Well, even if you work out the cost for the monthly 1GB limit prepaid, it's still cheaper than any other methods to get mobile data (eg Intl data roaming or getting one of those mobile wifi hotspot thingy). So, unless you're here for just 1-2 days, getting this B-mobile prepaid Data SIM is my recommendation.

DoCoMo Sharp phone? Which model? http://k-tai.sharp.co.jp/lineup/d/
But anyway, with DoCoMo; I don't think you can get just the phone itself.
Also, it'll be quite pointless since most of the functions & services are for the Japan market & network only.

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Added on February 14, 2012, 10:56 amI tried it before for 1 day so here's my 2 cents worth-

1. Season
I went to Kyoto during the summer holiday and it was HOT. So... hot weather plus cycling doesn't go together. (Imagine cycling around KL city in our weather ) I guess if you're not going there during the summer season then it might not be that bad.

2. Costs
I can't remember how much it costs me to rent the bicycle but I think it was definitely more than 1000 yen / day.
The one day bus pass that covers the entire Kyoto city is only 500 yen.
In this sense, if you have more time in your hands; it might make more sense to buy the day-pass ticket and then plan your itinerary based on the bus route and schedule.

3. Convenience
Cycling around from one spot to the next is more convenient and in most cases, faster as you can cut through the smaller roads.
However, you cannot simply park your bicycle anywhere and yes, you also sometimes need to pay for the parking.
So, while it's convenient that you don't need to walk to the bus stops and wait for the bus, you'll need to worry about other stuffs.

4. Hidden parts of Kyoto
One of the biggest advantage when you cycle is that you''re going through some of the smaller roads and also alleys whereby the bus route won't cover. So, this gives a nice perspective on the city and it is also very unique.

This post has been edited by PsyCHZZZ: Feb 14 2012, 10:56 AM

The Japan god must hate me much for some reason, as this is my 2nd Kansai trip, n its full of rain n fail ;__;
Today im off to Hiroshima...

Winter mah.....if the temp are cold enough...the Rain will became snow. If you arrive Kansai Area 2 more week earlier then you will saw the snow falling.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Feb 15 2012, 04:25 PM

Just to confirm.
We can just register this online, right?
Or we can get it at their convenience store at Japan?
Price at 2980yen nett?

Why dont try SOFTBANK? any news update?
look for GaijinPot ads.....but beware hehehe

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Added on February 16, 2012, 1:02 amu hav too..with ther gaijin too....yup when I was...The Only Malaysian! You can check with y previous posted with evidence..You can ask Musha too heheheh....(when i was la hehehe)

This post has been edited by tanoshi: Feb 16 2012, 01:02 AM

Hey Tanoshi its been awhile! How have you been?

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Added on February 16, 2012, 1:26 amHey Nasizwan its been awhile, how's Japan treating you? Btw about the modelling job, Yup boleh kaya hehe...my friend made 50,000 over just by participating in a fashion show. 50,000yen for a one time job, life is sweet...but u gotta find an agent first, I'm sure your wife can help you with that

Btw, I've been here for 5 years, never registered with MSAJ, the Malaysian Students Association Japan and I've been doing just fine...but its good to know some Malaysians though in case of anything. But wouldn't be a problem at all even if you don't register with them, I think.

This post has been edited by ifana: Feb 16 2012, 01:26 AM

Looking for SH-10C. Don't mind about the functions, just want a unique keitai


Will keep an eye, arigato~


iknowthatfeelbro.jpg

hi, I need advice for going trip to Japan this Jun...

Muslims Family trip, 5 adults 2 kids (10 & 8 years old)..

we are planning to visit mainly Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studio Japan, and Akihabara..and Halal food..

This post has been edited by xEDynamics: Feb 16 2012, 11:39 AM

You need to done your Visa First....most important.

Because you want to go Universal Studio....so you need travel between Tokyo and Osaka....you need JR Rail Pass also.

How to get Visa and Jr Rail Pass....I won't told you here.....You must do the Homework.....

After done this 2 ......Then you can Post your Trip Plan here. From 1st day until last day..

We will do the adjustment for you to get the best journey in most time saving.



