[f.s.c.//o2]

So I'll be travelling to Japan this summer, and I plan to buy a new cellphone there... for obvious reasons lol. Someone told me that its not a good idea since they might not work here in North America, so I was just wondering if it would be advisable to buy a phone there, and if it would work in Canada.

Is it possible to find decent phones in the price range of $100-200 there?

Also, what brands would be good buys (price range $100-200)?

If anyone could help me out on this, it'd be great! Thanks!

[__JBM*]

sharp (: <33333
they're really nice phones.

.. but i have no idea if you'll be able to use them here unless you use a hypersim.

[chifuni]

You must ask the people who work there if it's unlocked. Most Japan phones are NOT unlocked and are only made to be used in Japan. The only phones I have came across that are unlocked is the Softbank brands. Japan phones are pretty cheap and a good deal. They vary... around $20-$300.

[mndz]

im pretty sure, if you buy a phone you have to unlock it.
if you go to pacific mall, they can unlock it for you there.
also, ask around to your service provider.

[DKYang]

Most of the phones there will not work at any other countries, period.

If you really want one, then find an unlocked GSM phone. Make sure it uses the same bands as your carrier does.

Be prepared that some features will not work if you happened to find one unlocked.

[f.s.c.//o2]

Thanks for your help! Maybe I will rethink getting a cell phone there then..

Would getting a triband or quad band phone work?

[**windi/hongy**]

you can't even buy a phone in japan unless you live there
quadband is better because you get better reception

[yuuki888]

you can't even buy a phone in japan unless you live there
quadband is better because you get better reception

windi/hongy is right~~ they don't sell phones to foreigners and unlocking is illegal/the police do crackdowns ALL the time*
It's really hard to buy a phone in Japan~~ if you can go to hong kong, china or taiwan go there and try to buy phones =]
guaranteed you wont find unlocked phones or be able to purchase them from phone companies

[happy_cravings]

yup, pretty much all Japanese phones don't work in other countries even if unlocked. and even if it did, since Japanese phones are are so heavily branded, it will just be messy. the phone will have all these unused applications dedicated to the specific Japanese network. when i was in japan, i know a few people who just got cheap contract phones (pretty much just call and text...nothing flash like camera etc). this would be a good idea if your only in Japan for a short period of time (4 months etc)

[colloquy]

Rental phones are pretty much the only way for you to go, since Prepaid phones require a Japanese drivers license/some proof of residency. There are a lot of kiosks in front of the airports. It's usually... 250yen-800yen a day plus 70-200yen a domestic minute. I'd just go without the cellphone if I was you, but that's an option if you really need it.