iphone 5 internet access in Japan

Hi I have tried do a search on this but the results were quite old so just need the latest situation regarding iphone 5 prepaid plan (for both internet and voice talk) while I travel in Japan, mainly Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto areas.

Is Softbank providing this or any other provider that can supply a micro sim card for this service?

Any info will be appreciated. Thanks.

Note that you would need a NanoSIM not a MicroSIM.

One option is Skype + Pocket Wifi rental. You can search this forum for "Pocket Wifi" but Globaladvanced seems fairly common.
http://globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html

B-mobile does not sell NanoSIMs yet.

JCR seem to rent NanoSIMs
http://www.jcrcorp.com/mobile/mobile_rental_simcard.htm

Obviously you will need an unlocked phone for NanoSIM use. Pocket Wifi would not need an unlocked phone.

Perhaps yllwsmrf has some other options.

Is Softbank providing this or any other provider that can supply a micro sim card for this service?

Softbank does not yet rent nanosims.

At the moment it is possible to rent one from JCR (which operates on Docomo's network) or buy one on contract direct from Docomo (not possible for tourists), but there's a catch for iphone 5 users. The iphone 5 reportedly doesn't work on Docomo's LTE network frequency, so even if you got a 4g card you would be stuck with 3g service (while significantly overpaying). In this case, it would probably be better to just purchase a b-mobile 3g prepaid and cut down the sim so that it fits your phone. 3g should be plenty fast enough for everyday usage.

FYI, visitors cannot purchase prepaid voice sims. They can only get data-only sims, so either use skype or rent a separate softbank sim for your voice needs.

Personally, I would follow GC3's advice and rent a mobile hotspot instead. Its more versatile and can be cheaper as well (depending on your usage and trip duration).

Any free wifi at Takayama/Shirakawago area?

Any free wifi at Takayama/Shirakawago area?

No, its basically non-existent in those areas outside of hotels and other paid spots. You can look it up here:

http://www.freespot.com/map/list.php?District=%2Fmap%2Flist.php%3Fds%3...

@ GC3

I'm planning to go Japan also end of November and have been looking at a temporary SIM card for my iPhone/iPad and seems like Softbank would be extremely expensive.

I'm planning to stay 16 days to travel around Japan and I came across your post regarding http://globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html

Do you have any experience with their service? Is it reliable? I just need constant internet connection since I'm not familiar with Japan yet and I'm afraid of getting lost/not being able to find places and public transport timetables. Also I'll need a way to keep in contact with family back home.

Your input would be much appreciated. Thank you.

I've used the MiFi from Globaladvancedcomm before and it's quite easy to use. You can turn it off when not in use (highly recommended) and my coverage was good from Ishinomaki to Fukuoka, minus the Tokaido line tunnels around Shin-Fuji and Tohoku line tunnels around Fukushima....

I'm planning to go Japan also end of November and have been looking at a temporary SIM card for my iPhone/iPad and seems like Softbank would be extremely expensive.

You don't mention which models but you may wish to look at getting a pre-paid SIM which is usually cheaper. Just note data limitations either total data allocation or speed.

http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/english/index.html
http://www.econnectjapan.com/

Thank you for your answers. I use iPhone 4S and iPad 2.

I've looked into prepaid SIM Card but seems like it'll be more expensive for data usage.

With a MiFi from Global, there are no data restrictions.

Thank you John B for the recommendation. I will probably use this as I will be travelling with my wife and each of us has an iOS device.

Watch out if you buy an B-mobile card in Japan. I bought a 1GB mobile card in Tokyo. When I used the 1 GB I recharged it with the help desk of B-mobile with my Visa card (as the instructions are in japanese). When I came back to Spain 1 month after I was recharged again. Contacting support the told me that by default there is an option set to autocharge every month. I had to cancel my VISA card as there was not an option to change this autocharge if not connected from the japanese SIM card in Japan and to do it by them they needed the mobile phone number from where it was activated ( a mobile phone of staff from the hotel I was staying ) which is not available to me. A big headache.....stay away....

B-mobile now offers visitors cards aimed at travellers that should avoid these types of problems. I would suggest looking into those instead:

http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/english/index.html

Does anyone know options for people on student visas? I'll be there for a year and ill be using an iPhone 5