Data SIM for Japan

Dennyjen

Hi

I’m going to Japan for 3 weeks in March/April. I have an iPhone X which is on contract with O2. Can anyone recommend the cheapest way to use my mobile whilst in Japan? I won’t be making calls or sending texts, but I’d like to be able to use social media (in particular Facebook and FB messenger and WhatsApp to stay in touch with family and post pics).

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

badger09

Dennyjen wrote: »

Hi

I’m going to Japan for 3 weeks in March/April. I have an iPhone X which is on contract with O2. Can anyone recommend the cheapest way to use my mobile whilst in Japan? I won’t be making calls or sending texts, but I’d like to be able to use social media (in particular Facebook and FB messenger and WhatsApp to stay in touch with family and post pics).

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Free wifi in many hotels, coffee shops & elsewhere. Have you done any research? If not, suggest you start here

https://www.japanvisitor.com/japan-travel/internet-access

sazaccount

WIFI is pretty much everywhere in Japan even city areas have their own wifi network available I spent 4 weeks in April last year and didn't feel the need to get a sim, you can buy data only sims (you are not able to buy, as a tourist, a sim with calls/texts they are data only) in Japan but I think it was something like 40-50 pounds for the month.

Nick_C

If you only want to use social media, then free WiFi in hotels, shops, and on public transport should be fine.

I've been to Japan twice now. Each time I've rented portable WiFi. I wouldn't travel in Japan without it.

I used Google Maps extensively to find my way around. Google Maps doesn't work offline in Japan (you cannot download maps).

I used Navitime to plan journeys; getting directions in real time.

I used Google translate when dealing with local people and businesses.

Yes, you will find free WiFi all over the place. But if you are travelling independently and relying on the internet then it is so much easier if are constantly connected, and not having to continually sign on to new free hotspots.

A portable WiFi device can be shared with any travelling companions. Three weeks rental would cost about £57 booked in advance, including shipping and insurance. You collect the device at the airport when you arrive, and drop it in a post box when you leave.

I rent from https://anyfi.jp/encontents/

I strongly recommend the Navitime Japan app for finding your way around.

And if you will be using a Suica card to pay for transport, then the Suikakeibo app is very useful. You can scan a Suica or IC card with your phone and see how much you have spent and what balance is remaining.

Dennyjen

With portable WiFi you risk roaming charges?

TheShape

I got one from Japan Experience.  Ordered it with my Japan Rail Pass.  I found it useful to have internet access wherever I was although there is very widespread free Wifi so I might have been ok.

I did have an issue with the set-up instructions as one setting was missing from the instructions but I checked the settings for my other SIM (dual sim phone) and duplicated the ones that were not in the instructions and everything worked.

NoodleDoodleMan

I have a vague recollection of reading that Japan uses mobile frequencies that may be different from most other countries, depending on your national home network provider and/or device ?

Might be totally wrong on that - but worth checking ?

https://www.frequencycheck.com/countries/japan

Nick_C

Dennyjen said:

With portable WiFi you risk roaming charges?

No.  You rent from a Japanese company.  You pay a fixed price for the time you want the device for.  You have your own WiFi hot spot which is always on, and you can connect a number of devices to it.  Collect from the airport when you arrive.  Drop off in a postbox when you leave.  Check the link I posted above.