How does it work?<\/h3>\n\n- The first step is to download their app and install on your phone or tablet; iOS and Android are supported.<\/li>\n
- Next, simply register with their system with your phone number. No need to even have a username or password here. (I wish more systems were like this since I know I won\u2019t get blasted with spam later.) You can also choose to use Facebook as your log in as well (which you must do if you don\u2019t have an SMS option. More on why that\u2019s a thing later.)<\/li>\n
- You\u2019ll need to pay a \u00a51,500 deposit via the Visa\/MasterCard of your choice or use Apple Pay if you have an iPhone. The deposit is refundable at anytime.<\/li>\n
- Then when your getting the \u201clow battery\u201d warning next time, just check the app to see the location of the nearest kiosk along with the status of available batteries.<\/li>\n
- When you get to the kiosk, scan its QR code with the app and a battery pack should pop out along with the timer starting on the app for your rental period.<\/li>\n
- When you\u2019re ready to return it, just check the app again to see where a kiosk with available empty slots is located near where you are, go there and drop the battery pack in the return slot. Done!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What are the \u201cgotchas?\u201d<\/h3>\n
Mostly none actually, but there are a few things to consider:<\/p>\n
You need a phone with working SMS to get the text message that registers you on their system. If you have regular Japanese voice\/SMS\/data contract here, you\u2019re good. But if you are a short-termer using your phone from home, check to see if you can receive SMS messages in Japan. If you\u2019re using a prepaid data-only SIM then you are outta luck; there\u2019s no other way other than the Facebook linking to verify without a text message.<\/p>\n
Also the deposit is only using certain credit cards or Apple Pay. If you have AmEx or JCB or nothing at all, you\u2019re benched.<\/p>\n\n
How much does it cost?<\/h3>\n
Well they are giving a generous amount of credits to try their service right now. I got about \u00a52000 in coupons upon registration in the app. Also the fees are pretty good\u2014 \u00a5100 for one day, \u00a5200 for two. Don\u2019t let it go past that, or there goes your deposit, and you have a brand new battery pack that you can\u2019t recharge since only the kiosks have the capability to do that. Also remember, as I said above you can get your deposit back anytime, so this is great if you find yourself stuck without options one day, but normally have your own charger and battery other times.<\/p>\n
How about the actual battery pack, what are the specs?<\/h3>\n
The battery packs themselves are 4800mA which can charge the average phone from dead to full twice at least. The pack has Micro USB, USB-C and Apple\u2019s Lightning connectors on them so pretty much everything is covered.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/japaninfoswap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/F673B35F-1ED8-49FE-9F4D-9FA7B287C613-300x225.jpeg\")
Where can I find it?<\/h3>\n
Only Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku have kiosks for now, but the plan is to expand across to major places inside the Yamanote Loop then around to other parts of Tokyo and Japan soon. Access http:\/\/charge-spot.net<\/a> for instructions, download links and more.<\/p>\n[spacer height=”20px”]<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
What are the \u201cgotchas?\u201d<\/h3>\n
Mostly none actually, but there are a few things to consider:<\/p>\n
You need a phone with working SMS to get the text message that registers you on their system. If you have regular Japanese voice\/SMS\/data contract here, you\u2019re good. But if you are a short-termer using your phone from home, check to see if you can receive SMS messages in Japan. If you\u2019re using a prepaid data-only SIM then you are outta luck; there\u2019s no other way other than the Facebook linking to verify without a text message.<\/p>\n
Also the deposit is only using certain credit cards or Apple Pay. If you have AmEx or JCB or nothing at all, you\u2019re benched.<\/p>\n\n
How much does it cost?<\/h3>\n
Well they are giving a generous amount of credits to try their service right now. I got about \u00a52000 in coupons upon registration in the app. Also the fees are pretty good\u2014 \u00a5100 for one day, \u00a5200 for two. Don\u2019t let it go past that, or there goes your deposit, and you have a brand new battery pack that you can\u2019t recharge since only the kiosks have the capability to do that. Also remember, as I said above you can get your deposit back anytime, so this is great if you find yourself stuck without options one day, but normally have your own charger and battery other times.<\/p>\n
How about the actual battery pack, what are the specs?<\/h3>\n
The battery packs themselves are 4800mA which can charge the average phone from dead to full twice at least. The pack has Micro USB, USB-C and Apple\u2019s Lightning connectors on them so pretty much everything is covered.<\/p>\n
Where can I find it?<\/h3>\n
Only Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku have kiosks for now, but the plan is to expand across to major places inside the Yamanote Loop then around to other parts of Tokyo and Japan soon. Access http:\/\/charge-spot.net<\/a> for instructions, download links and more.<\/p>\n [spacer height=”20px”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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