I sense your Trip going to used more than RM10k

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Feb 16 2012, 12:00 PM

Muslim food is actually quite easy to find in Tokyo. Go to Shinokubo (新大久保）and you will find lots of halal shops selling uncooked halal beef, chicken, mutton in case you are thinking of cooking over here. And there are plenty of halal indian restaurants you can go to. Halal Malaysian restaurants too.

you can try reading these :

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2034076/+100

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2034076/+140

There's a list of food that we can't eat and list of halal restaurants Hope this is useful for you. Enjoy!

I will going for osaka for 7 days. i believe my htc phone definitely wont work with the sim card there. so i do some little survey and i 'm looking at this Boing hotspot subscription (http://boingo.jiwire.com). do you all think worth it for me? or it there got any cheaper and worth prepaid line?

Do we really need to show them our bank statement now when we apply for the visa to travel to Japan?

Edit:
Do we also need to show them our employment letter?
Do we also need to show them our passport when applying for visa as my family and I are working in Singapore.

As this question is related with the above poster, hanhan:

What are the cheap accommodation in Osaka.
Is the budget hotel there are in good rate?
My family are going to Osaka in 17 Nov to 23 Nov this year as we have book our ticket from Air Asia yesterday.

We are first time traveller to Japan, so are there anyone who are going to Osaka on this date. Let me know so that we can together as some of you all are familiar with Osaka.

This post has been edited by Cho_Hakkai: Feb 16 2012, 02:12 PM

You should be able to purchase it online from the website.
They'll deliver it to an address in Japan and you can specify the delivery date and time.

The only thing is that I remember they need you to activate the SIM card using another mobile phone or landline.
But they have all the instructions in english so it should be easy to understand.

For the 1GB prepaid SIM (at full speed 14Mbps) it's 3,480円.
The 2,980円 one is for the unlimited data SIM but the speed is capped at 300Kbps.

I'm going on this march. i also first time going to osaka. as for the cheap accommodation. try to look throught those online booking website, agoda.com , sometime they may have a good offer there.

Thanks for the info...

planning to stay for 5-6 days,

from KL --> Tokyo (Disneyland), Akihabara, Kyoto --> Osaka (Universal Studio) --> back to KL

Thank for the links

This post has been edited by xEDynamics: Feb 16 2012, 03:15 PM

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Added on February 16, 2012, 3:41 pmGoing by Air Asia?

If Yes.

You Lost one day at Flight already and Lost another Day back to Malaysia.

6 Days trip means you actually in Japan just 4 days ....plan wisely.

You can set 2 day at Tokyo , half day at Kyoto , 1 and half Day at Osaka .....back to Tokyo for another 1 day. Then Back Malaysia

Air Asia to Japan biggest weakness are arrive Haneda around 10:30Pm - 11Pm. It was so late. The Tokyo Public transport are going to stop operation. (you will miss the last train if you didn't do much homework)

How to go Tokyo City if I arrive Late?

Please PM a guy call Stimix......he will teach you.

Still Most important thing are JR Rail Pass......




This post has been edited by RegentCid: Feb 16 2012, 03:41 PM

Thanks, RegentCid for the infomation.

My family travel plan.
Travel: 17 Nov to 23 Nov 2012.

Plan: Kl --> Osaka --> Tokyo --> Osaka --> KL
We plan to stay in Tokyo for 2 days and Osaka for 4 days. Maybe when we arrive at Osaka Airport, we plan to take the bullet train to Tokyo and stay there for 2 days.
What is the recommended plan for us.

Is there any those original Japan home stay type? Those sleep on floor & those wooden house type?

That is the rough plan for us as this is the first time we all go to Japan.

hi senpai's...

frantically booked KUL-HANEDA from AirAsia because of special promotion just now. dirt cheap @ RM700+ return with all the food and services.

then it hit me, I FORGOT ABOUT THE VISA!!! problem is I live in Kuching, Sarawak where no Japanese Embassy nearby. I need to fly to KL to submit, then fly another time to get the VISA after approval...stupid me..

I've been in Japan 2 times already in the last 4 years (Hokkaido), both times the travel agent kaotim the VISA for me.

This time, if I have to spend 2 trips to KL just to get my VISA, i hafto break my bank...frustrated now

any advice? any East Malaysians manage to apply VISA without having to physically fly to KL Japan's embassy? kindly share....thanks.

get a trusted travel agent to do it for you. just pay them for some fees and you will get your visa easily. my friend from miri applied through Brunei if not mistaken. all done by travel agent.

I think i can ask the hotel staff to activate it for me.
Wow! Unlimited data seems more seductive.
Thanks for info!