Fresh off the boat

Straight off the tarmac and the first thing you worry about is...connectivity. Where do I get it and how?

Luckily, Japan offers some of the fastest internet with the strongest 4G connections in the world.

FREE WIFI:

(on almost every corner)

• Starbucks

• McDonalds

• 7/11

Airport Limosine busses have Free Wi-fi, as do some of the trains from the airports but some require registering which is a bit medokusai. Also, larger cities like: Kobe, Osaka, Fukuoka, Kyoto and Hiroshima have started providing Wi-Fi.

Here is a comprehensive list of Free Wi-Fi providers. It's quite a long list so if you're feeling like you want up your tech game, you can download this app, ingeniously named, Japan Connected free Wi-Fi.

PAID WIFI:

(not on every corner)

Buying a sim card:

Dear 'ol Japan has only recently started offering the choice to buy unlocked (let me break it down for you: not network locked) phones. However, buying a sim at your local conbini ain't going to happen. If your phone is unlocked, head down to your nearest electronic store, BIC Camera -they also have branches in Narita and Haneda- or Yodobashi Camera.

Credit: Tokyo Cheapo

Renting a Mobile Router:

For those lucky people coming in for RUGBY WORLD CUP, Ninja Wi-Fi together with Tokyo Cheapo are offering a huge discount, click here. You need to order it during August and September to qualify.

Now that you've sorted out your Wi-Fi and you're now wanting to connect with the locals, please see below:

If Japanglish is not your forte, here are some few basic phrases that should get you through your travels.

Hello. Konnichiwa. (kon-nee-chee-WAH)

How are you? O-genki desu ka? (oh-GEN-kee dess-KAH?)

Fine, thank you. Genki desu. (GEN-kee dess)

What is your name? O-namae wa nan desu ka??(oh-NAH-mah-eh wah NAHN dess-KAH?)

My name is ____ . Watashi no namae wa ____ desu. (wah-TAH-shee no nah-mah-eh wa ____ dess)

Nice to meet you. Hajimemashite. (hah-jee-meh-MOSH-teh)

Please. (request) Onegai shimasu. (oh-neh-gigh shee-moss)

Please. (offer) Dozo. (DOH-zo)

Thank you. Arigatou. (doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh)

You're welcome. Dou itashi mashite. (doh EE-tah-shee mosh-teh)

Yes. Hai. (HIGH)

No. Iie. (EE-eh)

Good morning Ohayou gozaimasu (o-HAI-yo go-zai-MASS)

Good afternoon Konnichiwa (kon-nee-chee-WAH)

Good evening Konbanwa (Kon-ban-WAH)

Good bye Sayounara (Sai-YO-nah-rah)

Thank you very much Dōmo arigatō[gozaimashita]. (doh-moh ah-ree-GAH-toh [go-zai-mash-tah] )

I am from South Africa Watashi wa Minami-Afurika jin desu. (Watashi WA ee-gi-ree-su-jin dess)

How Much is this? Ikura desuka? Ih-koo-rah dess KAH?)

This one, please Kore o kudasai. (Koh-ray o Koo-dah-sai)

Expensive / Cheap Takai / Yasui (Tak-AY/ yass-WEE)

Beautiful Utsukushī (OO-tsu-kush-EE)

Can I have the menu? Menu wa arimasuka? (Menu WA ah-ree-mass-KAH?)

I am hungry Onaka ga sukimashita (Oh-nah-kah GA soo-KEE-mash-tah).

What is this? Kore wa nan desu ka? (Ko-ray wa nan dess KAH?)

Can I have a beer Bi-ru o kudasai (Bee-RU oh koo-dah-sai).

Delicious Oishii desu (Oi-SHEE dess)

Bill, please Okaikei o onegai shimasu (Oh-kai-kay o on-ee-guy-shee-mass)

Bon Appetit

Itadakimasu (Ee-ta-duk-ee-ma-su) or eat a duck and mouse!

Thank you for the food

Gochisou sama deshita (Gou-chi-sou-sa-ma-de-shi-ta)

Excuse me Sumimasen (suh-MEE-mah-sen)

Where is....? ....Doko desu ka? (doh-koh dess KAH?)

Where is the toilet? Toilet wa doko desu ka? Toy-ray WA doh-koh dess KAH?)

Enjoy Japan desu!