Buying a phone
Introduction
In Japan, smartphones are called スマートフォン (sumātofon), which is usually shortened to スマホ (sumaho). ALTs in rural locations should ask their coworkers or BoE what cell network has good local coverage.
Mobile phones in general are called 携帯電話 (keitai denwa), or simply 携帯 (keitai). Flip phones in Japan are now called ガラケー (garakē), a portmanteaux of ガラパゴス (garapagosu; Galapagos) and 携帯 (keitai; mobile phone); this word was coined because flip phones in Japan had been developed independently from flip phones around the rest of the world (and were not compatible in many ways), a process similar to the divergent evolutions found in wildlife on the Galapagos Islands.
Providers
The main providers in Akita are:
Other SIM card options (Article from November 5, 2017)
More SIM card options (Article from 2022)
Rakuten Mobile
Rakuten Mobile is also now available in Akita, through the mall in Akita city, or online. There isn't an English service available yet however, so you would need someone with a decent Japanese level to manage. They have a bring-your-own-phone service, and they have a no locked in contract period service as well. They are much cheaper than the Docomo and Softbank equivalent options. If you have a credit card with Rakuten, the process is easier (as you already have an account with Rakuten).
What I need to buy a phone
You need your Residence Card (在留カード; zairyū card). You should receive yours upon arrival into Japan. If you've arrived at your placement and haven't received it yet, notify your BoE and they can help you get it.
