Use cell phone in Japan: How to do it?

Japan is a touristic hotspot that has so much to do and so much to see. Whether it is for its beautiful natural sights, such as Mount Fuji, for its culture, or to go from edge to edge by the remarkable bullet train. If you are traveling to this country soon, you are probably wondering if you will be able to use your cellphone in Japan, a very common question among tourist when traveling to a new country. 

That’s why throughout this article, we will be telling you everything you need to know to use your cellphone on your trip to this fabulous Asian country. We will also compare the different options that will allow you to stay connected to the internet and help you choose the best one for you. Read on to find out more.

Will my phone work in Japan?

You are probably wondering if your cellphone will work once you are in Japan and if you will be able to connect to the internet. And the answer is yes, if you have a smartphone, you will most likely be able to use it while you are visiting the wonderful places in Japan. 

However, you may encounter some limitations, or in any case, you may need to check a few things before you drive off to the airport. First, we recommend verifying that your cellphone has open bands. If it doesn’t, you will probably only be able to use your domestic operator’s roaming service, which could be a bit expensive.

On the other hand, there are network frequencies to consider. You must check the network frequencies that your phone works with and the ones that you will find in the country you are visiting. This way, you will know how good your internet connection will be. In Japan, the following network frequencies are available:

• 5G bands: n3 (1800), n18 (850), n28a (700), n28b (700), n77 (3700), n78 (3500), n79 (4700), n257 mmWave (28GHz)
• 4G bands: B1 (2100), B3 (1800), B8 (900), B11 (1500), B18 (800), B19 (800), B21 (1500), B26 (850), B28B (700), B28a (700), B41 (TDD 2500), B42 (TDD 3500)
• 3G bands: B1 (2100), B8 (900), B9 (1800 Japan), B11 (1500), B19 (800)
• 2G bands: CDMA BC0 (800), CDMA BC6 (2Ghz)

Do I need an international plan in Japan?

International plans are those offered by providers and companies to travelers so that they can stay connected to the internet while traveling with their services. So, we can say that on most occasions, you will need an international plan for your cellphone during your travels. 

These plans will not only allow you to have an internet connection, but they are one of the best options since many services are inexpensive and easy to acquire. However, keep in mind that international plans are not the only option you will have to stay online during your trip, as you can also count on the roaming of your local operator. But remember, this can be quite expensive. 

What are the International plans options for using my cellphone in Japan?

As technology advances, so do cellular services. So today, there are plenty of services with which you can get an international data plan and allow you to have the best internet connection available. 

Among these options, we find prepaid SIM cards, a very famous alternative among travelers, and the new eSIM. You can also count on Pocket WiFi, a good option in case of traveling in groups. And finally, you will find many places with free WiFi in Japan. Continue reading find out more about each of these options. 

Unlimited data eSIM for Japan

We will begin with the alternatives that allow you to connect to the internet, with the newest and most innovative option of all, and the one that has been growing in popularity among travelers recently. We are talking about eSIMs. These are basically virtual SIM cards, very easy to buy and install. 

These virtual services work only on some of the latest smartphone generations, especially Apple devices. This is because many phones are being manufactured with the eSIM embedded in the hardware, and you only have to buy the service and install it through a QR code. 

So if you are interested in getting this service, do not hesitate to go along with Holafly, one of the best online stores that offer eSIMs to travelers. You can enjoy benefits such as unlimited data during your trip, 24-hour customer service support, and much more. Holafly offers the following eSIM plans for Japan: 

• Unlimited data for 5 days at $19
• Unlimited data for 10 days at $34
• Unlimited data for 15 days at $47
• Unlimited data for 20 days at $54
• Unlimited data for 30 days at $64
• Unlimited data for 60 days at $84
• Unlimited data for 90 days at $99

International SIM Card for Japan

Now we will tell you about an option that you are most likely familiar with: the SIM card for Japan. This has been a very popular option over the years. As it is very common to find local operators in the country you are visiting offering prepaid SIM cards for travelers. 

However, let us tell you that you can also purchase this type of service online, which is a very easy process. That way, you will be able to connect to the internet once you arrive at your travel destination. 

The Holafly SIM card for Japan is an excellent option since it offers many benefits. These include unlimited data, excellent in-country coverage, free shipping, and technical support from Holafly at all times. For Japan, you can purchase one of the following Holafly plans: 

• Unlimited data for 5 days at $29
• Unlimited data for 10 days at $39
• Unlimited data for 15 days at $49
• Unlimited data for 20 days at $69
• Unlimited data for 30 days at $74
• Unlimited data for 60 days at $99
• Unlimited data for 90 days at $129

Pocket WiFi for Japan

Another alternative with which you can also connect to the internet is Pocket WiFi. These are small devices you can carry with you, and they will provide an internet signal to the devices connected to them. This option was widely used among travelers many years ago. However, it has lost its fame due to these device and services cost. 

Pocket WiFi can be either purchased or rented. However, we recommend the latter option, as it can still be much cheaper than buying one of these devices. 

Also, there are currently many companies with which you can rent this type of service. We would like to recommend you a Japanese company, which is Ninja WiFi. The price for a week’s rental with Ninja WiFi is around $50 and an additional $9 if you want the Pocket to be delivered directly to your hotel in Japan.

Free WiFi in Japan

You will likely find free WiFi in many places when you arrive in Japan. Starting at your place of stay, whether it is a hotel or some other place, you can check if they will have a free WiFi network that you can connect to.

On the other hand, you can also connect to free WiFi hotspots in places like airports, train stations, convenience stores, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. However, keep in mind that these WiFi hotspots may not be the most stable of all, and you will need to be close to the modem or antena to maintain your internet connection. 

We recommend that if you connect to free WiFi hotspots, you do not log into your bank accounts or websites that ask for personal information. Also, we recommend that you keep this alternative as an emergency option or to avoid using up all your data on your international plan. 

Will my local Internet work in Japan?

Most local operators worldwide offer roaming services to their users. However, you will have to verify that you will have this service included from your domestic operator to the country you are traveling to, in this case, Japan.

On the other hand, it is also important to consider that international roaming is one of the most expensive services, as you could be spending up to $10 per day. Here we will talk about the roaming services of two very famous operators.

Use cell phone in Japan with AT&T.

If you live in the United States, you probably know AT&T, one of the most renowned phone companies in this country. And if you happen to be a customer of this operator, then you can use their international roaming service during your trip to Japan. 

With AT&T, you can use your phone services in two ways. First, we have the International Travel Pass, with which you can enjoy your phone services such as data and calls, paying $10 a day. On the other hand, if you prefer to pay for your usage, it will be priced at $2.05/MB and $3 per minute per call. 

Use cell phone in Japan with Vodafone.

On the other hand, Vodafone is a UK cellular provider. However, they also operate in other countries worldwide, especially in Europe. If you would like to use Vodafone roaming for your trip to Japan, then you will have to pay $8 per day to use their services. 

What is the best option for using a cell phone in Japan?

Each of the alternatives mentioned above has its advantages and disadvantages. So, the best one will depend on your preferences. However, we can say that the option with the most benefits is Holafly’s eSIM and SIM card since you can count on unlimited data, tech support available around the clock, and excellent internet connectivity.