Cell Phone help

[Greener]

I'm returning to Japan on the 18th of October and I'm looking for a cell phone shop with reasonable rates and bilingual staff. (IF such a place exists in Tokyo.) Could anyone help me out with this as this will be my first cell phone purchase? (I never needed one before because the last 2 trips I took, I was based in small towns with less need to a phone.)

Thanx!

[Sarutaro]

How long are you planning to stay? If it is shorter than a year I recommend a Vodafone Prepaid phone, available at most convenience stores. You won't get i-mode, games or any other fancy features, but it will be cheap and you don't have to worry about monthly bills.

[GomiGirl]

Most vodafone pre-paids only have a Japanese menu system and you need to have a gaijin card these days and register it with vodafone by fax. It is a bit of a pain these days.

[Sarutaro]

Most vodafone pre-paids only have a Japanese menu system and you need to have a gaijin card these days and register it with vodafone by fax. It is a bit of a pain these days.

You are right. I just assumed, since he is planning to buy a keitai he intends to stay more than 3 months, i.e. he will be getting a card.

Actually, I have a permanent resident visa and plan to stay here for a VERY long time. I bought a prepaid Sanyo clamshell model from Vodafone, with English menus. It has worked perfectly, and I don't have to worry about bills. The fact that it is prepaid also makes you think twice about calling. Most of the times I just wait for THEM to call ME.

Here are some models. I have the J-SA06
http://www.vodafone.jp/prepaid_en/kisyu/index3.html

[omae mona]

Most vodafone pre-paids only have a Japanese menu system and you need to have a gaijin card these days and register it with vodafone by fax. It is a bit of a pain these days.

Don't know if the system has changed recently, but I picked up a Vodafone "V102d" with English menus for a colleague visiting Tokyo, last November. It was right on the shelf behind the register at a Lawson (I think). They did need the gaijin card (I think they photocopied it) but I didn't have to do anything special after walking out the door.

[Greener]

Thanks for the info,

I plan on staying for 6 months or so. (With a trip to Seoul or Taipei in between.) Can you buy phone cards for a Vodafone Prepaid to be able to make more calls? I will need to make a lot of phone calls when I arrive in Tokyo.

Thanks for the info so far!

[omae mona]

Can you buy phone cards for a Vodafone Prepaid to be able to make more calls? I will need to make a lot of phone calls when I arrive in Tokyo.

I think there are cards, but I added minutes two other ways.

1. The first time, I used the kiosk at a Familymart convenience store. After keying in my phone info, it told me to go to the register. They had a printout waiting there, and I paid cash for it. The printout had an ID number on it. After dialing a special number on the prepaid, I keyed in the ID and the numbers were added to the account.
2. Subsequently I was able to use vodafone's web site to add minutes via credit card.

[FG Lurker]

Actually, I have a permanent resident visa and plan to stay here for a VERY long time. [...] Most of the times I just wait for THEM to call ME.

You're sponging off your friends/acquaintances, and whether you believe it or not, they notice.

There's a difference between saving money and being cheap.

[Sarutaro]

Actually, I have a permanent resident visa and plan to stay here for a VERY long time. [...] Most of the times I just wait for THEM to call ME.

You're sponging off your friends/acquaintances, and whether you believe it or not, they notice.

There's a difference between saving money and being cheap.

Hey, I didn't say ALL the time. It depends on who is trying to reach me.
For exemple, if I miss a call from the census guy I don't exactly rush to call him back. In my job I get tons of phonecalls. If it is something important, the other one will surely call again.

I still think prepaid cards are an excellent way to monitor your phone expenses. And even when you are trying to be "thrifty" those cards run out sooner than you think.

[Greener]

Can you buy phone cards for a Vodafone Prepaid to be able to make more calls? I will need to make a lot of phone calls when I arrive in Tokyo.

I think there are cards, but I added minutes two other ways.

1. The first time, I used the kiosk at a Familymart convenience store. After keying in my phone info, it told me to go to the register. They had a printout waiting there, and I paid cash for it. The printout had an ID number on it. After dialing a special number on the prepaid, I keyed in the ID and the numbers were added to the account.
2. Subsequently I was able to use vodafone's web site to add minutes via credit card.

