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Data SIM or AT&T International Day Pass?

yogurt

yogurt

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Every time I go to Japan I buy a data SIM. But I just learned of the AT&T International Day Pass which lets me use my current domestic plan, which is unlimited, in Japan for $10 per day. Also unlimited calls. This sounds better than buying a data SIM. Also no hassle of swapping out SIM cards. Has anybody else used this? Is the service good?

I am interested in using this service because I want to try delivery healths for the first time (only been to soaplands). I am still researching about deri-herus, but it seems like the capability to phone-call will make reservations convenient. Am I right to think this? Or will just buying a data SIM with some calling minutes suffice?

I promise I'm not an ATT shill.
 
You might want to make sure that you get to use your data plan - I know Verizon has the $10/day deal but limited to 500MB/day (which is probably enough for a lot of folks. Read the fine print.

Also, in regards to DHs, they probably won't accept a US number to making appointments (and hopefully you speak Japanese - there's only a few ones that have English-speakers available)

You can also just rent a full phone SIM from Softbank at the airport, which gives you a Japanese phone number and a certain amount of data for maybe a little more money if you want to be able to book with Delivery Health.
 
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yogurt said:
Every time I go to Japan I buy a data SIM. But I just learned of the AT&T International Day Pass which lets me use my current domestic plan, which is unlimited, in Japan for $10 per day. Also unlimited calls. This sounds better than buying a data SIM. Also no hassle of swapping out SIM cards. Has anybody else used this? Is the service good?
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With all international roaming plans, your data will be passed back to your home country's network first which may seem slow at times. Connectivity itself inside Japan should be fine and there are a plethora of Free Wi-Fi spots all over Tokyo .

You'll need a Japanese telephone number for bookings, but those are technically unavailable to visitors. There are some loopholes where you can supposedly get a local number, but I'm not familiar with those plans.
 
TAG Manager said:
You'll need a Japanese telephone number for bookings, but those are technically unavailable to visitors. There are some loopholes where you can supposedly get a local number, but I'm not familiar with those plans.
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I think Softbank gets away with it because they aren't technically giving you a phone number, just temporarily renting you one? Nevertheless, this worked for me last time I needed a rental SIM in Japan: https://www.softbank-rental.jp/en/rental_japan/sim_card.php
 
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TAG Manager said:
You'll need a Japanese telephone number for bookings, but those are technically unavailable to visitors. There are some loopholes where you can supposedly get a local number, but I'm not familiar with those plans.
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Oh dang. So delivery healths are pretty much off-limits for visitors? I don't plan on renting a phone.

Also I remember from a couple years back BIC Camera had data SIMs with some calling minutes, and gave you a phone number. Are you familiar with those? Or are those discontinued now?

Anyhow I guess I'm stuck with soaplands.
 
yogurt said:
Oh dang. So delivery healths are pretty much off-limits for visitors? I don't plan on renting a phone.
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Not sure what you mean 'pretty much off-limits'. With the exception of the foreigner friendly ones, yeah, you'll need a phone number and be able to speak Japanese for the vast majority of them. I've never done it before but you might be able to call them from the love hotel and book service. I've always booked service before I get to the love hotel just to make sure I have a date before I shell out the money for the room, though.

Also I remember from a couple years back BIC Camera had data SIMs with some calling minutes, and gave you a phone number. Are you familiar with those? Or are those discontinued now?

Anyhow I guess I'm stuck with soaplands.
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Aside from the Softbank rent-a-sim and maybe another one or two offerings at the airport, you can't get a real Japanese phone number without a resident permit. I bought one of those B-Mobile numbers a long time ago, and you have to scan and upload your proof of residency before the number gets activated. The other ones you can buy are data-only. Last I heard you can get an 050 number (VoIP number, not a 'true' Japanese phone number) via Skype just by checking a box saying you are a Japanese resident, but that might have changed. Also, many delivery health places including escort shops like Asian Mystique disallow 050 numbers.
 
I use a pocket wifi and just call with Skype. I've heard of shops blocking Skype calls but it has yet to happen to me.
 
I don't know if phone roaming would cost extra. If not, go for it.

I personally do pocket wifi.
 
hibikeship said:
I don't know if phone roaming would cost extra. If not, go for it.

