Unlocked iPhone in Japan

Good news everyone! I have an unlocked iPhone, and after waiting a long time for my resident's card, I was finally able to get a SIM card! I brought over my unlocked iPhone, and despite being told "Not gonna work," more times than I can count, I assured them that Apple isn't stupid, nor am I, and yes it would. Sure enough, I just had to find the right company!

I actually went through Docomo, the one carrier that "doesn't" support iPhone. They got smart and are now offering SIMs to unlocked iPhone users. Makes sense, it allows them to tap into the iPhone market and get some of the business from AU and Softbank. It just has to be unlocked, of course. This can be done the way I did (purchase it unlocked) or if you've finished your phone contract and it's eligible for "unlocking." They're already micro SIMs, and I was able to get mine under a 2-year contract, which, even if I only stay for one year and pay the cancellation fee, still saves me money. But I hope to stay in Japan for two years anyways, and now I have awesome internet with tethering (which I don't even know how to use, but will find out) and didn't have to buy a data only SIM and make an attempt at getting a local number through Skype (which is also a viable option for those of you who enjoy VoiP). This is easier for me because it's one bill, all in yen, and all to the same place.

Getting the SIM was the same process as getting an entirely new phone, including the part where it takes forever. I had my supervisor there to translate and help, otherwise there'd have been no way I could've gotten any of this done. We went to the Docomo store, and had to talk to the representative (not within my Japanese ability) so if you're looking to get a SIM, try to find someone who can help you get it all figured out to save you any extra trouble. She also helped me after to set up the data and mail. Because Docomo doesn't officially support iPhone, you have to manually input the settings for data and mail server connections. Docomo gave me a booklet that made it look way more complicated than it actually is, and my supervisor helped me bypass their stupid steps to input the right data, and off I went. iPhone works, life is good.

Moral of the story: if you have an unlocked iPhone, it will work, just don't let them tell you otherwise. Be persistent, it will pay off, and you get to keep your phone in the end.