Cheap SIM cards and low-cost smartphones that can be used without credit cards in Japan
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Cheap SIM card is a general term that can make a phone call and use mobile communication with cheap price, compare to Japanese major mobile phone operators. You can use cheap SIM cards with unlocked mobile phones or mobile phones from your country. (*Notice:mobile phones which is not from Japan may not be able to use in some case, therefore you should check the list of mobile terminals that have done application test)
And, low-cost smartphone indicates a set of cheap SIM card and smartphone.
Cheap SIM cards and low-cost smartphones do not have the penalties to break tne 2years contract, and the contract term is shorter than major mobile phone operators. Also, you can use a smartphone with cheap price, like 2,000yen per month, so you can cut phone expenses. We highly recommend to use cheap SIM cards or low-cost smartphones, especially those who come to Japan for working holiday or studying abroad and stay less than 2years. And, you can get your cheap SIM cards and low-cost smart phones by ordering by internet. But, most of cheap SIM cards and low-cost smartphones need credit cards with paying expenses, so some people cannot use them.
In that case, you can use cheap SIM cards and low-cost smartphones which correspond account transfer. People who do not have credit cards should use them and you can spend your time more comfortable and happier.
In this article, we introduce some cheap SIM cards and low-cost smartphones that can be used without credit cards. Please check this page till the end and get the best cheap SIM card or low-cost smartphone!
Cheap SIM cards that can be used without credit cards
There is a cheap SIM card for foreigners staying in Japan which is provided by Mobal from the UK. In addition to paying by credit card, Mobal's cheap SIM supports Paypal and Alipay. You can receive the SIM at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Kansai Airport, Chubu International Airport, as well as delivery to USA, UK, France, Germany, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and Brazil. There are four types of monthly payment plans that depend on data capacity. For example, “Voice + Text (SMS) plan”, “7GB plan”, “10GB plan”, and “15GB plan”. If you choose the monthly payment plan, you can cancel anytime after using a month. Besides, after you stop using, you can maintain your phone number for a year without paying additional fees. Therefore, you can use a cheap SIM with the same number if you visit Japan again. Remember that you have to apply to use the service. ( *you can maintain your phone number more than 12 months in a row for an annual fee of ¥2,400. ) Hence, this cheap SIM card is one of the best recommended for foreigners who have a short stay in Japan, such as short-term study abroad in Japan, working holidays, and business trips.
Contents
- Cheap SIM cards and low-cost smartphone which can use account transfer
- Cheap SIM cards and low-cost smartphones that can be used without credit cards
Cheap SIM cards and low-cost smartphone which can use account transfer
Notice with using cheap SIM cards and low-cost smartphone which enable to use account transfer
How to Apply for Account Transfer
Some cheap SIM cards and low-cost smartphones accept the application for account transfer on the Internet, and some of them accept application only by phone call. Those who does not have confidence in talking in Japanese, should use the operator that can be applied on the Internet.
People need to wait for getting a cheap SIM card
Most of cheap SIM cards operators send SIM card after accepting documents for account transfer therefore you have to wait for some time to get a SIM card. In case you need it in hurry, you should choose the one that you can apply for account transfer on the Internet.
In some case, you cannot contract data+voice call SIM card or buy a set of low-cost smartphone without credit card
There are three type of cheap SIM cards: "data-only","data+SMS"and "data+voice call". Most of data-only SIM cards are enable to use account transfer, but some data+SMS or a set of cheap SIM card and smartphone do not correspond account transfer.
In some case, you need to pay transfer fee to use account transfer
When you use account transfer for paying expenses, you need to pay transfer fee in some case. Transfer fee costs about 108yen or 216yen in usual but the charge is different depends on operator. People who want to use SIM cards or smartphone should choose the one that transfer fee is free.
Recommended cheap SIM cards and low-cost smartphones that can use account transfer
LINEMO is a low-cost SIM card provided by SoftBank (online contract only). In addition to the low monthly fee, the communication charges for chatting, voice calls, and video calls using the "LINE app" are free*. Those who mainly communicate with LINE and do not use voice calls are suitable for this service.
There are two plans: the "Mini Plan (3GB + free LINE)" with a basic monthly charge of 990 yen (including tax) and the "Smartphone Plan (20GB + free LINE)" with 2,728 yen (including tax). They charge neither contract administration fee nor cancellation fee. The communication line is the same as SoftBank with standard 5G communication.
The payment method is credit cards or bank account transfers. Since it is possible to transfer from a Japanese bank account, those who do not have a credit card issued in Japan can also sign up for the service. Besides, there are various options such as flat-rate calling, bring-your-own-device warranty, international roaming, and international calling. Therefore, you can use it as-is during overseas business trips or temporarily return. LINEMO is recommendable for the following people; not having a Japanese credit card, using LINE frequently, or attempting to save communication costs in Japan.
*: except location sharing, LINE LIVE, the stamp shop, and reading news articles
| Feature |
|
|---|---|
| Data+Voice call plan |
|
| Initial Cost | - |
| Minimum usage period | - |
| Cancellation Penalty Fee | 0yen |
| Option service |
|
| Special offer |
|
*NOTICE: the information is based on November 2023, the details may be changed.
ahamo is a low-cost SIM card and smartphone provided by NTT DOCOMO. It is possible to subscribe only online. You can complete all procedures, including contract application and support, online. There are no contract cancellation fees or minimum usage period. Therefore, it is recommendable for those who stay in Japan for a short period.
