Buy a Cheap SIM Card in Japan
- Students
- Working Holiday
The last renewal day|
- Facebook()
- Twiter
- LINESend this page by LINE
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
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.
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 five plans provided: "2GB Plan (2GB)", “4GB Plan (4GB)”, “8GB Plan (8GB)”, “15GB Plan (15GB)” and “20GB Plan (20GB)”. 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.
CENTER MOBILE offers only SIM cards. Since they do not sell SIM and smartphones together, you must prepare the phone yourself. There are four rate plans: 3GB, 12GB, 20GB, and 50GB. Each rate plan provides Voice-Call Plan and Data-SIM Plan. In addition, there are reasonable unlimited call plans such as 20GB + unlimited calls within 5 minutes for 2,970 yen (including tax) and 20GB + unlimited calls within 10 minutes for 3,300 yen (including tax).
CENTER MOBILE's unique feature is its discount on a monthly fee. You can earn points by watching ad videos (5-30 seconds) or downloading specified apps via the app called PLAIO. You can reduce the monthly fee by using these earned points. If you watch the ads in your free time, the monthly payment could be 0 yen. Therefore, we recommend CENTER MOBILE to foreigners who want to save on the monthly payment of a SIM card. 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.
You can communicate comfortably throughout Japan because CENTER MOBILE uses Docomo lines. However, if you use over 5GB of data in three days, communication speed is limited. In addition, the minimum usage period is at 12 months. If you cancel the service in the middle of the period, a penalty fee occurs at 1,100 yen. After a year, you do not have to pay the cancellation fee. Therefore, we recommend this low-cost SIM card for foreigners who stay in Japan for over a year.
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.
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.
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 September. 2023, the details may be changed.
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 |
|
- NOTICE: the information is based on September. 2023, 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 September. 2023, the details may be changed.
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 | When applying for Rakuten Mobile for the first time and simultaneously purchasing either the "Rakuten Hand 5G" or "Rakuten WiFi Pocket 2C", each can be purchased for only 1 yen (with a 19,000 yen discount for the "Rakuten Hand 5G" and a 7,979 yen discount for the "Rakuten WiFi Pocket 2C"). |
- NOTICE: the information is based on September. 2023, 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.
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 September. 2023, the details may be changed.
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 |
|
- NOTICE: the information is based on September. 2023, the details may be changed.
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 | When applying for Rakuten Mobile for the first time and simultaneously purchasing either the "Rakuten Hand 5G" or "Rakuten WiFi Pocket 2C", each can be purchased for only 1 yen (with a 19,000 yen discount for the "Rakuten Hand 5G" and a 7,979 yen discount for the "Rakuten WiFi Pocket 2C"). |
- NOTICE: the information is based on September. 2023, 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.
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 September. 2023, the details may be changed.
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 September. 2023, 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 September. 2023, 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 September. 2023, the details may be changed.