just to communicate with Japanese tours etc. (For Oz friends/relos, we do have international roaming so they will SMS for urgent matters)

Please someone shed some light. Will be very grateful!

Travel

Comments

  • Gunther on 05/05/2017 - 09:34

    You do realise people used to travel without mobile internet an they were perfectly fine?

    Japan has different laws and regulations that make it difficult for tourists. Pocket Wifi is the easiest solution, hook up to Skype etc for calls.

    More information here:
    http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Japan

    • jkcat on 05/05/2017 - 11:42

      The good old times.
      However I'd still prefer to be able to check my credit card transactions whenever I like, as credit card fraud is still a thing in Japan.

      • Gunther on 05/05/2017 - 13:40

        Dispute the transaction when you get home? Credit Card fraud is not your fault if you have not been negligent. Having access instant transaction details solve anything.

        Otherwise you will notify your bank when in Japan off the fraud, and they cancel the card immediately and you are screwed.

        • jkcat on 05/05/2017 - 14:08

          Call me paranoid, but I'd rather have my card suspended if the other option is to let the skimmer max out my credit.

        • Gunther on 05/05/2017 - 14:27

          @jkcat: Understandable, but you dont need to monitor it every minute of the day checking for fraudulent transactions.
          Just check it on a weekly basis.

    • altomic on 05/05/2017 - 12:35

      You do realise people used to travel without mobile internet an they were perfectly fine?

      LOL, WOT!! in the 1700's maybe

      • INFIDEL on 02/07/2017 - 06:15

        Less than 10 years back for me. Used to take photos of maps from computer in internet cafe, & view on camera to find my accommodation. Worked well. But smart phones changed all that.

        Regular traveller to Japan. Use the free WiFi at accommodation or free apps for access to free WiFi these days.

        • Pumpkin_rrr on 02/07/2017 - 07:57

          Yes not long ago we use Refidix and sketches…
          Nowadays I find I need 24/7 wifi when I travel, esp to new places. Navigation, review, emails, Wechat, whatsapp….. so many devices gadgets and apps. Hotels cover 50-80% of my requirement.

        • INFIDEL on 02/07/2017 - 08:02

          @Pumpkin_rrr:
          I enjoy the challenge of getting lost & meeting locals.

          Was in a small village for 12 days in May, where no one except my host spoke any English (I'm hopeless with Japanese, despite frequent visits). Had WiFi at beach house, but my phone got wet… no internet! No Maps, no Google Translate, but I survived.

          I think if you're in a hurry, constant connections are important. As a slow traveller, it's not so important - I have time to get lost, be invited to join locals for a drink, meal, night, matchmaking (happened in that village)🎏

          It also depends a lot on the reason we travel.

          Out of all my amazing adventures in Japan (written about in numerous Jetstar deals over the years), none were due to the internet. The internet may have helped me get places, recommended what to see, and understand from others experiences, but none of that compares with true connections - with people & place, like I've found in Japan🏯

  • pantsparty on 05/05/2017 - 09:41
    +1

    If you don't want to carry around a pocket wifi then you should head to Bic Camera or similar when you arrive and buy some data sim cards. This is probably the easiest option. The thing is buying two sim cards will cost a pretty penny if you want a decent amount of data. May as well just get a pocket wifi with much more or unlimited data. Get it delivered to your first hotel and pick it up on check in.

    • boomramada on 05/05/2017 - 09:44
      -3

      Some of those SIM card, you need Japanese sim to activate it. If you in japan for week or so, not worth it.
      Just get a data sim, then use skype to voice call.

      more options http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/japantravelfaq

    • boomramada on 05/05/2017 - 09:50
      -5

      WTF you negative without giving reasons, I said, some of the sim f cards, they only activate with person with japanese phone aka sim account ONLY, which bit if English you don't understand?

      • pantsparty on 05/05/2017 - 10:56

        Hey, relax guy

        • airzone on 05/05/2017 - 12:52

          lol, triggered..

        • Findo on 05/05/2017 - 13:13
          -1

          DID YOU JUST ASSUME HIS GENDER??

