投稿日:

Comparison of talk apps

Talk app is using internet line to talk (not using telephone line).
There are mainly two type, issued phone number (050 – ***)  or without phone number in Japan.
I use Smartalk.

Issued phone number

1. SMARTalk

Monthly Fee Free
Call 16 JPY/1min
Comments
  • It has English web site
  • Call and receive in your home country on internet (wifi etc)
  • Cheap international call (16 JPY/1min)
  • Free call to 050 numbers
  • Vibrate only once when manner mode (iPhone)
.

2. 050plus

Monthly Fee 324 JPY
Call To Landline phone : 2.88 JPY/1min
To mobile phone : 17.28 JPY/1min
To international : 9~200 JPY/1min *
Comments
  • Free call to 050 numbers

3. LaLa Call

Monthly Fee 100 JPY
Call To Landline phone : 2.67 JPY/1min
To mobile phone : 18 JPY/1min
To international : 6~ JPY/1min *
Comments
  • Call and receive in your home country on internet (wifi etc)
  • Free call to 050 numbers
.

 

without phone number

  • LINE, Viber, etc

 

投稿日:

Comparison of cheap SIM cards (data only)

I have used mineo(docomo), IIJmio, DTI SIM in Japan.
I recommend mineo, IIJmio, there was no problem at all.
On the other hand, I don’t recommend DTI SIM. It’s really slow and unkindly support service.

Current all services are not supported in English unfortunately.
You can buy them on Amazon English web site or ask your Japanese neighbors.

 

500MB ~ 6GB

[Price: JPY]

Eng 500MB 1GB 2GB 3GB 4GB 5GB 6GB
mineo (docomo) 700 800 900 1,580
mineo (au) 700 800 900 1,580
IIJmio * 900 1,520
DTI SIM 600 840 1,220
DMM mobile 480 770 850 1,210
Rakuten mobile * 900 1,450
OCN mobile one * 1,100 1,450
NifMo 640 900 1,600
Biglobe  900 1,450
U-mobile 790 1,580
b-mobile 500 750 1,000 1,250 1,500
UQ mobile 980
Y-Mobile

 

6GB ~ Unlimited

[Price: JPY]

7GB 8GB 10GB 12GB 15GB 20GB Unlimited
mineo (docomo) 2,520
mineo (au) 2,520
IIJmio 2,560
DTI SIM 2,200
DMM mobile  1,860 1,980 2,190 3,600 4,980 440*
Rakuten mobile 2,260 525*
OCN mobile one 2,300 1,800
NifMo 2,800
Biglobe 2,700
U-mobile 2,480
b-mobile
UQ mobile 1,980
Y-Mobile

 

投稿日:

Comparison of cheap SIM cards (talk + data)

I have used mineo(docomo), IIJmio, DTI SIM.
I recommend mineo, IIJmio, there was no problem at all.
On the other hand, I don’t recommend DTI SIM. It’s really slow and unkindly support service.

Current all services are not supported in English unfortunately.
You can buy them on Amazon English web site or ask your Japanese neighbors.

 

500MB ~ 6GB

[Price: JPY]

Eng 500MB 1GB 2GB 3GB 4GB 5GB 6GB
mineo (docomo) 1,400 1,500 1,600 2,280
mineo (au) 1,310 1,410 1,510 2,190
IIJmio * 1,600 2,220
DTI SIM 1,200 1,490 1,920
DMM mobile 1,260 1,380 1,500 1,910
Rakuten mobile * 1,600 2,150
OCN mobile one * 1,800 2,150
NifMo 1,340 1,600 2,300
Biglobe 2,150
U-mobile 2,980 1,580~
2,980		 1,980
b-mobile 1,300 1,550 1,800 2,050 2,300
UQ mobile 1,680
Y-Mobile 2,980 3,980

 

6GB ~ Unlimited

[Price: JPY]

7GB 8GB 10GB 12GB 15GB 20GB Unlimited
mineo (docomo) 3,220
mineo (au) 3,120
IIJmio 3,260
DTI SIM 2,900
DMM mobile 2,560 2,680 2,890 4,300 5,980 1,140*
Rakuten mobile 2,960 1,250*
OCN mobile one 3,000 2,500
NifMo 3,500
Biglobe 3,400
U-mobile 5,980 2,980
b-mobile
UQ mobile 2,680
Y-Mobile 5,980

 

投稿日:

