卿少納言

Reminder: Shopping comes with risks, purchase with caution.

There are many tutorials online, but they mostly approach from the perspective of "studying abroad" and "traveling." This article discusses the preparations needed before working in Japan from the perspective of "working in Japan."

SIM Card#

Supplement: CMLink User Experience & Purchase Experience in Japan#

Conclusion: It's okay.

1. Most of the time (except from 12 PM to 1 PM and 9 PM to 10 PM), it works fine, web pages load normally, and watching 360p YouTube videos is generally smooth. Based on my observations, in terms of price and data, CMLink is on par with the budget cards I've encountered in Japan.
2. There may be no signal in some indoor places like supermarkets or restaurants, but this happens infrequently, and such places often provide WiFi.

If you want to apply for this card after arriving in Japan, you need to submit a photo of your "resident card" and "zairyu card." This means you can apply for this card after registering at the ward office in Japan. Generally, you will receive an email notification of approval by noon the next day, and it will be delivered to your home in about a day.

Since this is an important document, it should not be left in the mailbox but handed to you in person. If you find a "non-contact notice" in your mailbox, just scan the QR code on the notice to submit a time for the next delivery. (Note: When filling out the form, you will be asked to provide a "contact number," which refers to a phone number to be contacted in case of special circumstances during delivery. It is advisable not to leave your domestic number; it's better to provide a local acquaintance's number in Japan.)

Additionally: It's best to confirm that you can be home at the selected time; otherwise... I don't know what will happen. You can try it if you're interested (just kidding).

For a streamlined suggestion: Go to CMLink, and buy a "pure data card" for internet access upon arriving in Japan.

Detailed Explanation#

Previously, I saw similar statements in several places:

When you first arrive in Japan and want to apply for a SIM card, the staff: Please provide a bank card.
When looking for staff to apply for a bank card: Please provide a SIM card.

I personally recommend applying for China Mobile's "CMLink" for the following reasons:

1. You can also buy usable cards in Japan through Taobao and Alipay, but the quality varies. Although CMLink's reputation isn't great, complaints mainly focus on signal and speed limitations (which don't seem too bad, and it’s likely that the phone model causes the poor signal).
   1. CMLink's "pure data card" has a limit of 15GB for 30 days, priced at 2200 yen (including tax), which is similar to the price of this specification on Taobao.
      1. This type of card is commonly found on Taobao as a data card/internet card. Note that this card cannot be used to register accounts because it does not have a phone number.
      2. The price for international roaming with telecom in Japan is 23.75 yuan/day, claiming to be unlimited, but the official website states explanation "2. From now until March 31, 2023, high-speed data in Macau, China; high-speed data in Hong Kong and Taiwan increased to 2GB/day; other daily roaming package destinations' high-speed data increased to 1GB/day, limited speed after reaching the limit."
   2. The "voice data card" is a proper SIM card with a corresponding phone number, which can be used to register accounts. The 18GB/month plan has a monthly fee of 2250 yen, but there is a network access fee of 2400 yen when applying, so the total cost is 4890 yen.
      1. The first charge over 4000 yen gives an additional 20%.
      2. There are discounts for number portability.
      3. A "10-minute voice unlimited" option is checked by default; if you don't need it, you can uncheck it (checking this option increases the monthly fee by 800 yen).
2. You can apply from China, and after placing an order via WeChat/Alipay, it will be delivered by mail. Note that if the delivery address is not the same as the ID card address, you need to provide a residence permit.
3. Regardless of which card you apply for, remember to check the usage instructions in advance and configure the APN. This way, you can activate it as soon as you land.
4. If you apply for a "pure data card," it will become invalid after 30 days without renewal. The "voice data card" can also be canceled at any time (although you may be forced to pay for one month’s fee, this seems to be due to submitting the cancellation at the beginning of the month).

Disadvantages:

1. Compared to the "budget cards" that can only be applied for in Japan, it is indeed not very cost-effective.
2. There are many complaints online about "poor signal" and speed limitations.
   1. Speed limitation: After exceeding the package, the speed is limited to 128 kb.
3. Compared to domestic packages, it is indeed expensive, but it's still acceptable. Phone bills in Japan are relatively high, so once you confirm your residence, you can consider applying for broadband Complete Summary of Methods and Costs for Applying for Broadband WiFi in Japan | Japan Living Guide.

