卿少納言

Reminder: Shopping comes with risks, purchase with caution.

There are many tutorials online, but most are from the perspective of "studying abroad" and "traveling." This article discusses 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. Websites can be accessed 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 might be no signal in some indoor places like supermarkets or restaurants, but this doesn't happen often, and such places usually provide WiFi.

If you want to get this card after arriving in Japan, you need to submit a photo of your "resident card" and "status of residence 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 then 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 will be 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 called in case of special delivery situations. It's recommended not to leave your number from your home country, but rather a local acquaintance's number in Japan.)

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

For a quick suggestion: Go to CMLink and buy a "data-only SIM 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 get a SIM card, the staff: Please provide a bank card.
Looking for the staff to get a bank card: Please provide a SIM card.

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

1. You can also buy usable cards in Japan on Taobao and Alipay, but the quality varies. While CMLink's reputation isn't great either, complaints mainly focus on signal and speed limits (which don't seem too bad, and it's likely that the phone model causes the poor signal).
   1. CMLink's "data-only SIM card" offers 15GB for 30 days at a price of 2200 yen (including tax), which is roughly the same price as this specification on Taobao.
      1. This type of card is a common data card/internet card found on Taobao. Note that this card cannot be used to register accounts because it doesn't have a phone number.
      2. The international roaming price for China Telecom in Japan is 23.75 yuan/day, claiming to be unlimited, but the official website states here "2. From now until March 31, 2023, high-speed data in Macao, 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, with speed limits 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 of 4000 yen comes with 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 adds an extra 800 yen to the monthly fee).
2. You can apply for it in 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 will 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 immediately after landing.
4. If you apply for a "data-only SIM card," it will become invalid after 30 days without renewal, and the "voice data card" can also be canceled at any time (although you may be forced to pay for one month's usage, but this seems to happen when cancellation is submitted at the beginning of the month).

Disadvantages:

1. Compared to the "budget cards" that can only be applied for in Japan, it's not very cost-effective.
2. Many people online complain about "poor signal" and speed limit issues.
   1. Speed limit: After exceeding the plan, the speed is limited to 128 kb.
3. Compared to domestic plans, it is indeed expensive, but it's still reasonable; phone costs in Japan are relatively high, so once you confirm your residence, you might consider getting broadband Complete Summary of Methods and Costs for Getting Broadband WiFi in Japan | Living in Japan Guide.

Mobile Phone#

Quick tip: 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 the complicated installation of GMS, but using APKPure isn't too problematic.

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

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

If you don't mind second-hand, you can check out Akihabara. You don't need to enter a building; 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 get a SIM card, I recommend considering Rakuten Mobile: the monthly fee for just getting a card is 2000 yen (not including the phone, note that this price does not include the phone), which is not much different from CMLink. (Also, a reminder: the phone is not free; it's included in the monthly bill, and if you don't have a Rakuten card, it will 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 get it done in the store, but it's a big deal if the store doesn't have your preferred color of iPhone. (Reminder: You need a Rakuten account to make an appointment, 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 an Apple Store (laughs), or simply order from the official website and pick it up in-store.

Tip: Looking solely at the prices on the Chinese and Japanese Apple websites, buying in Japan is indeed cheaper, but the third-party platforms in China are incredibly 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; it seems that only when the exchange rate drops to 3.9 will the Japanese official website dare to claim it's the lowest price online (big misunderstanding).

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 the local carrier's network service.
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 there isn't much discussion about the second point.

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 on this aspect is also very vague and does not provide specific supported models.

I recommend checking this website https://www.kimovil.com/en/compare-smartphones (note to enter the English model of the phone; 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 used both of the above phones in Japan for a few days, and I felt there was no significant difference between the iPhone and Xiaomi.

Android phones generally support only a small portion of the signals, so among those online complaining about "XX carrier's poor signal," half of them might actually have phones that don't support the frequency bands.

Backup Phone#

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

(This is 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 still meet daily needs in 2023. However, as is traditional with SE models, 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 found in the second-hand market for around 1000 yen for a 4+128G configuration in like-new condition.

However, if you haven't paid tuition in the second-hand market before, it's better to buy a device with official certification on "Zhuanzhuan." Of course, the price will be slightly higher. Regardless of which method you choose, make 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 junk for a long time, I won't waste words on that.

Lastly, I want to reiterate: for a significant expense like buying a phone, everyone should think carefully. If your 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 indeed 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#

Quick tip: 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 (I seem to have 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 yourself, or you can wait until you arrive in Japan to switch.)

For iOS, simply re-register an Apple ID upon arriving in Japan, and there won't be any issues. 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 go to Google's official website to register. However, the Google Play Store also requires your 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 of Huawei's new models in recent years cannot install GMS due to direct targeting by Google, and there doesn't seem to be a universal method available online. (But regardless, everyone should try to install GMS; otherwise, downloading an app abroad will be very troublesome.)

If you really cannot 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 installation, this relatively less secure method is the only option).

Below 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: It's my first time in Tokyo, haha.

