Pre-Paid Phone cost?

[ET_Fukuoka]

What is the going rate for a pre-paid phone in Japan? Not the service itself, just the phone? I got the service rates on the softbank site but they didn't list the actual cost of the phones.

Thanks

[Kirirao]

I'm not sure if the price have changed or not, but I bought mine at 3000 yen at a 7-11 shop last year. I think.
It was really really ugly tho.

htt p://m b.softbank.jp/mb/en/prepaid/lineup/v_models/index.html
The V102D type. not sure what the other type prices is.

[kenasto]

Softbanks prepaid phones are between 5000 and 6000 yen, including a 2000 or 3000 Yen (I think 3000 Yen) balance for immediate use on calls.

[Kirirao]

they included the 3000 yen balance?
had to buy mine separately.

[ET_Fukuoka]

Cool!! Last year the wifey and I rented phones from the airport and our bills were crazy expensive when we left. Not having a mobile in Japan is not an option and it would be nice to not have to give my friends and family a new number every time we visit.

If any of you use pre-paid phones in Japan let me know approx. how much you are spending a month on the service. I dont see myself having any long conversations on the thing. Just quick calls or emails to set up meeting times.

[Kirirao]

before i got my current cellphone, I'm happy with around 3000 yen for every 2-3 month heh. I just reload it when I need to call and before the 3month limits runs out.

living as a student = Need to save anyway you can ;)

[mauron]

Cool!! Last year the wifey and I rented phones from the airport and our bills were crazy expensive when we left. Not having a mobile in Japan is not an option and it would be nice to not have to give my friends and family a new number every time we visit.
If any of you use pre-paid phones in Japan let me know approx. how much you are spending a month on the service. I dont see myself having any long conversations on the thing. Just quick calls or emails to set up meeting times.

Yeah, i'm in the same situation. When I went to Japan last month the bill for my rental phone was about as much as I spend in a year here in Belgium. I'm pretty sure I'll try to just buy one next time I go.

I wonder though, is it possible for a foreign non-resident to buy a pre-paid phone? I know any kind of subscription service is out of the question, due to me not having a foreign registration card or anything, but I've never really looked in to the option of pre-paid phone packages.

[Kirirao]

I wonder though, is it possible for a foreign non-resident to buy a pre-paid phone? I know any kind of subscription service is out of the question, due to me not having a foreign registration card or anything, but I've never really looked in to the option of pre-paid phone packages.

I think so, I don't remember tho. But I think you can, since I bought one straight from the store a few days right after I came to Japan and my foreign registration card still in the making at that time, If my memory still serve me correctly.

[ET_Fukuoka]

That wont be a problem since I have a lot of Japanese friends that would do it for me and my wife is Japanese and if she couldn't do it one of her family could. I don't think it will be a problem though. I should be able to get it on my own.