Cell phones and long term stay in Tokyo (buying, teaching)

[grhtex]

Can anyone out there who has stayed in Tokyo Japan for an extended period of time offer me any advice on what to do about cell phone service?

My wife and daughter will be in Tokyo for 45 days this summer and we hear that our current cell phone provider Verizon doesn't work very well in Japan.
Verizon told us our equipment will work in Japan but International calls are $1.99/minute and texts are .50 to send and a nickel for each text message received.

Can anyone verify their experience with Verizon? Anyone know of a cheaper option?

Regards, and Dōmo Arigatō

[rotorholic]

Buy a unlocked GSM phone and purchase a local sim card once they arrive, GSM phones work worldwide

[grhtex]

Originally Posted by rotorholic

Buy a unlocked GSM phone and purchase a local sim card once they arrive, GSM phones work worldwide

In the situation you suggest would Verizon still be the provider and they'd be subject to Verizon rates?

Thanks,

[DaveG99]

get a cheap phone over there to use. Im sure they have the equivalent to boost mobile over there.

[pappy97]

Japan Cell Phones. Advice On Getting A Cell Phone That Works in Japan.

This may provide some help. Tough to buy a pre-paid SIM card in Japan, BUT you can buy pre-paid SIM cards here to use in a cheap unlocked phone you buy prior to going there.

Prepaid SIM Card Buyer's Guide

Hope that helps. You certainly want to explore the option of getting a cheap unlocked phone and buying a pre-paid (and usually reloadable) SIM card. Do google searches for "prepaid international sim card." You'll find many places that sell these cards and give you MUCH better rates than your own provider Verizon is offering. I've seen a few from Japan to US where the calls are $0.55/minute (incoming calls free) and $0.40 per outgoing text (incoming text is free).