Mobile Phone#

Streamlined: It's best to check in advance whether your phone supports Japanese signals.

Supplement: About Changing Phones#

Conclusion: If it's not a Huawei phone, there's really no need to change. And there's no need to change if it's a Huawei either. The biggest issue with Huawei is that installing GMS is very troublesome, but using APKPure isn't too problematic.

Additionally, I prepared a Japanese version of the iPhone in advance, and my biggest impressions are two points:

1. Having a Suica card for the subway is really convenient.
2. The inability to turn off the camera sound is really annoying.

If you don't mind second-hand, you can go to Akihabara to hunt for deals. You don't need to enter buildings; you can see several stores displaying Apple products on the street, but I didn't pay much attention to the prices (I was too focused on the girls, haha).

If you want to change to a new phone and also apply for a SIM card, I recommend considering Rakuten Mobile: the monthly fee for just applying for a card is 2000 yen (excluding the phone, note that this price does not include the phone), which is not much different from CMLink. (Additionally, a reminder: the phone is not free; it is included in the monthly fee. If you don't have a Rakuten card, it will generally be more expensive than the Apple official website, regardless of whether it's in installments.)

Tip: Remember to make an appointment in advance; otherwise, it’s a small issue if you can't apply in-store, but it's a big deal if they don't have the iPhone color you like. (Reminder: Appointments require a Rakuten account, and applying for a Rakuten account requires a Japanese phone number (laughs).

If you want to get everything done in one go, you can go directly to the Apple Store (laughs), or order directly from the official website and just pick it up in-store.

Tip: Looking solely at the prices on the Chinese and Japanese Apple official websites, buying in Japan is indeed cheaper, but the third-party platforms in China are really competitive. Even if the exchange rate drops to 4.9, buying from a third-party platform in China is cheaper than buying in Japan (especially with the subsidies from certain platforms; probably only when the exchange rate drops to 3.9 will the Japanese official website dare to claim it has the lowest price online (big mistake).

Detailed Explanation#

If you want to use your phone normally abroad, you need to meet the following two conditions:

1. Go to the respective carrier's service center to activate international long-distance and roaming services;
   1. Or apply for network services from local carriers.
2. Your phone's frequency bands must support the foreign carrier's network.

The first point is not difficult to find guidance on online, but the second point is less discussed.

iPhone frequency bands generally won't have major issues (unless it's a contract phone), but Android phones can be more problematic. CMLink's description in this regard is also very vague and does not provide specific supported models.

I recommend everyone check this website https://www.kimovil.com/en/compare-smartphones (note to enter the phone's English model; if you don't know, set your phone to English and check the system information).

Most people's phones should look like this (supporting only 4 out of 12 signal bands in Japan, which is at a basic usable level).

(Model: Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 5G)

iPhones should be fully supported (even the Chinese version, as long as it's not a contract phone).

Model: iPhone SE (2nd generation)

Supplement: I have used both of the above phones in Japan for a few days, and I feel that there is no significant difference between the iPhone and Xiaomi.

Android phones generally support only a small portion of the signals, so among those complaining online about "XX carrier's poor signal," half may actually have phones whose frequency bands are not supported.

Backup Phone#

If your phone looks like the one below, I recommend preparing a backup phone.

(From my high school phone, I don't plan to take it to Japan, haha.)

If Android users are really worried, they can buy a second-hand iPhone as a backup.

For the model, I recommend the iPhone SE (2nd generation).

Reason: Released in 2020, it uses the A13 chip, which can meet daily needs in 2023. However, due to the traditional limitations of the SE, most people may not accept its screen size, especially those who want to play games after switching to this phone should think twice.

This phone can be easily found in the second-hand market, and you can get a 4+128G configuration for around 1000 yen with a near-new condition.

However, if you haven't paid tuition in the second-hand market before, it's better to buy devices with official certification on "Zhuanzhuan." Of course, the price will be slightly higher. Regardless of which method you choose, be sure to check whether your iPhone is a "contract phone" and whether it is "unlocked." If you don't mind the camera shutter sound, you can buy the Japanese version directly.

If you don't want to switch sides and want to stick to the Android camp, you can also look for Japanese version phones. Since I haven't picked up foreign trash for a long time, I won't waste words on that.

Finally, I want to reiterate: for a significant expense like buying a phone, everyone should think twice. If your current phone supports Japanese signals, there's really no need to buy a backup phone.

