Best way to use mobile phone in Japan

[Kevvie]

Appreciate any advice re best way to use mobile phone in Japan.

Do i buy SIM in Australia or Japan ?
How best do i use Google maps to assist finding my way around when walking around dense urban locations ?
Are there any 'traps ' to be aware of?
Do i rent phone in Japan or use my iphone?

Thanks

Kevvie

 

[incumbent]

Appreciate any advice re best way to use mobile phone in Japan.

Do i buy SIM in Australia or Japan ?
How best do i use Google maps to assist finding my way around when walking around dense urban locations ?
Are there any 'traps ' to be aware of?
Do i rent phone in Japan or use my iphone?

Thanks

Kevvie

It's hard/more expensive to get voice service here, but I survive without it.

I use a data-only SIM from b-mobile, they have various options:

3 types of SIM cardsfor travelers to Japan | b-mobile

 

[Cynicor]

I go without and just use roaming and offline maps.

You can rent portable wifi which many people use, this is very convenient and means you can still roam as well, and get normal calls/sms but reply via Skype or FB or whatsapp etc.

It's hard to buy a sim, not like most of SE Asia so it's renting only, generally.

Look at the massive whirlpool thread and wiki for various telecoms ideas. It's one of their most popular threads!

 

[coolkid101]

TravelSimDirect has a good rep on Ozbargain and i have also just bought this data sim for my upcoming trip to Japan.

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/216069

 

[Ausbt]

From memory I used b-mobile, or it might have been DoCoMo. Either way, there are a stack of mobile phone SIM places near Ueno station. What I do know is it worked perfectly in my iPhone 5 but failed completely in my wife's Samsung S3 or whatever their silly large phone is, I don't use Android.

 

[phily]

Appreciate any advice re best way to use mobile phone in Japan.

I was in Japan for 2 weeks last year and before I left I ordered a SIM online from eConnect, and it was posted to my hotel for collection when I checked in. It worked immediately in my iPhone 5. It was a data-only SIM, so any voice calls I needed to make when away from hotel Wi-Fi I simply used Skype. It cost just under AU$60 for a couple of GB, and it had good service throughout most of Japan. eConnect has various pre-paid options, depending on your length of stay and your likely data usage.

 

[A330]

You may find Google Maps to be limited help.
I was in Tokyo last week and Google Maps often had trouble finding my exact location. Possibly due to many tall buildings affecting GPS signal.
Frustratingly Google Maps also neglected to advise which exit to use from train stations. You'll need to check the map at each station for the right exit.