Using the iPhone in Japan (international questions)

So im going to be going to Japan for a week or so (March 21-30) and im still having doubts if I should take my phone or not.

I dont wanna come back with a $500 phone bill hahaha.

Now, ive done some homework (not a completely clueless post )

Roaming is $2.29/minute or $1.69 if you pay for a $5 international plan.

Now for Data, they have some kind of plan where its like $24.99 for 25MB or $55 for 50MB.

Text message is also $.50/txt (for sending or receiving) and $1.30 for picture or video.....<<<yea...

Now, the phone constantly checks for emails and I can just turn that feature off and just check @ Wi-fi hot spots.

Am I missing anything? Anything else people know that I dont know?

skubish said:

It will not work in Japan period. I have been to Japan twice since the iPhone launch. There is no available GSM network in the major cities (Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Tokyo).

There is no SIM card you can buy that will work.

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Well that settles that. Im going to be in Tokyo, Osaka and maybe Chibi.

So if I take it there, I wont be getting hit with any form of roaming because the phone does not work correctly? And so that means, I can just use it as a PDA in Wifi spots correct?

Also, if you dont mind, when you were there, what did you do for a phone? Rent from the airport? if so, what were the costs like or what are other options as ive never been

Edit: are you also 100% sure on this fact? Reason I ask is, the AT&T site makes it seem like the iPhone should work there...

thank you very much for this information. So just to make sure I understand correctly, then I can just use my Wifi and atleast have access to the web and mail and such and I wont be getting hit with any fee's because there is no signal.

Awesome.

I swear, if they announce a 3G phone the day I leave lol

skubish said:

You have to worry about roaming charges as long as you have Data Roaming turned off. (it is by default)

Go to Settings>General>Network to check

It won't matter anyway in Japan because you won't have a signal but just remember for other countries (like Canada).

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really appreciate the info man. Helps alot with my planning