Additionally, here's a friendly reminder: "physically" bypassing the "wall" will truly expose you to a whole new world, but always remember: "outside the wall" is not a lawless land; we have a "powerful" country behind us.

Software Installation#

Streamlined: Check in advance whether your phone can install GMS (Google Mobile Services). iOS users can prepare a Japanese Apple ID.

iOS#

First, for iOS, if you previously registered an Apple ID through "official" channels, you may not be able to install: LINE, Amazon Shopping App, Uma Musume Pretty Derby (seems like I mixed in something strange, haha).

You need to go to the real Apple official website to register a new Apple ID: https://appleid.apple.com/account (select Japan for COUNTRY / REGION, and you can use your domestic phone number) and then switch the APP Store account to this new account. (The process of switching to this new account may require a VPN; please find a way to solve this or wait until you arrive in Japan to switch.)

For iOS, simply registering a new Apple ID upon arriving in Japan should not be a problem. Android is a bit more complicated.

Android#

Most apps abroad can only be installed through the Google Play Store, which requires a Google account. If you don't have one, just open Google's official website to register. However, the Google Play Store also requires the phone to support GMS (Google Mobile Services).

Most domestic Android phones need to manually install GMS (VPN + GMS installation tool); a small number of models are locked by manufacturers and cannot install GMS (usually older devices); and most new Huawei models in recent years cannot install GMS due to direct targeting by Google, and there seems to be no universal method available online. (But regardless, everyone should try to install GMS; otherwise, downloading an app abroad can be really troublesome.)

If you really can't install GMS, you can go to third-party websites like APKPure to download the installation package and install it manually (many phones will pop up risk warnings for installations initiated outside of app stores, but in the absence of GMS, this relatively less secure method is the only option).

Here are a few apps I personally installed on my phone in advance (mainly to avoid consuming data downloading them after arriving):

Google Maps (115M)
Recommendation: This is my first time in Tokyo, haha.

Yahoo! Transit (73M)
Recommendation: An app designed specifically for transportation, with more reasonable recommended routes (similar apps: Transit NAVITIME · Transit Guide).

LINE (280M)
Installation Reason: Equivalent to WeChat in Japan (I successfully registered using my domestic phone number, but I couldn't use payment-related functions (credit card and LINE Pay), so it's advisable to register an account after obtaining a Japanese phone number).

Disaster Prevention Alert (14M)
Recommendation: Similar to a weather forecast, it also includes "earthquake warnings" (wow!).

TVer (27M)
Recommendation: Live broadcasts of Japanese TV programs. Completely free, so you can only watch programs from the past week. You don't need to download the app; the web version is also quite usable https://tver.jp/. (I mainly use it because I can watch "Detective Conan" two hours earlier than in China.)

Cookpad · Cooking is Kurashiru:
Recommendation: Eating out can be quite expensive, but after buying ingredients and seasonings at the supermarket, you might find yourself unsure how to prepare them. (...you can eat without a head, haha), you can check in advance how Japanese people cook.

PrintMash or 7-Eleven Multicopy
For printing documents at convenience stores.

Paypay
Equivalent to Alipay in Japan, requires a Japanese phone number to use. If you don't have a My Number Card, just take cash to the convenience store to recharge.

Additionally, sharing the installation package; if you don't have a VPN, just use the link below:
https://www.123pan.com/s/iGz0Vv-kGHVh.html

Bank Card#

Supplement: Actual Experience Using Credit Cards#

First, the conclusion: It's not necessary, but having one will make things much more convenient in Japan.

If you have three cards, you can basically experience the same "no need to carry a wallet when going out" experience as in China.

As for why I say three cards, here’s a detailed explanation.

Based on the card organization and issuing location indicated on the card, credit cards can be divided into three categories:

Among them, the last type has the widest range of use but is also the most difficult to obtain: it requires not only a Japanese phone card and a Japanese bank card but also various inexplicable hidden review conditions (for example... you must have lived in Japan for at least six months). It's likely that most people do not have the last type of card (I don't either, haha), so the focus will be on the first two types below.

