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 between 12 PM - 1 PM and 9 PM - 10 PM), it works well; websites can be accessed normally, and watching 360p YouTube videos is generally smooth. From my observation, in terms of price and data, CMLink is on par with the budget cards I 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 get this card after arriving in Japan, you need to submit a photo of your "Resident Card" and "Residence Certificate." In other words, after registering at the ward office in Japan, you can apply for this card. Generally, you will receive an email notification of approval by noon the next day, and it will be delivered to your home about a day later.

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 "Delivery 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 delivery issues. It is advisable not to leave your domestic number; it's better to provide a local contact 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).

Streamlined 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.
When looking for a bank card, the staff: 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 or Alipay, but the quality varies. Although CMLink's reputation isn't great, 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" has a limit of 15GB for 30 days, priced at 2200 yen (including tax). The price for this specification on Taobao is also not much different.
      1. This type of card is a data card/internet card commonly found on Taobao. Note that this card cannot be used to register accounts because it does not 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 Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan will increase to 2GB/day; other daily roaming package destinations will have high-speed data limited to 1GB/day, with speed limits after reaching the limit."
   2. The "voice data card" is a proper phone 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 an additional network access fee of 2400 yen when applying, so the total cost is 4890 yen.
      1. The first charge is 4000 yen, with an additional 20% bonus.
      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 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 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 as soon as you land.
4. If you apply for a "data-only SIM 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 a month, 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 obtained in Japan, it is indeed not very cost-effective.
2. There are many complaints online about "poor signal" and speed limit issues.
   1. Speed limit: After exceeding the package, the speed is limited to 128 kb.
3. Compared to domestic packages, it is indeed expensive, but it's okay; phone bills in Japan are relatively high, so once you confirm your residence, you can consider getting broadband Complete Summary of Methods and Costs for Getting Broadband Wi-Fi in Japan | Living Guide to Japan.

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 problem with Huawei is that installing GMS is very troublesome, but using APKPure isn't too much of an issue.

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

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 look for one in Akihabara. You don't need to enter a building; you can see several stores on the street displaying Apple products, but I didn't pay much attention to the prices (my attention was 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 the card is 2000 yen (excluding the phone, note that this is the price excluding 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 get it done in the store, but if the store doesn’t have your preferred color of iPhone, that’s a big deal. (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 order directly from the official website and then pick it up in the 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 on certain platforms; it’s estimated that only if the exchange rate drops to 3.9 will the Japanese official website dare to claim it has 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 online, but there isn't much discussion about the second point.

iPhone frequency bands generally won't have too many 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 checking 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 frequency 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 models in Japan for a few days, and I feel 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 that do not 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, and 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 with SE's traditional features, most people may not accept its screen size, especially if you want to play games on this phone; you 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 from "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 junk in 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 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 "Great Firewall" will truly expose you to a whole new world, but always remember: "the outside world" is not a lawless place; 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 official Apple website to re-register an Apple ID: https://appleid.apple.com/account (select Japan for COUNTRY / REGION; 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-registering an 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 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 models); many 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 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, 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 for transportation, offering more reasonable travel routes (similar apps: Transit NAVITIME · Transit Guide).

LINE (280M)
Reason for installation: 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, 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" here 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), so you can check in advance how Japanese people cook.

PrintMash or 7-Eleven Multi-copy
Use convenience store printing to transmit documents.

Paypay
Equivalent to Alipay in Japan; you need a Japanese phone number to use it. If you don't have a MyNumber Card, just bring 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 Credit Card Usage Experience#

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 a Japanese phone card and Japanese bank card, along with various inexplicable hidden review conditions (for example... needing to have lived in Japan for 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, the first type: UnionPay credit card. The first two digits of this card must be 62. If you previously obtained a credit card with the first two digits as 62 for spending in Japan, be sure to observe whether the store has the UnionPay logo when buying things offline; if not, it likely 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 needing a VPN. In Japan, you can take the subway without buying a ticket, just swipe your card to enter, and many offline stores support Suica. (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.)

Next, the second type: Mastercard/VISA/JCB credit cards issued in China. These three types of cards are generally 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.)

Preparation#

When you first arrive in Japan, you may only be able to go to "Japan Post Bank" to apply for a card, 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 or Paypay, and it cannot be used to pay for utilities (it can technically be used, but each time incurs a handling fee, 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 payments and other operations. In Japan, while the account is equivalent to a bank account, the card associated with the account, known as a "cash card," cannot be used for card payments; it can only be used for deposits and withdrawals at ATMs. This means that Japan separates the functions of a bank card commonly found in China into two parts: deposits and withdrawals versus card payments. Therefore, if you want to shop with a bank card like in China, you also need to apply for a debit card linked to the account, which cannot be recognized by ATMs and can only be used for consumption, not for deposits and withdrawals at ATMs.

This is also why people say "credit cards are very important in Japan." However, the awkward part is that it is not easy to apply for a credit card issued by a Japanese bank when you first arrive in Japan. I have personally experienced this: I applied for credit cards from five different banks within a month of arriving in Japan, and all were rejected without exception.

But there’s no need to panic, as 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 at the real-time exchange rate, so you can check the recent rates before making an appointment.
  • Chinese customs regulations require that amounts over 5000 USD must be declared in advance (please search for specific procedures yourself).
  • Japan requires declaration for amounts over 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 yuan per day, and all cards under the same name cannot exceed 100,000 yuan per year.
    • The cash will be converted 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 complicated, but once obtained, they can be used both 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).

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). (This is not a must-have item; feel free to 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, as having deposits 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 yen at the right time (buying low) or convert your salary to RMB at peak times.
    • In the short term, exchange rate fluctuations won't be too 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 a card that looks good to you (big misunderstanding).
  • Currently, all three types of cards have no annual fee and are available with promotions.

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 handling fee for overseas withdrawals (first transaction each month), and it 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. The annual fee for the platinum card is 20 yuan/year, and for the gold card, it is 10 yuan/year.

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

Bank Card and Credit Card Literacy Guide for Studying in Japan (Part 1)

Checked Baggage#

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

Regarding the size of the suitcase: prepare according to the flight requirements. Also, ensure 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 Buying Guide for 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 referenced various flight baggage restrictions found online and reviewed The Most Comprehensive Guide Before Going to Japan for Studying Abroad | Essential Items, etc., and I feel there's nothing particularly noteworthy, 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 seals over 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 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 and gave it to a friend studying in Japan. 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 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 will come 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 includes a "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 makes it quite convenient for stamping. (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; you can use it in Japan as well. (Holding back tears over the three-prong power strip...)

If it's a charger for your 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," which means you will need to buy a voltage-converting plug adapter. (Shrug, 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 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 work experience in Japan!