Cellphone Queries

[brighteyed]

Current JET ALTs:

If it is true that cell phones are rarely ever used for voice calling (as I've read across these forums), and mainly used for email and internet usage purposes, would I be able to get away with just using my iPad 2?

I currently have an iPhone 4 in the US but will not be bringing it. However, I will be bringing my iPad 2 and MacBook Pro. What really would be the benefit for getting a Japanese phone in my situation?

[Gizmotech]

Uhh, How are you going to use your iPad 2. You can't connect an iPhone on to the network because they don't sell sim only plans, the same problem will happen with your iPad 2. For being as technologically advanced a country as it is, Wi-Fi is almost non-existant. In my town there are maybe 3 hot spots that my phone has tried to connect to, soft bank, macdonalds, and macdonalds. That's a BIG town for JET inaka too (100k+).

If you don't get a home phone you will have to get a cellphone. You can't sign up for damn near anything in this country w/o a cell phone number.

[Siyris]

Current JET ALTs:

If it is true that cell phones are rarely ever used for voice calling (as I've read across these forums), and mainly used for email and internet usage purposes, would I be able to get away with just using my iPad 2?

I currently have an iPhone 4 in the US but will not be bringing it. However, I will be bringing my iPad 2 and MacBook Pro. What really would be the benefit for getting a Japanese phone in my situation?

Get a phone.

I don't know who says they don't use their phones for voice calling.... I do all the time. And even if I didn't, your coworkers and supervisor will need to be able to reach you when you are not nearby... they will do that by phone. I'm sorry to sound harsh but, a cell phone is one of the things you will have to buy.... get used to the idea.

[word]

For being as technologically advanced a country as it is, Wi-Fi is almost non-existant.

word

In my village, the only wifi network that seems to exist is the one in my house.

Yeah, dude, you will need a cellphone. Even if you have a home phone, you will need a cellphone. Pretty much any Japanese person who has graduated junior high school and is younger than 75 years old or so is gonna have one, and will expect the same of you. You can function without one, I'm sure, but everyone will think you are a weirdo or something, and I can about guarantee that you're gonna regret it.

[jeff1909]

For being as technologically advanced a country as it is, Wi-Fi is almost non-existant.

word

In my village, the only wifi network that seems to exist is the one in my house.

Yeah, dude, you will need a cellphone. Even if you have a home phone, you will need a cellphone. Pretty much any Japanese person who has graduated junior high school and is younger than 75 years old or so is gonna have one, and will expect the same of you. You can function without one, I'm sure, but everyone will think you are a weirdo or something, and I can about guarantee that you're gonna regret it.

Agreed. Although if you are looking to get the iPhone and haven't purchased it yet, I would definitely hold off until the new one comes out, having seen all these new features they just announced yesterday.

Thanks
Jeff

[mcchan]

iPhone is your best friend in Japan, or any phone with GPS. I had a crap cheap phone in Scotland, always had, and when I arrived I didn't have much money. I did get an iPhone because it was recommended to me even then and I would recommend to every JET coming. Save some money for it, it's super helpful.

[Slantiness]

iPhone is your best friend in Japan, or any phone with GPS. I had a crap cheap phone in Scotland, always had, and when I arrived I didn't have much money. I did get an iPhone because it was recommended to me even then and I would recommend to every JET coming. Save some money for it, it's super helpful.

Very helpful to know! I have always had a crap cheap phone too, and I'm looking forward to having a nicer one.

The main questions I had were "iphone or not iphone" (I am a mac user already) and "In Japan, or before I get there"

Based on this thread, I am getting vibes of "iphone after you get to Japan"
So it's good to be aimed in a direction now!

So, what do we do when we get there, until we get an iphone? Something between "the crap phone I have now" and "iphone i buy in Japan" ?

[Siyris]

iPhone is your best friend in Japan, or any phone with GPS. I had a crap cheap phone in Scotland, always had, and when I arrived I didn't have much money. I did get an iPhone because it was recommended to me even then and I would recommend to every JET coming. Save some money for it, it's super helpful.

