Talk:Japan/@comment-67.187.178.215-20100812192413

http://www.softbank-rental.jp/en/phones/sim3g.php - I've used the SIM rental plan with Softbank numerous times. (Easy) - It's a regular SIM and I've used several phone models with it. (HTC Tilt, some older HTC model and a Nokia N95) - Your phone must be W-CDMA/UMTS compatible. - You must pick up the SIM at one of their airport locations. They are not available at their regular stores. - You'll need a credit card, your passport and a few minutes to fill out the form, as well as let them test the SIM in your phone. - You can return the SIM when you get home, but I always allot a few minutes to return it at their airport kiosk. I've picked it up at Narita and returned it at Kansai International and vice versa. No extra fee for that.

Fees: - ¥105 per day - Incoming calls are free, outgoing I think are ¥105/minute. - SMS was like ¥15 each I think

Whatever you do, don't use data with this service. The cost is outrageous. Do yourself a favor and review the link above. Their service and fees may have changed since this post.

I've also never booked the SIM rental ahead of time. I've just picked it up when I arrived.


 * Hint: Get yourself a Skypeout number for the duration of your stay, if you want to have a phone number local to your home for friends/family/clients to call that you can setup to forward to your number. You pay in advance for the Skype stuff, but it makes it easy for others to call if they must reach you.