Have you planned a trip to Japan, but would you like to know how you will be able to communicate with your loved ones who remain in France without paying the high price? Here we give you our recommendations.
When preparing for a trip, particularly to a non-European country, certain essential questions arise: how to communicate with loved ones? How can you have mobile data to post on social networks, browse the Internet and use online applications without being overcharged for roaming data, or simply being blocked because you can't make a call?
This is particularly the case in Japan where communications can quickly become a financial drain if you do not prepare in advance.
Depending on your budget, the length of your stay and your location, there are various ways to use your smartphone to communicate. There are obviously mobile plans or prepaid cards, but also other solutions.
RED 4G plan
100 Go
Unlimited calls
100 Go en France
22 Go en Europe
Prixtel 4G plan
The small 40 to 60 GB
Unlimited calls
40 Go – 60 Go in France
15 Go en Europe
Forfait Mobile B&You
130 Go
Unlimited calls
130 Go en France
35 Go en Europe
All mobile plans
Communicate from Japan with a prepaid card: the alternative to the classic plan
A more economical option is to buy a local SIM card in Japan. You can find them in airports, telecommunications stores and especially in Konbini, open 24/7. This will allow you to use a Japanese phone number and benefit from local rates for calls and data.
The main operators in Japan are:
NTT Docomo
Softbank Mobile
Au Mobile
You can also subscribe online to one of the many Japanese virtual operators such as Smash Mobile, Sakura Mobile or Mobal, with lower prices than those of regular mobile operators.
Once you have received the SIM card and to activate it, a simple call or online activation is enough. Sometimes the operator may ask for identifying information, such as an address or passport number. No calls, nor SMS and MMS therefore, but the possibility of keeping your number by communicating via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram, in addition to being able to use GPS navigation applications, which will undoubtedly be very useful once there . However, you must ensure that your smartphone is compatible with this type of card before subscribing to a package.
Some brands like Airalo even make it their specialty with eSIM plans ranging from 1 to 20 GB.
Other brands like Holafly or Hubigi offer several eSIM plans (5 to 90 days) with a certain number of mobile data or even unlimited in Japan.
We ourselves were able to test Holafly's services during a stay in the United States. A very positive experience overall.
Pocket Wi-Fi, the other alternative
Pocket Wi-Fi is one of the solutions most commonly suggested to travelers for a stay in Japan. This is a kind of 4G router to take with you everywhere for the duration of your stay. Once turned on, it emits a Wi-Fi signal around it, thus offering the possibility of benefiting from a secure and private network. In Japan, where Telephony + Data packages are much more expensive than in France or Europe, this accessory remains extremely used. Pocket Wi-Fi also has several advantages, such as the possibility of being shared between several users or even of being used on any type of device.
In general, travel agencies or train services directly offer Pocket Wifi rental for stays of 8 days, 15 days, 30 days or even several months. Prices vary depending on the rental duration and the number of GB offered.
Example of pocket Wi-Fi widely used by foreign travelers in Japan
If you are planning a trip to Japan with the rental of a pocket Wi-Fi from France, you will have the opportunity to collect it at your arrival airport in Japan (Narita, Haneda, Kix, etc.) or have it delivered directly to your hotel. Generally, to return the Pocket Wi-Fi, simply put it in the prepaid envelope provided with the device, then insert it into any mailbox in Japan.
International Passes with French operators
If you do not have a valid international plan, the slightest communication in the form of a call, SMS or MMS can cost you an arm and a leg. It is not uncommon for some tourists to find themselves with bills of several hundred or even thousands of euros counted as “out of package” for some internet searches, browsing social networks or simply by opening their GPS or using local applications which can be very useful for transport or leisure for example.
For example, with a classic mobile plan that does not have roaming in Japan, a single MB consumed is billed at 13.31 euros by Orange, or around 13,310 euros per GB! Some operators like Free charge less (15 cts/MB), but this remains a prohibitive price. For calls, the price is set at 2.90 euros per minute, 28 cents per SMS and 1.10 euros per MMS. The operators can even charge for receipt (Calls, SMS and MMS), we must therefore also study this element.
To avoid this, operators offer “Passes” allowing you to use your current plan in certain Asian countries, including Japan. Prices vary depending on operators. In addition to avoiding roaming charges, this also allows you to receive calls and text messages without paying any fees (yes, this can also be charged by the operator).
The Orange international pass is available without obligation for all of the operator's packages
The best mobile plan without French commitment to communicate from Japan
The 250 GB Free package at 19.99 euros per month
Undoubtedly the most interesting package in this selection, the most advanced Free package is essential for anyone wishing to go to Japan. First of all, calls, SMS/MMS are unlimited, but above all, Free gives you the right with this package to 35 GB that can be used on site, all with the NTT Docomo network. In addition, everything is offered without commitment and it is even cheaper for Freebox Ultra and Freebox Pop subscribers: respectively 9.99 euros and 15.99 euros per month.
Packages with commitment at SFR and Bouygues Télécom
Apart from Free, there is no non-binding package that includes Japan in international destinations for communications and data. On the other hand, you can always turn to packages including a commitment to SFR or Bouygues Télécom. These are generally the most data-intensive plans and also the most expensive. However, they can fully meet typical use for regular travelers or professionals needing to travel to Japan regularly. For example, the 240 GB SFR package at 64.99 euros per month entitles you to 30 GB of 4G data on site in addition to unlimited calls, SMS and MMS. This is also the case for the 150 and 200 GB packages at Bouygues Télécom which are also cheaper for Bbox customers.
RED 4G plan
100 Go
Unlimited calls
100 Go en France
22 Go en Europe
Prixtel 4G plan
The small 40 to 60 GB
Unlimited calls
40 Go – 60 Go in France
15 Go en Europe
Forfait Mobile B&You
130 Go
Unlimited calls
130 Go en France
35 Go en Europe
All mobile plans
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