I just want to make sure I understand....We are traveling from the West Coast of the U.S.

1) Make Skype to Skype called to U.S. from iPhone4, iPad, iTouch using internet at hotel connected to Apple's Airport Express
2) Use Text Plus to U.S. mobile phones rom iPhone4, iPad, iTouch using internet at hotel connected to Apple's Airport Express
3) Rent phone from Softbank, picking up a Narita Airport. This would be used primarily for emergencies and for family to contact us for incoming calls. They had the cheapest daily rental rate.
4) Get e-mail at hotel via internet
5) Local calls within Japan should be minimal. I'm thinking maybe 2-4 calls. Although, I don't know who I would be calling in Japan.
6) Disable international roaming on iPhone4 and purchase international data package. Just because I can.....you never know when you need info
7) Turn off Blackberry Tour from Verizon. It's not WiFi capable and who needs the data package when you have an iPhone.

Given the time difference between Japan and West Coast, there really aren't many hours of the day where we would need to be 'connected' to the office. Relying on the hotel internet connection should provide us with ways to communicate and the Softbank phone for emergencies.

The only thing I can't figure out is how to check the voicemail on our U.S based mobile phones......Can I use Skype for that and pay by the minute? Will that work in Japan?

What do you think? Have I missed anything?

Thanks!

My mobile phone plan can be set up to put voicemail online where I can access it on a computer through the phone company's website. See if that's possible for you, too.

In preparation for those moments when all else fails, you should equip every member of your family with a final backup.
And as we're entering a time of solar flares that may interfere with any electronics, it's also worth carrying a robust, alternative means of getting a message out.