? pre-paid cell phones in Japan ???

by **AlbertSiegel** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 5:56 pm

Could someone please give me a clue as to how pre-paid cell phones work in Japan? I would like to know the cost of the phone and the service. Do you buy minutes like you do in the states? Do they have cheap phones (something under $100us) that offer pre-paid service?? Can I make calls to the US from it? What do the minutes cost for local calls?

I am looking for any pre-paid phone on the cheap. I dont care what it looks like or the features as long as I can make a call from it. I still use a StarTac from 1997 here in the states! LOL!!

by **jingai** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 6:34 am

Although there's no sign on the phones, it should say "yakuza only." It all seems fine and dandy until you see you're paying 100 yen/minute. Even in Japan, this is not a good deal unless you're a criminal who needs anonymity. As of last fall, all keitai companies had similar "deals." Forget prepaid, it's cheaper to break your contract with a real service plan.

by **AlbertSiegel** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 7:01 am

Thank you for the reply! I was starting to think nobody would be able to give me a answer.

I will be there on a tourist VISA at first. I would like to have a phone as soon as I can. As I understand, I can only get a pre-paid phone with my status. I can deal with the 100 yen a minute as long as incoming calls are free. I just need it for people to be able to reach me or for emergancy use. I dont mind the idea of a contract if I could get one.

Do you know of any sites that are current with good informantion on cell phones in Japan?

by **Taro Toporific** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 9:25 am

AlbertSiegel wrote:Do you know of any sites that are current with good informantion on cell phones in Japan?

Vodafone nee J-Phone for a phone in JAPAN with ALL support, forms, etc in ENGLISH

http://www.jp.from-hanna.com/solutions/j-phone/top.html

by **GomiGirl** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 5:56 pm

Well the traffic has been light this weekend as it is a holiday weekend.. a heap of people have been away.. Not me unfortunately - I have spent a great time NOT in my office, rather bonding with my new kitten (who is a delight!!), watching Mikoshi being dragged around the neighbourhood, eating Okonomiyaki from street stalls, collecting a stolen bike from the police (a very interesting FG story which I will post should I get the time), wandering around Roppongi Hills, cleaning my apartment and now I am in my office.. :cry:

Anyway.. enough about me. Pre-paid phones.. don't waste your time. Seriously, the phones are crap, the charges are high and you don't get to take advantage of the cool Japanese mobile phone technology like email and mobile internet content.

That's right - you can email your friends back home right from your phone and they can email you!! Take photos and movies and send them as well. Don't just think of your mobile phone as something to make calls on.. if you don't believe me, check out some of the old threads on this board about mobile phones. Also, TokyoDV (GuyJean's site, has some great video about some cool phone technology)

If you use a credit card, you will be able to get yourself into a modern phone and you might even be able to get one for 1yen if you shop around. You can do this on a tourist visa - just ask Ultra he was here for 3 months and had a cool SonyEricsson number for the cool price of 1yen with the bills going to his credit card. He just cancelled it when he left and kept the phone.

Get into a good plan for voice/data and get mobile!! You can email, surf the internet and also access really cool and useful sites that will make your Japanese experience worthwhile.. you can even view this board from the phones!!

Shop around and then before you make your decision, PM me and I can give you a hand. I work in this industry!!

by **GomiGirl** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 6:26 pm

Also a great site that you should check out Mobile phones and the industry in Japan..

WWJ - Wireless watch Japan.

Great wireless site

by **maxdacat** » Fri Sep 19, 2003 8:24 pm

i am interested in having a cell phone in tokyo for one month....i did some research and for me the pre-paid option seemed to be best:

PuPuRu - offer prepaid cell phones for a rental charge of Y2,500 plus Y100 each day which comes to 5,500 for one month....call charges are expensive at Y3,000 for 21 mins ie 80p per min but i plan on mostly having people call me

Other options are Japan Handy Phone which comes to Y42,000 for one month plus call charges which i think are 50 yen per min.

The idea of getting a cell phone on a contract then buggering off however is tempting....any ideas on what is needed in terms of id?

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? pre-paid cell phones in Japan ???

? pre-paid cell phones in Japan ???

All the dreadful forms in ENGLISH

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