I recently visited Japan for two weeks, and mostly spent my time in the Hokkaido region. Unlike my previous visits, I had a Mobal Japan SIM card with me.

Before, I heavily relied on free wi-fi offered at the hostels and hotels I stayed at, train stations, department stores, restaurants and cafes, and other establishments. I looked up, downloaded, and saved screenshots of train schedules, maps, and other information before I went to bed or head out in the morning. I also always dropped by tourist information centres to get paper maps, paper bus and train timetables, and the likes, just in case.

But, with a Mobal SIM card, I did not have to do these any longer.

An overview of a Mobal Japan SIM Card plan

A Mobal Japan SIM card offers the following:

• online purchase and worldwide shipping
• no need for a residence visa and lots of other documents to activate
• internet data of up to 7GB of 4G LTE, throttled to 128 kbps if you exceed 7GB
• no limits nor charges on incoming calls and texts
• affordable call and text rates to other networks
• your own Japanese phone number

Purchase and shipping

You can order a Mobal SIM card here from wherever you are in the world. It only costs 3,000 yen, and you can pay using a credit card or PayPal.

My Mobal SIM card was purchased shortly before my arrival to Japan, and it was shipped to my hostel in Sapporo. It was waiting for me when I checked in.

When ordering, you have to select which type of smartphone you have, and provide your personal information, such as name, address, zip code, and phone number. You can also choose your preferred shipping option, and more.

Activation process

To activate your Mobal SIM card, you just have to follow the instructions on the pamphlet that comes with the package.

Using the SIM card ejection pin that I was surprised to see included in the package (which also came with a nano, micro, and standard SIM card adapter set), I opened my iPhone’s SIM card tray and inserted the Mobal SIM card. I made sure that my phone was set to automatically find networks available. Within a few minutes, I saw that my phone had connected to Softbank, Mobal’s Japanese cellphone partner.

Because I was only in Japan for a couple of weeks, I chose a short-term plan for my stay. There are two available: a 15-day voice + text + data plan (which costs 4,000 yen) and a 30-day voice + text + data plan (which costs 6,000 yen). I also had my credit card information and a scan of my passport photo page ready, as these things are necessary for activation.

It took less than a day for my Mobal Japan SIM card to finally be activated.

Pros

Reliable connection anywhere in Japan

While in Hokkaido, I visited a number of big cities, as well as some remote, rural areas, but did not have any problems with connecting to the internet.

I was able to:

• upload photos and videos to Dropbox, Facebook, Instagram, Google Drive, and other websites;
• utilize Japan Transit Planner a free app to look up the best transportation options to get to my next destination;
• use Google Maps’ GPS Navigation to help me find my way out of the train station to my hostel;
• take advantage of Google Translate’s image translation feature to read Japanese texts on signs and menus;
• video chat with family back home;
• and do various other things whenever and wherever — early morning on a four-hour train ride, during rush hour on a sidewalk, or late at night outside a convenience store — without any issues at all.

Japanese phone number

If you have a Mobal SIM card, you get your own Japanese phone number. It is printed on the SIM card packet, and should also appear on your smartphone settings.

Excellent calls and text offers and rates

A Mobal SIM card comes with unlimited free incoming calls and texts. Therefore, you can give your Mobal SIM card number to your friends and family back home to get in touch with you, and not have to worry about expensive international call and text charges on your next bill.

Moreover, it offers free calls to other Mobal Japan SIM cards. If you are travelling to Japan with other people, it is highly recommended to get one for each to be able to easily contact one another, if you decide to split up for a day, in case of emergencies, and other things.

Its outgoing call and text rates to other networks are also affordable.

Cons

Inserting the SIM card

Using a Mobal SIM card does not really have a lot of cons, but I could imagine some people saying the few minutes it takes to take their own SIM card out of their phones and then putting the Mobal Japan SIM card in a negative.

No signal in tunnels

Also, connectivity may disappear when in tunnels. I had this happen a couple of times on my long-distance train and bus trips. It was not a big deal, though, as internet was back as soon as we were out in the open again.

