Highlights:

1. $5 / month.
2. Unlimited voice, text, and data. No caps. No throttling. Uses 3G.
3. All GSM International roaming capable handsets are eligible.
4. Uses the Softbank UMTS network (a benefit of the Sprint and SoftBank merger?).
5. Tethering is not allowed.

Standard rates:

Swag cost: (move cursor over Monthly Fee or Usage Fee value to see calculations)

Highlights (with respect to Japan):

1. (optional) Worldwide Voice add-on for discounted voice rates.
2. (optional) International Data Pack Add-on for discounted data rates.

Standard rates (for Japan roaming):

Sprint Worldwide Data Plan (International Data Pack Add-on): Multiple Country Data Roaming (includes Japan)

Swag cost: (move cursor over Monthly Fee or Usage Fee value to see calculations)

Highlights:

1. Reserve a phone via fax, phone, or using their website.
2. Pick up phone from the counter at the airport or have it delivered to an address that you specify (delivery fee applies).
3. Return the device to the counter at the airport. Pay for your bill with a credit card.
4. Phone handsets have only basic email and data capability - they are not smart phones. No SMS messages.

There are essentially four plans to choose from:

Swag cost: (move cursor over Rental Fee or Usage Fee value to see calculations)

Highlights:

1. Reserve a phone via fax, phone, or using their website.
2. Pick up phone from the counter at the airport (Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, and New Chitose) or have it delivered.
3. Easy drop-off at the airport or by courier.
4. "Totally cashless. Credit card payment. Paperless billing. Free email invoice."
5. One basic handset for domestic use only (SoftBank 707SCII) and three smartphones (models not specified) to choose from.

There are essentially two plans to choose from:

1. A. Domestic-only phone:

   Rental Fee	¥260 /day
   Domestic calls	110 /min
   Domestic SMS	15 /msg
   Data (in 128 byte packets)	0.32 /pkt



2. B. Smartphone:

   Rental Fee	¥210 /day
   Domestic calls	110 /min
   International calls	300 /min
   Domestic SMS	15 /msg
   International SMS	15 /msg
   Unlimited Data	1550 /day

Swag cost: (move cursor over Rental Fee or Usage Fee value to see calculations)

Highlights:

1. Currently uses Samsung phones (740SC and 731SC), operating on the Softbank network.
2. Can send/receive email but SMS has some restrictions.
3. Uses Softbank Mobile prepaid / pay-as-you-go phones.
4. You are billed for how much you use.
5. You can easily check how much credit is left and how much you have used.
6. Phones are delivered with sufficient credit for most users- around ¥20,000.
7. Call a toll-free number on the back of the phone to add credit when needed.
8. Discount calling card number must be dialed each time in order to get the stated rates.
9. You cannot access the internet with these phones.
10. No charge for sending / receiving e-mails except for monthly fee.
11. The rental fee includes delivery and return postage (within Japan).
12. Phones can be sent to your hotel or other address as requested.
13. Can also send to the post office at the airport or any other post office in Japan.

Standard rates:

Swag cost: (move cursor over Rental Fee or Usage Fee value to see calculations)

Highlights (for iPhone rental):

1. Rent an iphone 4 / 5 / 5S
2. "All phones have unlimited internet access without ANY additional fees for data."
3. "No tethering/ Personal WiFi spot."
4. "Prepaid return envelope included! Just drop off at anywhere or any airport!"
5. "We only deliver iPhone to Aiports. WE DO NOT deliver to Hotels or other Addresses."
6. Free delivery to post office at the following airports: Narita, Kansai, Chubu, New Chitose
7. Use "Premium airport delivery" if you are arriving when post offices are closed. (additional fee)
8. Premium airport delivery available at: Narita, Kansai, Haneda, New Chitose, Fukuoka

They also have an HTC EVO WiMAX 4G android phone available. It is a little more expensive but also has unlimited data and allows tethering. There are no entries for SMS in their fee schedule??

