I hate suspense, I really really do

[britkit27]

So...now I'm in that awkward timestamp where I feel it's too early to start putting things in suitcases (and some stuff I can't put in suitcases cause I, y'know, kind of need it over the next week) but I really want to get started on things - actually to be totally honest I really want to get started on the things I'll need to be doing once I

Comments

[pergamond]

I think you'll be hard pressed to find a phone that will work in Japan. Even my European one, which works in N. America, Europe and Australia doesn't work on the Japanese network D:

They are just too advanced and on an entirely different network system:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/20/technology/20cell.html

I wonder whether my iPhone will work :\ A Japanese iPhone does work in the US, but I don't know whether the ones you buy over here do.

[britkit27]

:/ According to my dad they've changed that in recent years and supposedly my ye-olde current phone will even work there. I'm not sure where his source is. But I mean, if I get there with an "unlocked phone" and it doesn't work, then it doesn't work and I'll get myself a prepaid. I kind of need my phone replaced anyways >> it's been having fits.

I dunno. It would make sense, but then these things rarely do.

[pergamond]

Nah, that article is only from last year and I was there just last summer. My USA phone didn't work either, though that one doesn't even wok in Europe, despite being new.

But it's true if you need a phone anyway, it doesn't matter :) But being tri-band isn't enough - that will allow the phone to work in Europe (something US phones have got better at in the last few years) but not in Japan.

[britkit27]

Hrm. I'll ask him tonight how certain he is that phones from here will work >> I was pretty sure that none of them did too, but we'll see.

I don't technically need one yet, but I probably will soon and if our contract is switching now may well be a good time. The screen keeps going black randomly or going all opposite-color o.O tis very strange

[monarchist]

*cough*iPhone*cough* or a Blackberry. I have the original Bold and I've been eyeing the new Torch...

My plan for packing for large trips is to put away everything except what can be packed last minute (toiletries, electronics, and the like). That way, you're mostly prepared. Have you made a checklist of everything to take over? And gathered it all for easy packing?

[britkit27]

XD You do realize there is no way in hell my dad is buying me an iphone. The only reason he'd be getting me an touchscreen one is because he found some insane deal on it And even then he's talking about getting that one for himself and giving me his current phone And they're kind of big :/

I've covered my brother's bed in everything I want to bring that I'm not going to be using over the next few days. I don't have a specific checklist, really, but it's organized into sections so I can see what I do and don't have. I just want to start packing but am hesitant to start until I have everything there so I can really see how to fit it all to my best advantage. And I have to make sure that I don't put all the heavy stuff in one suitcase or it'll go over the weight limit >>

[monarchist]

The iPhone 3Gs is only $99. Just saying. Blackberries, compared to Apples, are a bit heavier and are kind of bulky, even though the keypad is very nice.

You could keep all the light & important stuff for your carry-on, then spread the rest out equally?

[britkit27]

You've never met my father XD 99$ for a phone is too much. Believe me, I wouldn't mind an iPhone but while he's the one paying for it? Not going to happen.

I have two rollaround bags I can/will check, and two carryon one of which needs to be a just-in-case overnight bag. I'm sure I can figure it out once I start packing...I just feel it's to early to start packing. XD I'm running myself in circles, don't mind me.

[yomimashou]

If you make sure to get a phone that's 3G and get it unlocked/get a global sim card/I don't actually know what any of this means, it should work in Japan? But I've heard you have to be careful of super high roaming charges...

I'm hoping to be able to get a prepaid phone in the airport, and otherwise I'll look into the rental company my program recommended...

[britkit27]

I have no idea. :/ Basically what I'd heard from people who went was to rent a phone there, but my dad seems to think he's found some way around it. I have no clue, and quite frankly don't much care either way as long as I have a working phone with email/text capabilities -.- this is proving to be harder than it should be

I'm hoping that I can get this all sorted before I go so that if I need to get a phone in Japan I can do it at the airport as well, otherwise I'd have to wait until I have my alien registration card and idk how long that'll take.

[yomimashou]

There IS a way around it, but I'm not sure of all the details. The one thing I know is that is HAS to be 3G--but 3G phones are getting a lot more common. I didn't research the details because I decided to go with a pre-paid (and my program will have the rental company available during orientation so that's my backup plan). But someone in my program posted some of the info she found to the facebook group, so I can send you that if you want?

[britkit27]

Sure, that'd be awesome. Thank you :D

[faded_lace]

It seems like everyone has said what I already was going to say - the only way I know of to get a phone to work in Japan is if it's a smartphone that can handle internet (e.g. any 3G smartphone or droid phone in the US, such as a blackberry, iPhone, or other phones that have internet browsers and email, NOT phones that can simply handle internet, such as the LG enV, the phone you were asking to steal from me. XD;) The important part, as far as I know, is the simcard, but from what I've heard, it's far easier to get a simcard that will work in Europe than in Asia, and roaming charges are really intense. You already know what I think of the majority of your dad's plans and restrictions, but in this case, especially since you never make calls and email would be free in Japan with the plan I'm attempting to go with, just getting a phone in Japan would probably actually be cheaper than you trying to get a 3G phone AND a new simcard AND dealing with roaming fees

[britkit27]

Near as I can tell he's found whatever thing the japanese phones work on is something that is also accepted by some american phones, including my current one, and therefor I would just get a simcard in japan instead of a handset. Idk the reasoning for all of this, I really think it would be easier for me to just get a phone in japan and deal with getting a new one for the US when I get back but there's some complication with family plans, etc, idk I'm going to talk to him more about it tonight.

One would hope. I'm calm, I'm calm - just antsy :/ I want to be there and getting settled and figuring stuff out not waiting.

[faded_lace]

I mean, you can have your phone on the family plan at home and just not use it, like I am. If you don't make calls, your family won't be charged for them, so I don't see what the issue is. Not only would it be easier, but probably less expensive with roaming charges, especially since you never make calls in the first place. Like I've said in the past, if it's something that would make your life easier, you ought to put your foot down. I doubt it would even be more money, considering the situation, but if your dad isn't willing to sacrifice a little money for your happiness, something is obviously wrong.

I'm packing. :P

[dragonlover58]

I am also in the awkward timestamp- I fly out to Narita on the 30th. I've been making lists and figuring out what I need here, but I'm just anxious to get to Yokohama and move into my apartment. I took pictures of the clothes that I'm taking with me since I'll be using them still in the next week and a half, but then when it comes time to pack, I can just double-check to my camera pictures to make sure I got everything.

*hugs* Best of luck!

[britkit27]

Sucks, doesn't it? And that's a good idea. But pretty much the only clothes I haven't packed are my shorts, and those I'm taking all of, so it's pretty easy.

*hugs* you too!