Very helpful to know! I have always had a crap cheap phone too, and I'm looking forward to having a nicer one.

The main questions I had were "iphone or not iphone" (I am a mac user already) and "In Japan, or before I get there"

Based on this thread, I am getting vibes of "iphone after you get to Japan"
So it's good to be aimed in a direction now!

So, what do we do when we get there, until we get an iphone? Something between "the crap phone I have now" and "iphone i buy in Japan" ?

Odds are you will be taken to get your cell phone on one of your first days in your placement. You're supervisor needs a way to contact you... and as most JETs don't have home phones in their apartments.... that takes the form of a cell phone. Don't bother buying an in between phone. I know for one of the ALTs in my area, he had to get an in between phone for 2 weeks because Docomo wouldn't accept his proof of residence paper while he waited for his gaijin card, but that shouldn't be a problem under the new registration system that starts next month. So! No worries about the 'until we get an iphone' part. You'll have probably a max of 3 or 4 days of that... and that's being generous. I was taken to get my phone my very first day at my placement.

[teabot]

Very helpful to know! I have always had a crap cheap phone too, and I'm looking forward to having a nicer one.

The main questions I had were "iphone or not iphone" (I am a mac user already) and "In Japan, or before I get there"

Based on this thread, I am getting vibes of "iphone after you get to Japan"
So it's good to be aimed in a direction now!

So, what do we do when we get there, until we get an iphone? Something between "the crap phone I have now" and "iphone i buy in Japan" ?

Odds are you will be taken to get your cell phone on one of your first days in your placement. You're supervisor needs a way to contact you... and as most JETs don't have home phones in their apartments.... that takes the form of a cell phone. Don't bother buying an in between phone. I know for one of the ALTs in my area, he had to get an in between phone for 2 weeks because Docomo wouldn't accept his proof of residence paper while he waited for his gaijin card, but that shouldn't be a problem under the new registration system that starts next month. So! No worries about the 'until we get an iphone' part. You'll have probably a max of 3 or 4 days of that... and that's being generous. I was taken to get my phone my very first day at my placement.

yeah... be careful about suggesting that JETs will get their phones within a few days, because it might not happen that way. i can't speak from experience as i got mine within the first few days, myself, but it's my understanding that a lot of other ALTs have to wait a week or two before they got theirs. so basically come prepared to deal with being essentially phone-less (or paying exorbitant international roaming fees) for a while, that way you're good if you have to wait and pleasantly surprised if you get your phone as soon as you step off the train/bus/plane/boat/[insert method of transportation from Tokyo here].

although you're right that the new system may change things, but i guess exactly how that changes things we'll have to wait and see.

[Slantiness]

Apparently Cricket now offers an unlocked iphone...at least that's what my mama was saying today when I talked to her (relevant to me, at least, since I currently have a Cricket phone...)

But I'm still liking the "when you get there" idea....

[Jaime]

I'm hoping some of the current JETs might be able to shed a little light on iPhones vs. smart phones in Japan. Specifically, I suppose I'm asking about Softbank, because that is the carrier that JETs in my city seem to have gone with (and I will likely go with as well when I arrive).

Are iPhone plans different/more expensive than other smart phone plans? If I have to buy the phone outright, which is more expensive: an iPhone or a [comparable] Android? Also, is it possible to transfer the appsfrom my current Canadian iPhone to my future Japanese iPhone via iTunes? I'm guessing that transfering my music purchases won't be an issue... so it seem logical to then assume that apps/games will transfer as well...


