Win a Pair Tickets to "The Art of ZEN: From Mind to Form"! (Close: April 24th)

If you are planning to visit Kyoto by May 22, 2016, take a quick survey on GetAroundJapan to enter a chance to win a pair tickets to an exhibition "The Art of ZEN: From Mind to Form"!!

They will be giving a pair tickets to the exhibition to 5 people who took the survey.

Please check the article "The Art of ZEN: From Mind to Form" at the Kyoto National Museum (until May 22) to find out more about this exhibition!

To take the survey, please join GetAroundJapan.
Survey: About Shopping in Japan

For skiers and snowboarders visiting Japan

https://www.pakutaso.com/

We have many customers vising Hokkaido and Nagano for skiing and snowboarding, and also for working at the resorts during the winter. Like them, for those people going straight to the ski resorts from the airport, we recommend you arrange a mobile wi-fi and SIM cards in advance.

There probably aren't any electronic retailers like Yodobashi or BicCamera once you are away from the city center.

Also, one of the common questions asked by customers is "will the high speed mobile wi-fi (wimax) work in Hokkaido?". We would say "Yes, in some parts of cities but not in the ski resorts."

If you are going to Niseko area, we recommend you get our Standard Speed Mobile Wi-Fi, which uses the docomo network that covers wider area than the High Speed Mobile Wi-Fi(Wimax).

If you are going to get our SIM card, the connection will be more stable if your device can connect to Band 19 in addition to Band1. For instructions on how to check if your device is compatible with our SIM card, please check our older posts: Android, iPhones.

For more tips for skiing and snowboarding in Hokkaido, you could check the blog by Whiteroom Tours. Whiteroom Tours is one of the tour operators that offer guided ski and snowboard tours in Japan. On their blog, they mention our name in the post "8 Tips for Skiing and Snowboarding in Hokkaido, Japan"! Thank you!

Whiteroom Tours
http://www.whiteroomtours.com/

http://whiteroomtours.blogspot.jp/

How to receive our package at airbnb without any hassles

We have many customers who order our items to be delivered to an airbnb apartment. And quite many of them have trouble receiving it for some common reasons.

This post is about how to receive our packages at an airbnb apartment without any hassles.

1. Enter correct address. Don't forget to include the room number.

The most common cause of undelivered or delayed package is insufficient or incorrect address.

Please ask your host to give you a complete and correct postal address. A complete address means it has a correct postal code (zip code), and if it is an apartment, it should include the apartment name and the room number.

We have a lot of customers who don't include the apartment name and the room number.

Make sure you enter the complete address.

2. Ask your host if they have reported the address and his/her name to the post office.

Many airbnb rooms available in cities like Tokyo and Osaka are apartments used just for airbnb and the host doesn't actually live there.

This creates another common trouble. Sometimes the address and the owner's name are not reported to the post office by the host. When the address is not reported to the post office, they consider the place as a vacant house and would not deliver any mail.

This is the post office's operation policy and we cannot do anything about it.

Make sure your host has reported the address to the post office.

3. Indicate the host's name in the address.

We strongly recommend you send the package to in care of  (C/O) the host/owner of the house or put their name as the recipient.

When the mailman sees an unfamiliar name on the package, they usually ring the bell and ask the residents to make sure the package is delivered to the correct place. When no one is at home, they could bring it back and leave a delivery notice in the mailbox instead. Sometimes they will deliver it even without the resident's name as long as the address is sufficient, but why not be on a safer side?

Asking for re-delivery is not that difficult but it would be much easier if the mailman can simply leave the package in your mailbox.

4. Get the key or the key number of the mailbox from your host (if there's any). Check the mailbox once you get to the airbnb.

The package will be delivered in the mailbox as long as all above is done correcly. The mailman will not bring it to the door. Usually mailboxes are located on the ground floor of an apartment.

If the package is not in the mailbox, there should be a delivery notice from the post office. Please call the number on the notice to arrange re-delivery. 

We try our best to get items delivered in time but it's not possible without your cooperation. Hope these tips will help you complete a perfect order with us!!

"Regular size" or Micro or Nano?

Finding out the right size of SIM card that fits your device is the first thing you need to do before placing an order.

It is a bit misleading that the biggest SIM card, which is used in many Android devices is named "Regular size SIM card" or "Standard size SIM card". It makes some people to think that it would fit in most devices. In fact, Regular size SIM card are not compatible with iPhone (except for iPhone 3G) and many Android devices especially the recent models.

Not all android phones need "Regular size" SIM card.