I personally do pocket wifi.
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Phone roaming at the default pay per use is exorbitantly expensive. You will rack up a three or four figure bill. However most services, depending on your plan, lets you use a specific roaming plan for only $10 a day.
 
I think the point they are making, is that there is a probably no chance that a deli-health usually want a local number to be able to call you back at. They are not going to want to call your cellphone which has a US number and is a long-distance call to them.
 
impish said:
I think the point they are making, is that there is a probably no chance that a deli-health usually want a local number to be able to call you back at. They are not going to want to call your cellphone which has a US number and is a long-distance call to them.
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Well, and I also think it's protection for them in case you hurt the girl or don't pay etc. Guys with an international number or a VoIP number, not so easy for them to find the guy or the police to find the guy.
 
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TAG Manager said:
With all international roaming plans, your data will be passed back to your home country's network first which may seem slow at times. Connectivity itself inside Japan should be fine and there are a plethora of Free Wi-Fi spots all over Tokyo .

You'll need a Japanese telephone number for bookings, but those are technically unavailable to visitors. There are some loopholes where you can supposedly get a local number, but I'm not familiar with those plans.
Click to expand...
I tried a Mobal SIM which gave me a JP local
phone number. I learned I hated Mobal as a company. The ordering was confusing, product delivery wasn’t good, billing was unclear, and tech support was nonexistent.
 
How about going into a love hotel during one of those "free time" blocks during the middle of the day and using the room phone? That way you have longer than a 2-hour window to try to book something that requires a local number.

I don't remember where exactly but hotels in Shibuya and Shinjuku let you select some relatively cheaper rate to stay "until 7pm" or something similar. Memory fails me on specifics but that might be an option.
 
Another solution is to book a hotel that offers a free phone during your stay. Many hotels seems to carry the same phone called "Handy" (Keio Plaza in Shinjuku, Cerulean Tower in Shibuya, ...)
https://www.tokyodome-hotels.co.jp/e/stay/service/handy/
This phone provides local calls and internet access which is handy for using google maps. I never tried it though.
But remember, if it's free you are the product and they will track everything you do with the phone ...
 
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Alright so I’m in Tokyo now and I’m using AT&T international day pass, which is technically the data roaming plan for AT&T.

It’s not bad. The speed definitely takes a little hit but things do load after a couple seconds. The good thing is I have an unlimited domestic plan so I don’t need to worry about how much data I use here in Japan. No hassle with swapping out SIM cards. Calling is unlimited too (with your domestic number).

I tried calling two deli heru places and both did not pick up my calls.
 
That's probably because they are seeing a US number and not a Japanese one, and think it's not a legitimate call.
 
impish said:
That's probably because they are seeing a US number and not a Japanese one, and think it's not a legitimate call.
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Or rather they think it is a tourist who don't speak the language nor understand the rules so they rather not have that kind of a customer.
 
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Just reporting back to say that using a US phone number works in Japan for pretty much everything. My first two calls to a DH was not being ignored...the calls were simply not going through. Apparently, I had to just restart my phone to activate the phone call.

I successfully made appointments at soaplands AND delivery healths using a US based phone number.
 
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yogurt said:
Just reporting back to say that using a US phone number works in Japan for pretty much everything. My first two calls to a DH was not being ignored...the calls were simply not going through. Apparently, I had to just restart my phone to activate the phone call.

I successfully made appointments at soaplands AND delivery healths using a US based phone number.
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Did you change the sims with your phone still turned on?
 
impish said:
Did you change the sims with your phone still turned on?
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Nope. International roaming plan isn’t about changing SIMs. You just turn on data roaming. No hassle of swapping out SIMs.
 
I don't know about the rest of your situations, but there's no way in hell I would use my U.S. domestic phone and actual number to call those types of shops, at home or abroad. All it would take is one enterprising tencho or bored staffer to Google my cell number and my identity and nature of my work would be on full display for guys who probably don't have too much else going on in life. When back in Japan I'm limited to a data SIM card in an old, unlocked iPhone, but that's fine by me. If I need to make an appointment and can't do it through email I either suck it up and use the hotel room phone or try to be first in line at noon in Kabukicho to increase my chances of impregnating the back of Emi's knee.
 
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