macdonaldj2

I thought you could only purchase data SIMs as a tourist. I ordered mine through b-mobile and had it delivered to the hotel and it was there the day I arrived, no hassle.

aster

This is the sort of thing prevalent in third world countries, very surprised to hear that Japan is so backwards in this regard.

Guess it's best to get some sort of data SIM and a mobile wifi hotspot device and just use Skype perhaps?

ajGoes

My wife and I will be in Japan for a week in November, staying with American expat friends in Tokyo. I don't want to put them to a lot of trouble. If I ask them to pick up a couple of prepaid SIM cards for us, am I asking a lot?

Assuming the answer is "no", what information should I give them to make the favor as simple as possible?

freecia

Do they use Amazon.co.jp? You can give them the URL to the b-mobile prepaid data sim(s) you want and they can just add it to their next order. Otherwise, Yodobashi.com (an electronics shop) can show available stock in-store and they can pick it up in a shop near them.

Activation is easiest with a Japanese mobile number. I'm guessing they're also willing to do that for you? It is a quick phone call to an automated system.

Links & More info here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan...-buying-2.html

ajGoes

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm looking for voice and data SIMs if possible, though. Which would you recommend?

Thanks again,

-Andy

freecia

Andy - to keep things simple on prepaid for short term, I'd advise going with a data only sim. Caveat: You might want to ask on the Japan mobile sim thread above for advice from residents. I'm only an occasional visitor who tends to collect SIM cards and use google maps and Hyperdia for train schedules while traveling.

Voice + data sims are difficult for visitors to purchase in Japan though they are available for rental. If you need voice, you can rent a flip phone at the airport via one of these companies http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guid...st/svc_19.html and purchase a data sim to use in a smartphone.
TelecomSquare even offers a free flip phone rental for those flying in/out on ANA and only charges for the calls http://www.telecomsquare.co.jp/ana_inbound/en/price.php

If your friend is offering to register the sim under their name, the b-mobile talking sim offers prepaid with voice+data, 1 month minimum subscription. It is also available on Amazon.co.jp
http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/sim_t/
In my opinion, the price is somewhat high if you only need to make a few mobile calls to friends in Japan and the speed is rather slow. People often text in Japan so e-mailing or using WhatsApp/Line apps would probably also work.

A rental sim might also be suitable and doesn't rely on residents to activate it. Just be aware of the high data costs.
Softbank
http://www.softbank-rental.jp/e/rental-plan-ib03.php
JCR also has rental voice + data sims
http://www.jcrcorp.com/mobile/mobile_rental_simcard.htm

Here's a rundown of the MVNO plans available earlier this year.
http://www.japanmobiletech.com/2011/...bile-sims.html
http://www.japanmobiletech.com/2013/...ese-mvnos.html

ajGoes

Thanks for all the links. Looks like I'll have to do without data then, and maybe without my own phone unless I can find its Japan Conformity Certification of Radio Equipment.

This stuff is not easy,

-Andy

PainCorp

That's what I've found as well. There doesn't seem to be a single best SIM card. OneSimCard will lose all remaining funding after 10 months without a load, and ToggleSim doesn't work many places. I wish there was a nice balance, and I can't seem to find one.

Big Mac

Another option is to rent from Global Advanced Communications: https://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/
I picked up as well as dropped off the SIM from the post office at NRT (from any location in Japan is possible and you don't pay any shipping fee).
They have various plans (voice + data) for various phones and you also get JPY1,000 calling credit.
Service (voice/data) was great (used in Tokyo and Kyoto).

Big Mac

PainCorp

Seems just as expensive as using data with any other provider since you're paying by the day for SIM rental. Granted it is unlimited data, but still.

I love the unlimited data, but I'd rather just have one or two SIM cards to swap in and out, and not rent a new one for every trip.

freecia

I use Piranha-mobile.com prepaid international roaming sim and am happy with them for the price. Yes, the data prices aren't usually as good as local sim prices. But they're often on par or less than other roaming sims like Telna or data only like DooDad. They also bundle in voip to the same account so I can call international numbers via wifi or 3g. I usually get a local signal within a few hours of being on land which is enough for my needs.

Dubai Stu covered it here along with global roaming http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...l-roaming.html

More info here as well http://www.prepaidgsm.net/forum/inte...-sim-card.html

B-mobile might have an option to extend the life of a U300 sim up to 180 days using TurboCharge at 525 yen for 100MB or 180 days, whichever comes first http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/turbocharge/index.html I'd email them to confirm before purchasing.
The IIJmio prepaid data sim seems to be valid for 500 MB or 3 months, whichever comes first https://s.iijmio.jp/prepaid/

joejones

There is already a good thread about this topic on the Japan forum.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan...de-buying.html

Dubai Stu

I saw this article on DSL Reports and am passing it on without recourse. It sounds like a great solution, but I have not done any independent research:

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/R...-75Mbps-126377

x20mar

Okay,

Maybe you guys could help me out, I'm traveling to Japan this month and I'm looking for a data-sim that lasts longer that 14 days. Suggestions? I already have a sim-free mifi router so my plans is to just stick it in there