Standard rates: (for iPhone 5)

Swag cost: (move cursor over Rental Fee or Usage Fee value to see calculations)

Highlights:

1. Will deliver a rental mobile phone anywhere in Japan.
2. "Hotels, airport counters(NARITA Airport,HANEDA Airport,KANSAI Airport,CHUBU Airport), etc."
3. Additional fee for airport or express delivery.
4. For return: "drop into a mailbox anywhere in Japan."

There are essentially two plans to choose from:

1. A. Basic Plan:

   Rental Fee	¥1,500 /phone + ¥400 /day
   Optional Packet Fee Discount Service	1,000 /month
   Domestic calls	40 /30 sec
   International calls to U.S.	68 /30 sec
   Domestic SMS	6 to 60 /copy
   Data (in 128 byte packets)	0.105 /pkt



2. B. iPhone Plan (iPhone 4 / 4S):

   Rental Fee	¥1,500 /phone + ¥800 /day
   Unlimited Internet (mandatory fee)	7,000 /month
   Domestic calls	40 /30 sec
   International calls	78 /30 sec
   Domestic SMS	(not provided)
   International SMS	200 /copy

Swag cost: (move cursor over Rental Fee or Usage Fee value to see calculations)

Highlights:

1. "We take orders via Internet, phone, or fax. Customer care is available in four languages" (including English)
2. You must: "Ensure that your iPhone is SIM-unlocked and available for international roaming."
3. "iPhone SIM cards are only available at airport counters."
4. "Totally cashless. Credit card payment. Paperless billing. Free email invoice."
5. "Easy drop-off at airport or by courier."

Standard rates: (for iPhone 5)

Swag cost: (move cursor over Rental Fee or Usage Fee value to see calculations)

Highlights:

1. "The rental fee includes unlimited unlimited web access (including sending/receiving emails), GPS, etc."
2. "Includes 1000JPY worth of free call."
3. "No tethering Personal WiFi spot." (for iPhones. It is allowed for Android sim rentals)
4. "We only deliver iPhone SIM and Android SIM to Aiports. WE DO NOT deliver to Hotels or other Addresses."
5. Free delivery to post office at the following airports: Narita, Kansai, Chubu, New Chitose
6. Use "Premium airport delivery" if you are arriving when post offices are closed. (additional fee)
7. Premium airport delivery available at: Narita, Kansai, Haneda, New Chitose, Fukuoka
8. "Prepaid return envelope included! Just drop off at anywhere or any airport!"

Standard rates: (for iPhone 5)

Swag cost: (move cursor over Rental Fee, Usage Fee, or Total value to see calculations)

This is exactly the same as renting an iPhone from them except it includes ¥1,000 in free calls.

Highlights:

1. "No limit on data usage"
2. "Our SIM card is for data only, which means you cannot make or recieve phone calls or use SMS."
3. "The maximum download speed is 150Mbps and the maximum upload speed is 50Mbps."
4. "The connection speed will be reduced to 200Kbps once the data traffic volume exceed 100MB over a 3 day (72 hour) period"
5. "We will deliver the SIM card to where you'll be staying or you can collect it at the airport post office"
6. "To return it, just put it in the prepaid return envelope we provide and drop it into a post box anywhere in Japan."
7. "If you purchase plans over 30 days, you will be able to extend your rental period easily"

Standard rates: (for iPhone 5 nano-SIM, data only)

Extension Plan rates: "(Applicable for long term users (over 30 days))"

Swag cost: (move cursor over Rental Fee value to see calculations)

Highlights:

1. "Your device must be Unlocked (SIM Lock Free)."
2. "Data communication only. No voice service." "No you cannot use SMS and MMS."
3. Has an English language help desk.
4. Can ship to airport post offices or hotels.
5. Can purchase online (including from b-mobile's site and Amazon.co.jp) or at retail stores (Yodobashi Camera).
6. Reserves the right to "restrict the data transmission speed for customers who have used more than approximately 360MB over three consecutive days."
7. You can re-charge your SIM by credit card.

