Buy a Cheap SIM Card in Japan
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Japanese major mobile phone operators offer you to contract at least two years for use. If you stop using it before your contract is over, you will get the penalty charges. On the other hand, Japan's SIM cards do not have these rules. The contract term is shorter, and no need to pay penalties to cancel the contract (not all the cases). In addition, SIM cards usually cost lower price than these major operators. They are good for those who stay for working holiday or study abroad in Japan.
However, there are plenty of types, plans, and features for each SIM card. Now, we will introduce them and recommend SIMs for each different situation. Hope you can find the best one!
Types of Japan's SIM Cards
There are three types of SIMs: “data-only”, “data + SMS”, and “data + voice call”. Check the functions with the following table.
| The Internet Communication | SMS (short Message Service) | Phone Call | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data + voice call SIMs | ○ | ○ | ○ |
| Data + SMS SIMs | ○ | ○ | × |
| Data-only SIMs | ○ | × | × |
Sizes of Japan's SIM Cards
There are three kinds of sizes for SIMs: “regular SIM”, “micro SIM”, and “nano SIM”. Each smartphone requires different size for it. Make sure which one is needed for your smartphone as you buy a SIM. In addition, if you bring your mobile phone from your country, you'd better check whether it is an unlocked smartphone, or not. (*Notice: a smartphone which is not from Japan may not be able to use in some cases.)
Highly Recommended Japan's SIM Cards
The most appealing aspect of Rakuten Mobile is its cost-effective monthly plan, which offers unlimited internet access and calling services. The monthly fee is just 1,078 yen (including tax) for internet usage below 3GB. If usage exceeds 3GB, the monthly fee adjusts according to the data consumption. For usage over 20GB, the fee is capped at 3,278 yen (including tax) for unlimited internet access. In comparison to other Japanese SIM card providers, Rakuten Mobile offers a significant price advantage, making it an ideal choice for foreigners looking to economize on Japanese SIM card costs. Furthermore, Rakuten Mobile does not bind customers to a contract and imposes no cancellation fees, thus it is also well-suited for foreigners with short-term stays in Japan. Each month, up to 2GB of complimentary international internet data is available (*this international data is counted as part of the overall usage in Rakuten's most comprehensive plan), offering great convenience for foreigners who often travel back to their home countries, go on international trips, or need to undertake business travels abroad.
SoftBank provides LINEMO, the cheap SIM card brand, which allows sign-up only online. The communication speed is the same as SoftBank at a reasonable price, so that makes the user comfortable. The biggest advantage is that the monthly payment is low and the LINE app (except for sharing location information, LINE LIVE, stamp shop, browsing news articles, etc.) is free of use. Two plans are available: Mini Plan (3GB + LINE free) and Smartphone Plan (20GB + LINE free). The monthly fee is 990 yen (including tax) and 2,728 yen (including tax), which cost overwhelmingly lower than the major carriers. Users can use chat, voice call, and video call on LINE as much as they want. If you routinely use those functions on LINE, this plan is highly recommended. There are no contract handling fees or cancellation fees. International roaming (possible to use overseas) is a free option; it is useful for a temporary return to Japan and overseas business trips. They currently sell only SIM cards (*compatible with eSIM); unavailable for SIM + smartphone set items. Although you need to prepare your smartphone by yourself, it is a great service for those who consider using a reasonable smartphone.
There is a cheap SIM card for foreigners staying in Japan which is provided by mobal from the UK. If you have a SIM lock-free smartphone, you can use it without problems. The greatest benefit is that it is possible to apply without holding a residence card or credit card. There are many pricing plans: a “Monthly Payment Plan” for which you purchase a SIM card and then select the data capacity (1GB, 5GB, 10GB, 30GB), and also short-term plans (30 days, 60 days, 90 days) for those who need a voice & data sim for a short stay. Even if you choose the Monthly Payment Plan, the minimum usage period is only one month so that you can stop using anytime you would like. No penalty for any cancellation is one of the best points of mobal. It is convenient to use for foreigners who stay in Japan shortly, such as short-term study abroad, working holidays, and business trips. Also, customer support provides help in English and Chinese. If you stay for less than a year, it is a good choice for a low-priced SIM card.
