Best place to get a SIM card or phone for Japan, India?
Aug 25th, 2015, 01:31 PM
#1
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Best place to get a SIM card or phone for Japan, India?
In preparation for our upcoming trip to Japan and India, what's the best way to acquire a cell phone (or SIM card) that will work in both places? Also, should I plan to get one before I leave, or locally in those countries?
Aug 25th, 2015, 01:43 PM
#2
It depends on what you mean by "work", how you'll want to use it. I'm not hooked on data so the cheap phone I bought in India "works" for calls wherever I go where I can buy a local sim card for it on arrival. I have no doubt you can buy sim cards with data, overseas calling as well as local calls. I only use it for local calls, which is least expensive, sometimes ridiculously so, use wifi/email for everything else.
Think about what it is exactly you feel you need and go from there.
Think about what it is exactly you feel you need and go from there.
Aug 25th, 2015, 02:13 PM
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MmePerdu, you make a good point.
Here's what I'm looking for: Nothing with wi/fi email, texting or other messaging, or any internet-based services (i.e., no smart phone, just voice and maybe a camera). I would like to be able to make local calls, and international calls between Japan and India, and also to the United States.
I have a couple of phones (that I don't particularly like and never use when I'm in the U.S.) that will handle the overseas frequencies, so a sim card (or cards - I have 2 such phones) is probably all I'll need. But if I can economically purchase a very basic (voice and camera only) phone that I like and that will work with my local provider here in the U.S. (consumer cellular), I would certainly consider doing that.
Here's what I'm looking for: Nothing with wi/fi email, texting or other messaging, or any internet-based services (i.e., no smart phone, just voice and maybe a camera). I would like to be able to make local calls, and international calls between Japan and India, and also to the United States.
I have a couple of phones (that I don't particularly like and never use when I'm in the U.S.) that will handle the overseas frequencies, so a sim card (or cards - I have 2 such phones) is probably all I'll need. But if I can economically purchase a very basic (voice and camera only) phone that I like and that will work with my local provider here in the U.S. (consumer cellular), I would certainly consider doing that.
Aug 25th, 2015, 02:43 PM
#4
"Very basic" to me means voice only and my cheap/basic phone from India is just that. My phone at home has the other stuff. I know of nothing in between but someone here no doubt will and can point you in the right direction. And since you've added more criteria, "that I like" and "local provider", while I'd suggest that you just dig out one of your old ones, buy a sim in each location and leave it at that, someone else will be along that has more interest in these things than I do.
Aug 25th, 2015, 03:01 PM
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OK, I'll see if I can be clearer.
I have a cell phone that I like, which I purchased from Consumer Cellular. But it doesn't work in other countries (i.e., doesn't support the frequencies required). Consumer Cellular does not provide such phones.
If I can find a simple phone that I like that will support voice and has a camera and works globally, at a reasonable price, I know it will also work in the U.S. with my Consumer Cellular sim card, and would consider purchasing it (along with a sim card for India and Japan).
Now to define "simple": Small LCD screen (i.e., does not use all the phone's real estate, no icons, etc.), an actual keypad with large buttons (not necessarily for visibility, but because I don't have small, pointy fingers), easily fits in my pocket (yes, I happen to like flip phones).
Now to get back to my original question, WHERE is the best place (or places) to purchase a sim card or phone for Japan and India (is it at the airport in those countries, through the hotel concierge, online before the trip, a local electronics store in India or Japan, or someplace else)?
I have a cell phone that I like, which I purchased from Consumer Cellular. But it doesn't work in other countries (i.e., doesn't support the frequencies required). Consumer Cellular does not provide such phones.
If I can find a simple phone that I like that will support voice and has a camera and works globally, at a reasonable price, I know it will also work in the U.S. with my Consumer Cellular sim card, and would consider purchasing it (along with a sim card for India and Japan).
Now to define "simple": Small LCD screen (i.e., does not use all the phone's real estate, no icons, etc.), an actual keypad with large buttons (not necessarily for visibility, but because I don't have small, pointy fingers), easily fits in my pocket (yes, I happen to like flip phones).
Now to get back to my original question, WHERE is the best place (or places) to purchase a sim card or phone for Japan and India (is it at the airport in those countries, through the hotel concierge, online before the trip, a local electronics store in India or Japan, or someplace else)?
