Whether you are coming to Japan for business or pleasure, carrying a mobile phone can be almost as important as your passport. It doesn't have to be said that Tokyo is a crowded place, and trying to arrange appointments with new found friends or business colleagues could see you wasting invaluable time without a mobile phone.
While it is possible to rent a phone from Narita airport, you can save a great deal of time by arranging a rental phone through a rental company, such as: Go Mobile. You can book a phone before you get on that plane to Japan. Go Mobile can give you a telephone number in Japan before you leave for your trip - making it very easy for your friends and colleagues to reach you.
Their rates for domestic and international calls are very reasonable and they can deliver your phone to you anywhere in Japan.
Some of their other features include mobile phone email, camera phones and a translation/concierge service.
Since owning a phone line can be outrageously expensive, cell phones are your easiest and most inexpensive option. As a foreigner new to Japan, you may have problems buying one as many salespeople and storekeepers will speak very little English. Aside from attempting to teach every shopkeeper the language prior to getting phone rates, you should try to arrange your mobile phone through a company such as Go Mobile.
This will go a long way towards establishing and maintaining contacts during your stay in Japan. It will also be a lot cheaper than using Japanese payphones which can cost an arm and a leg for longer calls. If there is one thing you can't live without in Japan, it's contacts and networking and a cell phone is probably your biggest and best tool for success.
To order your mobile phone, visit the Go Mobile website and enter TOKYOESSENTIALS in the Agent code to receive special discounts and benefits.