The 2022 Oricon survey awarded No.1 in customer satisfaction for low-cost SIMs. It is quite trusted and popular by Japanese consumers. The data speed is sustainable. There are eight plans provided: "2GB Plan (2GB)", “5GB Plan (5GB)”, “10GB Plan (10GB)”, “15GB Plan (15GB)”, “20GB Plan (20GB)”, “30GB Plan (30GB)”, “40GB Plan (40GB)” and “50GB Plan (50GB)”. You can transfer the remained data traffic to the next month, except for the Pay-as-you-go Plan. Even when the data traffic is limited, the first part of the Web page is loaded quickly so that simple pages are able to browse comfortably all the time. There is a Web page explaining how to buy a SIM for the non-Japanese so is easy to understand.
Data-only SIMs in Japan
Data-only SIMs allows you to use the Internet communication only. The good point is that monthly payment is quite low. It is recommended for those who do not call (or only uses an IP phone) and use SMS; It is for those who use the smartphone only for the Internet communication and Apps under the Internet connections.
| Rakuten UN-LIMIT VII Plan |
|
|---|---|
| Initial Cost | - |
| Minimum Period of Use | - |
| Data Transmission Speed | Rakuten network service area: high speed data communication Rakuten partner network service area: after using up the allocated 5GB, Max downstream speed is 1Mbps |
| Transfer the remained data traffic | To next month (except Basic Plan) |
| Unlocked Cell Phone | Enable to buy |
| Special offer |
|
- NOTICE: the information is based on April. 2024, the details may be changed.
| Smartphone Plan (20GB + LINE Free) |
|
|---|---|
| Initial Cost | - |
| Minimum Period of Use | - |
| Cancellation Penalty Fee | ￥0 |
| Data Transmission Speed | Not opened |
| Transfer the remained data traffic | - |
| Unlocked Cell Phone | Disable to buy |
| Special offer |
|
- NOTICE: the information is based on April. 2024, the details may be changed. Please check the detailed information on the LINEMO official website.
| Data-only SIMs Monthly Plan |
|
|---|---|
| Initial Cost | ￥3,300 |
| SIM card preparation fee |
Type D：￥433 Type A：￥447 eSIM：￥220 |
| Minimum Period of Use | The end of the next month |
| Data Transmission Speed | Type D：Max downstream speed: 1288Mbps Type A：Max downstream speed: 958Mbps |
| Transfer the remained data traffic | To next month |
| Unlocked Cell Phone | Enable to buy |
| Special offer | The special offer increases your monthly data capacity by 5GB for three months as signing up for IIJmio Mobile's Large-Capacity Plan (30GB, 40GB, or 50GB). (*Until 23:59 (JST) on June 3, 2024) |
- NOTICE: the information is based on April. 2024, the details may be changed.
| Data-only SIMs Monthly Plan |
|
|---|---|
| Initial Cost | ￥3,733 |
| Minimum Period of Use | 12 months |
| Cancellation Penalty Fee | ￥1,100 |
| Data Transmission Speed | Not opened |
| Unlocked Cell Phone | Disable to buy |
| Special offer |
|
- NOTICE: the information is based on April. 2024, the details may be changed.
Data + SMS SIMs in Japan
Data + SMS SIMs are enabled you to browse the Internet and send SMS. SMS is used for identity verification with Apps, such as LINE. It is recommended those who use Apps that require the confirmation of an individual through SMS.
| Rakuten UN-LIMIT VII Plan |
|
|---|---|
| Initial Cost | - |
| Minimum Period of Use | - |
| Data Transmission Speed | Rakuten network service area: high speed data communication Rakuten partner network service area: after using up the allocated 5GB, Max downstream speed is 1Mbps |
| Transfer the remained data traffic | To next month (except Basic Plan) |
| Unlocked Cell Phone | Enable to buy |
| Special offer |
|
- NOTICE: the information is based on April. 2024, the details may be changed.
