The post The Best Japan SIM Cards for Tourists appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.

To make things less stressful and worrying for you before flying out, you can look up what available language translation apps you can download to your smartphone to help you get by while exploring the country. Below are some of the most useful Japanese language tools and apps that can make your trip a bit easier:

Google Translate

Google Translate supports a long list of languages, including Japanese, and offers a variety of functions that are easy to use. It can translate Japanese texts to English (or other languages) and vice versa in different ways:

• You type the characters, words, or phrases into the input field. The translation is then displayed in the output field.
• You take a photo of the Japanese text, and use your finger to select and highlight specific words or sentences in the photo that you want to translate.
• You point your smartphone camera at a Japanese text, and get a live translation of it.

With these features, the Google Translate app is especially useful when ordering at restaurants with menus in Japanese. Even though you can just look at the pictures and plastic food displays to decide whether you want a particular food or not, you can utilize the app to get a good translation and avoid asking for something that you might not really want. It can also help you read signs when you are out on the streets, train stations, temples and shrines, malls and department stores, and other tourist attractions.

Download links: iOs (free) | Android (free)

imiwa?

Imiwa? Is an offline Japanese dictionary that has more than several thousands of Japanese words and foreign language translations in store, available for iOS users. It includes more than 170,000 English translations, over 94,000 German translations, around 15,000 French translations, and at least 7,000 Russian translations.

To look up words, you simply input the romaji, kana, or kanji characters, and then get the translation that you need. It is perfect for tourists who have zero or very little Japanese knowledge. Moreover, because it is accessible even if you are not connected to the web, it allows you to search for words even if you do not have a wi-fi SIM card or if you are in an area with weak or no internet connection.

Download link: iOS (free)

Akebi

Akebi is another Japanese dictionary that boasts of a huge database comprised of over 320,000 sample phrases and sentences, 200,000 words, and more than 6,000 kanji. Once you download it, you can enjoy free and unlimited access to its catalogue wherever and whenever, as it is fully available even without internet access.

Its built-in Japanese keyboard lets you input words or phrases you want to translate right away, so you do not have to tinker with your phone’s keyboard settings. It also has handwriting recognition, stroke order, and kanji test features if you plan to venture beyond the basics of the Japanese language after your trip.

Download link: Android (free)

Learn Japanese

Learn Japanese is an easy-to-use Japanese phrasebook app that contains a thousand commonly used, essential Japanese words and phrases when visiting Japan.

Its collection is divided into 21 different categories, such as greetings, general conversation, numbers, time and date, directions and places, and transportation, to allow quick and convenient search.

Even better, it offers audio files for each entry to teach you the correct pronunciation of words and phrases, as demonstrated by native Japanese speakers.

It also lets you mark and save phrases that you expect to come in handy the most to your favourites. It is accessible even without internet connection, and provides free access to the first 200 words and phrases (the rest can be unlocked if you upgrade).

Download link: iOS (free)

Obenkyo

Obenkyo is a good app to have to start learning hiragana, katakana, and kanji. It helps you memorize Japanese characters efficiently, so that you can recognize and read simple Japanese texts without having to whip your smartphone out every single time you encounter Japanese signs while touring Japan.

With katakana and hiragana flashcards, kanji stroke animation and drawing games, quizzes, and other features, remembering as many Japanese characters as you can before you head out to your much-anticipated vacation should not be that much of a problem.

Download link: Android (free)

Yomiwa

Yomiwa is a versatile app that offers a variety of functions that should help make you less anxious of your lack of Japanese language knowledge and skills.

Its dictionary contains thousands of entries that should be able to help you look up translations for words and phrases you can use when asking for directions, ordering at restaurants, greeting and meeting people, and shopping.

With its real-time camera translation ability, you can point your smartphone’s camera at a restaurant menu, a brochure, or a sign to get a live translation of any Japanese text. It also enables the upload of photos from your camera roll that you need translated.

