Ipad in Japan

[rechoboam]

Hi all,
Happily using my 3G Ipad via telstra prepaid. Am going to Japan in January. Is it true that I can't buy a micro-sim over there on arrival? Has anyone managed to get around the problem? I have friends who are resident over there. I guess some hotels will have free Ethernet broadband, perhaps buying a small router would be a solution there?
thanks

[samh004]

Obviously ethernet would be useless to an iPad. As far as getting a SIM though, just make sure you buy a GSM SIM not a CDMA SIM, as the internals of the iPad are GSM only. This will limit the providers you can buy from.

[simongr]

Do they even have GSM SIMs in Japan?

Remember if they don't have micro sims but they do have GSM SIMs you will need a sim cutter.

[samh004]

So a travel router lets you create your own little hotspot in the room and pay just the one daily rate regardless of how many devices are online.

If you have a mac laptop (or possibly windows) you can simply share the internet connection coming through the wired ethernet port via your airport card, and even set up a password. We always do this as a family in different countries we go to, very simple.

This might also help.

[jdevereux3]

If you have a mac laptop (or possibly windows) you can simply share the internet connection coming through the wired ethernet port via your airport card, and even set up a password. We always do this as a family in different countries we go to, very simple.

Can confirm it can be done very easily in Windows Vista & 7

XP has a few more steps but it can still be done

[samh004]

In fact, simply typing "Japan iPad 3G" into Google I was able to find a wealth of information about who to choose.

This thread on MacRumors also seems to have some good info in it. The link I posted above was from SoftBank in Japan.

Japan Travel with iPad 3G? - MacRumors Forums

[rechoboam]

Thanks,
Have done lots of googling but there always seems to be a catch, either you need a 2-year plan, or you get a one-off allowance at almost dial-up speed, or you need to trim down another card which is starting to sound more like work than holiday.
At least some of my hotels have in room broadband so Airport Express looks like the solution , and I can use it for music afterwards at home I guess. I suppose there is always McDonalds and Starbucks but let me tell you I don't plan on visiting those places in Japan (I have looked forward to the food there for years)