May I ask what are the pro and cons between sim card (data only) and pocket wifi... We will be going to Hokkaido for 15days. Always rented a pocket wifi with our previous trips and had no trouble. But the price had gone up from our previous rental deal, so just wondering if getting the Sim card from Japan rail link is worth it.. We will be renting 2 pocket wifi units or 2 sim cards. The pocket wifi gives 50GB total usage per unit, which is plenty. Does the sim card option provide unlimited data??
Sim cards used to be dearer and harder to get. Pocket wifi were a cheaper alternative. I think thats gone full circle
I can confirm the sim card from japan rail is unlimited data. I used it last trip with no issues at all. I've got myself another one for next trip
Question. Can you use a dual sim in your phone? I still need to get messages on my Oz phone but it would be good to have the internet function of the JR sim to return calls using messenger and Skype.
Tested? As in get a metric on the d/l and u/l speeds? No. But I do not recall poor connectivity nor slowish connection being a real issue. A couple of times as I was driving in remot-ish areas, sure. But nothing that would stand out and make an impression on me.
Most phones will only take one sim but you can buy dual sim handsets - a lot of tradies use them as they dont have to carry separate work and personal phones. I have used them with a Aussie and other country sim with no problems but have not actually tried it in Japan. In Aus it can be a bit challenging to get your hands on dual sim phones as the telcos dont like them. Telstra wont sell you one but optus has just started packages with a couple of the Huawei models. Otherwise purchasing outright is always possible. Here are samsungs current duel sim offerings: https://www.samsung.com/au/smartpho...VSoePCh0BvQT-EAAYASAAEgJXTvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds and apples new iphone 11 pro has a dual sim model but it is not easy to get hold of https://www.allphones.com.au/apple-iphone-11-pro-512gb-space-grey there is iphone XS dual sim models as well. You can pick them up reasonably cheaply if you dont "need" apple or samsung eg: https://www.mobileciti.com.au/huawei-y5-2019-5-71-dual-sim-4g-4g-faux-leather-amber-brown https://www.amazon.com.au/RCA-Unloc...ywords=dual+sim+phones&qid=1572381423&sr=8-26 https://www.amazon.com.au/UMIDIGI-U...ywords=dual+sim+phones&qid=1572381423&sr=8-19 Tradie versions: https://www.amazon.com.au/CAT-S41-W...ywords=dual+sim+phones&qid=1572381088&sr=8-10 Just in case you need a thermal imaging camera https://www.amazon.com.au/S60-Therm...eywords=dual+sim+phones&qid=1572381423&sr=8-7 Not only thermal imaging but also has laser measurement and air quality monitoring https://www.amazon.com.au/CAT-S61-D...ywords=dual+sim+phones&qid=1572381423&sr=8-22
I have a mate 10 pro and I will be going dual sim with data roaming off on my optus phone so if I have an emergency I can hit up the phone to make a call or send a text but the japan local data sim should cover all my bases
I have a dual sim phone (bought online out of HK before moving back to Oz) so there's room. Worse case scenario is take an old phone or tablet as back up and use that if the dual sim doesn't work.
Ok, I did what I usual not do, I read the manual of my Samsung Galaxy 10e. And the manual says each SIM has there own settings, so you can have different telephone numbers from two different providers. According to my manual there should not be a problem, however.......nice to hear it does work in reality.
Just booked a pocket wifi from Wilh-ma, they post to you in Aus and you return it once back in Aus again. Offer was a special for $1 a day instead of $9. Had to spread some facebook/insta love to qualify. Says its unlimited with no throttling. They were very responsive via messenger to Qs I had. So figured for$14 it was worth a try. Will report back in march how it goes.
Yes, I used in my own wifi router, worked great. Speed was usually 5-20Mb from memory. It comes with full details like APN settings etc. I think it got sent from within Australia (brissie shipping address). The model router I used is this style https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4G-Port...640513?hash=item3652d0a941:g:duYAAOSwYTBdW3uu - ran a bit hot otherwise fine. Also works as a phone charger.
quick question, the JR sim cards are much cheaper than sakura, but is it possible to buy 2 and use them consecutively over a 45 day stay? the savings would be pretty significant....
I don't see why not. The validity period is from first day of use. But why do't you contact them to check? They're somewhere in Queensland, so communication shouldn't be an issue
Another vote for this SIM card. Whole family had one for our 2 weeks in Japan. Unlimited data, no issues with connectivity anywhere we went, including mountainous/isolated spots. Should have been using one many trips ago. Already purchased another for my next trip at the end of the month. The only downside - everyone was on social media instead of taking to each other!
My daughter was using one in her phone in Myoko. There were a couple of annoying dead spots, unfortunately one of them being at our house. Otherwise it was good. However may need to think about another one next time.
So I've just been using a ysim via klook in HK. Was $6.25 /5 days unlimited. Rolled over for 16 days in Japan on Softbank at $27.63 for that period. Will advise how it goes.
Could you kindly share the link if you have it? At the moment I have 4Gb flexiRoam eSim that costed $15, an Xmas deal on OzBargain. Thinking whether I will need a JR Unlimited, presuming that is 30-40USD depending where its sent (too late for me to have it sent to Aus).
If you live in Australia, the one from Japan-rail-pass.com comes from somewhere in QLD. I ordered mine and it arrive express post 2 days later. For 2 weeks unlimited data, $40 was pretty reasonable.
Looking at Data sim cards for my forthcoming trip to Shiga Kogen. Is there any perceivable difference in coverage on the Docomo or Softbank networks in the Shiga Kogen area? My hotel says it has free wifi in some rooms and knowing my uck mine will be a room without......
Maybe you should ask later when people have been there? You have time I will use JR NTT Docomo - but don't stay in Ichinose.
It seems Whats app is linked to the phone number, so is it correct that I can not use my data sim for Whats app???? LINE does not have that problem - if I the above assumption is correct.
I used WhatsApp when I had my phone connected to the hotel wifi, so as long as your phone has data access of some sort it should work.
ok, I have got an "oldish" pocket wifi. It probably is from 2015 and it was one of those Huwaie Optus one I got in Australia. It wasn't locked and I successfully used in overseas by inserting a sim card. Would this be an option in Japan? in other words, could I just purchase a data sim and insert it to generate a mobile WiFi signal? if this is not an option, I guess the JR sim. Are they just called JR data sim? and can you purchase one at any JR station? apologies if this has already been covered...
Have a look through the last few pages, for the best current SIMs. And have your phone as a stand by, to get it working or use it in your phone.
Assuming your phone is actually compatible I and others have used this sim card. Pre-purchase and it will be in your letterbox within 3 days.
Can one purchase that one in Japan? Myoko? I have left this til the last minute and it is awfully close to the 3 days....
Don't know. Why don't you ring the company in the link above? They have branch in Queensland. They might be able to express post it to you. Or give you an alternative solution. + 61 (2) 8607 8934 Japan Experience PO BOX 8098 Cleveland QLD - 4163 AUSTRALIA EDIT:: Otherwise, get one at the airport when you land
There will be SIM card stands in the arrival hall of Narita/Haneda. Just as easy to get one there if you dont have time.
Yeah I'm sure you could ask the attendant when you buy it. I'm sure its part of their service to make sure its operational.