Conclusion

If you want to stay connected 24/7 while in Japan, do not hesitate to get a Mobal Japan SIM card.

For an initial fee of only 3,000 yen, you can get a SIM card that you can insert into your smartphone (whether iPhone, Android, Windows, or others), and avail of a wide variety of benefits while making lots of fun and memorable Japan experiences.

The post [Product Review] Japan Unlimited SIM Card from Mobal appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.

1. Pikachu Parade

Pikachu are probably the most recognizable characters in the Pokemon franchise. They are small, yellow, and resemble a mouse. They have long tails that are shaped like lightning bolts, black-tipped pointed ears, and reddish pouches on their cheeks.

Across Japan, it is very common to find all sorts of Pikachu merchandise, including pillows, key chains, stuffed toys, stickers, and life-size dolls. There is even a Pikachu Parade held every summer in Yokohama.

Started in 2014, the Pikachu Parade features more than 50 human-size Pikachu mascots marching through the city streets. Despite the scorching summer heat, locals and tourists flock to the sidewalks to witness the event and take photos and videos of the adorable mascots.  Here is a short video clip from the 2016 Pikachu Parade.

2. Square watermelons

Square watermelons are popular in Japan because they can easily be stored in containers with limited spaces, such as in small refrigerators. They were invented in the 1980s by a Japanese farmer from the city of Zentsuji in Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku.

Because producing these cube-shaped watermelons require some special growing techniques, they are sold at a higher price than regular watermelons, and are more often used for decorative purposes.

Since the introduction of square watermelons, more watermelon shapes have popped up, including heart-shaped ones and pyramid-shaped ones.

3. Food ticket vending machines

Many restaurants in Japan have ticket vending machines right by their entrance doors where customers can purchase food tickets for anything they want from the menu, unlike in Western countries where there are waiters and waitresses to take customers’ orders.

If you are heading to Japan soon and wondering how these ticket vending machine works, here is a basic guide:

• Many restaurants close to touristy areas have food ticket vending machines that offer English menus, so it should not be a problem for you to figure out which is which. If there are none, use the Google Translate app on your phone to translate the Japanese texts.

• Insert your money into the coin or bill slot, and then press the button or buttons of the food items that you want to order. There should be one ticket for every item you order.
• Find a seat and hand your tickets to a staff or employee.
• Your food should be delivered to you soon.
• If you need to order more food, just go back to the ticket vending machine and purchase more food tickets.

4. Butler cafes

Butler cafes are like maid cafes for female customers. And, instead of being waited on and entertained by girls wearing cutesy maid outfits, they have guys in classic butler uniforms treating you like a princess.

In Tokyo alone, there are numerous butler cafes where you can experience what it is like to be praised, complimented, small-talked, and waited on by well-dressed and charming butlers, while enjoying some nice snacks and desserts.

Swallowtail is a very popular butler cafe located in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district. It caters to female manga and anime fans, and female cosplayers. If you want to include a butler cafe experience in your Japan itinerary, you should check it out. Reservations and other information are available on Swallowtail’s official website.

5. Cuddles cafes

Cuddle cafes are the answer to anyone in Japan who is desperately looking for someone to cuddle. If you are single, and longing for that comforting feeling of being hugged and embraced by another human being, you can visit a cuddle cafe and enjoy a relaxing time.

In 2012, Japan’s first cuddle cafe opened in Tokyo’s Akihabara district. Called Soineya, which literally translates to “sleep together shop,” it describes itself as a specialty shop that offers the best kind of comfort for people wanting to sleep next to someone.