To find out what size of SIM card you need, all you got to do is to google your device's model name and check its specification. SIM cards are available in 3 sizes; Regular, Micro, and Nano.

Actually, many customers who order Regular size SIM card from us find out it wasn't the right size after arriving to Japan!

Please make sure you order the right size.

Using your Whatsapp account with our SIM card in Japan

Our SIM card is a data SIM, so you cannot make phone calls or send and receive SMS. However, you can still communicate with friends and family using apps like Whatsapp, LINE, Skype and Viber.

Here are tips on how to use your Whatasapp account linked to your phone number in your country with our SIM card in Japan.

1. Simply put our SIM card in your device and connect to the internet.

2. Open the app. If you are asked to "Change Number", DON'T! Just ignore the message and proceed.

3. Done!

You CANNOT create a new account with our SIM card because WhatsApp requires to verify the number by sending SMS when creating a new account. Our SIM card cannot receive SMS.

If you don't have an account yet and are planning to use WhatsApp while in Japan, please sign up and have an active account ready before using our SIM card. Or you have already landed in Japan, you can put the SIM card from your country and connect to free wi-fi to sign up and receive SMS. Then, put our SIM card and continue using the same account.

For more details and updated information, please check the official website of the service.

Have you checked GetAroundJapan?

Our travel website GetAroundJapan offers updated information that we think are helpful for foreign visitors to Japan. 

All articles are organized in 11 categories such as "Pop Culture" and "Sightseeing".  We also have a category "Internet Connection (SIM card & Wi-Fi)" where we collect information on free wi-fi spots and etc. 

Also, we sometimes do survey and giveaways. Currently, we are doing a survey on GetAroundJapan website. Five participants on this survey will win a pair tickets to a contemporary artists Takashi Murakami's exhibition! To join the survey, please check the article below. 

Win a Pair Tickets to Takashi Murakami Exhibition! (Close: 11/03) .

Check out GetAroundJapan before your departure! 

GetAroundJapan by CDJapan

How to check if your android device is compatible with our SIM card

Following the previous post "How to check if your iphone is compatible with our SIM card", this post will explain how to check the compatibility of android devices with our SIM card.

The devices that have been tested are listed on our website, however, there are many more compatible devices that we don't know. You can check if yours will work by checking the specification of the device.

1. Find out the model number

On your device, go to
Setting>About phone>Model number

Or, usually, the model number is indicated on the back cover or the side of the device, or on the sticker attached to the device. Below photos are examples of SONY XPERIA ST27a and GALAXY S4 SC-04E. The model numbers are underlined in red.

*IMPORTANT*
The model number you need to find out is NOT the brand name such as Samsung, or just GALAXY S4. There are many models for GALAXY S4, and you need to find out what model of GALAXY S4 yours is.

2. Google the model number

Google the model number to find out its network specification.

3. Check the model's network specification 

Check out the section that says "Network", "Frequency" or "Cellular and Wireless". There you will find the necessary information.

What networks is your device capable of functioning on?

4. Check the size of the SIM card, too

When you check the specification of the device, double check the size of the SIM card, too. Many people who order Regular size SIM card realize that their device actually needed a Micro SIM after receiving the SIM card. Please check the size of the SIM card and order the correct size.<

5. These are the networks/frequency our SIM cards work on

4G(LTE): Band 1 (2100MHz), Band 19 (800MHz), Band 21 (1500MHz)
3G(W-CDMA/HSDPA/HSUPA): Band 1 (2100MHz), Band 19 (800MHz)

Ideally, your device can connect to all the above: Band 1, 19, and 21. Then you will be connected in most areas in Japan.

- If your device can connect to Band 1, you will be connected in most cities.
- Band 19 covers suburb areas. If you are going to be in mountains or suburbs, it will be helpful to be able to connected to this band in addition to Band 1.
- Band 21 provides extra speed in cities.

6. Make sure the model is not Region-locked.

Some brands sell different versions in different regions. Sometimes they are region-locked. If it is region-locked, you cannot use SIM cards from different regions or you are not supposed to.

7. Decide whether to book a SIM card or a mobile wi-fi

If your device is compatible, please book our SIM card!

If your device is not compatible or if you are not sure about your device, or if you want a stable connection in Japan like locals do, we recommend you book a mobile wi-fi.

Hope this helps!

Which service in Japan has the best SIM cards for foreign tourists?

According to a survey, the difficulties to find internet connection is what dissatisfies foreign tourists the most during their stay in Japan.