There are two different SIMs offered. Same price for both: ¥3,686 /14-day period

1. A. 1GB prepaid visitor SIM:
   1. Data Speed: "Best effort theoretical maximum speed"
   2. "No traffic control"
   3. 1GB max data usage
   4. "Max. total usage of 1GB or 14 days which ever comes first"


2. B. 14 day prepaid visitor SIM:
   1. Data Speed: "up to 300kbps""
   2. "Traffic is controlled for VoIP, video, and other streaming contents"
   3. unlimited data usage
   4. Usable period: 14 days

Swag cost: (move cursor over Rental Fee value to see calculations)

"In the communication package you get two products: the Japan Travel SIM and the Brastel Card. With the SIM card you get the data service to use your smartphone or tablet, and the Brastel Card allows you to place calls by using the 050 Free app. In addition, you can add extra data on the Japan Travel SIM card with credits from the Brastel Card in case you run out of the 2GB data."

Highlights:

1. "Transmission rate: LTE (Maximum 150 Mbps downlink/50 Mbps uplink)"
2. "2GB of data transmission" and "No daily limits"
3. "Rechargeable with credits from the Brastel Card"
4. Validity: 3 months from activation. It is not possible to extend the validity period.
5. "The SIM card is only usable on unlocked (SIM-free) smartphones."
6. "ID verification (passport, Residence Card, etc.) will be required for the purchase."
7. No SMS.

I found the SIM package at sofmap online store for ¥3,780 and from Yodobashi Camera online store for ￥4,090. The initial cost includes 2GB data which is sufficient to satisfy the data criteria. The Brastel Card starts out empty and must be charged in order to do voice calls.

Standard rates: (via Brastel Card)

Recharge Plan rates: (via Brastel Card)

Swag cost: (move cursor over Purchase Price or Usage Fee value to see calculations)

Highlights:

1. "You can make an international call."
2. "You can e-mail."
3. "Incoming calls are free."
4. "Receiving SMS requires a subscription to Unlimited Mail."
5. "Your phone can be recharged through Softbank Prepaid Cards (¥3000 and ¥5000)"
6. "3000JPY prepaid amount is included." (per each plan period: 10, 20, or 30 days)
7. Airport delivery is an additional ¥800.

There are three plans to choose from. They only differ in the amount of time it lasts: S Type (10 days max); M Type (20 days max); and L Type (30 days max). Usage fees are the same for all plans.

Standard rates:

Swag cost: (move cursor over Rental Fee or Usage Fee value to see calculations)

Warning: there are two different prepaid offerings. The one from Softbank is for Japanese citizens or people with a residence card. The other, from Softbank Global Rental, is for tourists and only requires a passport. The second offering is the one that applies to me.

Highlights:

1. "Passport is required at application."
2. Purchase online, in person at a SoftBank shop, or at counters in airports (selection may be limited).
3. Airports are: Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, New Chitose.
4. Simple Style 3G phone models: Softbank 301Z, Pantone 4 (Softbank 105SH);
5. Simple Style Smartphone models: Lumix Phone (Softbank 101P), Pantone 5 (Softbank 107SH).
6. "Available two types of Prepaid cards." (¥5000 and ¥3000)
7. For the Simple Style 3G phone models, there is one optional data plan for providing unlimited use of S! Mail MMS) and SMS services. 30 days costs only ¥309 (¥286 + 8% tax).
8. For the Simple Style Smartphone models, there are three optional plans for providing SMS, S! Mail, and 3G Data: 2-Day Plan (¥900); 7-Day Plan (¥2,700); 30-Day Plan (¥7,000).
9. For the Simple Style Smartphone data plans: "If monthly data usage exceeds 1.2GB, data speeds may be reduced. Data speeds will be reduced (until the plan ends) if data usage exceeds the following: 200MB for the 2 day plan, 700MB for the 7 day plan, 3GB for the 30 day plan."

Here is the general process:

1. You buy the prepaid phone and then it is yours to keep.
2. You buy a prepaid card (either ¥5000 or ¥3000). It is good for 60 days only. Unused minutes are lost.
3. You sign up for the appropriate data plan if desired.

