Getting data+calls in Japan for iPhone?

[Renny my man!]

I'll be going to Tokyo, Japan next month, and I'm looking for something which will get me data (for emails, as I heard the Japanese do not use sms, but emails instead) and calls for about 3 weeks. My iPhone is unlocked.

I have local Japanese friends who can purchase what I need if I'm not allowed to get it because of me being a tourist.

Are there any sims that I can get my friends to buy in Japan that will give me data and calls? If so then I would like some information regarding that eg. cost, how much data and calls I get, etc..

[uhm101]

Softbank is the only carrier to offer a prepaid sim. You'll have to get your friends to get it for you because of ID requirements.

Data other than SMS is not available on the prepaid plan.

And you need an unlocked 3G or 3GS (or some other unlocked handset that operates on the UMTS 2100MHz band) in order to use it in Japan. There is no GSM in Japan.

[yapaneko315]

As far as I understood, you want to use your mobile phone in Japan using Japanese SIM?

This is one of the major company's prepaid service, if you read that through you can get a good idea how it works.
However, Japanese SIM card may not work in your own phone as I believe Japanese SIM card system is different to the Australian one, so you may need to purchase the Mobile phone as well.

http://mb.softbank.jp/en/prepaid_service/


Just want to let you know that I use to use prepaid mobile phone in Japan but not anymore because Global roaming works out pretty much the same or cheaper for me the cost wise as I do not receive many calls from Australia while I am in Japan, and rather easier. I'm with Telstra and of course it all depends how many phone calls/emails you make and receive.

To make calls within Japan
Telstra roaming AUD1.10 per minute (Docomo GSM, usually in Tokyo)
Prepaid Japanese Mobile JPY90 per minute