~ MOBILE PHONE IN JAPAN ~
Just wonderin what everyone does/uses to keep in contact with each other whilst in Japan?????
I know that some use things Viber/SKYPE, but I’m not sure that’s what I want?????
I have found this Company for SIM Card Rental >>>> Global Advanced Communications, and their prices seem reasonable!!!!!
What have you guys come across?????
post any of your findings in here for others to share!!!!! 
I’ve looked into this briefly before.
Here’s a few more options (both sim and pocket wifi) for you to look over.
http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/english/
http://www.econnectjapan.com/
http://globaladvancedcomm.com/simrent.html
http://www.jcrcorp.com/
http://www.pupuru.com/en/service/emobile/index3.html
http://www.exseli.com/rental/cat/20/entry/1872
http://www.rentafonejapan.com/Mobile-Internet.html
Strongly recommend this guys http://www.travelsim.net.au/ used it when I was in Japan and USA
I might be wrong, but that one looks like a dearer option, Lano?????
And you’ve linked the same one as the one that I was lookin at DRC!!!!!
But I will def compare the others that you’ve linked!!!!!
I’ve looked into this briefly before.
Here’s a few more options (both sim and pocket wifi) for you to look over.
http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/english/ DATA ONLY
http://www.econnectjapan.com/ DATA ONLY
http://globaladvancedcomm.com/simrent.html THE ONE THAT I HAD LINKED ABOVE ~ HAS UNLT’D DATA + 1000Y worth of calls/sms
http://www.jcrcorp.com/ DATA ONLY & EXPENSIVE
http://www.pupuru.com/en/service/emobile/index3.html EITHER DATA OR Calls - Dearer than Global
http://www.exseli.com/rental/cat/20/entry/1872 ONLY POCKET WiFi
http://www.rentafonejapan.com/Mobile-Internet.html CALLS BUT NO DATA
After a quick look see, and doin my head in, Global is lookin like it will suit me the best so far?????
I want Calls/SMS/Data would be cool but not a must, as I can just use hotspots!!!!!
So far it works out at 13,040jpy for 28 days, includes unltd data, and 1000jpy worth of calls/sms per day, charged at 24JPY/Min to domestic land-line, 39JPY/Min to domestic mobile SMS 3.1JPY/message!!!!!
If ya come across anymore, let us know?????
Yes I was aware of that but figured I’d just post one long list for future reference as it’s a good question! 
The first 3 in the list seem to the ones that most people went with.
At this stage I still think I’ll go with the trusty Skype/Viber combination via WIFI. I will need to call my accommodation from Nagano station to let them know when to pick me up but figure I can find a payphone for that. I will need to research how to actually use one though as I didn’t have much luck last trip on the one time I needed one to call the travel insurance company (went and found a wifi hotspot and used skype)
Edit: Just noticed your new post. Is there any reason you don’t want data only? I’ll keep an eye out and let you know if I come across any other options for you.
Yeah, seein as it’s Myself and Mrs Mizu (Along with catchin up with the Ullr Boys in Nis for a few days), I wanna be able to keep in contact with Mrs Miz, when she decides to go shopping if I’m still playin in the pow/drinkin beers etc etc!!!!!
I HATE the old “meet me here at _____ “!!!!! I’m on holidays, and the only schedule I put up with is transport!!!!! (Cause I have no other option) 
But yeah, if ya come across somethin suitable, that would be sweet!!!!!
*And yeah, there is no info available anywhere about this!!!!! Couldn’t find any about Whistler when I went there either!!!!! Even a lot of the locals didn’t know the best options there!!!!! I only lucked out there when I refused to pay what ROGERS wanted to charge, and stumbled across BELL down the bottom of town, and went with them!!!!!
Yeah I agree it definitely sounds like some form of contact will be good for you.
I’m still not sure why you can’t go for a data only sim though?
I’ve only had a very brief look then at your criteria and take
bmobile 28 days = 7960 * 2 (for mrs mizus sim) = 15920yen
vs
econnect 4100 * 2 = 8200yen (but only 1gb each but if you are just calling and messaging this should be fine)
vs
global advance 13040 * 2 = 26080yen so 10160yen more vs bmobile or 17880yen more than econnect .
What am I missing as I’m sure you’ve looked into this?
How do I send sms/call her with a Data only Sim?????
How do I send sms/call her with a Data only Sim?????
Skype/Viber/imessage/whatsapp etc on each of your phones will cover all of your mesagging/calling/video calling needs. A data only sim is effectively like being permantly connected to Wifi.
Take into account that I have never even used Viber/SKYPE before!!!!!
Do they send a push notification of attempted contact or somethin?????
In that case DATA only will be sweet!!!!!
How do I send sms/call her with a Data only Sim?????
Skype/Viber/imessage/whatsapp etc on each of your phones will cover all of your mesagging/calling/video calling needs.
What’s the best to use????? Closest to SMS style of contact?????
Take into account that I have never even used Viber/SKYPE before!!!!!
Do they send a push notification of attempted contact or somethin?????
In that case DATA only will be sweet!!!!!
Sure do!
Have a play with it tonight. Install them onto both of your phones. Disable cellular data (leave wifi on) and message/call each other until your hearts content.
How do I send sms/call her with a Data only Sim?????
Skype/Viber/imessage/whatsapp etc on each of your phones will cover all of your mesagging/calling/video calling needs.
What’s the best to use????? Closest to SMS style of contact?????
Can’t speak for iPhones but in my experience Viber best represents a standard phone environment i.e you don’t need to have any app running, messages pop up on your screen, make and receive calls like normal.
Where Skype comes into play is you can purchase credits and call standard land lines/mobiles without viber installed for very cheap rates. For this reason I recommended using a combination of both of the apps i.e Viber 99% of the time, Skype for emergency calls.
Well now we know what Mizu and Mrs Mzu will be doing tonight 
Well now we know what Mizu and Mrs Mzu will be doing tonight
Do not want to see any of the front facing camera footage! 
So where do I send my 10000yen invoice for technical support?