How to buy sim free iPhone

If you need new iPhone, I recommend to buy it by Apple official store.
If you want used one, you can buy Ec sites or Real stores.
Then you have to ask the clerks “Is that Sim free?”
=”これはシムフリーですか？
（Korewa Shimu Furi~ Desuka?) ”

 

1. Apple official store
2. EC site (Amazon, Kakaku.com, etc)
eg) iPhone6  New: 52,000JPY~
iPhone6 Used: 30,000JPY~
3. Real store (Janpara(じゃんぱら), Dospara(ドスパラ), etc)
4.Unlock at the carrier
If you already have a smartphone which is bought at carriers,
you can ask the carriers to unlock your smartphone.
*Fee: 3,000JPY

If you have any questions, notice incorrect information or English,
please don’t hesitate to tell me below.

投稿日:

Cost down the mobile expense

Would you like to cost down your monthly mobile expense?
Check your type

Can you change your carrier e-mail address? →
No		 Stay your current contract
  ↓ Yes
Can you change your mobile phone number? →
No		 Type A
  ↓ Yes
Can you accept without emergency call such as 110,119? →
No		 Type B
  ↓ Yes
Can you accept without free call such as 0120? →
No		 Type B
  ↓ Yes
Type C

 

Type A

Things to prepare Sim free smartphone MVNO sim card TOTAL
smartphone simcard  
Initial cost Depends handling fee: 3,240JPY
Number portability: 5,000JPY
*Out: 2,000JPY, In: 3,000JPY		 8,240JPY~
Monthly cost  – Data: 1,400JPY(500MB)~
Phone: 20 JPY/30secs		 1,400JPY~
More info How to get How to get

 

Type B

Things to prepare Sim free smartphone MVNO sim card TOTAL
smartphone simcard  
Initial cost Depends handling fee: 3,240JPY 3,240JPY~
Monthly cost  – Data: 1,400JPY(500MB)~
Phone: 20 JPY/30secs		 1,400JPY~
More info How to get How to get

 

Type C

Things to prepare Sim free smartphone MVNO sim card Talk app TOTAL
smartphone simcard apps_phone  
Initial cost Depends handling fee: 3,240JPY 3,240JPY~
Monthly cost  – Data: 700JPY(500MB)~ Phone: 8 JPY/30secs 700JPY~
Comments Overseas call also 8 JPY/30secs
More info How to get How to get How to get

If you have any questions, notice incorrect information or English,
please don’t hesitate to tell me below.

投稿日:

Fireworks in Kansai Aug 2016

August 1 (Mon), 2016

OSAKA | PL Fireworks
(20,000 shots)

Place : Osaka, Tondabayashi, Church of Perfect Liberty
Time : 19:55-20:40
Access : 15 mins on foot from Tondabayashi Stn (north exit) (Kintetsu Railway Nagano Line)
Phone number : 0721-24-1111
Web site : Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

SHIGA | Hikone Great Fireworks Festival
(6,000 shots)

Place : Shiga, Hikone, Matsubara-chō, Biwa Lake, Matsubara swimming beach
Time : 19:30-20:30
Access : 30 mins on foot from Hikone Stn (JR Biwako Line)
Phone number : 0749-23-0001
Web site : Hikone Sightseeing Association
More info : Leaflet (Japanese)

 

August 4 (Thu), 2016

NARA | Uda City Haibara Fireworks Festival
(4,200 shots)

Place : Nara, Uda, Haibara Shimoidani / Sasagaku Uda River
Time : 19:30-21:00
Access : 5 mins on foot from Haibara Stn (Kintetsu Railway Osaka Line)
Phone number : 0745-82-2211
Web site : Uda City Haibara Fireworks Festival Executive Committee (Japanese)

SHIGA | Nagahama Kita-Biwako Great Fireworks Festival
(10,000 shots)

Place : Shiga, Nagahama, Nagahama Harbour area
Time : 19:30-20:30
Access : 10 mins on foot from Nagahama Stn (JR Biwako Line)
Phone number : 0749-65-6521
Web site : Northern Travel Guide Northern Lake Biwa
More info : Leaflet (Japanese)

 

August 6 (Sat), 2016

OSAKA | Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival
(? shots)

Place : Osaka, Yodogawa-ku, Yodo River area (Yodogawa kasenjiki)
Time : 19:40-20:40
Access :
[JUSO area]
・15 mins on foot from Juso Stn (Hanky Railway)
・15 mins on foot from Tsukamoto Stn (JR Kōbe Line)
[UMEDA area]
・20 mins on foot from Ōsaka Stn (JR)
Phone number : 06-6307-7765
Web site : Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau
Naniwa Yodogawa Hanabi Jimukyoku (Japanese)