Apologies if this has already been discussed. ^^;

[MitchDoogle]

Hello,
While I plan on purchasing a cell phone in Japan, I still plan on bringing my current TMobile phone. Can I use this to connect to the internet via WiFi? I know free WiFi is not common, but are there cafes or stores where I can pay for WiFi time? I've also heard that many vending machines are being installed with WiFi as well. Anyone have experience with those? Also, I was wondering if there are many android phones available with Japanese carriers. I have many apps that I've paid for from Google Play, and would like to install them on my new phone. Is there any trouble putting my existing Google account on a new Japanese cell phone?
-MD

[rinforest]

Any current JETs who had completed a 2-year contract and gotten a new phone? I have a Softbank phone on contract till next April so I won't be getting a new phone till then, but I just wanted to know the procedure for entering into a new contract. Do I have to return my current phone? Will I be eligible for 0 yen phones with the new contract? Do I have to change my SIM card to a new number and new email address?

Any help appreciated!

[Gizmotech]

Hello,
While I plan on purchasing a cell phone in Japan, I still plan on bringing my current TMobile phone. Can I use this to connect to the internet via WiFi? I know free WiFi is not common, but are there cafes or stores where I can pay for WiFi time? I've also heard that many vending machines are being installed with WiFi as well. Anyone have experience with those? Also, I was wondering if there are many android phones available with Japanese carriers. I have many apps that I've paid for from Google Play, and would like to install them on my new phone. Is there any trouble putting my existing Google account on a new Japanese cell phone?
-MD

When people say not common in Japan, they mean NON EXISTENT. Places you would expect to find WiFi you won't, places you don't you will. There might be vending machines w/ WiFi in the big cities, but not likely where you will end up. As for Android devices, there are PLENTY available. Check out docomo, AU, Softbank... they all have a few different Android devices.

Any current JETs who had completed a 2-year contract and gotten a new phone? I have a Softbank phone on contract till next April so I won't be getting a new phone till then, but I just wanted to know the procedure for entering into a new contract. Do I have to return my current phone? Will I be eligible for 0 yen phones with the new contract? Do I have to change my SIM card to a new number and new email address?

Any help appreciated!

You do not need to finish your contract at all to switch over to a new phone. Your existing phone is yours, it does not need to be returned. I do not know about the 0 yen phones, (sorry). You should be able to just pull the SIM from your existing handset and slide it in to the new phone, and if it's a new SIM (ie, you get a smartphone w/ a micro-sim) they can transfer the contents from one to the other.

I'm hoping some of the current JETs might be able to shed a little light on iPhones vs. smart phones in Japan. Specifically, I suppose I'm asking about Softbank, because that is the carrier that JETs in my city seem to have gone with (and I will likely go with as well when I arrive).

Are iPhone plans different/more expensive than other smart phone plans? If I have to buy the phone outright, which is more expensive: an iPhone or a [comparable] Android? Also, is it possible to transfer the appsfrom my current Canadian iPhone to my future Japanese iPhone via iTunes? I'm guessing that transfering my music purchases won't be an issue... so it seem logical to then assume that apps/games will transfer as well...


Apologies if this has already been discussed. ^^;

You will have to look at the price of handsets on the SoftBank website and compare. The plan itself is 300 yen more expensive / month if memory serves, but that's it for difference. There are various features differences between the iPhone and Android devices, but they are relatively minor for most people. You can easily use your Canadian iTunes account on your Japanese iPhone. It's what I do, with no problems.

[Jax]

Any current JETs who had completed a 2-year contract and gotten a new phone? I have a Softbank phone on contract till next April so I won't be getting a new phone till then, but I just wanted to know the procedure for entering into a new contract. Do I have to return my current phone? Will I be eligible for 0 yen phones with the new contract? Do I have to change my SIM card to a new number and new email address?

Any help appreciated!

I'm on Softbank and got a new phone before the contract I had was up. It was easy peasy. Just pick out the phone you want and they'll swap the sim cards and phone info on your contract. If you're like me and do this before the contract with your current phone is up, you pay the remaining balance you have on that phone. You keep the current phone you have since you already paid for it. And you keep your email, phone number, and all the contacts in my phone book transferred as well.