Will my phone work in Japan?

Whether you’re planning a vacation to Kyoto or prepping for an exciting business trip to Tokyo, if you’re headed to Japan, you’ll need a reliable wireless connection for the whole stay. So you may be asking yourself, “Will my phone work in Japan?” While the short answer is “most likely,” there are some important things you should know when traveling internationally with a mobile phone.  

Can I use my phone in Japan?

Pretty much every modern smartphone available in the US can be used in Japan, so yeah, you should be able to use your phone in Japan. But at what cost? 

Using your phone with your US SIM card can get pricey, depending on your current carrier’s international roaming offerings. Most carriers will let you know how much calls, texts & data usage are going to cost you in another country shortly after you arrive—and it can add up quickly if you don’t plan ahead. That’s why most US phone carriers offer international roaming options that you can purchase ahead of, or even during, your trip. In fact, some carriers even have international roaming add-ons that you can buy for a very low rate that are super easy to use and… well we’ll get into that a little later.

Will a Japanese SIM card work in a US phone?

Another option is to use a Japanese phone plan (with a Japanese phone number) while in Japan. Before you take off, compare the international roaming rates of your current US carrier to the rates of some Japanese carriers to see if using a local number would make more sense. Depending on how much talk, text & data you plan to use, a Japanese SIM card might be the way to go.

A Japanese SIM card should work for you as long as your phone is unlocked. You can purchase a prepaid SIM card or eSIM once you arrive in Japan, or purchase an eSIM data plan ahead of your trip so you’ll be ready to switch as soon as you land. Putting a prepaid local SIM card in your phone is a good way to avoid any unexpected roaming fees on calls, text messages or data use (depending on your current US carrier). Just remember, Japanese phone plans come with Japanese phone numbers, so if your phone only has a Japanese SIM in it, people won’t be able to reach you on your US number. However, if your phone supports dual SIM, you do have the option to use a Japanese eSIM while still receiving calls and texts on your US number. Another thing to keep in mind: a Japanese SIM may automatically change the language of your phone’s menu, too. 

If you’d rather not purchase a Japanese SIM card, but still need to stay connected while in the Land of the Rising Sun, see what options your current carrier offers for international roaming. For example, Mint Mobile has what we call a Minternational Pass. For a flat rate, you get an allotment of minutes, text messages and high-speed data to use while outside the US. We offer multiple tiers for different lengths of time, depending on how long you expect to be gone. And since Minternational Passes work the same in most countries, you don’t have to buy a new SIM card if you decide to explore more of Asia while you’re over there.

Tips for using a US cell phone in Japan

Planning ahead can make a world of difference when it comes to minimizing roaming usage and staying connected while in Japan. 

Connect to Wi-Fi when it’s available

In bars, hotels, restaurants…take advantage of Wi-Fi wherever you find it. Just keep in mind that, with Wi-Fi often being offered in popular tourist spots, it comes with certain risks of hacking or identity theft. So be mindful of the networks you connect to and follow best practices when it comes to phone security. 

Go airplane mode

Keeping your phone in airplane mode by default is a quick & easy way to avoid any unintentional data usage while roaming. Even with airplane mode enabled, you can still connect to Wi-Fi when available and use features that don’t require data, like your camera when you want to take photos of the best sushi you’ve ever eaten to share with your friends later.

Download content for offline use

When you are connected to a secure Wi-Fi network, use that time to download any maps, files, videos or music you’ll want to use later, so you won’t need to use your data when the time comes. 

Use Wi-Fi calling 

Most phone plans today include Wi-Fi Calling (including Mint), a feature that allows you to make phone calls over Wi-Fi at no additional cost, so you don’t use your roaming minutes. Wi-Fi Calling can be turned on pretty easily in your phone’s settings.

Turn off auto downloads & background app refresh

Push notifications, automatic updates and things like background app refresh can eat at your data while your phone is still in your pocket. Disabling these while traveling can help save on data roaming too.

Keep a portable battery on hand 

A portable battery, or “power bank,” is handy for keeping your phone charged on-the-go…in case you find yourself halfway up Mount Fuji, where there aren’t many power outlets.

You’re ready to roam in Japan

Now you know how to use your phone while visiting Japan. And if the trip inspires you to traverse the globe, we also have helpful articles for using your phone in France, the UK, Italy and other parts of Europe. Traveling internationally with Mint is easier than ever with our Minternational Pass, which works in 180+ countries. Want to know if your next destination is included? Click below to check. Until then, have fun and sayōnara.