Job Discussion Forums

QueenSerenity42 · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 35

What is the best (cheapest) way to call from Japan to the US?

I know almost nothing about the phone system in Japan, except that it seems really complicated. Would it be cheapest to get a cell phone and use that, or are there phone cards you can use or what? I need to know how I can call Mom and let her know I'm not dead on occasion! ^_^

Thanks!

QS42

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Get a brastel card. Do a search on the Japan forum or scroll down the list on the Japan forum and you will find lots of info to this question.
Don't make long distance calls from a cell phone!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

If you plan on having an Internet connection here, you can use any of 3 programs to phone home for free, providing that the other people have the same system. You can even set them up for video. The only cost you pay is what you would normally pay for the regular Internet service. Nothing more. Nothing per minute while you are calling. All that you really need to buy that may be extra is a headset with microphone.

Skype
Microsoft Net Meeting
America Online Instant Messenger (AOL AIM): does not require you to buy AOL services at all.

These are all free services, either already installed on your computer, or available as downloads. If you pay for some of the service, you will get additional benefits.

bzakka · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 48 Location: Santiago, Chile

i tried some of that phone software but found that the reception for international calls wasn't all that great. i forget which program it was...
but if you can get it to work then that will definitely be nice to have.

besides that, calling cards are the way to go. just BE SURE YOU GET THE RIGHT ONE. have a japanese friend buy it for you, or better yet, bring a few pre-paid ones from home.

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

Isn't Yahoo BB something like 3 yen a minute to the US?

drdo · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 53

bzakka · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 48 Location: Santiago, Chile

did the card come with directions? depending on what company it is, there may be a country code you have to dial first. The one for AT&T in Japan is 005-39-111, and after that you dial the 800 number for the card and follow the directions.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

DoctorPayne · Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 11:56 pm Post subject:

For Mac users you can simply use iChat, which should come with your computer. My iBook has a built-in microphone and I can talk with other iChat users where ever they are.

drdo · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 53

bzakka · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 48 Location: Santiago, Chile

hmmm this is pretty confusing, but check out this website.

http://consumer.mci.com/international/english/resources/accessnos3.jsp

depending on what your phone service is there are different "worldphone access numbers" that MCI uses for Japan. I've never used them myself but apparently this is what they say to do with one of their calling cards. You can probably find out what to do somewhere on this site.

huh that's weird... the number i listed in my last post is only one number off from the one they list for KDDI phones.... this has got to be a KDDI/AT&T conspiracy!!

Celeste · Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 11:50 pm Post subject:

I use this company from my landline. Apparently they do cell service as well.

http://www.worldlinkjapan.com/index2.html

drdo · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 53

Thanks for the help. This is what I discovered by going to the webpage suggessted. They said:

"Using your calling card is easy:

Dial the WorldPhone toll-free access number of the country you are calling from.
Dial or give the WorldPhone operator your MCI Calling Card number and PIN (Personal Identification Number).
Dial or give the WorldPhone operator the Country Code and number you are calling. You will then be connected."

Here is the WorldPhone toll-free access number list for Japan:
Call using KDDI, dial: 00539-121
NTT: 0034-811-811
IDC: 0066-55-121
JT: 0044-11-121
Payphone access not allowed!

That's it. Thanks again, bzakka.