1. 【Smart Phone】The best way to use your phone?
- SIM card to use in Japan, too many to decide
- They all look the same and cannot be compared.
- Worried about applying online in Japanese
If you have a Sim-free phone and are trying to choose a SIM to use in Japan, Rakuten Mobile is recommended for the best value for money without worrying about data capacity.
The last entrant, Rakuten Mobile, has competitive prices and conditions and is recommended.
- 3 reasons why Rakuten Mobile is recommended
- – Unlimited data
– Free calls in Japan (using Rakuten app)
– Full range of packages with Wi-FI, family discounts and pocket Wi-FI
→ Rakuten Mobile Official Page（ Japanese ）＞＞
Below is a comparison of typical smartphone conditions and prices in Japan. The price comparison is for 20 GB, which is set by most carriers. Rakuten Mobile is the only carrier with a fixed price for unlimited GB.
Note that if you don’t use that many gigs, or want to consider bundling with other services or a family discount, the prices for combinations etc. will vary.
| Service Name |  Rakuten |  Linemo |  ahamo |  LIBMO |  UQ |  Ymobile |  mineo |
| Fee | ￥2,980 | ￥2,728 | ￥2,970 | ￥1,991 | ￥3,278 | ￥4,015 | ￥2,178 |
| Phone Fee | Free with App | 5 min Free OR Unlimited | 5 min Free | 10 min Free (+￥1,320) | 10 min Free (+￥880) | 5 min Free (+￥880) | 10 min Free (+￥550) |
| Initial Fee | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Career | Rakuten | Softbank | Docomo | Docomo | au | Softbank | Docomo, au, Softbank |
| How to buy | Online, in Japanese and in English | Online, in Japanese | Online, in Japanese | Online, in Japanese | Online, in Japanese | Online, in Japanese | Online, in Japanese |
| Note | Data is Unlimited | Fee is for 20GB | Fee is for 20GB | Fee is for 20GB | Fee is for 20GB | Fee is for 20GB | Fee is for 20GB |
| Offcial HP | Offcial HP | Offcial HP | Offcial HP | Offcial HP | Offcial HP | Offcial HP |
As you can see, there are many different types of smartphones to choose from, but in fact, the really hard part is the application process. All online application sites are in Japanese only. For those who wish to select and sign up for a SIM card or eSIM on an English website, Japan Wireless is very convenient.
Among Better Call Seigo’s services, the purchase of SIM cards is asked very often. We support our members to answer their needs and conditions.
Applying on a Japanese-only website is not easy. We do consultations if the members should buy new phone, family discounts or Wi-Fi bundles. Please ask Better Call Seigo.
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2. 【Wi-Fi】do you need fast one? do you need now?
- Too many Wi Fi services to choose
- I want to choose according to how I use it.
- The application is very complicated
Wi-Fi is now an essential infrastructure everywhere and at any time.
The trouble is, it’s hard to know which Wi-Fi to prepare for with the sheer number of different types and suppliers, as well as the unthinkable number of options.
Buying Wi-Fi without gathering information can lead to unexpected losses.
- Fiber Internet ： Fastest Wi-Fi at home, if you use high speed data such as Net Flex or online gaming.
- Home Router： High-speed Wi-Fi is readily available from a single electrical outlet.
- Pocket Wi-Fi ：Wi-Fi that can be used even when you are out
Fiber Internet:Essential for web conferencing and online gaming
Fibre optic lines are the fastest Wi-Fi available.
However, if there is no fibre-optic line in your home or flat, you will need to have an ‘opening installation’ to pull it in.
The opening installation takes time, sometimes for 1 to 3 months after application.
In many flats, the opening work has already been done, so it is essential to check with the agent or landlord.
Better Call Seigo’s recommendation for au hikari.
- 3 reasons why au HIKARI is recommended
- – Free booster
– Cashback is attractive
– Nationally available and renowned for speed and stability
-> au Hikari official HP （Japanese）＞＞
Below is a summary and comparison of major optic fiber Wi-Fi in Japan.
Each service has different prices depending on coverage area, speed and other conditions, so be prepared with information on your home environment and mobile phone carrier to make a comparison before making a choice.
| Service Name |  NURO |  SoftBank |  au |  Biglobe |
| fee/month | ￥3,190 | ￥4,180 | ￥4,180 | ￥4,387 |
| Setting up fee | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Mobile Phone Bundle | Yes Softbank | Yes Softbank/Ymobile | Yes au/UQ | Yes au/UQ |
| Cash Back | ￥25,000 | ￥37,000 | max ￥141,000 | ￥25,000 |
| Offcial HP | Offcial HP | Offcial HP | Offcial HP |
Wi-Fi can be ordered either in person or online. Better Call Seigo supports many customers who feel uneasy online because everything is in Japanese and the English of the people at the counter is limited.
While there are many attractive packages, it is important to note that Wi-Fi condition may have a binding contract that cannot be cancelled. Better Call Seigo offers support for many from the uncertainty of applying on a Japanese-only website.
