Cell Phone Options

Public Phones: All Japanese public phones (they are bright green or gray) are operated with phone cards which you can purchase in convenience stores or kiosks, but becoming increasingly rare. They also take coins, but will not give change. Public phones are still in train stations, hotels, and many other public places in Japan. If you do not get a cell phone, purchase a phone card and you should be able to get by fine with these.

Cellphones, SIM cards and pocket Wi-Fi: Japan uses 3G network for their cell phones and if you have a cell phone that is 4G then it won’t work. SIM cards are mostly for data for foreign phones so if you want to have a Japanese telephone number the only solution is to rent a phone. Some interns don’t mind getting by without for a few months, but many students find the purchase of a cell phone essential for communication in Japan. If you do want to set up service, you should have your Alien Registration card. You can buy phones at official shops, where you will get helpful one-on-one service, or in general electronics stores where you will sometimes find older models for low prices. Softbank and AU KDDI are the easiest to obtain, but have higher rates. Big consumer stores like Big Camera and Sakuraya will have a wide variety of phones and some with short-term plans, but they may require the Alien Registration card. Ask someone at your company how to do it or if they can assist you.

Some students also use rental phones or SIM cards (phone needs to be UMTS 2100 capable). Softbank offers reliable service. 

Past students recommend that you rent a data SIM card through CDJapan because it offers unlimited data at a very reasonable price. It is also easy to order online and receive the package (at the airport, hotel, residence) and return it on their way back home.

Or, you can rent a cell phone or SIM card at the airport. While the price for phone calls is quite high (around $2.50/day for cell phone plus usage charge and $10/day for data plan). This is a good way to get cheap text messaging service. There are companies you can find on the internet that allows you can also rent a phone (they also rent pocket wifi and SIM cards) before you go to Japan and 1. Have it sent to you before you go to Japan, 2. Pick it up at either Narita or Kansai airports or 3. Have it delivered to your office/home/hotel. Renting the devices at the airport cost more.

Here are some companies:

• Japan Wireless - provides inexpensive pocket Wi-Fi devices in Japan. You can pick up in Japan or have the device mailed to your hotel/place of stay in Japan. There is a discount for longer-term stay. The company also offers full English support staff. You return the device by placing it in a pre-paid postage envelope before you return home. Pocket Wi-Fi rental is about $50 a week.

• Rentafone Japan - provides inexpensive rental of Japanese phone with a Japanese number. For renting a phone for 12 weeks will run you about $150 plus additional phone call or texting charges (about $0.35 to call within Japan and about $0.45 to call US; all incoming calls are free of charge). Estimates are based on $1 = 105 yen exchange rate. However, they will charge a $300 deposit and the deposit will be returned upon return of the telephone. Payments by Visa or MasterCard credit card.

• Softbank Global Rental - provides inexpensive rental of Japanese phone with a Japanese number. For renting a phone for 12 weeks will run you about $218 plus additional phone call or texting charges. (About $1.10 to call within Japan and about $3.00 to call US; all incoming calls are free of charge). There is a $432 charge for lost or damaged phone that do not have the $2.20/day insurance). Estimates are based on $1 = 100 yen exchange rate.

• T-Mobile - Although you will have a US-based number, T-Mobile provides the best plan to use from Japan. Making calls to the United States is cheaper than from a Japanese cell phone and T-Mobile also offers unlimited data-plan. This way you can use LINE or SKYPE to make calls or text with people in Japan. If T-Mobile is not your usual cell phone provider, you can sign up for the duration of your stay in the Japan and cancel your contract once you return.

• CDJapan offers unlimited data SIM cards at a very reasonable price. It is also easy to order online and receive the package (at the airport, hotel, residence) and return it on their way back home.

You can pre-order a portable Wi-Fi router (pocket Wi-Fi) before you arrive in Japan from several companies such as Japan Wireless (for about $100/month without insurance) or Japan Rail Pass ($183 for 45 days without insurance). Contact either of these companies if you want to rent them for a longer duration. Japan Rail Pass also rents SIM cards online. You can check the Narita International Airport website to see which terminal your airline is located.

E-mail: The easiest option is to use your company internet. You can check your private e-mail, websites, blogs, etc. during your lunch time or after work hours. Internet cafes often charge about ¥500 per hour. Some dormitories may provide internet for free, but this is not the case for 23all. Sakura Houses provide free internet access. If you get a cell phone, note that e-mails or texts from your phone are a lot cheaper than placing a call.