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[Juice]

Hey Everyone,

I leave for a 6 month stay in Hikone, Shiga, Japan in two days and I'm currently trying to figure out how to set myself up for success over there in being able to get online easily.

I have a 12" G4 iBook with an Airport Extreme card (all bought for US).

Is the Airport Extreme card configured for Japanese 802.11b/g frequencies? I've heard that they use a different radio range. If it won't work out there, should I run to an Apple store as soon as I can and get a local wireless card or bring a small NetGear wireless router and use that by setting up my own American-style WLAN at my host families' houses?

Also, what would you recommend I do to get online easily in a semi-backwater town in the event that my host families don't have broadband?

I know these questions are vague, but if any of you have been in an experience like this, it'd help me to hear what you've gone through.

EDIT: Oh yeah, also, will my DS/PSP be able to get online from Japanese hotspots?

 

[tetsuoxb]

Shit dude, give me a PM when you get to Shiga. Maybe Ill meet you in Kyoto and show you around.

Getting online depends on your host family of course. Most families have some form of access, but the more inaka you get the less likely this becomes.

Of course, internet/manga cafes are big, and places like the Royal Host family of restaurants have free wifi.

 

[Danj]

Is the Airport Extreme card configured for Japanese 802.11b/g frequencies? I've heard that they use a different radio range.

No, 802.11 frequencies are standard everywhere. They may have a different set of WiFi channel numbers available though (for example, Europe allows channels 1-13 whereas the US only allows channels 1-11) but you should be able to find one that works with your US WiFi card.

Oh yeah, also, will my DS/PSP be able to get online from Japanese hotspots?

You should be able to use them just fine.

 

[tetsuoxb]

Oh yeah, just checked and you are on the same train line as I am.

 

[Blackace]

Manga Gissa!

 

[Hurricane_Chris]

There are quite a few places to get free wireless access inJapan, you just need to know where to look. So Here are a couple of links that should help you out. There are other sites that I'd have to do a little digging to find and post but if you think this isn't enough let me know before you leave and I'll try and post them if I have a chance.

Freespot [japanese]
and
Freespot [english]

 

[Juice]

Thanks a lot for the help guys.

My next problem is figuring out how to bring money over. My dad's old school and thinks the only way to go is Amex traveler's cheques, but all I've been told is that the only way to get by is to carry all of your cash on you. I'm a debit card whore here in the states, but I've also heard that they're rarely accepted anywhere outside the big cities--and that ATMs are particularly hard to come by.

Any ideas or sources to link to I can use to convince my dad that things are cool?

 

[LegendofJoe]

You need to get your money changed into yen either at the airport in Japan or at the airport you leave from. Some places take credit, debit cards-but you're better off having some yen on you when you get to Japan. Don't go with Traveler's Checks not many places will accept it.

 

[Brofist]

Thanks a lot for the help guys.

My next problem is figuring out how to bring money over. My dad's old school and thinks the only way to go is Amex traveler's cheques, but all I've been told is that the only way to get by is to carry all of your cash on you. I'm a debit card whore here in the states, but I've also heard that they're rarely accepted anywhere outside the big cities--and that ATMs are particularly hard to come by.

Any ideas or sources to link to I can use to convince my dad that things are cool?

ATMs that allow you to access your US account aren't that hard to come by around Japan. I would bring a moderate amount of money to start (less than a thousand), and find an ATM that you can access.