Available for free and accessible offline, it also has a practice drawing kanji feature for those that want to take their Japanese learning to another level.

Download links: iOS (free) | Android (free)

The post 6 Useful Japanese Language Apps That Can Make Your Trip Easier appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.

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.

SIM Cards For Short-Term Stay

For some tourists in Japan, staying connected to the internet while exploring the country is a necessity.

Fortunately, there is a wide selection of prepaid SIM cards available in Japan that can provide different types of data-only plans and data-and-voice plans to ensure that you have access to the internet anytime and anywhere. These can easily be inserted into any smart phone or tablet that is unlocked or compatible with Japan’s mobile phone networks, and be ready for use right away.

Japan prepaid SIM cards vary in data transfer limits, connection speeds, and network used. Here is a table with a list of prepaid SIM card providers in Japan and basic information about their offers:

These are highly recommended to short-term visitors of Japan, as well as those who do not have a Residence Visa, Japanese credit card, and other requirements needed to get a Japanese SIM card.

Important Notes:

Purchasing

Among all the providers on the list, only Mobal and SIM Card Geek offers worldwide shipping. This means, you can buy from either of these websites, and have a Japan SIM Card shipped to wherever you are in the world. Click here to learn more about the Mobal Japan Unlimited SIM card. Click here to learn more about SIM Card Geeks range of SIM Cards.

Mobal have now introduced a free collection service for their SIM Cards in Japan. More information can be viewed here.

Sakura Mobile offers online purchase, and ships within Japan. They also have pickup points at airports and post offices in the country. More information is available here. Please be aware that Sakura Mobile charge an additional 50 yen fee per day on all plans aside from the basic cost.

Ninja SIM offers online purchase, but you need to pick up your SIM card at a designated airport, hotel, or post office in Japan. You can order your Ninja SIM card here.

OCN’s Prepaid SIM for Japan SIM cards are available at airports, train stations, electronic retail stores, convenience, stores, tourist information offices, travel agencies, and hotels in Japan. More information is available here.

Customer Support

If you encounter any issues with your Japan SIM card, visit your SIM card provider’s website and read their resource pages and guides. You can also contact their customer service department to help you figure out and fix the problem. Mobal, Sakura Mobile, Ninja SIM, and OCN all have English-speaking customer support staff.

Data

The SIM cards offer 4G LTE data. However, speed is throttled when data use exceeds the cap.

Voice calling

Unlike the other providers on the list, Mobal Japan Unlimited SIM card provides voice calling services in all of their plans. All incoming calls are free, and calling another Mobal Japan SIM is also free of charge. Domestic calls cost 29 yen per minute, and international call rates start at 65 yen per minute.

Texting

In addition to voice calling, Mobal Japan Unlimited SIM also allows texting. You can receive as many text messages as possible, free of charge. Outgoing text messages to Japanese numbers cost 12 yen per message, and texting to international numbers cost 140 yen per message.

SIM Cards For Long-Term Stay

Most data-and-voice SIM card providers impose a minimum contract period, charge cancellation fees, and require various documentation, such as a Residence Visa and a Japanese credit card. For these reasons, they are better suited for people staying in Japan for at least 12 months.

However, there are a couple that do not have minimum contract periods nor charge cancellation fees.

Purchasing and other information

Here are links to the official websites of the SIM card providers with data + voice plans listed above to find out more about their plans and services:

(English)

• Mobal
• Sakura Mobile
• SIM Card Geek

(Japanese)

• Nuro
• DMM Mobile
• Rakuten Mobile
• U-Mobile
• UQ Mobile
• IIJmio

Customer Support

Among them, only Mobal and Sakura Mobile offer English-speaking customer support.

Discounted Rates

Mobal offers discounts to students, teachers, and interns of as much as 1,500 yen per month. Find out if you are eligible for this offer here.

The post Japan SIM Cards; How Major Brands Compare appeared first on Japaniverse Travel Guide.