--- title: Communications --- [ Micro Credentials ](https://www.cisabroad.com/academics/micro-credentials/?hsLang=en) Table of Contents: [How to use this guide](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/how-to-use-this-guide?hsLang=en) Before you go [Tips for booking your Flight ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/how-to-submit-your-flight-information?hsLang=en#jump) [Health & Wellness Check ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/health-check?hsLang=en#jump) [Passports, Visas, and Immigration Rules](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/requirements?hsLang=en#jump) [Packing](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/packing-tips?hsLang=en#jump) [Cellphones](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/communications?hsLang=en#jump) [Money](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/money?hsLang=en#jump) [Budget Predictor](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/budget-predictor?hsLang=en#jump) [Apply for a Micro-Credential ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/credentials?hsLang=en#jump) Program Information [Introduction](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com?hsLang=en#jump) [Staff](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/staff?hsLang=en#jump) [Communication with Staff](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/communication-with-staff?hsLang=en#jump) [Academics](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/academics?hsLang=en#jump) [Housing](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/housing?hsLang=en#jump) [CIS Abroad Activities](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/activities?hsLang=en#jump) [Arrival Instructions](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/arrival?hsLang=en#jump) [Evaluations](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/evaluations?hsLang=en#jump) Country / City Information [Cultural Differences](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/cultural-differences?hsLang=en#jump) [Diversity Abroad](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/diversity-abroad?hsLang=en#jump) [How to Move Around](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/moving-around?hsLang=en#jump) [Things to do on your own](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/explore?hsLang=en#jump) [Sustainability Tips](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/sustainability?hsLang=en#jump) [Mailing Instructions](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/mailing-instructions?hsLang=en#jump) [Shopping](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/shopping?hsLang=en#jump) Emergencies, Health & Safety [In Case of Emergency](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/emergency-numbers?hsLang=en#jump) [Culture Shock](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/cultural-shock?hsLang=en#jump) [Health Insurance](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/health-insurance?hsLang=en#jump) [Health Onsite](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/health?hsLang=en#jump) [Safety Onsite](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/safety?hsLang=en#jump) [Code of Conduct](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/code-of-conduct?hsLang=en#jump) [Independent Travel Form](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/independent-travel-form?hsLang=en#jump) [Voting From Abroad](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/voting-from-abroad?hsLang=en) Student Hub Links: [ Micro Credentials ](https://www.cisabroad.com/academics/micro-credentials/?hsLang=en) # Welcome to Japan [ How to use this guide ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/how-to-use-this-guide?hsLang=en#jump) Before you go [ Tips for booking your Flight ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/how-to-submit-your-flight-information?hsLang=en#jump) [ Health & Wellness Check ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/health-check?hsLang=en#jump) [ Passports, Visas, and Immigration Rules ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/requirements?hsLang=en#jump) [ Packing ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/packing-tips?hsLang=en#jump) [ Cellphones ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/communications?hsLang=en#jump) [ Money ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/money?hsLang=en#jump) [ Budget Predictor ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/budget-predictor?hsLang=en#jump) [ Apply for a Micro-Credential ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/credentials?hsLang=en#jump) Program Information [ Introduction ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com?hsLang=en#jump) [ Staff ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/staff?hsLang=en#jump) [ Communication with Staff ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/communication-with-staff?hsLang=en#jump) [ Academics ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/academics?hsLang=en#jump) [ Housing ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/housing?hsLang=en#jump) [ CIS Abroad Activities ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/activities?hsLang=en#jump) [ Arrival Instructions ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/arrival?hsLang=en#jump) [ Evaluations ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/evaluations?hsLang=en#jump) Country / City Information [ Cultural Differences ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/cultural-differences?hsLang=en#jump) [ Diversity Abroad ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/diversity-abroad?hsLang=en#jump) [ How to Move Around ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/moving-around?hsLang=en#jump) [ Things to do on your own ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/explore?hsLang=en#jump) [ Sustainability Tips ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/sustainability?hsLang=en#jump) [ Mailing Instructions ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/mailing-instructions?hsLang=en#jump) [ Shopping ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/shopping?hsLang=en#jump) Emergencies, Health & Safety [ In Case of Emergency ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/emergency-numbers?hsLang=en#jump) [ Culture Shock ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/cultural-shock?hsLang=en#jump) [ Health Insurance ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/health-insurance?hsLang=en#jump) [ Health Onsite ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/health?hsLang=en#jump) [ Safety Onsite ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/safety?hsLang=en#jump) [ Code of Conduct ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/code-of-conduct?hsLang=en#jump) [ Independent Travel Form ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/independent-travel-form?hsLang=en#jump) [ Voting From Abroad ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/voting-from-abroad?hsLang=en#jump) # Staying Connected ## **Calling Internationally** You’ll find that calling internationally while in Japan can be very expensive. We recommend using WhatsApp or Line for free communication with others. These applications are available on all smartphones and offer texting, video calls, and traditional phone call options.  **Depending entirely on Wi-Fi is not recommended**.  A strong Wi-Fi connection is not available everywhere. In local coffee shops, restaurants and cafes, you need to purchase something in order to connect to their Wi-Fi. ## Phone options (SIM, pre-paid, WiFi, etc.) - We recommend you have some form of cell phone service or pocket Wi-Fi in order to communicate both locally and internationally while in Japan! You can purchase a SIM card upon arrival, either at the airport or nearby the accommodation.  - Your cellphone will need to be ***unlocked ***in order to change the SIM card from your US SIM to a Japanese SIM. You should call your cell phone provider in the US to see if your cell phone is unlocked, and if not, they can sometimes unlock it if you call early enough (1 month before your departure is recommended). You should also ask about the SIM card size capability, will it fit a micro or nano chip SIM card? - SIM cards can be purchased for a set number of days, or topped up on a monthly basis. You can even top up while getting your morning coffee in 7-11!  - You can purchase them with limited or unlimited data. Since the Wi-Fi in Japan is fairly accessible (especially on campus and in your housing) having unlimited data isn’t totally necessary, but it depends on how much freedom you want to use your phone outside of Wi-Fi.  - It might cost you anywhere from 25-40 USD for the SIM card and the first month of data. After that, adding more data to your phone each month will be less expensive because you already have the SIM card.  - You can purchase a SIM before you even leave the US! Check out some of the following providers: - [Sakura Mobile](https://www.sakuramobile.jp/) - [Hola Fly](https://esim.holafly.com/?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=15086295266&cq_term=holafly%20sim%20card&cq_plac&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&referencia=EN&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5rGuBhCnARIsAN11vgQcCH8sSACRtpq9iB9oobzdoAw4wftIlox1U-sLm12BYIqhIpgYusYaAhxEEALw_wcB) for eSIM options ## Calling within Japan If you want to call a Japanese number, you’ll need to put a (+81) without the parentheses before the full phone number. If you use an app like LINE or Whatsapp to make a call, you shouldn’t have to worry about using the number code. ## Helpful Communication Apps - [LINE](https://line.me/en/): communication, popular in Japan - [WhatsApp](https://www.whatsapp.com/download): communication (video, text, audio) - [Facebook Messenger](https://www.messenger.com/): communication (video, text, audio) - [Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps): app for navigation - [Google Translate](https://translate.google.com/): for translating or speaking Japanese [Previous Chapter Packing ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/packing-tips?hsLang=en#jump) [Next Chapter Money ](https://go.japan.cisabroad.com/money?hsLang=en#jump) We’re Here to help: +1-877-617-9090 Copyright © 2023 Center for International Studies | Legal