A garaho keeps the look and feel of a Japanese feature phone (garakei) while running Android inside. The name is an informal blend of "garakei" and "sumaho" (smartphone); carriers themselves simply list these handsets as flip-style "keitai." Representative models include au's GRATINA series and Docomo's AQUOS Keitai.
The defining feature is the physical keypad. For people who never got comfortable with touchscreens, and on worksites where phones are handled with gloves on, keys that push back are genuinely easier to use. The clamshell body protects the screen, keeps the phone pocketable, and prevents stray taps when closed.
Running Android does not make it a smartphone. The screen is small, apps built for touch are awkward, and the set of installable apps is fixed per model - you cannot always add whatever you like from an app store. In practice a garaho is for calls, SMS, email, a messaging app if the model supports one, and light web browsing. Buying one expecting full smartphone behaviour is the most common disappointment.
Legacy feature phone services do not carry over either. Docomo's i-mode was a service for FOMA handsets and ended on March 31, 2026. Moving to a garaho changes how email addresses, bookmarks, and purchased content transfer, so check the migration path before you switch.
As 3G networks were switched off (au in March 2022, SoftBank in April 2024, Docomo in March 2026), garaho became the landing spot for users whose old feature phones stopped working. For anyone who finds smartphones intimidating, a handset that keeps the familiar shape while moving to 4G/5G is a strong option. See the history of telephone devices for wider context.