Keeping in touch is a must, especially so when we are traveling. Renting phones is a popular choice for tourists in Japan because of its flexibility and cost. There are convenient ways for preparing your means of communication even before you land in Japan, which might just be for you.
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Why Rent a Phone?
Mobile phones nowadays play a huge role in our daily lives. We use it to communicate, connect, and interact with our loved ones, friends, and anyone in different parts of the world. This is especially true for out-of-the-country travelers and tourists in non-English speaking countries like Japan. Another thing that we must recognize is that renting a phone can offer the same convenience not only for tourists but also for those who are on business trips or similar endeavors.
There are indeed other available options for you to stay connected while in Japan. First, you can rent or buy a Japanese SIM card in order to connect to the local networks in Japan. However, this option does work for everyone especially if your phone is locked. Another option is to rent a pocket Wi-Fi. This choice is great for group travelers or for those who use multiple devices. Pocket Wi-Fi though is not going to help you if you and your companions are scattered and you need to connect to one another because only the person who has the pocket Wi-Fi with them in that case can use it. Aside from this, some travelers are not into renting pocket Wi-Fis because they don’t like carrying separate devices during their travels.
Renting a mobile phone, however, is preferred by some tourists because many phone rentals are on a per-day basis which is very helpful for short travels. It also saves you the hassle of figuring out SIM compatibility. It also can be a cheaper alternative compared to the aforementioned options because phone rentals have different packages that will suit your usage. You can either choose a phone rental for calls and messages only or go for the calls-messages-data package depending on your needs. For more information about phone rentals in Japan, keep reading.
Writer's Pick
What You Should Know about Phone Rentals?
Types of Phones Available
You can choose either to rent a simple phone or a smartphone. For simple phones, you can pick either a flip/folding phone, a sliding phone, or a straight phone which are all equipped with a camera. You can choose this option if you are only going to need the phone for voice calls and messages. But if you need to use more features, especially the Internet, there are also smartphones available to rent. Some of the smartphones that they offer are Apple products like iPhone 5s, 6, and 7. Be reminded that the rental fees vary depending on the type of phone you are going to choose, as simple phones are cheaper compared to smartphones.
Average Costs and Extra Charges
Rental fees vary depending on the rental providers or company. But typically, you can rent simple phones for 300-600 yen per day for plans good for 1-10 days or a discounted plan for approximately 10,000 yen for 30 days. The usual cost for smartphones per day ranges from 1000-2000 yen per day for plans of less than 10 days. You will be able to avail yourself of more discounted special rates if you are to rent phones for more than 30 days. Also, there is an optional insurance fee charged per day ranging from more than 200 yen for a standard plan and around 500 yen for a premium plan. When getting your preferred plan, take note of the additional 10% Japan Consumption Tax on top of your rental package, and don’t forget to include the delivery and return day as part of the rental period.
With the above price, incoming calls are already free but you will most likely need to add a few charges for calling, messaging, and accessing the internet. Outgoing local calls are also included free of charge with voicemail features and caller ID. International calls are charged additionally, depending on the country that you are contacting. If you are renting a smartphone, you also need to pay data charges depending on your data consumption.
※ SoftBank Global Rental, "Rental - Smartphone/Simple Phone - Use in Japan" ※ JCR Corporation, "Japan Cellular Phone"
Usual Requirements
The requirements for renting a phone are simple actually. You will be asked to present a valid ID (such as your passport) and a credit card to initiate the transaction. Aside from this, you are usually good to go. Take note that some providers do not accept debit cards, only credit cards.
How to Rent a Phone?
Bookings and Pick-up
Phone rental providers have kiosks at major airports in Japan where you can choose and get a phone. You just have to present the needed requirements listed above. However, if you are going to rent one at the airport upon your arrival, there is a possibility that all phones are already out-of-stock and there’s nothing left, or the model that you need isn’t available. In order to avoid this hassle, it is more advisable to book online in advance and just pick up your reserved phone at the airport. Most rental companies also offer discounts for advance reservations, so you might want to take advantage of it. Some companies also offer services to deliver your phone to your hotel so that you don’t have to stop by at their kiosks at the airport.
Return and Dropoff
Returning your rented phones depends on the arrangements laid out by the company. Mostly, you can just drop off the phone and everything that came with it at the airport and be charged a few days after on your credit card. You can also return the phone at the boxes, sometimes available 24/7, at the company’s store locations if they offer that option. Other options are to return it through the mail, with packaging sometimes already provided. You can choose any option that is most convenient for you.
Long-term Rentals
If you will be staying in Japan for a longer period of time, there are also long-term rental plans that can work for you. These rental plans vary from the length of stay and your phone usage. You may also consider buying a prepaid phone that you can use while staying in the country. These phones are not that expensive, so it can also be a good option for longer stays rather than renting.
Rent a Phone
Connectivity is a necessity, there’s no doubt in that. Especially if you are going to visit countries like Japan, you really need an avenue to communicate with your companions and access the Internet for various purposes. In order to address this need, one great option you can take is to rent a mobile phone in Japan. Phone rentals in Japan assure you good and quality service and of course, a pretty convenient transaction. So, rent a phone and make the most out of your stay in the country.
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