Standard rates:

Swag cost for Simple Style Smartphone (Pantone 5): (move cursor over Purchase Price value to see calculations)

I am not sure about the purchase price for the Pantone 5 phone. The price I list, ¥24,840, is from the Softbank online store. The Softbank Global Rental web pages do not list any prices. Are the Simple Style prepaid phones from Softbank Global Rental the same price as the Simple Style prepaid phones from Softbank (see the warning at the top of this section)?

Highlights:

1. "Purchase a prepaid card and prepaid phone, and just register for usage start-up to easily start using."
2. "You can also use KDDI's 001 international calling service."
3. "Prepaid services are extendable with additional prepaid cards."
4. "SMS (C-mail) is available. You can send and receive text messages with a SMS (C-mail) compatible model. Note: Mails cannot be sent to mobile phones of other carriers."
5. One model available: Kyocera K012. It cannot send or receive email messages. It is not compatible with packet communications (ie, no data).
6. Prepaid cards come in amounts: ¥3,000, ¥5,000, and ¥10,000.
7. "When subscribing to a new prepaid service, a contract fee of ¥4,000 is required. Also, a prepaid card of at least ¥6,000 must be purchased at the same time."

Standard rates:

Swag cost: (move cursor over Purchase Price or Usage Fee value to see calculations)

The au website was a serious exercise in frustration. I had to really dig to find a price for the K012 phone and then did a double-take when I saw how high it was. This is just a very basic phone. If I missed something obvious, I would appreciate it if someone would let me know.

Highlights:

1. "The Data taransfer speeds will be limited when an excessive amount of data (approx. 1GB/3days) is used in a short period of time."
2. "Data transmission speeds: 4G) 110Mbps Max Download / 10Mbps Max Upload 3G) 42Mbps Max Download / 5.7Mbps Max Upload"
3. "Wi-Fi router models cannot be chosen when booking."
4. Battery: "Approx, 4hours at a maximum"

Standard rates:

Swag cost: (move cursor over Rental Fee value to see calculations)

Highlights:

1. "High-speed internet WIFI HOTSPOT: 21Mpbs ,75Mbps, 165Mbps at optimal condition."
2. "Unlimited internet access: No additional fees for data access."
3. "Easy pickup: We deliver the pocket WiFi to the Airport, hotel, residence, office , etc."
4. "Prepaid return envelope included! Just drop off at anywhere or any airport!"
5. "Delivery location: you can receive the Pocket WiFi after landing, in post office of the Airport, Hotel, Residence etc. Delivery Fee: FREE"
6. "For customers arriving early morning or late night (other than normal business Hours), use premium delivery." (additional fee)

There are essentially four plans to choose from:

1. Super Premium Wifi: 165 Mbps (download) / 10 Mbps (upload) with wide coverage, 9 hrs battery, 14 devices
    

   Rental Fee: 1 to 5 days	¥1,750 /day
   Rental Fee: Additional days	¥800 /day



2. Premium Wifi: 75 Mbps (download) / 25 Mbps (upload) with wide coverage, 9-12 hrs battery, 10 devices
    

   Rental Fee: 1 to 5 days	¥1,290 /day
   Rental Fee: Additional days	¥500 /day



3. Standard Wifi: 75 Mbps (download) / 25 Mbps (upload) with std. coverage, 10-12 hrs battery, 10 devices (after 10GB, speed will be slow down to 128kbps).
    

   Rental Fee: 1 to 5 days	¥990 /day
   Rental Fee: Additional days	¥300 /day



4. Eco Wifi: 21 Mbps (download) / 5.8 Mbps (upload) with std. coverage, 4-5 hrs battery, 5 devices
    

   Rental Fee: 1 to 5 days	¥870 /day
   Rental Fee: Additional days	¥300 /day

Swag cost: (move cursor over Rental Fee value to see calculations)

Highlights:

1. "Pick up your ordered goods at your hotel (or post office in the airport)" (Narita, Kansai, Chubu)
2. Return: "Put everything in the provided envelope. Drop into a Post Box."

