[veidr]

Every single person I know here in Tokyo -- except the iPhone users -- has a cellphone which can can be used to go through ticket gates to board trains, purchase items at convenience stores, and dispense things from vending machines.

Purely anecdotal, granted, but you asked for stories.

(Personally, I use an iPhone with a Pasmo NFC card duct-taped to the back of it.)

[geuis]

Are these the typical long/skinny phones? Curious if these are still prevalent. Last time I was in Tokyo was New Years 2009.

[veidr]

A lot of people still actually use those, but you definitely do see a lot more flat touch-screen 'smartphone' designs lately.

But all kinds of phones have NFC and can be used for trains and buying stuff.