HYOGO | Minato Kobe Fireworks Festival
(10,000 shots)

Place : Hyogo, Kobe, Port of Kobe area (Pier No.1 in Shinko to Meriken Park)
Time : 19:30-20:30
Access :
・10-15 mins on foot from Motomachi Stn / Kōbe Stn (JR Kōbe Line)
・15 mins on foot from NakaKoen Stn (Port Liner)
Phone number : 078-333-3372
Web site : Minato Kobe Fireworks Festival Executive Committee (Japanese)

WAKAYAMA | Kinokawa Hashimoto Summer Ball
(6,000 shots)

Place : Wakayama, Hashimoto, Minamibaba Ryokuchi Hiroba (Kinokawa Kasenjiki)
Time : 20:00-20:30
Access :
・From Hashimoto Stn (JR Wakayama Line, Nankai Koya Line) take the free extra buses for 10 mins. Get off at Ito-shinkokyoku (20 mins on foot from Ito-shinkokyoku).
・20-25 mins on foot from Kiishimizu Stn / Kamuro Stn (Nankai Koya Line)
Phone number : 0736-32-0004
Web site : Wakayama Tourism Federation
Hashimoto Chamver of Commerce and Industry (Japanese)

 

August 7 (Sun), 2016

KYOTO | Kameoka Peace Festival Hozugawa River Fireworks
(5,000 shots)

Place : Kyoto, Kameoka, Hozu bridge area, Oigawa River Ryokuchi Higashi Park
Time : 20:00-
Access : 15 mins on foot from Kameoka Stn (north exit) (JR Sagano Line)
Phone number : 0771-22-0053
Web site : Kameoka City

HYOGO | Kakogawa Fireworks Festival
(5,000 shots)

Place : Hyogo, Kakogawa, Kakogawa River Kasenjiki Ryokuchi
Time : 19:30-20:45
Access : 30 mins on foot from Kakogawa Stn (JR Sanyo Line)
Phone number : 079-424-2190
Web site : Kakogawa Festival Executive Committee (Japanese)

 

August 8 (Mon), 2016

OSAKA | Bentenshu Summer Festival Dedication Fireworks Display
(3,000 shots)

Place : Osaka, Ibaraki, Benten-shu Meioh-ji Temple
Time : 19:15-20:30
Access : From Ibaraki Stn (JR Kyōto Line) take the Kintetsu bus in the direction of Ibaraki Benten for 10 mins. Get off at Ibaraki Benten.
Phone number : 072-622-6861
Web site : Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

SHIGA | Biwako Great Fireworks Festival
(10,000 shots)

Place : Shiga, Otsu, Hamaotsu, Vicinity of Otsu Port
Time : 19:30-20:30
Access :
・5 mins on foot from Hamaotsu Stn (Keihan Railway Keishin Line)
・15 mins on foot from Ōtsu Stn (north exit) (JR Biwako Line)
Phone number : 077-511-1530
Web site : Biwako Visitors Bureau Public Interest Incorporated Association
Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival Executive Committee (Japanese)

 

August 10 (Wed), 2016

WAKAYAMA | Shirahama Fireworks Show
(3,400 shots)

Place : Wakayama, Shirahama-cho, Shirarahama Beach
Time : 20:00-21:00
Access : 14 mins on foot from Shirahama Stn (JR Kinokuni Line), then bus towards Sandanbeki for 14 mins. Get off at Shirarahama.
Phone number : 0739-43-5511
Web site : Shirahama Tourist Association (Japanese)

 

August 14 (Sun), 2016

KYOTO | Nantan City Fireworks Festival
(5,000 shots)

Place : Kyoto, Nantan, Yagi-cho, Ōi River Kasenjiki
Time : 20:00-21:00
Access : 5 mins on foot from Yagi Stn (JR Sagano Line)
Phone number : 0771-42-3700
Web site : Kyoto Prefecture Tourism Guide
Nantan City Fireworks Festival Executive Committee (Japanese)

 

August 15 (Mon), 2016

NARA | Yoshino river Festival Nōryō Fireworks Show
(4,000 shots)

Place : Nara, Gojō, Yoshino River Great River bridge (Yoshinogawa kasenjiki)
Time : 20:00-21:00
Access : 10 mins on foot from Gojō Stn (JR Wakayama Line)
Phone number : 0747-22-4001
Web site : Gojō City Tourist Association (Japanese)

 

