Temporary cell phone for use in Japan?

Don,

Just out of curiosity, was this your experience at places near US bases in
Japan? I know that you could buy one prepaid service from the PX, this is
not what I'm talking about.

Stu

"Donald Newcomb" wrote in message
...

"Alec" wrote in message
...
Contrary to some replies, anyone can still buy pre-paid mobile phone in
Japan (did it myself two weeks ago). Go to a convenience store (AM/PM is
good) and ask for pre-paid keitai. They should stock Vodafone Enjorno,
basic
set is only 3,990 yen. You have to have a photo ID (foreign passport
accepted) plus a contact address in Japan (friend, hotel, firm etc).

Let me say that a year ago, you would see hand-lettered English signs in
Japanese cellular agents' windows explaining that you had to have a
Japanese
residency card to buy a prepaid phone. While this was contrary to most
carriers' policies which permitted foreign passports to be used as ID, the
word did not seem to make it down to the sales agents. Many Gaijin have
experienced nothing but frustration while trying to buy a Japanese
prepaid.
I'm glad to hear that the situation is changing.

--
Donald Newcomb
DRNewcomb (at) attglobal (dot) net

Don,

Just out of curiosity, was this your experience at places near US bases in
Japan? I know that you could buy one prepaid service from the PX, this is
not what I'm talking about.

Stu

"Donald Newcomb" wrote in message
...

"Alec" wrote in message
...
Contrary to some replies, anyone can still buy pre-paid mobile phone in
Japan (did it myself two weeks ago). Go to a convenience store (AM/PM is
good) and ask for pre-paid keitai. They should stock Vodafone Enjorno,
basic
set is only 3,990 yen. You have to have a photo ID (foreign passport
accepted) plus a contact address in Japan (friend, hotel, firm etc).

Let me say that a year ago, you would see hand-lettered English signs in
Japanese cellular agents' windows explaining that you had to have a
Japanese
residency card to buy a prepaid phone. While this was contrary to most
carriers' policies which permitted foreign passports to be used as ID, the
word did not seem to make it down to the sales agents. Many Gaijin have
experienced nothing but frustration while trying to buy a Japanese
prepaid.
I'm glad to hear that the situation is changing.

--
Donald Newcomb
DRNewcomb (at) attglobal (dot) net

Don,

Just out of curiosity, was this your experience at places near US bases in
Japan? I know that you could buy one prepaid service from the PX, this is
not what I'm talking about.

Stu

"Donald Newcomb" wrote in message
...

"Alec" wrote in message
...
Contrary to some replies, anyone can still buy pre-paid mobile phone in
Japan (did it myself two weeks ago). Go to a convenience store (AM/PM is
good) and ask for pre-paid keitai. They should stock Vodafone Enjorno,
basic
set is only 3,990 yen. You have to have a photo ID (foreign passport
accepted) plus a contact address in Japan (friend, hotel, firm etc).

Let me say that a year ago, you would see hand-lettered English signs in
Japanese cellular agents' windows explaining that you had to have a
Japanese
residency card to buy a prepaid phone. While this was contrary to most
carriers' policies which permitted foreign passports to be used as ID, the
word did not seem to make it down to the sales agents. Many Gaijin have
experienced nothing but frustration while trying to buy a Japanese
prepaid.
I'm glad to hear that the situation is changing.

--
Donald Newcomb
DRNewcomb (at) attglobal (dot) net

Cell Newbie wrote in message ...
Based on all the information, and there is alot of it, it appears to me
that for a 3-week trip I would be better off buying a about temporary
cell phone in Japan rather than renting one.

Possible. The cost of the rental probably is more than buying one if
you're planning to stay quite long.

Getting one of those pre-paid phones would be a good idea, they're
sold in many places.

Fantasizing a little more, is it possible to buy a Japanese phone (used
or new) and/or card while still in the US, so it could be functional as
soon as one arrives?

Possible, but it might be better to buy it while you're at Japan, that
way you would know that it work when you buy it.

There are some people and companies willing to sell you foreign phones
to use overseas though, like this one:

http://www.planetomni.com/SIM_CTRY_japan_DTL.shtml