I'm traveling to Japan for a month and would like to rent a cell phone. Ideally, I'd like to investigate fees, etc., before I go (I don't want to have to pick the first rental place I find in Japan if possible). Does anyone have any suggestions? I thought I saw someone recommend a company on here before but I searched and can't find it.

I will be doing some local calling, but I'll also be doing some calling to home (US).

Thanks!

Search "cell phone rental in japan" on this forum.

Also use the same title to search at Google.

Pretty sure you'll get some useful results.

Japan uses a more advanced technology called 3G. I don't believe an unlocked quad band GSM phone will work there.

Also try <www.vodafone-rental.jp> After reaching the home page, click on Enlish version. You can pick up the phone upon arrival at the airport.

I was quite satisfied with a Vodafone phone (It was cheaper to purchase than rent at that place and time) upon my arrival last year at Sydney, AU airport.

Thank you, I searched "cell phone rental in Japan" and a message came up that pointed me to japan-guide.com's forums, which is where I saw the original message that had so much great info. I will likely go with pupuru but now I have some options. I'd like it delivered to me in CA first if possible, but I can always get it from my hotel once in Japan. Thanks!

Hi birder. I researched multiple options before both of my trips. I used Vodaphone the first time, and it was a hassle getting the phone in Japan, took several hours in Tokyo and ended up killing our first morning (couldn't get one at Narita, no one spoke enough English).

2nd trip I looked at PuPuRu and Rentafone most closely because they will both deliver the phone to your hotel in Japan so it is waiting for youwhen you arrive- a GREAT convenience. PuPuRu was a hassle to deal w/online- I could do the application online, and in fact did it, but then I couldn't give them my credit card info online, I had to call them to do it. 5 attempted phone calls later (I had to call the rep who was in charge of my online application- he was never at his desk) I gave up. Then I realized Rentafone was a better deal when I redid the calculations. I used rentafone and it was great. The drop the phone at the hotel before you arrive, w/a simple sheet of instructions. Easy to use, and you drop it in the mail at your last hotel or at the airport.

One day I got separated from my daughter and she wasn't answering her phone and I freaked and called the Rentafone help number- a man came on in English and was very good, got off w/me and called her phone, and then calmly told me it was not that she was not answering her phone, it was that she was in an area that was out of range inside somewhere (she was in a store). He called me back a half hr later to make sure I had gotten in touch w/her. That is good service.

One thing w/Rentafone that is different is that they bill you for the outgoing calls after you get back, on your credit card. I was a bit leary of that, because w/Vodaphone I had used phone cards and you use phone cards w/PuPuRu. But a poster on here told me that it turned out ok for them on the billing, it was the right amt. ANd it was fine for me too- they sent me an email before they charged my card and it was fine.

I'd use Rentafone again.

Oh, and I also looked at the "free" cell phone that you can get if you fly ANA, but it turned ut it was not free at all, and the fees cost more than Rentafone!