| Smartphone Plan (20GB + LINE Free) |
|
|---|---|
| Initial Cost | - |
| Minimum Period of Use | - |
| Cancellation Penalty Fee | ￥0 |
| Data Transmission Speed | Not opened |
| Transfer the remained data traffic | - |
| Unlocked Cell Phone | Disable to buy |
| Special offer |
|
- NOTICE: the information is based on April. 2024, the details may be changed. Please check the detailed information on the LINEMO official website.
| Data + SMS SIMs Monthly Plan |
|
|---|---|
| Initial Cost | ￥3,300 |
| SIM card preparation fee |
|
| Minimum Period of Use | The end of the next month |
| Data Transmission Speed | Type D：Max downstream speed: 1288Mbps Type A：Max downstream speed: 958Mbps |
| Transfer the remained data traffic | To next month (except Pay-as-you-go Plan) |
| Unlocked Cell Phone | Enable to buy |
| Special offer | The special offer increases your monthly data capacity by 5GB for three months as signing up for IIJmio Mobile's Large-Capacity Plan (30GB, 40GB, or 50GB). (*Until 23:59 (JST) on June 3, 2024) |
- NOTICE: the information is based on April. 2024, the details may be changed.
Data + Voice Call SIMs in Japan
Data + Voice Call SIMs have a phone number which started with “080” or “090”, and enables you to make a phone call. Of course, you can use the SMS function and the Internet communication. These SIMs include the functions as much as the general mobile phones. Those who would not like to downgrade the function of the mobile phone, you should choose this type.
| Rakuten UN-LIMIT VII Plan |
|
|---|---|
| Initial Cost | - |
| Minimum Period of Use | - |
| Data Transmission Speed | Rakuten network service area: high speed data communication Rakuten partner network service area: after using up the allocated 5GB, Max downstream speed is 1Mbps |
| Transfer the remained data traffic | To next month (except Basic Plan) |
| Unlocked Cell Phone | Enable to buy |
| Special offer |
|
- NOTICE: the information is based on April. 2024, the details may be changed.
| Smartphone Plan (20GB + LINE Free) |
|
|---|---|
| Initial Cost | - |
| Minimum Period of Use | - |
| Cancellation Penalty Fee | ￥0 |
| Data Transmission Speed | Not opened |
| Transfer the remained data traffic | - |
| Unlocked Cell Phone | Disable to buy |
| Special offer |
|
- NOTICE: the information is based on April. 2024, the details may be changed. Please check the detailed information on the LINEMO official website.
| Data + Voice Call SIMs Monthly Plan |
|
|---|---|
| Initial Cost | ￥3,300 |
| SIM card preparation fee |
|
| Minimum Period of Use | The end of the next month |
| Cancellation Penalty Fee | ￥1,650 |
| Data Transmission Speed | Type D : Max downstream speed: 1288Mbps Type A : Max downstream speed: 958Mbps |
| Transfer the remained data traffic | To next month (except Pay-as-you-go Plan) |
| Unlocked Cell Phone | Enable to buy |
| Special offer |
|
- NOTICE: the information is based on April. 2024, the details may be changed.
| Data + Voice Call SIMs Monthly Plan |
|
|---|---|
| Initial Cost | - |
| Minimum Period of Use | 1 month |
| Cancellation Penalty Fee | - |
| Data Transmission Speed | Not opened |
| Transfer the remained data traffic | - |
| Special offer |
|
- NOTICE: the information is based on April. 2024, the details may be changed.
| Data + Voice Call SIMs Monthly Plan |
|
|---|---|
| Initial Cost | ￥3,733 |
| Minimum Period of Use | 12 months |
| Cancellation Penalty Fee | ￥1,100 |
| Data Transmission Speed | Not opened |
| Transfer the remained data traffic | - |
| Unlocked Cell Phone | Disable to buy |
| Special offer | They offer Spring New Life Support Promotion by May 31, 2023. The promotion enables all plans to be practically 0 yen for two months by making the first payment. |
- NOTICE: the information is based on April. 2024, the details may be changed.
