Getting a cellphone in japan

**Codeman** · 02-26-2009

Im going to return to Japan soon and I would love to get a japanese cell phone.

Last time I was there I browsed all the Bic Cameras, Sakuraya's for cellphones and I found those japanese exclusives simply amazing and with lots of cool designs.

What Im looking for is a 3G(video call capable and wordwing) phone that I can use both at home and in Japan or wherever I want.

Here in Portugal the only available cell phones are retarded and overpriced Nokias that are as ugly as my 80's vcr remote.
There are also lots of cool chinese cell phones crammed with features but none is 3G/Wordwing :(
eBay is out of the question as I would be completly arse-rapped by the local customs

So I was thinking of buying one on my next trip.

I know most phones normally could only be obtained with a subscription plan but in my last trip I saw a bunch which had full retail prices listed below the Y0 price, which seemed to indicate they could be bought without a subscription.

Can any of the japan resident enlighten me on this?
Is it now possible to buy just the cellphone without the subscription?

If so where can I do this? What are the best shops or the most gaijin friendly shops for this?

**Yakumo** · 02-26-2009

You can't buy one because you don't have a Japanese home address plus I have yet to come across a store that will sell a phone with no subscription. Even if you do find a place you'll be looking at around 70'000 yen for anything decent. Yep, phones are very expensive here which is why they come with plans.

Yakumo

**Trenton_net** · 02-26-2009

Pardon my ignorance, but do they even use GSM in Japan? I always thought they used their own network which was proprietory to Japan only.

**andoba** · 02-26-2009

I think they use WDCMA, but I'm not too sure.

**ave** · 02-26-2009

Maybe this guide could help a bit:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2223.html

The majority of Japanese phones will not work overseas due to network differences; however, there are phones available that can operate on 3G and GSM networks (only in certain countries) with the appropriate international roaming plans, although while overseas some of their advanced functions will likely not work.

**Martin** · 02-27-2009

Just get a softbank pay as you go phone. Prepaid SIM. Brilliant. I have one. 300 yen per month for unlimited mail.

**Jamtex** · 02-27-2009

Buying a prepaid phone is only possible if you have a alien registration card, which unless you are staying for work, from a country that will allow you to stay for 6 months (3 months plus a 3 months extention...) won't be possible to get, the only other alternative is having a willing girlfriend / friend to buy it for you. I have a number of 2G phones which I think will cease to work soon...

**Tatsujin** · 02-27-2009

very right words from jamtex and yakumos side.

when vodaphone was still in the japanese market, there was a possibility of buying a prepaid like ketai for anyone. but now, there is no chance to get one unless someone which is registered in japan buys one for you.
in case of sodtbank you even need to give them a fixlined telephone number of yours or someones house, in case of any incidents. if you do not, the contract can not be accomplished.
i do not know for the other providers.

**ASSEMbler** · 02-27-2009

You can buy a phone and sign up at any KDDI in the usa, their phone suck but I believe their rates for Japan to usa are very reasonable.
They use specific phones that will work in Japan.

http://www.kddimobile.com/

**GaijinPunch** · 02-27-2009

You can't buy one because you don't have a Japanese home address

Exhibit A: http://list3.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp...-category.html

They are usually cheaper than buying direct from NTT/Softbank/AU whatever to boot.... even if you're buying them new. Never figured out how, but they are. You just need to do research on getting it unlocked before you buy. 3G phones are married to their provider, for the most part. The phone's carry their value as you can buy a "contract only" from a provider, but none of them will sell you a phone only.

They're all somewhat lame in comparison to the iPhone though. I had Sharp's shit hot model a year ago (which I got for about 15,000 less than retail, new off of YJ) and I must say, the menus on it like every other Japanese phone I previously had was an encapsulation of everything else in Japan: amazingly unintuitive and a pain in the ass.

I always thought they used their own network which was proprietory to Japan only.

That's the old school phones. They're on 3G now.

DISCLAIMER: Getting new model phones on Yahoo is tricky. Their TOS states you can't post a phone which has been released in the last 6 months. But, there's no backlash other than them cancelling the auction, so everyone does it. Pick your model, load up a search page, and refresh every 10 minutes. ;)

**ASSEMbler** · 02-27-2009

Originally Posted by GaijinPunch

Japanese phone I previously had was an encapsulation of everything else in Japan: amazingly unintuitive and a pain in the ass.

Any place that doesn't name it's streets after 300 years doesn't want to be
intuitive.

**Tatsujin** · 02-27-2009

:LOL:

**GaijinPunch** · 02-27-2009

Any place that doesn't name it's streets after 300 years doesn't want to be
intuitive.

I don't mind the no-named streets. It's the curves and half-circles and shit that get to me.

Another reason to get an iPhone. The GPS on that thing has saved my ass more than a few times.

**Martin** · 02-27-2009

Originally Posted by Jamtex

Buying a prepaid phone is only possible if you have a alien registration card, which unless you are staying for work, from a country that will allow you to stay for 6 months (3 months plus a 3 months extention...) won't be possible to get, the only other alternative is having a willing girlfriend / friend to buy it for you. I have a number of 2G phones which I think will cease to work soon...

I bought a prepaid SIM last May when I was there, no Alien Reg required. I just had my passport. I know 3 other people that have done that. As for a handset... I can sell you one. I have two Softbank phones sat on my desk. 910SH and 912SH.

Originally Posted by ASSEMbler

Any place that doesn't name it's streets after 300 years doesn't want to be
intuitive.

What was America like 300 years ago??

**retro** · 02-27-2009

I thought Japanese phones used to have no SIM, and the contract/number was registered to that phone and couldn't be changed?

**ASSEMbler** · 02-27-2009

Originally Posted by sonic_shuffle

What was America like 300 years ago??

We still have the same street names in nyc from then you know.
Stone Street, 1640. That's 369 years of knowing where fuck I am,
unlike all of tokyo.

**retro** · 02-27-2009

Originally Posted by ASSEMbler

We still have the same street names in nyc from then you know.
Stone Street, 1640. That's 369 years of knowing where fuck I am,
unlike all of tokyo.

True, but it looked very different!

http://www.bklyn-genealogy-info.com/Map/NY.1695.html

The site shows the progression nicely:

http://www.bklyn-genealogy-info.com/Map/Maps.Main.html

**Jamtex** · 02-27-2009

Originally Posted by sonic_shuffle

I bought a prepaid SIM last May when I was there, no Alien Reg required. I just had my passport. I know 3 other people that have done that. As for a handset... I can sell you one. I have two Softbank phones sat on my desk. 910SH and 912SH.

How did you manage to get by the proof of address? Everyone I know has had to show a gaijin card. Or do you know a dodgy shop that'll sell you them no questions asked?

http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/prepaid/3G/steps/index.html