I’m not sure if this is the proper forum and I apologize in advance for this and it might be an IMHO.
But I am looking for a good source to rent a cell phone to use when I go to Japan on vacation next month as I will be all over the country.
I don’t intend to make a lot of calls, but I would like one from a somewhat more reliable source than “Crazy Saburo’s Cellphones” or something like that.
You can buy a pay-as-you-go cell phone from about 7000 yen (~$58) to 12000 yen (~$100), which includes 3000 yen time credit. The phone itself will be good for a couple of years, although the credit is only good for 90 days. I found Tu-Ka to be the most flexible in terms of pay-as-you-go phones. If you happen to be starting in Tokyo, and know what part of the city you’re going be in, I could probably give you an idea of where to go to get one.
I know phones can be rented there, but I can’t tell you off-hand who or where to get them. Sorry.
Sorry, forgot to mention that you will need to have your passport with you when you get a phone in Japan.
I will be starting out at Narita, but then leaving early the next morning to go to Fukuoka and then back to Tokyo the next day.
Then I will be in Tokyo for five days and likely staying around the area of Tokyo Station since I need to get on trains a LOT.
My office happens to be two stations from Tokyo Station. (I should point out that Shinjuku Station is probably just as useful for taking trains, and perhaps a more entertaining part of Tokyo.)
If you go to Akihabira (“Electric Town” – an large shopping district dedicated to computer and electronics stores), a very short ride from Tokyo Station, you’ll find a very good selection of phones. I have purchased a pay-as-you-go cell phone at one of the Laox stores (close to one of the Shin Ochanomizu bridges, but I can’t remember which one; Sublight was with me, and might remember which one it was).
Thanks,
I will try that if I can’t find a good source at Narita.
I like the Shinjiku section, but only in small doses. And I’m doing a lot of travel on the shinkansen also.
Hmmm, I’m not sure which store it was, but it was one of their larger branches, fairly close to the JR Akihabara station. In any case, most of the larger stores should have them, or should be able to point you in the right direction. Just ask about “pre-paid” telephones (I don’t know if the official Japanese expression is “pre-paid”, but the shopkeepers all understood what I was asking about).
And as Cerowyn said, don’t forget your passport.
Hmm. I think I will try the prepaid idea if I go for a cellphone.
I will be staying in Shinjiku after all.
Very important
I once owned a Tu-Ka prepaid. Tu-ka, despite appearances is several companies, which means that if you buy your phone in Tokyo, you will not be able to buy extra cards for it in Osaka, or Fukuoka. This was a major pain in the ass in my case. This is something you really ought to enquire about before you buy.