Here is what Soineya’s service menu looks like:

• Admission fee costs 3,000 yen
• 20-minute standard course costs 3,000 yen
• 40-minute standard course costs 5,000 yen
• 60-minute standard course costs 6,000 yen
• 2-hour standard course costs 11,000 yen
• 3-hour standard course costs 16,000 yen
• 4-hour standard course costs 20,000 yen
• 5-hour standard course costs 25,000 yen

There are also optional courses available for an additional fee, such as:

• Chance to pet girl on the head costs 1,000 yen for 3 minutes
• Look the girl in the eye costs 1,000 yen for 1 minute
• Sleep in the girl’s arm costs 1,000 yen for 3 minutes
• Get the girl to pat on the back costs 1,000 yen for 3 minutes
• Sleep on the girl’s lap costs 1,000 yen for 3 minutes
• Have the girl sleep on your lap costs 2,000 yen for 3 minutes
• Receive foot massage from the girl costs 1,000 yen for 3 minutes
• Give the girl a foot massage costs 1,000 yen for 3 minutes

6. Suicide forest

Aokigahara is dubbed as Japan’s suicide forest because of the numerous suicides that have happened there through the years.

In 2002, 78 suicides were documented there, and that number rose to 105 in 2003. In 2010, the authorities found 54 completed suicides and over 200 suicide attempts. They reported that drug overdose and hanging were two of the most common methods used.

Located on the northwestern side of Japan’s tallest mountain Mount Fuji, Aokigahara sits on approximately 30 square kilometres of hardened lava from the volcano’s last big eruption in 864 CE. It is a popular tourist destination among locals and foreigners, with its beautiful caves and scenic hiking trails in the middle of the woods.

The post 6 Crazy Things You Will Only Find In Japan appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.

Day 1 – Arrival at Narita International Airport

Narita International Airport is approximately an hour to an hour and a half away by train from central Tokyo, and offers the following public transportation options for tourists:

• JR Narita Express – This is the most convenient way to get from the airport to Tokyo Station. A one-way ride takes about an hour and costs 3,000 yen.
• JR Sobu Line – A one-way ticket on the JR Sobu Line from Narita Airport to Tokyo costs 1,320 yen, and takes approximately an hour and half.
• Keisei Limited Express – The one-way journey from the airport to Nippori Station is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes long, and costs 1,030 yen.
• Keisei Skyliner – This line is a faster but more expensive version of the Keisei Limited Express. The one-way trip takes only 55 minutes, and a ticket costs more, at 2,200 yen.
• Buses – There are several bus services that link the airport to Tokyo, and a one-way journey costs from 1,000 yen to 3,100 yen, and takes about an hour and a half.

Once in Tokyo, head to Shinjuku and drop by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to get panoramic views of the city via the observatories on the twin towers 45^th floors, free of charge.

Afterwards, check out Shinjuku’s amazing nightlife by visiting the many restaurants, clubs, bars, pachinko parlours, karaoke bars, and various other entertainment establishments in Kabukicho, Golden Gai, and Omoide Yokocho.

Day 2 – Experience ancient and historical Japan in Ueno and Asakusa

Just a few minutes’ walk from Ueno Station, Ueno Park is home to a number of temples and shrines, such as the Kaneiji Temple and the Toshogu Shrine; museums, like the Tokyo National Museum, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and the Shitamachi Museum; and the Ueno Zoo.

Also in the vicinity is the Ameyoko shopping street, which offers numerous shops and stores that sell a wide selection of Japanese sweets, candies, snacks, and condiments, as well as clothes, cosmetics, bags, and electronics.

One subway stop from Ueno Station is Asakusa Station, where the 7^th century Sensoji Temple is just a short walk away via the Nakamise shopping street, which is a haven of traditional Japanese snacks and souvenirs.

End the day with stunning views of Tokyo at night atop Tokyo Skytree’s 350-to-450-metre-high observation decks. From Sensoji Temple, Japan’s tallest structure is a pleasant 20-minute stroll across Sumida River.

Day 3 – Explore Shibuya and its surroundings

Shibuya is one of the most active and vibrant districts of Tokyo. It is known for its many malls and department stores, and the Shibuya pedestrian crossing and the Hachiko statue, both of which are found right outside Shibuya train station.

