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International Calling
| Name | Website | Sample Rate Land/Mobile | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Link (discount carrier) | http:www.worldlink-tel.com/eintro.html | USA ¥15 ¥35 UK ¥20 ¥45 | *Good description on website. *Register your phone numbers with World Link and use a 4 digit code to make calls. *Register and never use the service – no charge. *ONLY accepts credit card payment. |
| i-Tel (discount carrier) | http:www.i-tel.com/aboutuse.html | USA ¥15 ¥38 UK ¥28 ¥48 | *Website is not very helpful. *Register your numbers with them to use *Credit Card and Bank Transfer. |
| Pingo (calling card) | http://www.pingo.com | USA ¥10 UK ¥10 | *Sign up for an account. *To call home: dial the Japanese access number (00531121746) and follow the instructions listed on the website. *$1 a month usage fee. *Credit card or Paypal. |
| Skype (internet) | www.skype.com | USA ¥3 UK ¥3 | *Free to register. *Works best with external microphone. *Talk free with other Skype Users. *SkypeOut – call landlines from your computer (rates apply). *Free to call 800 numbers. *Credit card or PayPal |
| BBPhone | http://yahoobb.ojaru.jp/bbphone.html | USA ¥8 UK ¥23 | *If you have YahooBB Internet, you will have this option. |
| Vonage (voice over internet protocol) | http://www.vonage.com | $14.99+ a month | *US, Canadian and UK. *Essential you will have a local number from your home here in Japan that will ring through your land line. *Requires sign-up, internet access AND specific equipment from home (US, UK or Canada). *May be good option if you talk to A LOT of people from home and you are staying more then one year. |
| Japanese Phone Card | NA | NA | *Available at all convenience stores (Lawson, FamilyMart). *Ask in Japanese: “IC terehon kado arimasu ka?” or “Puripeido-denwa-dado arimasu ka?" *Maybe rechargeable. *Perhaps best to have for emergency only. *May require an international pay phone (People have had problems) |
There are many ways to call back home cheaply from Japan. DO NOT CALL DIRECT! The charge for using your normal NTT phone service to call overseas is ridiculous. Use a discount carrier.
The above table lists paying options for calling landlines in America. If you have a computer and internet, you can always use your preferred IM client to stay in touch with people back home.
For more information about telephone services of any kind in Japan go to www.jetsetjapan.com. This website has a plethora of useful information on telephone services and everything else a new JET could possibly want to know. They also offer some great deals. Check it out!
Sending an International Fax
If you need to fax another country but don't feel that you can do it from school, then it's possible to send international faxes from:
Toyama Shimin Plaza
The business centre on the 2nd floor (near the Chinese restaurant) can send faxes internationally including the UK, USA and Canada. They are open until 7pm weekdays and 5pm at weekends. The cost of sending one page to the UK was 400 yen at the time of writing. They also have scanners which you can use if they don't fax your country of choice.