Essential Japan Travel Tech Guide

• Very fast internet speeds
• Pachinko is a thing here
• Visa Online and Official Tourism Website or Here
• Internet Filtering: None

• Akihabara is THE place for all sorts of electronics
• Buy Anything from one of millions of Vending Machines

As of 2015, it IS now possible to purchase a SIM card as a foreigner to make and receive phone calls get LTE/3g data, even purchasable via vending machines in airports. You can of course install an app to be able to make phone calls (Skype, Viber, Whatsapp). A passport is required to purchase a sim card.

*note: NTT East is offering free wifi spots in eastern Japan for tourists for 14 days. A free tourist card must be picked up at the airport. More info, including how to connect is provided on their website (Free Wifi).

Top Prepaid SIM options (data only)

1. b-mobile (using NTT Docomo network)
Cost: Sims cost 3,800 yen ($38 USD) and comes with 1 gb data for 14 days, top up 3,800 yen ($38 USD) for additional 1 gb for 14 days. Link

2. Telecom Square (using NTT Docomo network)
Cost: Sims come with either 1 gb data (4,166 yen – $35 USD) or 3gb data (6,018 yen – $50 USD), and can be recharged with an additional 1gb data for (1,833 yen – $15 USD). 3 free translation-help service calls are included. The data plan lasts 1 month. Link

2. Softbank (wifi router rental)
Cost: 315 yen ($3 USD) at 1,590 yen ($16 USD) daily for unlimited internet. Link

Where to Buy: Look at links above.

Call for Information: (03) 3201-3331 or (072) 456-6025
Call for Emergency: 115

• Tripadvisor Offline City Guides for Tokyo and Kyoto– All of Tripadvisor offline for two cities.
  Google Play | Apple Appstore       Google Play | Apple Appstore
• Japan Travel Guide – Triposo’s guide for Japan.
  Google Play | Apple Appstore
• Tokyo Subway Navigation – Official Metro Train Guide.
  Google Play | Apple Appstore
• Japanese English Dictionary – Offline Dictionary.
  Google Play | Apple Appstore
• Waygo Translator – Offline Visual Translator
  Google Play | Apple Appstore
• Japan Trains – Train routes and schedules.
  Google Play | Apple Appstore (removed due to excessive permissions)

Type: *A, B
Surge Protector Recommended: No
Expect Power outages: No

*note: certain electronics purchased in Japan may not work elsewhere without the use of an voltage converter