Following such issues, many companies now offer SIM cards.
There are prepaid SIM cards and rental SIM cards.

But which one is best for your stay in Japan?
Lets compare SIM cards chosen by foreign tourists which can be
picked up at popular airports, in the chart below.

Prepaid Sim Card	Useable period	Data speed	Data amount	Price	shipping fee	Memo
b-mobile VISITOR SIM 1GB	14	Max 150mbps	1GB	4094	216	no activation required
eConnect Standard Speed	30	?	1GB	4100	790	no activation required
sonet 500M *1	60	Max 150mbps	500MB	3000	0	activation required
sonet 100M *1	30	Max 150mbps	100MB	5000	0	activation required

*1 sonet sim cards can be purchased in a vending machine at the airport.

Rental Sim Card	Useable period	Data speed	Data amount	price	shipping fee	Memo
CDJapan 7 days *2	7	Max 150mbps *3	unlimited	2300	540	no activation required
CDJapan 14 days *2	14	Max 150mbps *3	unlimited	3500	540	no activation required
CDJapan 30 days *2	30	Max 150mbps *3	unlimited	5900	540	no activation required

*2 Return is required. Return fees are included in the shipping fee.
*3 When the total data traffic reaches 30MB, the maximum traffic will be limited to 200kbps until 11:59 PM for that day. However after that LTE/3G high-speed data transmission will become available again.

SIM cards in the chart above are all from the same carrier, Docomo.
Therefore there are rarely any differences in the quality of data communication. The only difference is the price, data amount, and period.
The max. data speed of 150mbps is only based on a theoretical value but in reality, should be around 1mbps.

If we only compare prepaid SIM cards, "b-mobile VISITOR SIM 1GB" has limited data usage up to 1GB, but has hi-speed data communication and should be enough for a 14 day stay.

The max. data speed of "eConnect Standard Speed" is unknown but 1GB is probably not good enough for 30 days.

Sonet can be easily purchased in a vending machine at the airport. However the set up can be quite troubling. Also while the useable period is long, the data amount is very little so you will probably end up charging your battery many times.

Overall, if you are staying around 2 weeks, we think b-mobile VISITOR SIM 1GB is best out of the prepaid SIM cards.
If your stay is over 14 days, we recommend "eConnect Standard Speed".

The downside of prepaid SIM Cards are, while you can extend the useable period and charge if you exceed the data amount, it can be a hassle to cancel the contract, and may have to purchase any unused amount of data.

Rental Sim Card
CDJapan offers the rental type SIM cards, which is the best SIM cards for tourists in Japan.

Why we have the best service

1. Best price in the market.
2. Comes with a SIM card holder to keep your SIM cards safe.
3. Unlimited data. No need to additionaly charge data.

The downside is that you have to return it, but the return fee is free.
If you are visiting Japan, why not use your rental card service.

http://rental.cdjapan.co.jp/

CDJapan Started a service "Rental Mobile Wifi & Sim Card"

Hello,

The number of foreign tourists to Japan exceeded 10 million visitors in
2013.

As Tokyo was selected to host the 2020 Olympics, we expect the
number of visitors to rise even more as Tokyo will be preparing to
create a tourist-friendly environment.

However, according to a survey conducted by the Japan Tourism Agency,
the internet connection topped the ranking in what they were
dissatisfied about Japan.
Source: http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/000205584.pdf

In Japan, LTE network is available throughout the country, allowing
high-speed
internet connection even in the subway or bus.
We are called the country with the fastest internet connection.
However you can not use the service unless you have a contract with a
Japanese carrier,

Although we do offer WIFI which allows internet connection, but
it will require registration, or ask to download a dedicated app,
make you go through troubling procedures, or limit the connection to 30
minutes, which are all too inconvenient for users.

As a result, most tourists will use WIFI provided by their hotel, or
go online at internet cafes.

As a measure to resolve such dissatisfactions, we see SIM cards and WIFI
routers sold or offered as a rental product at the airport. If you have
an SIM card or a WIFI router, you will be able to connect to the
internet almost anywhere in Japan.

More and more tourists are starting to use this service as you will
rarely find any such rental services once you are away from the airport.

However, to us Japanese, the rental costs are surprisingly expensive at
the airport.

CDJapan started a service offering SIM cards and mobile WIFI which have
the same data communication quality compared to our competitors, but
offers a much more reasonable price.

If you make a reservation before coming to Japan, we will drop the
products at your hotel or hand it to you at the airport post office

We hope to serve you if you will be visiting Japan.
http://rental.cdjapan.co.jp/