Travel: Japan - General

[mommyNg]

jtoh\" post_id=\"1915329\" time=\"1561121247\" user_id=\"19505:

Thanks for the recommendations. I've used changi recommends wifi routers in the past but am looking for sim cards now. Routers are more troublesome in that you need to charge them and it's an extra device to carry around. I find sim cards more convenient esp as we all want to do our own things and not be tethered to one router. '

Has anyone tried sim cards? Changi has one but that's limited to a max of 8 days.

I’ve used local SIM cards as well as happy roam SIM card. Both have worked well. I usually buy local SIM cards in countries where happy roam doesn’t cover.

[jtoh]

mommyNg\" post_id=\"1915341\" time=\"1561127618\" user_id=\"2838:

jtoh\" post_id=\"1915329\" time=\"1561121247\" user_id=\"19505:

Thanks for the recommendations. I've used changi recommends wifi routers in the past but am looking for sim cards now. Routers are more troublesome in that you need to charge them and it's an extra device to carry around. I find sim cards more convenient esp as we all want to do our own things and not be tethered to one router. '

Has anyone tried sim cards? Changi has one but that's limited to a max of 8 days.

I’ve used local SIM cards as well as happy roam SIM card. Both have worked well. I usually buy local SIM cards in countries where happy roam doesn’t cover.

Which Japanese sim card have you used and where do you purchase it from?

[ryka]

bebebub\" post_id=\"1915307\" time=\"1561110573\" user_id=\"23820:

.zeit & fellow forumers

Pls review/share your accommodation in Takayama, Shirakawago & Kanazawa (if any).

Besides street food, pls recommend a restaurant to eat Hida beef yakiniku in Takayama, pls. TIA

We stayed at a ryokan in Takayama, Oyado koto no yume, location near JR and Nohi bus bus terminal. Excellent accommodation and hospitality with yummy breakfast.
There is a Hida Beef restaurant within walking distance Maruaki Hida Takayama, it’s so good until we have to come back for the second time on the next day rather than trying out other restaurants.

[ngl2010]

We are on M1 so we have been using M1 data passport whenever we go overseas. The price is reasonable ($25 for 1 month for Japan) and it is much more convenient than carrying wifi routers. I am sure SingTel and StarHub has similar product.

[mommyNg]

jtoh\" post_id=\"1915345\" time=\"1561129280\" user_id=\"19505:

Which Japanese sim card have you used and where do you purchase it from?

Can’t remember the name, but you can buy it either at the airport (Narita or Haneda) or at Bic Camera shops. These days you can also buy online and you can pick it up at the store, at the airport or even mailed to you (I never tried before though)

https://www.jtb.com.sg/yokoso-sim-card/

https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/3613-sim-card-japan-tokyo/?aid=5b9b254de0ffee87&af_wid=2652&utm_medium=affiliate-alwayson&utm_source=non-network&utm_campaign=2652

https://m.qoo10.sg/gmkt.inc/Mobile/Search/Default.aspx?keyword=japan%20sim%20card

[jtoh]

Thanks mommyng and ngl2010. I googled before coming here and found that most of the rates are quite expensive for Japanese sim cards. About S$20 for 2gb? Compared to the sim cards in Europe where it’s the equivalent of S$40 for 12 gbs. I suppose if that’s the market rate then no choice.

[floppy]

ngl2010\" post_id=\"1915352\" time=\"1561136231\" user_id=\"40978:

jtoh\" post_id=\"1915365\" time=\"1561168430\" user_id=\"19505:[quote=jtoh post_id=1915365 time=1561168430 user_id=19505]Thanks mommyng and ngl2010. I googled before coming here and found that most of the rates are quite expensive for Japanese sim cards. About S$20 for 2gb? Compared to the sim cards in Europe where it's the equivalent of S$40 for 12 gbs. I suppose if that's the market rate then no choice.

Data passport (or similar) is useful if you don't intend to connect up various devices (e.g. iPad, laptop, phones) regularly or if you don't intend to make local calls at all. Data passport has the advantage of keeping in touch via your SGP number and not having to change phone. For me, I will use data passport if my trip is not more than a week. Otherwise, I will use a local SIM card in a spare phone (which can also act as a hotspot for my other devices). However, if you are making a number of local calls, you will have no choice but to go with a local SIM card. For those who are using a phone that can take 2 SIM cards at the same time (or dual SIM for the newer iPhones), a local SIM card is a no-brainer.

