Housetek's Japan Cell phone Guide

[Anudari11]

how much are the phones in japan?

you said to rent it was around about 100 n something dolars

more info thanks

[xsquid99]

Awesome, thanks for the tips... I'm moving to Japan in a couple weeks and was wondering how people were going to get in touch with me, but you helped me through this. Thanks again!

[NoctisFFvXIII]

do you by chance know how to call a cell phone in japan from the usa?

[housetek]

i use skype lol, but if you doing the skype method just call the skype in number and it'll forward it to japan.

soo say you know Person A's Phone number in japan.

you y our self have a skype in account.

set the forwarding number to his number with the country code. then call your skype in number, dont pick up and it'll forward the call.

[NoctisFFvXIII]

jesus thats a lot of steps lol

im not good with

phones tho xD

so calling her would be my

biggest challenge

[jinxiejae]

are there any japanese phones that would work in the us?

[edwardocortez]

no, japan works on a different frequency than us/canada i believe its 1600 while we are on 900/1800

[qdixon123]

aight this isnt ment to be like an asshole comment, but im really curious about to things, do the japanese import products from china? and ive alwayz been told that if u spit on the ground in japan, u get beat wit a cane??? if this is true how would someone go about chewing tobacco in japan? srry if this comes off as arrogant or cocky, but im jus curious

[sthomas24]

Hey, I'm living in Japan now and I'm getting charged SkypeOut rates. Did you get around this somehow or should I just suck it up and pay the charge to forward to cell phones?

[housetek]

hey this was done like in 07 since then they started charging a small fee.

still Cheaper then going with normal phone companies

[jamesgambino]

dude. I lived there for 8 yrs. I live in ny now. I want their phone. Can i use the phone here??

[FlamingArcher]

look for unlocked phones on the internet. They're typically expensive, but make sure its compatible with your carrier. Im not sure carriers will help you getting a japanese phone working here.

[9638899]

!! I LOVE GETTING on the CAM!! msn!!! msg me jane22fall F

[adam917]

I wonder about this but in the reverse: I heard that one of the Japanese companies now uses a standard that is in very wide use now: UMTS/HSPA on the 2100 MHz that is used in Europe & many other places that 3G is at. Can I theoretically buy a phone in Japan, get it unlocked, then take it to Europe & use on a local 3G network there?

I heard something about Japanese phones having special lock-outs and even reduced features when either a foreign language or SIM is being used on that phone.

Thanks

[berry02]

i would loooove to buy a phone there in japan..but will it work if i bring it bakc to europe (changing the sim card)?? and how much (price range)do you have any tips? cause there are prepaid and contract ones.. could u please give me some more info..that would be great!

[housetek]

the softbank phones will not work in other countries, at least mine doesnt.

the price range of the phones are 5000 yen to 15000 yen

roughly 48-150 dollars pending on what model and it costs 3000 - 5000 yen for prepaid minutes which can be bought at quick stops

[davidngo4415]

nice frosted tips and goatee. hehe.

i wish i had the income to buy a japanese cell phone. i just went there, but couldn't afford their awesome phones.

[chadomgzlikewtf]

Hey i have a question, so you can buy a cell phone in Japan and bring it back to the United States, but does it work here? and also can you unlock it to where it works for a american phone provider?

[legend2k]

does it cost to have the call forwarded?

[housetek]

nope

[AnhLe91]

yo man! can you speak or read japanese? just curious:D

[housetek]

i cant read, but i can speak enough to travel around. and i know basic stuff like greetings and ordering food.

pretty much lasted my entire time there with just bare minimum japanese

[DXHatakeKakashi]

stupid question but dont you need a gaijin card when buying a phone

I am interested cause I am going to japan myself in aug 2008 :)

[housetek]

all you need is a passport

and the adress of the place you are staying at.

just write some hotel name down. and bring your passport and your set to go

[DXHatakeKakashi]

mmm nice to know

initially I was going to use my Netherlands Vodafone card alongwith vodafone passport but since this is slightly more cheaper I'll go with this one xD

[sherillml]

You sure about that? On the SoftBank ewbpage there is clear information that since April 2006 you need Alien registration card to obtain a prepaid Phone. Did anyone get one during this year?

[aznboihotty]

thanks for the info

[hex147]

Thanks for the info! Luckily, I've got skype...Btw, would this work for other countries? Like, maybe Isreal?

[housetek]

Yes this will work in any country

[BboyCasual]

great video!

[clairebearrrr]

very informative ;]

although i dont understand a word of it. xD but yeah, intelligent people will find this useful. :P