Japan: The land of never-ending fun!

Japan is one of the most interesting places to visit in East Asia, mainly because of the fact that it has so many unique sights and sounds for the traveller to experience and explore that one can never quite get enough of it! For sure, the land of the rising sun has it all when it comes to fulfilling the expectations of every kind of traveller.

Matsuyama: The largest city in Shikoku, Matsuyama is a transport hub of sorts which is quite similar to its sister cities on Honshū in terms of style and elegance. Both Japanese as well as foreign tourists throng to the city for its multitude of marvellous sights. For instance, the Matsuyama-jō, one of Japan’s finest castles from the feudal era, and Dōgo Onsen Honkan, a multi level public bath house, are among the many places that must be visited. Also, if one is visiting the 88 sacred temples, Matsuyama has seven of these, including the Ishite-ji, one of the most renowned milestones during the pilgrimage. The city can be explored pretty effortlessly, thanks to the developed tram system.

Fukuoka: The biggest city in Kyushu and the next big thing in terms of Japanese commerce and tourism, Fukuoka was once divided into separate towns, i.e., the Fukuoka castle town to the west and Hakata to the east, with the latter serving as the home-ground for plebeians, and the former meant primarily for royalty. Even though after the unification in 1889, when the city was collectively called Fukuoka, the region earlier known as Hakata has shown phenomenal growth, which is also the reason why the airport is known as Fukuota airport, while the train station is known as Hakata. The last decade has been an era of transformation for Fukuoka, as it shed its traditional garb to become one of Japan’s most internationalized cities, so to speak. The city is also bidding for the 2016 Summer Olympics, posing as a rival to Tokyo! As far as sights are concerned, the modern architecture of the city is simply spellbinding, and so is its outstanding nightlife, centred around the Daimyo, Tenjin and Nakasu districts.

Tokyo: The first thing one would notice would also be the most prominent memory of the city that would be carried back home, i.e., the energy of the people. It’s contagious and admirable at the same time, and people are always in a race to get ahead of themselves and excel in something new. However, beneath all this lies the cultural core of the city, which not many have witnessed, but that is the true soul of Japan in every sense of the word.

While in Japan, one would certainly need to keep in touch with friends and family, in order to share the extraordinary experiences of being in the exotic land. However, owing to the excessive calling rates, it sometimes becomes a constraint to talk one’s heart out. However, with Matrix international sim cards, one can always make sure that calling rates never come in the way of communication.

Japan: Explore the Orients soul

Hearing the word 'Japan' always fills the mind with a plethora of images of ages-old temples, a futuristic metropolis, bullet trains that seem to transcend the speed of sound, mountain-tops covered in mist, businessmen and geisha clad in suits and kimonos (respectively), and so on. If ever there was an award for a country that is many countries, it would certainly go to Japan, for there are so many different identities that it is easy to get confused regarding what is the true identity of the country – but it is all here! However, Japan also has its share of myths, one of the most popular ones being that it is an extremely expensive country, which is false, since it is much more economical to travel in Japan than Western Europe, North America, and some parts of Oceania. Another myth is that it is extremely difficult to travel in Japan. That too, is as farther from the truth as can be, since the country is among the easiest one can travel to and within. Cities like Kyoto and Nara are the best ones to spend most of the time if one is into culture and traditions, whereas spellbinding technology obviously exists in every nook and cranny. Natural beauty is another one of nature's gifts to Japan, with Okinawa's coral reefs and the Niseko ski-resort being just a couple of the many eventful examples. Coming to the food, there's the irresistible sushi and the sumptuous tempura that top the list.

Kyoto: Aptly nicknamed the 'storehouse of Japan's culture', Kyoto is a city that has played host to most of the Japanese history; a fact evident with the existence of 1600 Buddhist temples, 17 UNESCO world heritage sites and more than 400 Shintō shrines. Going deeper, there are poets' huts nestled among bamboo groves, pebble gardens, golden temples sitting atop water bodies and vermilion shrine gates. However, it's not all history and culture here, as one would experience just after stepping out of the station, with oodles of neon lights an concrete structures all around.