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

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

Disaster Prevention Alerts (14M)
Recommendation: Similar to weather forecasts, plus "earthquake warnings" (surprise!).

TVer (27M)
Recommendation: Live broadcasts of Japanese TV programs. Completely free, so you can only watch programs from the past week. You don't have to download the app; the web version works well too: https://tver.jp/. (I mainly watch it here to see "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 you don't know how to prepare them. (...you can eat anything if you remove the head, haha), you can check in advance how Japanese people cook.

PrintMash or 7-Eleven Multi-copy
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, 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 a must, 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.

According to the card organization and issuing location marked on the card, credit cards can be divided into three categories:

Among these, the last type has the widest usage range but is also the hardest to obtain: it requires not only a Japanese phone card and Japanese bank card but also various inexplicable hidden review conditions (for example... needing to have lived in Japan for six months), so most people probably don't have the last type of card (I don't either, haha), so the focus will be on the first two types below.

First, the first type: UnionPay credit card. The first two digits of this card must be 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're in China, you can directly apply for a Suica card without needing a VPN, allowing you to ride the subway in Japan without buying a ticket, just swipe your card to enter. Many offline stores also support Suica. (The Suica card mentioned in the table refers to the app; you cannot apply for a regular ticket in Apple Pay, only in the Suica app. However, the Suica app does not support all cards from China; I encountered a white screen issue when binding two cards.)

Next, the second type: Mastercard/VISA/JCB credit cards issued in China. These three types of cards are often supported in offline stores, with no significant differences. 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 payments and no-password payments.)

Preparations#

Upon arriving 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, not for online shopping or card payments in Japan, nor can it be linked to Apple Pay or Paypay, and it cannot be used to pay for utilities (though it can be used for that, but the handling fee 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 have separated the functions of bank cards commonly found in China into two parts: deposits/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 your account. This debit card cannot be recognized by ATMs and can only be used for purchases, not for deposits or withdrawals at ATMs.

This is also why people online say "credit cards are very important in Japan." However, the awkward part is that it's not easy to obtain a credit card issued by a Japanese bank when you first arrive in Japan. I personally experienced this: within a month of arriving in Japan, I applied for credit cards from five different banks, 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 the exchange is based on the real-time exchange rate; you can check the recent rates before making an appointment.
  • Chinese customs regulations require that amounts exceeding 5000 USD must be declared in advance (please search for the specific process).
  • Japan requires declaration for amounts exceeding 1 million yen.
• Withdraw cash abroad.
  • Domestic UnionPay cards can withdraw yen abroad, but there are some 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.
    • The cash will be exchanged from RMB to yen at the real-time exchange rate during withdrawal.
    • The ATM for withdrawal will also have a limit (711 has a maximum of 100,000 yen).
    • Different banks charge different fees for overseas 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 can be a bit 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 misunderstanding).

Below is a brief introduction on how to apply for a credit card that can be used for purchases and online shopping in Japan (i.e., Mastercard, VISA, JCB cards). (This is not a must-have item; just take a look if you're interested.)

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 the account; this may make it easier to get approved for a credit card later due to having savings in Bank of China.
• 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 (buy low) or convert your salary into RMB at peak rates.
    • In the short term, exchange rate fluctuations won't be significant.
    • However, in the year I enrolled (2020), the exchange rate was 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 a few years of work, converting your salary into 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 choose a card that you find visually appealing (big misunderstanding).
  • Currently, applying for any of the three cards waives the annual fee, and there are promotional activities available.

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

This card shares 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 banks nationwide. It does not count against the number of Type I accounts, but the cross-border card can only hold foreign currency and cannot hold RMB. Readers who wish to apply should pay close attention to this point. 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 obtained three years ago, and I haven't researched this topic in 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 along...

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

If the flight 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 Luggage 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 your luggage: I referred to various flight luggage restrictions circulating online and reviewed The Most Comprehensive Guide to Studying in Japan Before Departure | Essential Items, etc., and I feel there's not much worth mentioning, so I won't ramble on. Below are some suggestions for small items to prepare in advance.

Seal#

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

You can find cheap seals at Japanese 100-yen shops, but they usually sell seals with common Japanese surnames, and foreigners typically need to have them custom carved. 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 just over 20 yuan in China may 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 issues, don't come to me; I'm also a victim, haha.)

I bought two: one is 12mm (girls should 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. The slightly more expensive package includes 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 will often be ink pads available, but in daily life, you'll have to bring your own supplies. For those who tend to be forgetful, consider buying the slightly more expensive option 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; it can be used in Japan as well (holding back tears from the pain of three-prong power strips...).

If it's a charger for a phone or computer, it will work normally in Japan, but some small appliances may not. Japan's voltage is 100V, and phone and computer data cables are generally marked as "Input: 100-240VAC," so they will work when you arrive. However, some small appliances are often marked as "Rated Voltage: 220V," so you'll need to buy a voltage-converting plug adapter for those. (Shrugging, it's too expensive; I'll let that small appliance gather dust, haha.)

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

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