Thanx,

I was thinking of buying a Vodafone prepaid at the Airport. Is that a good idea or do the convinience stores offer better deals? (Unfortunately, my Japanese is still a bit weak so haggling won't be an option.)

[FG Lurker]

You are almost certain to be asked for some sort of Japanese ID (drivers license, gaijin card, j-health card), even for a standard prepaid phone. I don't think a passport will do. If someone is meeting you at the airport maybe they can "buy it" for your use...?

Airports do offer prepaid phones for international travellers. These tend to be rentals though and rather outrageously priced. Depends on the size of your wallet I suppose.

[Greener]

Hmmm,

I had heard that you can also provide your credit card as ID.

[Taro Toporific]

Hmmm,
I had heard that you can also provide your credit card as ID.

An alien credit card as ID in Japan!?

Maybe that's only for the ream-you-a-new-ahole-expensive "rental" prepaid phones for international travellers at the airports.

[FG Lurker]

Hmmm,
I had heard that you can also provide your credit card as ID.

An alien credit card as ID in Japan!?

Maybe that's only for the ream-you-a-new-ahole-expensive "rental" prepaid phones for international travellers at the airports.

Well said Taro!

At least my alien VISA works in Japan now...The one I brought with me 10 years ago didn't -- I actually needed it then too.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Taro and FGL,

You guys need to get with the times. I just got here last Saturday and got a Vodafone cell phone with nothing but my passport and a US issued AMEX. The guy at the shop told me that at first it wasn't possible but my friend, who did the same when he first got here, insisted that it was. So the guy called HQ and --viola-- I got my phone. I do have a visa in my passport so that may have helped, but they only seemed to be interested in my credit card. I did need a local home address so I just used my friend's.

[Greener]

Cool,

I can easily do the same thing so long as it doesn't cost TOO much.

[FG Lurker]

[Taro Toporific]

. I just got here last Saturday and got a Vodafone cell phone with nothing but my passport and a US issued AMEX. The guy at the shop told me that at first it wasn't possible but my friend, who did the same when he first got here, insisted that it was. So the guy called HQ and --viola-- I got my phone. .

Since I need a prepaid phone, I'd thought I try out on Vodafone this afternoon with just my US passport and US-issued MasterCard.
Result: No Way Jose'.

I told 'em "I'll be back" with proof it was possible.

However, I found this on the Vodafone Japan website. Your Mileage May Vary.

Prepaid Mobile Phones
http://www.vodafone.jp/prepaid_en/faq/index.html#q01

[Samurai_Jerk]

I signed a 2 year contract so I guess FGL is right. Fucking weird they'd accept a credit card and passport for that but NOT a prepaid phone which is what a temporaty visitor would need and want. Welcome to Japan!

[FG Lurker]

Fucking weird they'd accept a credit card and passport for that but NOT a prepaid phone which is what a temporaty visitor would need and want. Welcome to Japan!

Well, yes, and no.

Originally prepaid cards required no ID. Pay cash and you got the phone. The J-police were not happy with this situation and that is why you now need ID.

If all you needed was a CC to buy a prepaid phone you could show anyone's credit card as ID and just pay cash for the phone. Since the card is never charged, there is no way to find out if you are the real cardholder or not.

For a contract phone, as long as you agree to have all charges put on your card then Vodafone et al can be pretty sure you are the real cardholder and therefore knows who bought the phone. They also have access to an address for you through the CC company. (If you're not the real cardholder your phone won't work for long!)

True short-term visitors to Japan have three choices:

1. Bring an unlocked tri-band [Edit: No! This should have said dual mode WCDMA/GSM or just WCDMA] phone and get a Vodafone SIM for it. This should not be too difficult and won't require any long-term contract with Vodafone. Calling charges will need to go on your CC though [Edit: Or the normal ID requirements will need to be met]. Also you will not be able to use Vodafone Japan services such as their @vodafone.co.jp email addresses or SkyMail service. You can use packets though so if your phone has a pop client in it you can set up an account for yourself somewhere and use the phone's pop client for email.

2. Rent one of the crazy-expensive ones at the airport when you arrive.

3. Roam in Japan with your phone from home. Probably more expensive than option #2!!

[Mulboyne]

Mileage certainly does vary.

I've had a Vodafone prepaid for over three years. I had a friend buy it for me. I popped into a Vodafone shop in Shibuya and registered it with my passport and hotel address.