Aug 25th, 2015, 03:45 PM
#6
In India there are phone shops all over the place, in my experience, in local shopping areas, places local people shop. Your accommodation can get you a taxi and one or both will know where to go. However, also in my experience, if things are still as they were several years ago, India has inherited a love of bureaucracy from their former colonial rulers and expanded upon it, so the sim is good for, if I recall, 2 weeks to give them time to register the sim to you. If the shop fails to do it, and mine failed, the phone shuts off. You'll need a passport photo for the registration and an honest shop that will follow through. I have no experience with an honest shop. I went back when it failed and they got me a second time, so I gave up. It may also be possible that this system is no longer in effect, but look into it.
I have used the phone, though, in several other countries successfully, which does you no good at all.
I don't know about Japan.
I have used the phone, though, in several other countries successfully, which does you no good at all.
I don't know about Japan.
Aug 25th, 2015, 10:35 PM
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Japan - you can not buy a SIM card in Japan unless you have a residency card.
You have 2 options - hire a phone with the appropriate voice and data plan ; or hire a pocket wifi/mifi device. you can arrange this before you arrive or after arrival. With wifi/mifi, you can connect your phone to it via wifi and make viber/skype calls etc. Just search the 'Net for japan wifi rental. Lots of options to suit every budget.
You have 2 options - hire a phone with the appropriate voice and data plan ; or hire a pocket wifi/mifi device. you can arrange this before you arrive or after arrival. With wifi/mifi, you can connect your phone to it via wifi and make viber/skype calls etc. Just search the 'Net for japan wifi rental. Lots of options to suit every budget.
Aug 25th, 2015, 10:56 PM
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For India, the best place to buy a sim a card, is the airport form where you are entering.There are counters located right after you clear customs. If you have the required documents (i.e 2 passport size photographs, Copy of visa, passport copy) in order, you should be able to get your card in fifteen to twenty minutes after you fill out the required documentation. Usually, the SIM is activated within 24 hours, after a confirmation call is made to your mobile phone for verifying the details provided in your application.
However the sim card will not work in Japan.
However the sim card will not work in Japan.
Aug 28th, 2015, 05:48 PM
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For India, to avoid bureaucracy, it is best to have your local travel agent obtain a SIM for you and activate it in advance. (In your case they might have to rent a phone for you, rather than just a SIM.)
For Japan, as others have said, you will have to rent a phone, which you can do at any airport.
In India we found that all communication with locals was by text or whatsapp. In Japan, you might want to rethink having data because you will want a GPS for walking around. For voice calls between the two countries and back to the US, use viber or skype (wifi is everywhere).
Other solutions: 1)Borrow an old unlocked international phone from a friend - get a SIM for India and mifi for Japan 2) There are rentaphones for all of Asia advertised online - We used one of these in Thailand years ago, but can't remember which one.
For Japan, as others have said, you will have to rent a phone, which you can do at any airport.
In India we found that all communication with locals was by text or whatsapp. In Japan, you might want to rethink having data because you will want a GPS for walking around. For voice calls between the two countries and back to the US, use viber or skype (wifi is everywhere).
Other solutions: 1)Borrow an old unlocked international phone from a friend - get a SIM for India and mifi for Japan 2) There are rentaphones for all of Asia advertised online - We used one of these in Thailand years ago, but can't remember which one.
Aug 28th, 2015, 10:37 PM
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Definitely need Google Maps more in Japan than anywhere else I've ever been. It's because of the way addresses are provided ...
e.g. 4-1-1, Shimomeguro
The numbers represent the subdivision of the chō (best thought of as the neighbourhood), the block number and then the building number. BUT neither the blocks nor the buildings within a block are numbered sequentially - rather they are numbered in the order that they were built.
In practice, the best way is to type the postal code or business' phone number into google maps and find your destination that way. So having data in Japan is super helpful!
I used rentafone to get a wifi dongle for both our trips, though never bothered with SIM / phone as didn't need to make any calls.
e.g. 4-1-1, Shimomeguro
The numbers represent the subdivision of the chō (best thought of as the neighbourhood), the block number and then the building number. BUT neither the blocks nor the buildings within a block are numbered sequentially - rather they are numbered in the order that they were built.
In practice, the best way is to type the postal code or business' phone number into google maps and find your destination that way. So having data in Japan is super helpful!
I used rentafone to get a wifi dongle for both our trips, though never bothered with SIM / phone as didn't need to make any calls.
