RENTING A CELL PHONE IN TOKYO, JAPAN: RENTAFONE. SHOPPING FOR CUTE JAPANESE GIRLS FASHION, HELLO KITTY SANRIO STORE.
Take my hand and let’s continue our tour of Laforet Harajuku. I previously posted photos of the Gothic Lolita Punk clothes.
Now, we’ll discover the sweeter, more casual (and wearable) side — and I’ll reveal the best cellphone rental service in Japan! Keep scrolling…
“mmts” is girly and simple — a contrast to the bells-and-whistles decora of a brand like Angelic Pretty.
Hats off to the basement level of Laforet, which houses street style.
Kawaii-decora accessories heaven.
Candy colored bags, fuzzy pastel hair clips.
The Nile Perch fairy kei store was packed.
Angelic Pretty shop. I prefer the more subdued Lolita prints, like the navy JSK on display, to bells-and-whistles frills.
Super Lovers is as bright and bold as ever.
A bonus snap from the Hello Kitty store in Shibuya 109.
Let’s talk travel. Many of you have asked — what’s the best way to rent a cell phone while in Japan? My favorite cellular rental service is Rentafone, which I’ve been using for years.
You order a keitai via their website, and it’s mailed to your Japan address. The cost is eminently reasonable (less than $40 a week), with discount calling charges and text messaging. (The Japanese number is even written on the back, lest you forget.) When you’re finished, simply put the rental in the pre-paid envelope and mail it back.
Japanese mobiles are always ahead of the curve — especially the cute emoticons! I always recommend that you have a cell in Tokyo (it makes contacting friends much easier), and Rentafone is the solution.
What’s your experience with cell phones and travel in Japan? Did anything catch your eye in the Harajuku store photos? You can drool over more street fashion in my Tokyo shopping guide.
Song of the Day: Savage – Twothousandandnine (Italo 80s dance party)
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LA CARMINA
31 Comments
Excuse my ignorance, but for a frequen traveller to Japan, wouldn’t it be better to buy a cellphone and pre-paid sim card in Japan and top up as required? That’s what I do when I go home to Italy: I have an Italian phone and sim card which I use only when I’m there. True, I have to keep the phone charged while not in Italy, so the sim card stays connected and does not expire, but apart from the electricity, this doesn’t cost me anything. Don’t they have pre-paid sim cards in Japan?
That aside, great pics! Love the Sanrio shop, love all things Hello Kitty!!! xx
The point is that in Japan as a non-resident you cannot buy a Japanese SIM like you can do in other countries.
Exactly – it’s ridiculously restrictive, which is why I like Rentafone. Easy to receive and return, and everything’s included.
Oh, I see. Sorry, didn’t know that. Thanks for explaining! :-) xx
La Carmina, Ohayo! I just spent last weekend at La Foret at La Foret Fashion Week! I just love that place! I love the stores and all the kawaii-things <3
Soo, i just buy a sheap softbank pre-paid at DonkiHote when im here! Its pretty cheap bcos all my freinds basically have softbank so I can mail them and call for free and also I get to really decorate it and go all-in-japanese-girly-deco-kawaii it!!;)
So, you are in Tokyo! Isshoni kohi o aimashouka? (lets meet for coffe was what I tried to say.. Im here for 3 months learning Japanese at an intensive course in Shibya;) )
Kinyoubi wa doudesuka?
I love your fashion and also I have my own business which i like to start import japanese fashion to sell to swedish people online! thats my maingoal why im here this time.
And you seeme like a really cool girl I´d like to meet.. if you can!
(http://www.toki100.com) you can reach me at emma.wallqvist@gmail.com or FB: emma wallqvist. matane
Wonderful, glad you are doing well! I just left Tokyo, actually…
cuuuuute stuff *_*
Hiya,Carmina,it was SOOOOOOO nice to meet you again in Tokyo :Dnow I miss you AGAINNNnnnnnnnn Nekoi PSYDOLL
See you soon!
I once had like seven people on my phone account
Ooooh… Angelic Pretty for sure!
That’s all soooo cute ! I wanna make a shopping tour right now!! :-)
ohhhh I love this post! Im a big fan of harajuku n this post was just so damn cute ><
Just saw you on the Travel channel and you rock girl!! Love your blogs and fashion!!
whee thanks!
love it!^-^
that’s my shit
Thank you for featuring more detailed coverage of Laforet! It certainly allows me to live vicariously through you in Japan!
Whenever I’m in Japan I always rent SIM cards through Softbank’s sim rental service at Narita Airport.
Nice!
I retweeted, girl! When we went the second time, we rented a cell right in the Narita Airport. Free texting! I think it was only like $40, too. So fun <3 I really love AP, but I would love to incorporate it into my outfits piece by piece, not a full coord, you know? A puffy skirt, but with a tshirt. Or a cute cutsew or frilly cardi, with some nice pants.
xoxo,
MaDonna
http://www.memadonna.com
Thanks babe! Yeah I agree, the full coord is too much for me..
This post totally saved my life. I just got to Tokyo today so thank you for re tweeting it ! :)
*–* that’s paradise for me!
How fun
so this is where you go when you die…awesome
hahah yeah!
Wooooooh so much pink~ I used to like a lot of the over-the-top frills of lolita, but lately I’ve liked more punky colorful looks. Like Super Lovers! I like Super Lovers more recently, and Algonquins, Peace Now, and so on. Fairy kei also looks interesting, but I haven’t looked into much.
Thank you for the photos & info as always <3
I’ve been feeling the same way. Punk and color for me.
Unbelievably Jealous!!! I wish I could visit at least ONE of these stores! :/
Hehe your store is just as delightful, trust me!
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