thursdaysd

It has dawned on me that my unlocked quad-band phone isn't going to work in Japan and South Korea. I've found a reasonable outfit for a rental at the airport in Seoul, but the only firm recommendation I turned up here for Japan was rather expensive. I may not need a phone at all, especially as I'll have Skype on my laptop, but I wouldn't mind having one just in case. Any recommendations for a cheapie?

kja

When I went in 2006 (so my info is out-of-date!), I used pupuru, which was the least expensive I could find for my purposes at the time. It worked fine for me, but I seem to remember reading some complaints after I returned.

http://www.pupuru.com/en/

Mara

My current cell phone works in Japan but on two previous trips I've rented from http://www.rentafonejapan.com/ - they will deliver the phone to your hotel and you put it in the mail when you're finished. I was very satisfied with their service.
Previous to that I got a phone from my cell phone provider and I couldn't figure out how to use it....luckily they refunded most of my charge.

hawaiiantraveler

My iphone also works in Japan but I too use the rentaphonejapan service that Mara lists above. I rent one for Mrs HT during all of our visits.

I have used the pupuru service before and found that the reception was very spotty in the outlying areas whereas I did not have that problem with rentaphonej. Also the convenience of delivery and return that Mara mentions is a big plus. I don't know if you would consider rentaphonej a cheapie though.....

Aloha!

thursdaysd

Thanks. rentafonejapan was the outfit I thought expensive - $39 for the first week - but pupuru looks like it may cost even more. I'll need 20 days, but expect to make very few calls.