Be careful of what you book online though. https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/3613-sim-card-japan-tokyo/?aid=1018 is ~ $20 for 3GB data for 8 days (and ~ $30 for unlimited data for 8 days). Not expensive (for Japan) but it is DATA ONLY. Please check the fine prints before you book:
1. Once traffic flow exceeds 30GB, the data speed will be reduced to 3G (for unlimited data) - similar (but check the limits) for any SIM cards (or WiFi router) you buy (or rent) for Japan under fair usage principle.
2. No outgoing calls, incoming calls or SMS.
Same goes for the SIM cards sold by JTB and Qoo10 in mommyNg post.

It is important to understand what you need. If you want DATA + VOICE, you will have to go with one of these options:
1. Buy locally in Japan e.g. in BIC camera shops
2. https://www.mobal.com/japan-sim-card/. You can pick it up in Singapore (at Japan Rail Cafe in Tanjong Pagar Centre) or at the major Japanese airports
WARNING: Any SIM card involving voice is going to be EXPENSIVE. e.g. NTT pre-paid SIM card (14 days validity, unlimited voice, unlimited data BUT only 100MB high speed download / day) ~ SGD 45, and Mobal SIM card (30 days validity, unlimited voice, unlimited data, 7GB high speed download / month) ~ SGD 95 :yikes:

[jtoh]

floppy\" post_id=\"1915371\" time=\"1561174692\" user_id=\"97579:

ngl2010\" post_id=\"1915352\" time=\"1561136231\" user_id=\"40978:

We are on M1 so we have been using M1 data passport whenever we go overseas. The price is reasonable ($25 for 1 month for Japan) and it is much more convenient than carrying wifi routers. I am sure SingTel and StarHub has similar product.

jtoh\" post_id=\"1915365\" time=\"1561168430\" user_id=\"19505:

Thanks mommyng and ngl2010. I googled before coming here and found that most of the rates are quite expensive for Japanese sim cards. About S$20 for 2gb? Compared to the sim cards in Europe where it's the equivalent of S$40 for 12 gbs. I suppose if that's the market rate then no choice.

Data passport (or similar) is useful if you don't intend to connect up various devices (e.g. iPad, laptop, phones) regularly or if you don't intend to make local calls at all. Data passport has the advantage of keeping in touch via your SGP number and not having to change phone. For me, I will use data passport if my trip is not more than a week. Otherwise, I will use a local SIM card in a spare phone (which can also act as a hotspot for my other devices). However, if you are making a number of local calls, you will have no choice but to go with a local SIM card. For those who are using a phone that can take 2 SIM cards at the same time (or dual SIM for the newer iPhones), a local SIM card is a no-brainer.

Be careful of what you book online though. https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/3613-sim-card-japan-tokyo/?aid=1018 is ~ $20 for 3GB data for 8 days (and ~ $30 for unlimited data for 8 days). Not expensive (for Japan) but it is DATA ONLY. Please check the fine prints before you book:
1. Once traffic flow exceeds 30GB, the data speed will be reduced to 3G (for unlimited data) - similar (but check the limits) for any SIM cards (or WiFi router) you buy (or rent) for Japan under fair usage principle.
2. No outgoing calls, incoming calls or SMS.
Same goes for the SIM cards sold by JTB and Qoo10 in mommyNg post.

It is important to understand what you need. If you want DATA + VOICE, you will have to go with one of these options:
1. Buy locally in Japan e.g. in BIC camera shops
2. https://www.mobal.com/japan-sim-card/. You can pick it up in Singapore (at Japan Rail Cafe in Tanjong Pagar Centre) or at the major Japanese airports
WARNING: Any SIM card involving voice is going to be EXPENSIVE. e.g. NTT pre-paid SIM card (14 days validity, unlimited voice, unlimited data BUT only 100MB high speed download / day) ~ SGD 45, and Mobal SIM card (30 days validity, unlimited voice, unlimited data, 7GB high speed download / month) ~ SGD 95 :yikes:

Thanks floppy

[ngl2010]

We use Skype for any outgoing calls to local numbers when we use data passport. Incoming calls are still to our Singapore number (which is good because my parents-in-law, who can’t use whatsapp, can still contact us by traditional phone).

[sky minecrafter]

Thanks for the assurance, NGL! I intend to buy a voice plan when I arrive at the local airport (will just ask shop assistant for recommendations), cos the voice plans I've researched are not attractive. Otherwise, will stick to the old fashioned public phone (~10-30yen per minute)... Get to collect telephone cards at the end of it. Haha.