At least that's what the paperwork says. I suppose I'll find out when I come back next time.

[Taro Toporific]

I signed a 2 year contract so I guess FGL is right. Fucking weird they'd accept a credit card and passport for that but NOT a prepaid phone which is what a temporaty visitor would need and want. Welcome to Japan!

Prepaid has always been wildly hated by the JPN govn't.

Anyway...I have to thank you for getting me off my fat ass and checking out Vodafone's prepaid service.

Vodafone prepaid works out to only 3,000 yen every 60 days for their phone without any other "hidden" monthly charges. Since I only get a few calls a month and seldom call anybody (I only use email and SMS text), this seems an OK deal for me.

[Samurai_Jerk]

If all you needed was a CC to buy a prepaid phone you could show anyone's credit card as ID and just pay cash for the phone. Since the card is never charged, there is no way to find out if you are the real cardholder or not.

I understand the need for some form of ID and I think a passport should suffice. But hey, what do I care? I got my phone.

[ichigo partygirl]

Yeah i got an au phone on a one year student discount (half price!!!!) plan. all i needed at the time was my credit card, however i need to take them in my uni ID when i get it.

[belloragazzo]

[FG Lurker]

Compliments on an extremely insightful and useful forum.

You might have confused F'd Gaijin with some other forum? ]FGLurker- are you positive that a quadband/tri-band phone will function with a Japanese SIM card in Japan?[/quote]
I was going to say YES! But then I thought I better at least check to make sure that the meaning of "tri-band" matched the definition stuck in my head...

Oops.

Don't bother bringing a tri-band GSM phone to Japan... What I should have said in my original post is that someone could bring a dual mode phone (ie WCDMA + single/dual/tri/quadband GSM) to Japan and get a SIM card from Vodafone. This is in fact possible as a Kiwi friend of mine did this with a Nokia 7600. Vodafone Japan was very helpful and quickly gave him the details he needed to connect to the packet network here.

Sorry, I should have checked more carefully before hitting the post button!

[Greener]

I signed a 2 year contract so I guess FGL is right. Fucking weird they'd accept a credit card and passport for that but NOT a prepaid phone which is what a temporaty visitor would need and want. Welcome to Japan!

Prepaid has always been wildly hated by the JPN govn't.

Anyway...I have to thank you for getting me off my fat ass and checking out Vodafone's prepaid service.

Vodafone prepaid works out to only 3,000 yen every 60 days for their phone without any other "hidden" monthly charges. Since I only get a few calls a month and seldom call anybody (I only use email and SMS text), this seems an OK deal for me.

That sounds like a decent deal.

However, does this mean temp visitors can't have a prepaid phone? Wow, I'm screwed...

[FG Lurker]

Vodafone prepaid works out to only 3,000 yen every 60 days for their phone without any other "hidden" monthly charges. Since I only get a few calls a month and seldom call anybody (I only use email and SMS text), this seems an OK deal for me.

That sounds like a decent deal.

It's not a bad deal for monthly charges if you don't make a lot of calls. I think you said you want to make a lot of calls though... At 60yen/minute that could get expensive quickly.

However, does this mean temp visitors can't have a prepaid phone? Wow, I'm screwed...

If you have no Japanese ID then it is going to be hard to get a phone on your own. If you have a GF/BF/friend/relative here who will buy a phone and "lend" it to you to you use while here then you are set.

[belloragazzo]

[quote="FG Lurker"]You might have confused F'd Gaijin with some other forum? ]

Thank you. I am being sincere- the information provided on both here and Gaijinpot has proved to be invaluable. The thread regarding Waseda was......hmmmmm....insightful to say the least :P

In regard of which phones function in Japan-I have UMTS (W-CDMA) phone- the whole situation is rather unclear; different sources offer different advice.

Does the W-CDMA format permit voice calls as well as video calls (UMTS is a video format ) Please tell me if this is concieved as being vague.

I know that it may be advisable to buy a technologically advanced cell phone in Japan, however, I use PDA phones-I find the Euro/N.American PDA phones are generally more advanced than those released in Japan.

[IkemenTommy]

I don't see the point in verifying the local address. You are already paying for the minutes so it's not like the phone company is hurting when you take off with the phone. You get to keep the phone as well, right?