First, let's talk about the first type: UnionPay credit card. The first two digits of this card are definitely 62. If you previously applied for a credit card with the first two digits as 62 for spending in Japan, be sure to observe whether the store has a UnionPay logo when buying things offline; if not, it probably won't work. Additionally, after binding this type of card in Apple Pay's "Wallet" app, even if you are in China, you can directly apply for a Suica card without a VPN, allowing you to enter the subway in Japan without buying a ticket, just swipe your card to enter. Moreover, many offline stores support Suica cards. (The Suica card mentioned in the table refers to the app; you cannot apply for a commuter pass in Apple Pay, only in the Suica app, but the Suica app does not support all cards from China. I encountered a white screen issue when binding two cards.)

Now, let's talk about the second type: MasterCard/VISA/JCB credit cards issued in China. These three types of cards are often supported in offline stores, and there is no significant difference. Just remember to read the instructions carefully and enable the relevant settings before use. (For Bank of China, you need to enable these two settings in the app: overseas payment and no-password payment.)

Preparations#

When you first arrive in Japan, you may only be able to apply for a card at "Japan Post Bank," but the problem is that the card you get can basically only be used for cash withdrawals and cannot be used for online shopping or card payments in Japan, nor can it be linked to Apple Pay and PayPay, and it cannot be used to pay utility bills (it can be used to pay, but it incurs a fee each time, which is a bit excessive).

In China, the bank card received when opening a bank account is issued in the form of a debit card, which can be used for card shopping and other operations. In Japan, while the account is equivalent to a bank account, the card associated with the account, "キャッシュカード (Cash Card)," cannot be used for card shopping and other payment actions; it can only be used for deposits and withdrawals at ATMs. This means that Japan's accounts separate the functions of bank cards commonly found in China into two parts: deposits and withdrawals, and card payments. Therefore, if you want to shop with a bank card like in China, you also need to apply for a debit card "デビットカード (Debit Card)" linked to the account. This debit card cannot be recognized by ATMs and can only be used for consumption, not for deposits and withdrawals at ATMs or other terminals.

This is why people say "credit cards are very important in Japan." However, the awkward part is that it is not easy to obtain a credit card issued by a Japanese bank when you first arrive in Japan. I have experienced this firsthand: I applied for credit cards from five different banks within a month of arriving in Japan, and all were rejected.

But there's no need to panic because we have the following countermeasures:

• Prepare Japanese yen in cash in advance.
  • The four major banks all have foreign currency exchange services, but you generally need to make an appointment in the app in advance.
  • Note that exchanges are based on real-time exchange rates; you can check recent rates before making an appointment.
  • Chinese customs regulations state that amounts exceeding 5000 USD need to be declared in advance (please search for specific procedures).
  • Japan requires declaration for amounts exceeding 1 million yen.
• Withdraw cash abroad.
  • Domestic UnionPay cards can withdraw yen abroad, but there are the following restrictions:
    • When using a UnionPay card to withdraw cash in Japan (abroad), each card cannot exceed 10,000 RMB per day, and all cards under the same name cannot exceed 100,000 RMB per year.
    • When withdrawing cash, the RMB in the card will be converted to yen at the real-time exchange rate.
    • The ATM for withdrawals will also have a limit (711 has a maximum of 100,000 yen).
    • Different banks charge different fees for overseas cash withdrawals.
• Apply for MasterCard, VISA, or JCB cards in China.
  • These three types of cards are backed by foreign companies, so applying for them in China may be slightly more troublesome, but once obtained, they can be used online and offline in Japan.
  • MasterCard, VISA, and JCB often have cashback promotions; if you're interested, you can research how to take advantage of capitalism (big mistake).

Here’s a brief introduction on how to apply for a credit card that can be used for card payments and online shopping in Japan (i.e., MasterCard, VISA, JCB cards). (This is not a must-have, but if you're interested, take a look.)

General process:

• First, go to a nearby Bank of China branch to open an account and apply for a regular bank card.
  • Note that this card must be a "Type I" account.
  • After obtaining it, transfer some money into it; having a deposit in Bank of China may make it easier to get approved when applying for a credit card later.
• Then download the "Bank of China Cross-Border Go" app.
  • I highly recommend getting a Bank of China card because the app supports monitoring exchange rates, allowing you to exchange for yen based on the rates (buying low) or (converting salary to RMB at peaks).
    • In the short term, exchange rate fluctuations won't be significant.
    • However, in the year I enrolled (2020), the exchange rate was at 0.07, and by the time I started working in Japan, it had dropped to 0.05. If you plan to return to China after working for a few years, converting your salary to RMB at that time may result in a small loss.
• Open the homepage's "Credit Card Application" - the three cards under "All-Currency Credit Card" are MasterCard, VISA, and JCB cards.
• Just pick one that looks good to you (big mistake).
  • Currently, applying for any of the three cards waives the annual fee and there are promotional activities.

