#1: Phones

There's not much on the internet that actually tells you whether or not foreigners can get phones.

Short answer: we can.

When I went, I bought a pre-paid phone from SoftBank. SoftBank seems to be the best network, and it's easy to set up.

Obviously, the first thing you need to do is go to SoftBank. If you prefer, ask for someone who speaks English:
英語で話せる店員がいますか
(eigo ga hanaseru tenin ga imasu ka?) will suffice.
If yes, wait. They will make you wait extra long, because it's easier to deal with Japanese speakers first.
If not, crack out the Japanese. You might have to find a ticketing machine, some stores have them. You'll know; at the desks where the staff members are, there'll be a "now serving number 112" or whatever style panel. I think they have English on the boxes, but if not, just press the top button and hope for the best.

When you get called, if you have to speak Japanese, ask again if they speak English.
英語で話せますか
(eigo de hanasemasu ka?) is alright, you're the customer after all. If they do, you're in luck, else, you're in big trouble, unless you speak Japanese well enough to get buy. I've included an important-words list at the end.

Anyway, they'll get you to fill out the form, and in 2009 the only phone you could really get* was the Samsung 730SC. They may have updated this, but I'm not sure. Prepaid phones don't do much except e-mail (￥300 a month) and phone calls (which are expensive). E-mail is good, easy to keep up with people from home, but that's all a prepaid phone does.

It's good for exchange students (like I was).


N.B. If you're under 20, you will need parental permission, or permission from a teacher to get the phone.

PROTIP. Get the phone in your own name. My first host mum, who was a psycho, cancelled the service, at the same time she kicked me out at 2am, I mean.


*A friend of mine got a bit of a better phone by going to one of those shady-looking Allphones-style stores, but results may vary.

~WORDS!~単語！~

ソフトバンク(Sofuto Banku) - SoftBank
携帯電話(Keitai Denwa) - Mobile Phone
プリペイド・サービス(Puripeido Sābisu) - Prepaid Service (Prepaid Mobile Service, basically)
プリペイド・サービスを登録したいのです(Puripeido Sābisu o tōroku shitai no desu) - I want to register for Prepaid Service
プリペイド・カード(Puripeido Kādo) - Prepaid Card (for Recharges)
パスポートを持っています(Pasupōto o motte imasu) - I have my passport with me
外国人登録証明書を持っています(Gaikokujin tōuroku shōmeisho o motte imasu) - I have my Alien Registration Card/ARC/Foreigner Card with me