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Home routers: ready to use. Just plug in and go Wi-Fi
A home router is a placeable WiFi device that can be plugged into an electrical outlet to access the internet. You can use WIFi simply by purchasing and placing it in your home. Although the speed is not as fast as fiber-optic cable, the ease of use is attractive because no installation work is required.
The speed is sufficient for watching videos such as NetFlix and Youtube, but may not be fast enough for online games.
- 3 reasons why we recommend the SoftBank Air
- – Attractive cashback
– Discounts for the first two years
– Convenient during moves and long trips
→ SoftBank Air Official Homepage ＞＞＞
Below is a comparison of major home router Wi-Fi in Japan.
All companies offer bundle packages with mobile phones, with different contract terms and prices depending on the carrier. It is important to prepare information such as your mobile phone carrier and make a comparative decision before signing up.
| Service Name |  Rakuten Turbo |  SoftBank Air |  Docomo 5G |  Kashimo WIMAX |
| Fee | 1st to 6th month Free of charge 7th month onwards ¥4,840 | 1st to 24th month: ¥2,970 25th month onwards: ¥5,368 | ￥4,950 | First month: ¥1,408 Second month onwards: 4,818 yen |
| Router Fee | ¥41,580 | Free | Free | Free |
| Mobile Phone Bundle | Yes Rakuten Mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cash Back | ¥20,000 | Max ¥30,000 | ¥15,000 | ¥10,000 |
| How to buy | Online, in Japanese | Online, in Japanese | Online, in Japanese | Online, in Japanese |
| Offcial HP | Offcial HP | Offcial HP | Offcial HP |
Home routers can be ordered either in person or online. Everything is in Japanese, whether the contract is signed online or at the counter. Better Call Seigo supports many of those who say they are worried.
There are many types of convenient home routers. They almost all seem to be side-by-side, but there is a big difference in price if you compare the terms and conditions carefully. Better Call Seigo can help many who say it is difficult and uncertain to make a decision.
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Pocket Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi on the go
Pocket Wifi provides a Wi-Fi environment anytime you are out and about, which is very useful if you are still house-hunting in Japan or if you often use your smartphone or computer on the go.
Pocket wifi is sold by many suppliers and is readily available at Haneda and Narita airports for tourists. On the other hand, the choice can be difficult, as the bindings, speeds and contract conditions are varied to suit different uses.
Better Call Seigo is often asked for advice on two patterns of recommendations: if you don’t yet have Wi-Fi at home, and if you want to use Pocket Wifi permanently.
- Why ‘Japan Wireless’ is recommended if you do not yet have Wi-Fi at home
- – Explained in detail in English
– Safe because of the large number of users
– There are purchase options to suit your needs.
→ Check Japan Wireless webisite in English ＞＞
On the other hand, if you want to use pocket Wi-Fi constantly rather than for a short period of time, you need to compare the price of the model and the monthly fee to make a good choice, Better Call Seigo recommends Kashimo Wi-Max.
- Three reasons why Kashimo Wi-Max is recommended for long-term pocket wifi use.
- – No charge for the handset
– No contract term, no penalty fees
– Fixed monthly charge of ¥4,818 for unlimited use (¥1,408 + ¥3,300 administration fee for the first month).
→ Visit Kashimo Wi-Max official website ＞＞
When out and about with children, pocket wifi is often used when children use iPads or older smartphones. There are many suppliers and we are often asked for advice on how to choose the best one.
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With so many questions about Wi-Fi, it is very important to make use of Wi-Fi that is suitable for your purposes and safe to use when living in Tokyo. On this page, we have provided recommendations and comparative information on the following three Wi-Fi options to make your life more comfortable.
- Fiber Internet ： Fastest Wi-Fi at home, if you use high speed data such as Net Flex or online gaming.
- Home Router： High-speed Wi-Fi is readily available from a single electrical outlet.
- Pocket Wi-Fi ：Wi-Fi that can be used even when you are out and about.
Better Call Seigo offers a range of services, including consultations on the use of Wi-Fi, online applications and consultations with experts who can visit the storefront with you, so don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
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3. Transfer your money between currencies
- I want to send money abroad from Japan.
- I want to transfer money from a bank account in my country to a bank account in Japan.
- I want to send money as clearly, quickly and cheaply as possible
Living in Japan. Surprisingly, many people have problems transferring money while in Japan. Transferring money to family members in your own country, transferring money between your own bank accounts in different currencies, paying off your mortgage, etc., remittances from overseas bank accounts to Japan and to overseas accounts are frequent and the fees alone can be quite expensive.
Many people have trouble using Japanese banks to send money overseas because of the high fees, the large number of documents to be submitted, the Japanese language support and the fact that it takes at least a few days to send the money.
Better Call Seigo recommends Wise Transfer.
- 5 reasons why Wise Transfer is the best way to transfer money
- 1. Easy
2. Fast money transfers
3. Low fees
4. Can be done in English
5. Many currencies
→ Visit Wise Transfer website with ‘ free transfer of up to 75,000 JPY’ from better call seigo
I have been using Wise for years and here are some of the reasons why I recommend this service:
1. Cheap fees
The first reason why I recommend Wise, is that the fees you pay are incredibly cheap, compared to a bank and many other services.