Remarkably, all price plans have a service that allows free domestic calls of up to 5 minutes. If you make many short calls, such as restaurant/hotel reservations, contact companies, and small inquiries, ahamo is recommendable. There is no limitation on the number of calls. If you call for over 5 minutes, they charge 22 yen per 30 seconds (tax included).
There are two price plans: the 20GB Plan (20GB + free domestic calls within 5 minutes) with a monthly fee of 2,970 yen (including tax) and the 100GB Plan (100GB + free domestic calls within 5 minutes) with a monthly of 4,950 yen (including tax). The 100GB plan, which no other low-cost SIM card or smartphone offers, allows for approximately 85 hours of video viewing and 170 hours of online meeting. It satisfies even heavy internet users.
You can select to pay by credit card or Japanese bank account transfer when you contract. If you are already under contract, you can change it after logging in to the website. In addition, overseas roaming, used in 82 countries, is available with no application and no additional charge. To use it, turn on the data roaming setting on your phone. Even though you can use it with a simple process, the monthly data capacity is 20GB. ahamo is especially recommendable for those who regularly return home temporarily or frequently travel overseas on business trips.
| Feature |
|
|---|---|
| Price plan |
|
| Initial Cost | Free |
| Minimum usage period | None |
| Cancellation Penalty Fee | 0 yen |
| Carry-over of excess data | Impossible to carry-over |
| Option service |
|
| Special offer | By signing up for both ahamo and Disney Plus, you will receive a discount of 990 yen off the monthly fee for Disney Plus for up to 6 months. In addition, you will receive 3,990 d-points. Only a d-point club member who applies for the promotion can receive those rewards. |
*NOTICE: the information is based on November 2023, the details may be changed.
You switch from another company's SIM cards, the monthly usage fee can be paid by account transfer. (*NOTICE:The service will be applied only if you switch from another company's SIM cards. Also, if you contract newly, you need credit cards.) Most of cheap SIM cards and low-cost smartphones costs tranfer fee 110yen to 220yen, but UQ Mobile do not charge it. Also, both data-only SIM cards and data+voice call SIM cards are enable to use account transfer. You have to remind that they need 1 or 2 months to complete setting account transfer so that you have to use convenience store payment untill the setting end. If you want to pay for low-cost smartphone, you can also use cash-on-delivery. (*NOTICE: you have to pay COD fee) UQ Mobile has been awarded by the best high-speed signaling cheap SIM card two times in a research instituted by third-party organisation. And, they have an excellent reputation for high quality and signaling rate. We recommend this cheap SIM cards and low-cost smartphones especially for those who want to be particular about the signaling speed and quality of communication line.
| Feature |
(*NOTICE: After application, you have to fill in the document and send it by mail) |
|---|---|
| Data + Voice Call SIMs Monthly Plan |
|
| Initial Cost | SIM package fee : 3,850yen |
| Minimum Period of Use | - |
| Option service |
|
| Special offer | By following these steps, you can receive a discount of up to 22,000 yen (tax included) on your smartphone bill. First, purchase one of the specified smartphone models. Then, contract the Toku-toku Plan (or Komi-komi Plan) and the Additional Data Option II at the same time. |
*NOTICE: the information is based on November 2023, the details may be changed.
Cheap SIM cards and low-cost smartphones that can be used without credit cards
Cheap SIM cards and low-cost smartphones that can be used without credit cards
All of plans can be paid by credit card, account transfer, Rakuten Super Point and debit card*. But you have to remind if you choose account transfer, you have to pay low-cost smartphone's charge by cash-on-delivery or Rakuten Super Point so you have to pay phone expences by two way every month. Please be careful of Rakuten Super Point maximum payment is 30,000yen. Rakuten Mobile accepts all services request via Internet, like applying cheap SIM cards or low-cost smartphones, and request account transfer, so it is easy to use.
*Only Rakuten Bank Debit Card or Suruga Bank Debit Card
| Feature |
|
|---|---|
| Rakuten UN-LIMIT VII Plan |
|
| Initial Cost | - |
| Minimum usage period | Free |
| Option service |
|
| Special offer |
|
*NOTICE: the information is based on November 2023, the details may be changed.
Recommended Credi Card For Foreigners
Rakuten Cardeasy to pass the examination
Rakuten Card is the best Japanese credit card for foreigners: this is the easiest card to pass the examination including foreigners, and annual fees and registration fees are free. You can get Rakuten Point return 3% of payment by using card at Rakuten Ichiba. The points can be used at Rakuten Ichiba for shopping or Rakuten Mobile expences. (*1point = 1yen) This is the best recommended credit card for who buy something at Rakuten Ichiba, who use Rakuten Mobile, and who never passed credit card examination. You must make sure that you can obtain 10,000 points (equals to 10,000 yen) by newly applying and using Rakuten Card until 10 a.m. (JST) on November 20th, 2023.
