Page 11 - Japan Destination Guide - Alluring Asia

COMMUNICATIONS Telephone Japan is a leader in mobile phone technology and usage. In addition to calling, email and messaging, mobile phones are packed with features such as internet browsers, games, cameras, televisions, electronic wallets/train passes, gps/navigation and music players. Because of these features, mobile phones have become an important and integral part of everyday life. The biggest Japanese mobile phone companies are NTT Docomo, au by KDDI, and Softbank (formerly PAGE 3-4 Vodafone, and before that J-phone). There are also a Population | Time | Visas few smaller carriers, some of which provided Renting is the most economical way for the average Insurance | History specialized services such as prepaid service and mobile traveler to get a phone, and typically requires a picture ID and a credit card. Many companies have PAGE 5 internet. History | Religion kiosks at the airports, while other companies will mail a phone to your hotel or to your home. You can PAGE 6 return the phones at the airport or through the mail Health | Language Mobile Telephone Due to different technologies, mobile phones from your depending on the company. PAGE 7 home country may not work in Japan. Most Climate The fees for rental phones vary and usually consist importantly, there is no GSM network in Japan, so of the rental fee (typically 250-1000 yen per day) PAGE 8 GSM-only phones do not work. The following are The Land | The People plus a usage fee (typically 70-200 yen per minute needed for a handset to work in Japan: domestic outgoing, incoming calls are free). All of PAGE 9 the companies at the airports have same day rentals, Currency | Credit Cards For Voice - The handset must be compatible with a while some companies offer discounts for advanced Changing Money | Tipping Japanese mobile phone network (typically 3G UMTS reservations. PAGE 10 2100 MHz or 3G CDMA2000 800 MHz). Compatible Etiquette | Taxis handsets may be used via international roaming (check Safety & Crime with your home provider for details) or a rental or Internet Many hotels in Japan offer free internet in their prepaid SIM card from a Japanese carrier (unlocked PAGE 11-12 guest rooms. A few hotels, typically the higher end Communications | What to Pack handsets only). Alternatively, phones with wireless Health & Vaccinations network (WIFI) connectivity can use internet based Western chains, charge for internet access based on 24 hour periods. Access is typically provided as telephone services (voip), such as Skype, when PAGE 13 connected to a WIFI network. wired internet via LAN cable, but wireless networks Shopping | Customs are also common. At older hotels you may have to PAGE 14-16 For Data - Phones that work in Japan for voice (see borrow and install some hardware in order to set up Food & Drinks above) can also receive and send data (such as e-mails a network in your room. Many hotels also provide wireless internet or public computers in their lobby and web content) via international roaming or a PAGE 17 or business center. Culture & The Arts | Religion rental/prepaid SIM card, but note that the cost for data transfer can easily skyrocket without an appropriate Free public Wi-Fi is not commonly available in data plan. Alternatively, phones with wireless network (WIFI) connectivity can take advantage of the Japan; however, some restaurants, bars, and shops numerous paid and free wifi hotspots found around the provide free wireless internet access to their country. customers.