Nara: Many consider Nara to be Japan's first real capital, and the city is also one of the most interesting destinations in Japan, with a cluster of historical sites of paramount importance. Alike Kyoto, Nara also might seem extremely mundane at first glance, but that is only because there is so much of an overdose of history and culture here that it seems to blend into the city's very atmosphere. Talking of Japan's cultural history, Nara is second only to Kyoto, with eight UNESCO world heritage sites. However, the best part is that since the city is so small, one can visit all the prominent places in a single day, although spending a couple of days is highly recommended.

While on a trip to Japan, it is very important to constantly stay in contact with one's friends and family, so that all the special moments can be relived. Matrix international SIM cards give that opportunity to be in touch with exciting international calling rates and quality network coverage.

Going Abroad- Don't Forget to Get an International Roaming SIM

In this global communication era where people usually travel from one place to another, remaining connected is the main necessity of each one of us. Millions of people from around the world travel each year for various purposes such as business, leisure, recreationalor educational. If you are planning to move overseas for any of these purposes, you need to stay in touch with your family and friends. Calling is certainly one of the most comfortable mediums of being in touch with each other. If you use your home mobile phone abroad, you will end up spending a fortune as international roaming charges are very expensive. So if you are going abroad, don't forget to get an international roaming SIM card which is also known as global roaming SIM card.

Earlier, people making a trip abroad were never able to make international calls so easily. Hefty amount associated with international calls always avoided the people to make calls to their near and dear ones. If they were making any international call, the duration of the call was always kept in mind to get rid of excessive expenses. Now the time has changed. You can make use of global roaming SIM cards to make calls at reasonable rates to your loved ones. These cards have proved to be the most appreciated way of communication and that too at affordable rates. There are number of offers provided by different service providers on these global SIM cards so that you can have fun while making international calls.

International roaming cards are the cost effective media for the people moving in a foreign country. It is definitely one of the best means of efficient communication universally. Global SIM cards are dynamic and compelling means of communication. It serves according to your need. If you are travelling to more than one country, you can avoid excessive roaming charges with International roaming SIM cards. You get the opportunity to stay in touch whilst you travel without spending a fortune in roaming charges. An international roaming SIM card is inexpensive as compared to other options available for international calling. This card will not cost you much upfront and, once you have one, you will save up to 60% on your mobile bill. I am pretty confident that you would love to keep your money in your own pocket.

By using a global roaming SIM card, you can keep track of your expenditure. Most International SIM cards are prepaid so you know exactly how much money you are spending. If you take an international SIM card, you won't get a nasty global roaming phone bill when you get home. Moreover, an international SIM card makes it easy and convenient to keep in touch with those back home. It is not always easy to get a calling card or access to a landline whilst you are travelling abroad. A global roaming SIM card is undoubtedly an economical and trouble-free way to stay connected with your friends, family and colleagues.

Land of the rising sun: Japan

Japan has since long been a favourite of tourists from around the world. Following is a glance at what the country has to offer to the enthusiastic traveller:

Kyoto: Aptly described as the storehouse of the Japanese tradition, Kyoto is also the platform for a majority of Japanese history, which makes this destination all the more special. Add to that 17 UNESCO world heritage sites, 1600+ Buddhist temples and more than 400 Shintō shrines, and one has one of the world's most culturally rich cities. Many regard this city in the same league as Paris, Rome and London, as among places one must see at least once in their lives. This is also precisely the reason why it is a must-visit while one is in Japan. It is a dreamland of pebble gardens, arcades of vermilion shrine gates, golden temples situated above calm waters, and huts interspersed between bamboo groves. In short, everything beautiful the world knows about Japan is majorly from Kyoto. However, one would not find any of this magical beauty as soon as he/she steps out of the station, and that is why patience is a virtue that is most rewarding at this destination.


