Calling from Japan to USA - Need a calling card recommendation
Fri 2011/04/15 13:11 JST
I need some advice about which card to get and where to get it so that I can call the USA when I'm in Japan. Can anyone advise me on this? Thanks.
If calling the USA, don' buy the one that says Mexico. Look for a good price and most air time. But I'd say the last one on the right.
Generally speaking, unless any of those cards have a Japanese local number to use, none of them will work. Your best bet is to get a traveller's SIM card (if your GSM phone is unlocked), or buy a prepaid SIM when you're in Japan; I'm sure that you'll find one at the airport.
I don't have a cellphone so I'll have to depend on a local phone. I've heard about renting phones in Japan but didn't think you could use them for long distance.
you can always use Skype
skype would be easiest, can call any number and rates are better then most phone cards.
Yeah, this is the best idea if he has a laptop and is somewhere with Internet access, or in a net café with Skype installed.
I assume he does since he is able to make this post~
The picture looks like it's from an American convenience store, so it depends whether he's posting this picture from a laptop or a desktop. =P
you can use skype's calling feature with either thou :P (just need a external cam and mic)
and that picture sure have alot of phone cards advertising calls to mexico~~
Oh, I'm agreeing that Skype is his best option as long as he has a laptop, a microphone, and an Internet connection. =) He hasn't said whether he has a laptop though, and lugging around a desktop while travelling in Japan seems weird. =P
an iphone with international roaming on xD costing a fair bit
I do have a laptop with me but Skype wont work as I'm calling home to reassure mom I'm OK and she don't do computers.
Not an option as I will be calling my mother who is totally PC illiterate. Gotta keep her calm so she wont worry during my trip to a "nuclear wasteland". LOL
Thanks for the feedback but what I really need is some sort of prepaid card to call the US from Japan. The phone rental thing might work but I thought it was strictly for Japan and not long distance so I have to check that out.
skype calling service, the other person does not need PC (or laptop)
because you are using it as a phone and calling cell/land line
Didn't know that. Always thought you needed two PCs. Gotta look into this some more. Thanks.
Depending on where you're staying. Where I stayed, I was able to purchase a phone card at the hostel, etc. If you ask a convenient store worker or the place you're staying at. I'm sure they are more than willing to help.
That's my main plan, just hope the person at the combini speaks enough English to understand me. LOL
haha I'm sure u will be fine;) I think I bought a overseas card at a vending machine (but somehow didn't work>.>)
I think the best bet, maybe the place where you stay;) since they probably get this question asked.
good luck with it!
Your best bet would probably be to buy a phone card from a convenience store (see Suteki's comment above), which you can add money onto. Using public phones in Japan is no problem, but for long distance calls just make sure you use a phone which is suitable.
You can purchase Skype Credit to make calls from Skype to normal telephone. If you are using smart phones like Android, iPhone. Skype have apps for them. You just need a local data plan or a Wifi connection to make the call or SMS.
http://www.skype.com/intl/en/prices/skype-credit/