Does Verizon have service in Japan?

Generally, most service providers including Verizon, provide you with short-term international options that you can use when you are travelling abroad. So, does this service extend to Japan when using Verizon? Let us find out.

If you are planning to spend spring in Japan, you may be wondering whether you will be able to make calls, access the internets and send and receive texts during your trip. Well, do you by any chance need to purchase anything online over the internet? Or, would you want to post a few pictures on your social media feeds to embrace the serenity and Japan’s aesthetics? Rather, how much would it really cost to have talk, data and text services when using Verizon in Japan?

Generally, Japan is known for a great number of technological innovations including high performing mobile phones and well secured mobile services. Aside from the usual call, text and email features, you would expect to find features that support GPS navigation, audio and video streaming, internet browsing and electronic public transportation passes and wallets.

In japan, the telecommunications industry is dominated by au by KDDI, Softbank and NTT docomo. These carriers provide you with a wide array of phone plans and packages for locals, residents and foreign tourists as well. In as much as these are the main mobile carriers in Japan, this doesn’t necessarily mean that other carriers such as Verizon wouldn’t work in the country.

So, yes, Verizon have service and will work seamlessly in Japan, but you would need to pay an astronomical rate of $1.99 per minute for any international calls that you make and $0.50 to send text messages to your family and friends. Another way through which you can get around this, would be to get the unlimited data package and communicate with your friends and family via web, that is, either email or other social networking sites.

So, how much would it cost you for international calls with Verizon during your trip in Japan?

Verizon has designed and developed four international plans that seamlessly cater for your texting, calling and data needs. The table below is a side-by-side comparison showing the perks and prices of each.

Is there anything you should know about Verizon’s TravelPass?

Verizon’s TravelPass would be the best phone plan for you if you are planning on going for short trips to Japan. It is quite easy to order as all you need to do is text the word ‘travel’ to 4004 and you are automatically subscribed to it. In addition, it is very convenient to use if you’re traveling to multiple countries in one trip. It also allows you to check your voicemail while in Japan. Unfortunately, you can only make calls to the U.S and Japan, your phone must be a 4G LTE world device and you have to be on a qualifying Verizon plan to access it.

When using Verizon’s TravelPass, you will only be charged for the days that you are in Japan. Once you get back home, Verizon will automatically stop billing you for any TravelPass services but they will keep it passively activated on your account.

If you would want to call any other countries while you are in Japan, you would need to either purchase a data+voice SIM card for tourists or choose a different Verizon international plan. Also, if you intend to use your phone for a lot more services aside from GPS navigation and translation, the data offered by Verizon’s TravelPass may not be enough.

Are local Data+Voice SIM Cards from Japan stores better than Verizon’s TravelPass?

If you think that you would need to use a lot more than 0.5GB per day, and you want to be able to make phone calls without using any VoIP apps such as Whatsapp, Skype or Facetime, then you can always opt for a couple SIM card companies in Japan that seem to offer similar services and at a more reasonable price when you are staying in Japan for a longer period of time, let’s say more than 7 days.

The table below offers a comparison between Verizon’s TravelPass and three of the best data/voice SIM cards that are available for any tourists in Japan.

For any phone plans that have a daily data limit, you would need to know that your overall internet speed will slow down for about 24-48 hours if you go over the limit. However, most plans that lack a data limit, maintain the internet speeds until you use up all the data.

Final Thoughts

In as much as Verizon has service in Japan and you can always subscribe to multiple international phone plans while in Japan, it is better to purchase a data+voice SIM card if you don’t plan to do so much talking but want to have a consisted safety net of having calling as an option and if you will be visiting Japan for more than a week.

FAQs

1. Can my phone work with the SIM cards in Japan?

Yes, but only if your phone is unlocked.

2. How much is international service with Japan?

It would cost you about $10 per day when you subscribe to TravelPass.