Harajuku, which is about 20 minutes away on foot, has the iconic Meiji Shrine, a popular venue for hatsumode every New Year. It also boasts of several shopping attractions, particularly Takeshita Street, which offers shops and boutiques that cater to the younger crowd; and Omotesando, which is often described as the Japanese Champs-Elysees and has numerous high-end fashion stores.

Yoyogi Park, which is among Tokyo’s most popular cherry blossom and autumn foliage spots, is only five minutes on foot and offers a large and tranquil green space for some relaxation to end a hectic sightseeing day.

Day 4 – Day trip to Lake Kawaguchiko

For gorgeous views of Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes, a day trip to Lake Kawaguchiko is highly recommended. From Tokyo, the following are a couple of transportation options to conveniently access it:

• Bus – There are buses that leave from Shinjuku Station, Shibuya Station, and Tokyo Station to Lake Kawaguchiko. A one-way trip is about two hours long, and costs less than 2,000 yen. Timetables, fares, tickets, and other information are available on these websites: Fujikyuko Bus and Japan Bus Online.
• JR Chuo Line – Get on the JR Chuo Line going to Otsuki Station, and then transfer to the Fujikyu Railway Line going to Kawaguchiko Station. A one-way trip takes about two hours and costs around 2,500 yen. More information on how to access the area is available here: Fujikyu Railway Access Guide.

To get around Kawaguchiko, you may rent a car or a bike, or use the retro buses, regular buses, and the Fujikko Bus Line. More information on the bus services available in the Lake Kawaguchiko region is found here: Retro Bus and Fujikko-go Bus.

Day 5 – Day trip to Kamakura

For some more nature adventures, head to Kamakura, an old, coastal town located in Kanagawa Prefecture, about an hour from downtown Tokyo.

(The Great Buddha in Kamakura – Source: https://pixabay.com/en/kamakura-kotoku-big-buddha-956449/)

It has several important historical landmarks, including the Great Buddha, a giant 13^th century bronze statue; the Hase-dera, a Buddhist temple built in the early 8^th century; and the Hachimangu Shrine, the town’s most important shrine founded in the beginning of 11^th century. It also offers scenic hiking trails and fine sand beaches.

To get to Kamakura from Tokyo, you may take any of the following options:

• JR Shonan Shinjuku Line – A direct trip from Shinjuku Station to Kamakura Station costs 920 yen and takes around an hour.
• JR Yokosuka Line – A one-way journey between Tokyo Station and Kamakura Station costs 920 yen, and takes less than an hour.

For convenient access to and getting around Kamakura, look into getting either a Kamakura Enoshima Pass or an Enoshima Kamakura Free Pass.

Day 6 – Shopping in Akihabara, Ginza, and Odaiba

Spend your last full day in Tokyo shopping for gifts and souvenirs.

For fans of anime and manga, Akihabara is the best place to visit, as it is the ultimate otaku paradise, with an abundance of manga, anime, games, and electronics shops. Ginza, meanwhile, is perfect for those looking for luxury and upscale brands.

Odaiba is best experienced at night, with several shopping, dining, and entertainment options. It is also where you can find the life-size giant Gundam statue, and the hot spring theme park called Oedo Onsen Monogatari.

Day 7 – Early morning trip to Tsukiji Fish Market before flying out of Japan

If your flight does not leave until late in the afternoon, consider waking up early in the morning to attend the tuna auction at Tsukiji Fish Market, which is located a short walk from Tsukiji Shijo Station along the Oedo Subway Line.

Every day, the auction opens its doors to only 120 visitors. The first group of 60 visitors get to witness the event at 5:25 am, and then the next group at 5:50 am. How to reserve slots and other information are available here: Tsukiji Market Tuna Auction Visitors’ Rules.

The market also has shops and restaurants that offer fresh sushi and other seafood.

To not miss your flight, make sure to catch a train or bus headed to Narita International Airport four to five hours before your flight departure time.

The post First Time in Japan? Here’s a 7 Day Sample Itinerary! appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.