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Black_Beer_Man
Joined: 26 Mar 2013 Posts: 453 Location: Yokohama
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 3:38 am Post subject: Cheapest Cell Phone Plan in Japan? |
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I need to get a cellphone or smart phone.
I don't care about phone type.
I just want to use it to receive calls and send text messages.
Does anybody know any cheap deals?
I don't like prepaid phones. I had one of those from Softbank and had to pay 70 yen / min to call out. |
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kzjohn
Joined: 30 Apr 2014 Posts: 277
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 7:28 am Post subject: |
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This article summarizes it pretty well. After reading that, go to amazon.co.jp and shop for a SIM-free phone. My suggestion would be the Moto line (Motorola). Midrange would be the Moto G5s Plus (~¥30,000), tho they have other models that are both cheaper and more expensive.
Choose one with a SIM/MVNO plan, such as IIJmio or LINE. IIJmio uses docomo's network, which is pretty good. The plans are based on data use--cheap means 3GB for about ¥1500/month, but keep in mind that youtube will eat that up really fast.
It takes a while to set up. You have to first get the phone, then start setting up the MVNO plan--so the next step after getting the phone is to physically get the SIM, which takes a few days to a week. (I'm guessing, but you'll probably want a voice+data plan, so you get a phone number, and not just a data plan.)
Then when you get the SIM, you carefully install it in the little tray and follow some setup instructions, e.g., https://www.iijmio.jp/hdd/visitors/en/apn.jsp
Sometimes there are some hiccoughs, sometimes not. It helps to have someone around who knows this process, for advice and handholding. |
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mitsui
Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:57 am Post subject: |
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Maybe AU for a cell phone.
There is AU, Docomo, Softbank, Yahoo Mobile and UQ.
I thought Docomo costs the most, but there are different plans.
Maybe if you go out to Shin-Okubo on the Yamanote Line you can get a deal since foreign people go there for phones. |
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stumptowny
Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 310
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Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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Why waste the money. Use apps.
Jobs never call. Landlords never call. All correspondence is via email/letters.
You don't need a phone number in Japan. Phone booths are everywhere to call in if you are late.
I have used a bogus number for years on all paperwork. I received a call one time from a job. Saved much more in time and money... and unnecessary forms of harassment
Also, Hauwei P-9 lite is excellent and very cheap. Works great with all wifi. |
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