        • pantsparty on 05/05/2017 - 13:26

          @niggard: No I am channeling my inner Saddam Hussein from South Park

  • Blackfyre on 05/05/2017 - 09:45
    +2

    You can buy data-only sim cards from stores like BIC camera or Yodobashi.

    With B-mobile you can order it now http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/english/ and pickup from the airport post office.

    Or have this delivered to you before flying http://stores.ebay.com.au/yokososimaustralia/

    Pocket wifi may be cheaper if your group travels together all the time.
    I prefer data sims so we can do our own thing - I don't want to spend all afternoon in Shibuya 109 shopping with my wife.

  • Caped Baldy on 05/05/2017 - 10:31

    Pocket wifi works best in larger groups unless someone gets lost..

    I've prepurchased a sim for my own japan trip from ebay. 4gb for 31 days for $40 (normally $45 but i made an offer which was accepted)

  • jkcat on 05/05/2017 - 11:38

    On ebay there's a whole bunch of prepaid data sims that self activate when you land.

  • lupiter on 05/05/2017 - 11:45

    In Japan, a mobile phone sold there or a sim card with a call connection must be able to receive the earthquake/tsunami emergency warnings. Your Australian phone can't. Prepaid deals also require a Japanese residency. This means you can't get a SIM card with a call connection, and it's hard to get a prepaid phone.

    There are special services for tourists, which let you rent a phone or SIM card. They aren't as cheap as the rest of Asia, because these are just for tourists.

    Docomo wifi is actually really good in the city, much better than Telstra Air. If you can plan when you need wifi, this is pretty good. Otherwise, get a tourist data-only sim, like B-mobile, which you can get from a vending machine in the airport.

  • qazwsx on 05/05/2017 - 11:56
    +1

    If you are transiting through Singapore, pick up a StarHub prepaid SIM and use HappyRoam.
    http://www.starhub.com/personal/mobile/mobile-phones-plans/p…

    Should be easily available at the foreign exchange counters in Changi. $15 per SIM, gives $18 loaded credit, buy a local data pack, turn roaming on and start surfing. Note that most of the times in my experience, I can only get 3G instead of LTE (good enough, serves the purpose). And dont forget to switch roaming off when you are in your flight as some of these planes use mobile networks to offer roaming, so with your phone on and roaming on you could find your credit disappearing quickly.

  • altomic on 05/05/2017 - 12:43
    +1

    OZbargain could do with a forum/classifieds section for international sim cards. I just gave 3 away from my last trip to vietnam,cambodia and malaysia. all were valid sims - some had expiry periods, some just required topping up.

    many of us go to some country and then come back with a sim card that could be re-used by another ozbargainer for their trip. it would save time and money and forums posts. people list the sims details as - Country, expiry date, data and or voice value left

    something like the Entertainment book voucher swaps.

    • INFIDEL on 02/07/2017 - 06:24

      Oh ASIO & it's equivalents will love that. Covered by our draconian anti-terrorism legislation - providing a SIM to someone connected with terrorism (even if you don't know that) can land you in jail, or at least be locked up for questioning!

      💡Otherwise a good idea💡

      Taken up by at least 1 offer of overseas SIM
      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/310121

  • airzone on 05/05/2017 - 12:54

    Japan just likes to do things their own way because… Just because.

  • ausdday on 05/05/2017 - 15:01

    http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/english/product.html

    I used them before, ordered online and have them mailed to my first check-in hotel before arrival. Upon check-in, collected the sim from hotel front desk. Pop into my vodafone MiFi. Works immidiately. That was back in 2014.

    Apparently they have included more data (5GB instead of 1GB) and extended the validity (from 14 days to 21 days).

    It's going to cost you 3223yen.

    To get sim from airport:
    1. For voice and data sim - http://getaroundjapan.jp/node/16527/
    2. For Data sim - http://www.getaroundjapan.jp/node/16342

  • Pumpkin_rrr on 05/05/2017 - 15:53

    Wow, thanks everyone, guys and gals for your valuable sharing. Love this group! Muah!!
    Will read in detail soon.
    Happy Holidays to us:-))

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