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| japan [2026/01/20 01:26] – [Anti-foreigner sentiment] particles | japan [2026/03/22 06:18] (current) – [Phone numbers for visitors] particles |
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| ==== Phone numbers for visitors ==== | ==== Phone numbers for visitors ==== |
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| If you're a visitor to Japan, you may be tempted to go down the rabbit hole and try to get a phone number that can send send/receive phone calls and SMS. In Japan, unlike some other countries (namely, the US), you need to provide photo ID to get service that includes these features. The best provider for this is [[https://www.mobal.com/|Mobal]], in my opinion. You may also consider [[https://www.hanacell.com/japan |HanaCell]], which was suggested by a friend at a suggested cost of $8 a year. | See [[jp_numbers|my article on phone numbers for visitors]]. |
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| * Mobal service is more expensive than other types of service. | |
| * If you want to use ticketing services like Lawson Ticket or e-plus, you really need to consider getting a long-term plan with Mobal, not a short-term plan. You can get a long-term plan even if you do not have a Japanese Residence Card / you're on a tourism visa. The catch is that you basically need to pay for it forever. You can downgrade to cheap plans to park your number. **I just do not suggest that you get a SIM card with a Japanese phone number unless you plan to maintain the number in the long term.** | |
| * Even if you have a Japanese phone number from Mobal, you still cannot use Mobal's service outside of the country. | |
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| It is valuable to keep a Japanese phone number, though. You can register on Yahoo! Japan and other Japanese only services and keep an account for when you're in Japan. You can also bootstrap a [[PayPay]] account without identity verification, which you can then use to buy apps and in-app purchases from the Japanese App Store. PayPay is also convenient as a QR code payment method in-general. You can pay back friends in Japan with it, and you can buy things with it, and top-up without identity verification. | |
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| Effectively, Japanese systems do not expect foreign tourists to have phone numbers that route SMS. This means that if you can do this, you can sign up for more services than you would be able to otherwise. The caveat is that it's more expensive to maintain the number, and you might find yourself in a situation where you wish you could access it outside of the country. This is currently not possible, however. | |
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| If you get a number from Mobal, due to Mobile Number Portability regulations, you can port your number to a different provider if you become a resident. | |
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| Finally, note that the process of verifying your identity will take a period of time. Usually this is 2-3 days maximum of ID verification time before your phone number will route calls and SMS. If you try to perform the registration process around a holiday or weekend, it will take longer. | |
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| **Transferring a phone number to another person is a crime in Japan, so don't do that.** | |
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| ==== Apple Accounts for visitors ==== | ==== Apple Accounts for visitors ==== |
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| * [[http://hitomidental.com/|Hitomi Dental Office]] for dental cleaning / general dentistry with English speaking service. **Japanese Health Insurance coverage accepted**. I have not used their services without Japanese health insurance. | * [[http://hitomidental.com/|Hitomi Dental Office]] for dental cleaning / general dentistry with English speaking service. **Japanese Health Insurance coverage accepted**. I have not used their services without Japanese health insurance. |
| * [[https://yaesugai-medical.com/english|Yaesugai Medical Office]] for a walk-in general practitioner. Again, I've only visited with **Japanese Health Insurance**, but the website includes instructions for easy navigation, and more practically speaking, seems to be accessible to tourists. There is a pharmacy right below the doctor's office, which can easily serve you after visiting. No appointment necessary. I believe the pharmacy below is an associated pharmacy with Sakura Pharmacy, but it's not exactly an uncommon name, so maybe? | |
| * [[https://en.tokyo-midtown.com/shop/1546/|Sakura Pharmacy Tokyo Midtown]] is great for OTC drugs, general pharmacy needs, and COVID-19 tests in English. However, there is a caveat: sometimes there is no English speaking staff available. If you're in or near Roppongi, it's worth a visit I guess if you need a pharmacy. I have not visited Tokyo Midtown Clinic, but they're in the same building, and they seem to advertise English speaking services. | * [[https://en.tokyo-midtown.com/shop/1546/|Sakura Pharmacy Tokyo Midtown]] is great for OTC drugs, general pharmacy needs, and COVID-19 tests in English. However, there is a caveat: sometimes there is no English speaking staff available. If you're in or near Roppongi, it's worth a visit I guess if you need a pharmacy. I have not visited Tokyo Midtown Clinic, but they're in the same building, and they seem to advertise English speaking services. |
| * Multiple people I've seen and trust attest to [[https://www.tokyomidtown-mc.jp/en/|Tokyo Midtown Clinic]]. I suggest calling ahead to verify your condition before visiting. | * Multiple people I've seen and trust attest to [[https://www.tokyomidtown-mc.jp/en/|Tokyo Midtown Clinic]]. I suggest calling ahead to verify your condition before visiting. |
| It is an extremely common issue to hear, particularly lately, about how Japan has a rise in anti-foreigner sentiment. I think it is important to view it in the perspective of Japanese people, and I refer you to the following videos on this topic: | It is an extremely common issue to hear, particularly lately, about how Japan has a rise in anti-foreigner sentiment. I think it is important to view it in the perspective of Japanese people, and I refer you to the following videos on this topic: |
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| | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNHR9lnGS3A|Golden Rule of Japanese Society]] |
| * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULKPS8gNk7A|On the Rise of Anti-Foreigner Sentiment in Japan]] | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULKPS8gNk7A|On the Rise of Anti-Foreigner Sentiment in Japan]] |
| * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WpkQTtHUyg|On Overtourism in Japan and the Country's New Leaders]] | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WpkQTtHUyg|On Overtourism in Japan and the Country's New Leaders]] |
| * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNHR9lnGS3A|Golden Rule of Japanese Society]] | |
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| **Q: If I visit Japan, will I be looked down upon for being a foreigner?** | **Q: If I visit Japan, will I be looked down upon for being a foreigner?** |
| The vast majority of Japanese people only care about disruptive people. There are exceptions as there are in any society. Some people are racist. But this is true in all countries. | The vast majority of Japanese people only care about disruptive people. There are exceptions as there are in any society. Some people are racist. But this is true in all countries. |
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| ==== There's no law against it ==== | ==== "There's no law against it" ==== |
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| Many societal norms in Japan exist but have no laws against breaking them. You shouldn't eat and drink convenience store food while walking. But Japanese people will always say there is no law against it, while also observing that you're walking and eating and that's not really ideal. | Many societal norms in Japan exist but have no laws against breaking them. You shouldn't eat and drink convenience store food while walking. But Japanese people will always say there is no law against it, while also observing that you're walking and eating and that's not really ideal. |