For example, my recent international transfer was for €900 from my UK account to my Euro account. My fee for this transaction was only 3.61 GBP. However, if I did this transaction with my bank I may have paid up to 32.66 GBP. The resulting transfer was done using the mid-market exchange rate (which is used by Google and Reuters), rather than adding a large markup (which banks often do) and costing you so much more.
Wise does charge a fee, but as per my example, you can see it’s tiny and in my opinion, the convenience the service provides is totally worth it!
2. Fast transfers
The transfers with Wise are incredibly quick, and most of my transactions sent between England and Austria happen the same day! Making it almost a lifesaver if you run out of money!
The way this system works is by you depositing money into one of their local bank accounts, say their Euro account, and then once Wise receives that money, they send you money from their destination account, such as a GBP account.
This concept is thanks to the genius of Taavet Hinrikus and Kristo Käärmann (the creators), where Taavet worked in Estonia (Euros), and Kristo worked in the UK (GBP). To transfer money between each country, Taavet would pay into Kristo’s Euro account with Euros, and then Kristo would put pounds into Taavet’s UK account. The money would therefore never technically move across the borders and allows for an incredibly fast transfer, and the same principle is now used in Wise.
3. Easy to use
Wise is incredibly easy to use, and once signed up you just go through some simple steps of adding your details and destination bank account number, as well as the account you want to withdraw funds from.
Once you have made your first transfer you can save your details making future transactions even quicker. Whenever I now want to make an international transfer, it probably takes me less than five minutes to do.
Wise Transferとは？
- Remittances to more than 80 countries
- 40% of remittances are completed immediately and 80% within 24 hours
- Multi-currency accounts manage more than 50 currencies simultaneously
- Wise debit card can be used to make purchases and withdraw cash from ATMs
You can register on the official website below, but everything is in English, so you can register and start using the system without any problems.
fee-free transfer of up to 75,000 JPY
I have been sending money abroad for over 30 years and I am most satisfied with Wise, which I recently started using. I wish I had known about it earlier. I don’t think I will be able to utilise overseas remittances at Japanese banks any more.
4. Introducing the best Tokyo Tours!
Foreigners living in Tokyo feel that visiting the sights is not enough, so Better Call Seigo has specially recommended three guided tours that will help you get the most out of your visit.
Tokyo has more to offer than just its sights.If you want to experience Japanese culture in more depth, these guided tours are perfect for you. These tours are led by guides who are fluent in English, so you can gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture without any language barriers.
Guided tours are available as half-day or full-day experiences and can be chosen to suit your own schedule.
- The best Ramen Tour in Tokyo
- Sushi experience tour : Market to dining
- Guided bicycle tours
If you are interested in this guided tour, contact Better Call Seigo. We are sure you will be satisfied with the experience!
We hope you too will take the opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture and create some great memories.
Better Call Seigo regularly introduces fascinating events and tours in Tokyo for its members. We invite you to take advantage of Better Call Seigo membership to make your Tokyo experience more engaging and exclusive!
We hope that your life in Tokyo will become even more amazing through these new experiences.
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5. Have you got Mobile Suica App?
What is the most convenient cashless card as cashless is progressing in Japan? We are asked.
The best choice is Suica, while point rewards and cash cards can also be used for touch payments.
What is Suica？
Suica is a prepaid transportation card, with the main function of allowing ticketless travel across Japan’s transportation network. Load it with cash, and you’re ready to ride without touching a ticket machine or figuring out fares.
There a many of these IC (integrated chip) cards in Japan. Each is issued by a different service provider, but virtually interchangeable. Suica is the IC card issued by JR East, who operate much of the rail network around Tokyo (and east Japan). As such, it’s the best-known pass among visitors.
As well as simplifying train, bus, and subway travel, you can use the credit on your Suica to pay at many convenience stores and vending machines — a great convenience in a land where cash is king and credit cards may not be accepted.
- 3 reasons why you use Mobile Suica
- Can be used on subways and JR trains nationwide
Linked to credit cards and Apple Pay
Many shops can use it.
- Notes on using Mobile Suica.
- Mobile phone only
Registration in Japanese
Points are limited.
Japanese cashless payers collect points with PayPay and Rakuten Points, but it is actually quite complicated if you really want to collect them. I don’t really care about points, I collect miles on my credit card diligently. (I find it most efficient to use them on airlines)
For touchless cashless cards that are easy to use for small purchases, I recommend Mobile Suica, which can be used on the underground and JR lines in Japan.
The registration process is all in Japanese, so you need to be careful about the procedure, so register together with someone who understands Japanese. Mobile Suica registration is also recommended for members of BETTER CALL SEIGO.
For iPhone users
For Android users
Suica can also be used on trains in regional cities outside Tokyo. With Mobile Suica, you can use trains and buses with peace of mind when travelling on business or on vacation.
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