If you mind having a "credit" card, you can also consider the "Great Wall Cross-Border International Debit Card" mentioned here.

This card has the same advantages as the Great Wall Ice and Snow Debit Card—no fees for overseas cash withdrawals (first transaction each month), and can be applied for at major bank branches nationwide. It does not count towards the number of Type I accounts, but the cross-border card can only hold foreign currency, not RMB, so readers who want to apply need to pay close attention to this. Regarding annual fees, the platinum card has an annual fee of 20 yuan, and the gold card has an annual fee of 10 yuan.

Additionally, the card I have that can be used in Japan was applied for three years ago, and I haven't researched this topic for a long time. If you have any questions, refer to the articles below:

[Updated August 8, 2023] Introduction to Cross-Border VISA/MasterCard Debit Cards and Online Payment Experience

Guide to Bank Cards and Credit Cards for Studying in Japan (Part 1)

Checked Baggage#

Shampoo and body wash can be checked in; if you haven't used them up, just bring them over...

Regarding the size of the suitcase: Prepare according to the flight's requirements. Also, make sure the weight does not exceed the flight's requirements; if you have a scale, weigh it in advance.

If the flight's requirements are as follows:

The sum of the three dimensions of the carry-on bag cannot exceed 115 cm,
The sum of the three dimensions of the checked bag cannot exceed 158 cm.

You can check here for the method of calculating suitcase size: Airline Baggage Size Requirements and Guide for Choosing Carry-On and Checked Bags (5100-word article).

Having discussed so much about the three categories, let's talk about how to prepare luggage: I referred to various flight baggage restrictions circulating online and reviewed The Most Comprehensive Guide Before Going to Japan for Studying | Essential Items, etc., and I feel there's nothing particularly noteworthy to mention, so I won't ramble on. Below are some suggestions for small items to prepare in advance.

Seal#

Japan is different from China; on important documents, they generally prefer seals over signatures. So, everyone should adapt to local customs and prepare a seal in advance.

You can find cheap seals at Japanese hundred-yen stores, but they usually carve common Japanese surnames, and foreigners generally need to have them custom-made. If you don't want to experience the craftsmanship of Japanese artisans, it's better to buy one in China. What can be solved for over 20 yuan in China might cost ten times more in Japan.

Regarding what kind of seal to buy, you can refer to the image below:

(I previously bought one for a friend studying in Japan, and he said it worked fine, but if you encounter any issues, don't come to me; I’m also a victim, haha.)

I bought two: one is 12mm (girls remember to choose 10.5mm), engraved with the character "卿，" for daily use. (When placing the order, make sure to write a note like this: "卿 + no imprint + regular script.")

The other is 15mm, engraved with "卿学童，" for formal occasions like banks. (Remember to write a note like this: "卿学童 + no imprint + ancient script.")

By the way, the regular package linked above comes with a storage box for the seal, but this box can only hold the seal; the ink pad is in a separate box. A slightly more expensive package has a so-called "PU seal box," which can hold both the seal and a small amount of ink. Opening this box and pressing the seal into the small ink box allows for easy stamping, which is quite convenient. (In formal situations, there is often ink available, but in daily life, you have to bring your own; for forgetful students, when buying a seal, consider getting the slightly more expensive one with the "PU seal box.")

Plug Adapter#

Japan's three-prong sockets are different from those in China, so it's best to prepare an adapter. However, if you have a two-prong power strip, you might not need to prepare this; you can use it in Japan as well. (Holding back tears over the three-prong power strip...)

If it's a phone or laptop charger, it will work normally in Japan, but some small appliances may not work. Japan's voltage is 100V, and phone and laptop data cables are generally marked "Input: 100-240VAC," so they can be used here; however, some small appliances are often marked "Rated Voltage: 220V," and for those, you need to buy a voltage-converting adapter. (Shrug, it's too expensive; I choose to let that small appliance gather dust, haha.)

Once again, I declare: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any purchasing advice. I am not responsible for any quality issues or economic losses that may arise, haha.

Finally, I wish all the students reading this article a smooth working experience in Japan!