Image: Keitai Watch

RFID Bookmarking in Harajuku (see also NTTDoCoMo Page)

A system called "Town Pocket" will be deployed at 153 shops including 109 apparel stores, 14 cafes and restaurants, 10 hair salons, 13 accessory shops, and 7 shoes/sports shops. All these shops will install an RFID reader device (photo) to which customers show their wallet phones in order to "bookmark" stores. People who don't have wallet phones can also use QR codes (for camera phone users) or a special email address (if you send an empty email message to this address, you can bookmark the store).

Customers can easily access information about the bookmarked stores, including descriptions, phone numbers, hours, etc. The number of participating stores in the are is expected to increase to about 300 by September.

In November, stores will be able to distribute SMS newsletters and digital discount coupons to the customers who bookmarked them. The system may be eventually integrated with digital shopping services.

As one can see, RFID, QR Code and SMS play well together in Japan. Kaywa can't offer RFID yet, but can offer the other two.