Japan is open to the outside world thanks to modern communication infrastructure. Find here everything you need to know about making calls abroad from Japan or accessing the Internet.

When traveling, we all enjoy sharing our experiences with family and friends back home. In Japan, you'll have no trouble communicating with the outside world and staying connected.

Making Calls in Japan

Public Telephones

Japan's telephone country code is 81. Making calls to loved ones or family from the archipelago is straightforward. Simply step into one of the telephone booths that line the streets of Tokyo or Kyoto. Insert coins or use a prepaid card, then dial the desired number. Pay attention to the phone's color: you'll find green, gray, and IC card phones. Only gray handsets and IC card phones displaying "International & Domestic Card/Coin Telephone" allow international calls. Green phones are exclusively for domestic calls.

Once inside the booth, you'll dial the foreign number. Let's say you want to contact a close friend or longtime acquaintance in France from Japan. Here's how to proceed:

· dial the international access code 00;

· followed by the French country code 33;

· then the 9-digit number of your contact in France (omit the initial 0).

To call Japan from France, it's equally simple. Follow these steps:

· enter the international access code: 00;

· followed by the country code: 81;

· then the city code (without the initial zero);

· dial the number of the person you wish to reach.

Using Your Own Smartphone in Japan

The mobile phone is a practical alternative to public telephones for contacting family in France. Japan's mobile network offers 4G coverage. French operators apply variable rates:

· the cost of a call to Japan from France ranges from €0.22 to €2.30 per minute;

· the cost of a call to France from Japan varies between €0.34 and €2.90 per minute;

· sending a text message costs €0.30 if the recipient is in Japan, but can reach €0.50 if they're in France;

· sending a multimedia message (MMS) is charged at €10.24/MB, regardless of whether you're sending from France or Japan.

The best rates are offered by Free and Orange. Rather than purchasing credit on demand, you'll get better value with the subscription plans offered by certain operators. These come in the form of SMS/call credit packages to spend within a week or month. Comparing prices is highly recommended. To use your own mobile, you must activate the "international" option no later than 48 hours before departure.

Another budget-friendly option: insert a Japanese SIM card into your phone. The main domestic operators are Vodafone, NTT DoCoMo, and KDDI. By purchasing a local card at supermarkets or kiosks, you'll receive a new number and can make calls at low cost. This is undoubtedly the best solution for making local calls in Japan and enjoying 4G at minimal expense.

Renting a Mobile Phone in Japan

Renting a Japanese mobile phone is a safe, quick, and convenient option when you don't want to use your own phone or disable your French SIM card. Many mobile operators offer this service: SoftBank, KDDI, and others. They typically have shops near international airports. Be sure to reserve your Japanese phone rental online if you want to have it ready when you arrive.

Call rates are advantageous compared to charges from European operators: incoming calls are free (€1/min with a French operator), outgoing calls cost between €1.30 and €6/min (€2.90 with a French operator). The average rental price is €3.20 per day.

Internet Access Points in Japan

During your stay in Japan, you'll easily find WiFi to stay connected with loved ones:

· free access: the majority of hotels accustomed to welcoming international guests are covered by WiFi networks. Access is free for all guests.

· purchasing a Data SIM card: a very practical option to stay connected in Japan. The card is inserted into a phone; however, it doesn't allow you to make or receive calls—it's exclusively for Internet browsing. Since it only works on Japanese networks, you should check your device's compatibility. Free up space on your phone before inserting the Data SIM card.

· Pocket wifi: a device containing a SIM/Data card connected to the Internet. The Pocket wifi acts as a web access distributor capable of supporting 10 devices. It stands out for its strong signal and excellent coverage, even in remote rural areas.

· Japan connected Free Wifi: installing this application on your tablet or smartphone costs nothing. It will detect available WiFi access points all around you.