Tokyo: The capital city of Japan oozes with an energy that can be described by many as a mania of sorts, but it is this very spirit of the city that has been its saving grace for so many years, for Tokyo is by and large an industrial city with little to show for as an exclusivity not found in every other global destination. Spontaneity runs through every nook and cranny of the city, with fashion trends changing dynamically at the blink of an eyelid, and mobile phones becoming obsolete within a month's time. However, culture is something that is deeply engrained in every Japanese city, and the same is evident at Tokyo as well. The new hustle-bustle of today is delightfully mixed with the peace and tranquillity of the yester-centuries. On one side is the extremely popular pop culture of Japan, while on the other, the lineage of the imperial family is closely guarded and respected. This metropolis is a place where the traditional values and expectations divulge into an exciting amalgamation of music, art and cutting-edge technological inventions.

Nara: The first real capital of the country, Nara is among the top picks in every tourist itinerary, and boasts of a host of historically and culturally important places. Similar to Kyoto, Nara is also not too adept at making a grand first impression, but as one delves deeper, the hidden beauty of the city enchants like none other. Having its own significant share of UNSECO world heritage sites (8 in number), it is second only to Kyoto as far as the cultural scene is concerned. One of the major advantages from the point of view of a tourist is that the city is so small that one can see all there is to see within one day!

While in Japan, one can subscribe to Matrix international sim cards to get up to 80% discount on calling rates, with excellent network coverage and reliable service.

For more information related to international SIM card, sim card for Japan, International communication, international travelling sim cards please visit: - http://www.matrix.in

Japan Travel Guide

Japan is a country that has striking contrasts to being with – from dashing metropolitan cities with bright lights and all the facilities one can dream of, to the countryside towns that still hold the centuries-old culture of the country with the presence of geishas, temples, shrines and zen rock gardens. The country is renowned the world over for its electronic gadgets, but at the very heart of this modernism, lies a country that has still preserved its tradition, albeit with a fair share of striking contrasts, including sumo wrestling and food festivals that lift the culinary techniques to nothing less than an art form.

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is the perfect example of 'old meets new and remains in perfect harmony'. The city is a glaring collage of ancient temples, kimono-clad women, tall skyscrapers and glowing neon sings at every nook and cranny. Tokyo is virtually a beehive of office culture, with a lot of architectural genius thrown in every now and then. Talking of the thing the country is most famous for, electronics, there are hordes of stores housing some of the most advanced gadgetry known to man. But this city is not al about the sights and sounds of modern living, as there is a pleasant escape to the tree-filled gardens at Meiji-jingu, which give travelers a respite from the constant buzzing modern life.

Kyoto is referred to as the treasure house of Japan, and has the dubious distinction of being one of the few cities to have survived the onslaught of the second World War. It is also the cultural epicenter of Japan, with more than 2,000 temples and shrines, as well as 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. The city still hosts many ancient ceremonies and festivals. Despite the fact that it has modernized much like the rest of Japan, one can still see old wooden machiya townhouses, along with undeveloped hills and mountains that surround the city, giving a glimpse of how old Japan must have looked like.

Japan's third largest city, Osaka, is also a part of Japan's largest metropolitan region, comprising of Kobe and Kyoto as the other two cities out of the trio. Osaka was twice the imperial capital of Japan in the 7th and 8th centuries, but has ruled the roost more for its economic prowess for many years. Much like Tokyo, Osaka is a bustling new-age city that has offices of numerous international organizations, but is equally popular for its night-life, with many shopping, food and entertainment zones scattered around the city. This is also the reason why Osaka is known as the food capital of Japan.

Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city, and one of the major transport hubs of the country. With a population of 2.2 million, the city has Japan's main port for international trade, along with an airport. It has been one of Japan's manufacturing and industrial cities, having been the source for porcelain, ceramics, and lacquer-ware. Besides this, it also has a multitude of museums, fascinating night-life, and Japan's largest stopover site for migratory birds.

Every time one visits a foreign land, there is a desire to talk with the near and dear ones about the things they have seen and experienced. However, if one uses a regular mobile service, the charges levied would be astronomical, due to the international roaming. Using Matrix international calling cards delivers savings up to 80% compared to regular calling rates, resulting in longer calls with lower bills.

For more information related to international SIM card, sim card for Japan, International communication, international travelling sim cards please visit: - http://www.matrix.in