August 16 (Tue), 2016

KYOTO | Miyazu Tōrō Lantern Floating & Fireworks Festival
(3,000 shots)

Place : Kyoto, Miyazu, Shimazaki, Shimazaki Park, Miyazu Seaside Mart
Time : 19:30-20:20
Access : 10 mins on foot from Miyazu Stn (Kyoto Tango Railway)
Phone number : 0772-22-5131
Web site : Kyoto Prefecture Tourism Guide

 

August 20 (Sat), 2016

HYOGO | Inagawa Fireworks Festival
(4,000 shots)

Place : Hyogo, Inagawa, Inagawa River area (Inagawa Kasenjiki)
Time : 19:20-20:20
Access :
・10 mins on foot from Kawanishi-noseguchi Stn / Ikea Stn (Hankyu Railway Takarazuka Line)
・15 mins on foot from Kawanishi-Ikeda Stn (JR Takarazuka Line, Fukuchiyama Line)
Phone number : 072-740-1161
Web site : Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau
Kawanishi City (Japanese)
More info : Leaflet (Japanese)

 

August 24 (Wed), 2016

HYOGO | Furusato Tamba Hikami Summer Festival
(4,000 shots)

Place : Hyogo, Tamba, Hikami-cho, Kakogawa River (Kakogawa Kasenjiki)
Time : 19:30-20:10
Access : From Isō Stn (JR Fukuchiyama Line) take the Shinki green bus in the direction of Saji for 20 mins. Get off at Kyobashi.
*move around free extra buses  from JA Tamba Hikami Honten to Ohta automobile co, ltd
Phone number : 0795-88-6100
Web site : Tamba City Tourism Association (Japanese)

 

August 27 (Sat), 2016

WAKAYAMA | Iwade Summer Festival
(3,000 shots)

Place : Wakayama, Iwade, Nishino, Ōmiya Ryokuchi Sports Park (Ōmiya Ryokuchi Sogo Undo Koen)
Time : 19:45-
Access : 15 mins on foot from Funato Stn / Iwade Stn (JR Wakayama Line)
Phone number : 0736-62-2141
Web site : Iwade City (Japanese)

投稿日:

Fireworks in Kansai Jul 2016

July 23 (Sat), 2016

KYOTO | Ayabe Minatsuki Festival
(4,000 shots)

Place : Kyoto, Ayabe, Yura Riverside
Time : 20:00-20:45
Access : 15 mins on foot from Ayabe Stn (JR San-in Line)
Phone number : 0773-42-0701
Web site : Kyoto Prefecture Tourism Guide
Ayabe Minazuki Festival executive committee (Japanese)

HYOGO | Ashiya Summer Carnival
(6,000 shots)

Place : Hyogo, Ashiya, Shioashiya Beach,  Ashiya City Grand Park
Time : 19:50-20:30
Access : 30 mins on foot from Ashiya Stn (JR, Hanshin Electric Railway)
Phone number : 0797-35-0871
Web site : Ashiya Shimin Matsuri Kyogikai (Japanese)

SHIGA | Otsu Shiga Fireworks festival
(2,000 shots)

Place : Shiga, Otsu, Minamikomatsu, Omi-Maiko Nakahama Beach
Time : 19:45-20:30
Access : 5 mins on foot from Ōmi-Maiko Stn (JR Kosei Line)
Phone number : 077-592-0378
Web site : Minami Komatu Jichikai (Japanese)

 

July 24 (Sun), 2016

HYOGO | Awaji-shi summer festival
(5,500 shots)

Place : Hyogo, Awaji, State-run Akashi Channel park
Time : 20:00-20:30
Access :Take Express Bus”Oiso Route” from JR Shinkobe Stn or Sannomiya Bus Terminal for 45 mins / from Kosoku Maiko (near JR Maiko Stn) for 15 mins. Get off at Seirei Awaji Hospital-mae / Awaji Yumebutai-mae.
Phone number : 0799-64-0001
Web site :  Awaji city

 

July 25 (Mon), 2016

OSAKA |Tenjin-matsuri Hōnō Fireworks Festival
(4,000 shots)

Place : Osaka, Tsushima-ku, Kawasaki Park and Sakuranomiya Park
Time : 19:30-20:50
Access :
・2 mins on foot from Sakuranomiya Stn (west exit) (JR Ōsaka Loop Line)
・5 mins on foot from Temmabashi Stn (Keihan Railway, Osaka Municipal Subway)
Phone number : 06-6353-0025
Web site : Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau
More info : Leaflet (Tenjin Matsuri Festival)