There are essentially three plans to choose from:

1. 21Mbps (3G) option: (EMobile)
   

   Data usage	"Unlimited (No restriction per month)"
   Max Speed	"21Mbps(Download) / 5.8Mbps (Upload)"
   Connections	"Up to 5 devices"
   Battery	"4 hours continuous to use (We will provide an Extra Battery which can extend to 8 hours)"
   Coverage	"98% Population Coverage Nationwide"
   Rental Fee	1-2 days: ¥2800 flat fee; each additional day: ¥300/day



2. 75Mbps (LTE) option: (EMobile)
   

   Data usage	"Unlimited (Speed Will be throttled to 128kbps after 10GB)"
   Max Speed	"75Mbps(Download) / 25Mbps (Upload)"
   Connections	"Up to 10 devices"
   Battery	"9 hours continuous to use (We will provide an Extra Battery which can extend to 12 hours)"
   Coverage	"98% Population Coverage Nationwide"
   Rental Fee	1-2 days: ¥3,450 flat fee; 3rd day is additional ¥400; each additional day: ¥300/day



3. 40Mbps (LTE) option: (AU + UQ WiMAX)
   

   Data usage	"Unlimited (Speed Will be throttled to 128kbps after 10GB)"
   Max Speed	"40Mbps(Download) / 15.4Mbps (Upload)"
   Connections	"Up to 5 devices"
   Battery	"4 hours continuous to use (We will provide an Extra Battery which can extend to 8 hours)"
   Coverage	"99.9% Population Coverage Nationwide"
   Rental Fee	1-2 days: ¥3,450 flat fee; 3rd day is additional ¥400; each additional day: ¥300/day

Swag cost: (move cursor over Rental Fee value to see calculations)

I consider Plan B (75Mbps LTE) to be the best for my needs.

Highlights:

1. "The minimum rental period is 3 days."
2. "If more than 366 MB of data is used during any 24-hour period then the download speed of the router may be limited to 128 kbs between the hours of 9 PM - 2 AM for that same day. However internet access will never be restricted."
3. "A fully refundable 10,000 yen deposit (which will be refunded to you upon return of the router in good working order.)"
4. "Pick-up and drop-off at the airport locations is free." (Narita, Kansai)
5. "If you need delivery to a hotel or other location, we can provide that for an extra 1,500 yen (both ways), or 1,000 yen for an airport/hotel delivery combination."

There are essentially two plans to choose from:

1. 21Mbps (3G) option: (EMobile)
   

   Max Speed	"21 Mbps (download) / 5.8 Mbps (upload)"
   Connections	"5 devices"
   Battery	"4.5 hrs battery life"
   VPN	"Supports VPNs"
   Rental Fee	¥1,200 /day for first 7 days, ¥580 /day after that



2. 75Mbps (4G LTE) option: (EMobile)
   

   Max Speed	"75 Mbps (download) / 25 Mbps (upload)"
   Connections	"10 devices"
   Battery	"8.5 hrs battery life"
   VPN	"Does NOT support VPNs"
   Rental Fee	¥1,500 /day for first 7 days, ¥1,200 /day after that

Swag cost: (move cursor over Rental Fee value to see calculations)

Highlights:

1. Pick up at hotel, residence, or airport post office (Narita or Kansai)
2. Return package is provided.
3. "Order 3 weeks in advance to save another 15%!!"
4. "Discount Up To 65%. The longer you rent, the cheaper you get."
5. "[W]e provide bigger-than-usual or extra battery for every order, it usually lasts for a whole day for the most of the users."
6. "Payment can be made by credit cards or PayPal account."
7. "Customer support is available in English 365 days a year."

There are essentially two plans to choose from:

1. 3G option
   

   Max Speed	"21 Mbps (download) / 5.8 Mbps (upload)"
   Connections	"5 devices"
   Data Limits	"Unlimited data"
   Throttling	Connection speed may be restricted if you use more than 366MB within 24 hours.
   Rental Fee	"¥343 to ¥980 /day"



2. 4G option
   

   Max Speed	"75 Mbps (download) / 25 Mbps (upload)"
   Connections	"10 devices"
   Data Limits	"Max 1GB/day"
   Throttling	Connection speed may be restricted if you use more than 1GB within 24 hours.
   Rental Fee	"¥432 to ¥1,080 /day"

Swag cost: (move cursor over Rental Fee value to see calculations)