In Japan stay with USA phone or new one?

I have a Verizon Blackberry with a bill that comes around $100 a month. I've never traveled out of the country, so I am unaware of the extra costs, but am looking into it. I am wondering your opinion on whether or not you think I should stick with this phone or get a new phone and plan in Japan so there won't be extra charges unless I call out of Japan which I only will to speak with my parents. I am not leaving for Japan for another year and will be there for well over a year. I still have some time to figure it out, but I would like to know your opinion.

Sorry if this question has already been asked. I search cell phone plans in the search bar, but an error page came up. Thank you for your help in advance!

There are some Japanese cell phone that can receive a incoming calls here in U.S. but can't make a outcalls. Same is true with majority of U.S. cell phones in Japan. Although you can purchase an international service from Verizon but you also must subscribe to Japanese carrier. Ask whether Verizon have a partner carrier, if not,.... Buy a cell phone in the area you will be visiting or living. After all each country have different telecommunication regulations.

it's pretty likely that your phone won't even work in japan. japan uses a different kind of phone network than is used in the USA and unless your phone is specifically designed to work/roam in Japan you won't be able to use it.

Buy a phone in Japan, it's not expensive and plans are as cheap as 30$ a month.

That's not necessarily the case these days as most US 3g phones will work in Japan. You need to check with your carrier to see the specific models that are supported and the rates.

According to the verison website, blackberry phones that support UTMS should work in Japan, for example, the Blackberry Tour 9630 or Storm 9530, however the charges are an astronomical $1.99/min with data/email charges extra, not to mention coverage area is limited to the more metropolitan areas of the country.

It would be far more economical to get a Japanese phone for your stay in Japan. If you are here less then 2 years then a prepaid phone may be the best option. They start at around 5000 yen and you can buy phone credit in 3000 and 5000 yen increments. If you will be here 2+ years then you can get a phone plan that may work out cheaper in the long run.

Also, be aware that there are no free minutes in Japan. You pay for every call you make with rates around 20-30 yen/min with the best plans, but more like 100 yen/min with a prepaid phone. Calling the US would be considerably more, and I'd suggest either using a service such as world link or limiting your calling to voip services such as skype:

http://www.worldlinkjapan.jp/e-index.html

Just write in in the google browser "cell phone in japan" and you will find more...

http://www.jcrcorp.com/
http://www.myjapanphone.com/
http://images.google.com/images?q=cell+phone+in+japan&oe=utf-8&rls=org...

Be aware that the services that EichoKago points out are rental phones, which will not be economical if you will be staying Japan beyond 2-3 weeks. A prepaid would be significantly cheaper in this situation.