 

July 30 (Sat), 2016

OSAKA | Kishiwada Port Festival Fireworks
(1,500 shots)

Place : Osaka, Kishiwada, Jizohama-cho (Hannan-ikku Ganpeki)
Time : 20:00-20:40
Access : 30 mins on foot from Kishiwada Stn (Nankai Main Line)
Phone number : 072-423-9618
Web site : Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

HYOGO | Himeji harbor-festival The outline of a marine Fireworks Event
(4,000 shots)

Place : Hyogo, Himeji, Himeji Port (Shikama area)
Time : 19:30-20:45
Access : move around free extra buses (or 25 mins on foot) from Shikama Stn (Sanyo Electric Railway)
Phone number : 079-221-2506
Web site : Himeji City

WAKAYAMA | Shirahama Fireworks Festival
(3,200 shots)

Place : Wakayama, Shirahama-cho, Shirarahama Beach
Time : 20:00-20:40
Access : 14 mins on foot from Shirahama Stn (JR Kinokuni Line), then bus towards Sandanbeki for 14 mins. Get off at Shirarahama.
Phone number : 0739-43-5511
Web site : Shirahama Tourist Association (Japanese)

SHIGA | Kōka Summer Festival
(1,500 shots)

Place : Shiga, Kōka, JA Kōka Parking, Yasugawa River Kasenjiki
Time : 19:45-20:30
Access : 10 mins on foot from Minakuchi-Jōnan Stn (Omi Railway Minakuchi-Gamō Line)
Phone number : 0748-60-2690
Web site : Koka City Tourism Association (Japanese)

 

July 31 (Sun), 2016

KYOTO | Minato Maizuru Chatta Matsuri (Bay Town Festival)
(5,000 shots)

Place : Kyoto, Maizuru, The east district beach shore (Higashi Maizuru Kaigan Coast)
Time : 19:30-20:30
Access : 15 mins on foot from Higashi-Maizuru Stn (JR Maizuru Line)
Phone number : 0773-62-4600
Web site : Maizuru chamber of commerce (Japanese)

NARA | Onpara-Matsuri Hōnō Fireworks Festival
(2,000 shots)

Place : Nara, Sakurai, Shiba Athletic Park (Shiba Undo Koen)
Time : 19:30-20:10
Access : 10 mins on foot from Miwa Stn (JR Man-yō Mahoroba Line (Sakurai Line))
Phone number : 0744-42-6633
Web site : Ōmiwa Shrine (Japanese)

投稿日:

Prepaid SIM for travelers

U-mobile  website

Period 7 days 15 days 30 days
Type Data only Data only Data only
Price 1,800JPY 2,800JPY 3,500JPY
Data amount 200MB / day
Credit card Usable without a Credit card
Sales Location Airports, Bus terminals, Hotels, etc

 

b-mobile  Website

Period 7 days 14 days 14 days
Type Phone call, Data Data only Data only
Price 9,980JPY 4,990JPY 2,380JPY
Data amount 3GB 3GB Unlimited
Voice amount 60min  –  –
Credit card  –
Sales Location Pickup at Airports, Online(Amazon), Retail stores, etc

 

NTT communications  Website

Period 7 days 14 days
Type Data only Data only
Price 3,218JPY 3,780JPY
Data amount 200MB / day
Credit card Usable without a Credit card
Sales Location Pickup at Airports, Online, Retail stores, etc

 

So-net  Website

Period 30 days 30 days 30 days 60 days 180 days
Type Data only Data only Data only Data only Data only
Price 3,000JPY 3,200JPY
*Amazon		 Open price 5,000JPY 13,000JPY
*Amazon
Data amount 1GB 2GB 2.2GB 3GB 12GB
Credit card Usable without a Credit card
Sales Location Vending machines at Airports, Online, Retail stores, etc

 

IIJmio  Website

Period 30 days 3 months
Type Data only Data only
Price Open price Open price
3,791JPY *Amazon
Data amount 1GB 2GB
Credit card Usable without a Credit card
Sales Location Retail stores, etc

 

mineo  Website

Period 6 days 11 days 60 days
*Until next end of month
Type Data only Data only Data only Data only
Price 3,024JPY 5,400JPY 3,024JPY 5,400JPY
Data amount Unlimited Unlimited 1GB 5GB
Credit card Usable without a Credit card
Sales Location Retail stores, etc


If you have any questions, notice incorrect information or English,
please don’t hesitate to tell me below.