Japan SIM Cards: How to Stay Connected in Japan

Getting Japan SIM card is a great option to stay online while you’re in the country.

Being connected will help you can check train schedules, update family and friends on your whereabouts, and document your trip. After all, Japan has a lot to offer.

When searching about a trip to Japan — whether it’s for a holiday or a business trip — Google will usually return the option of getting a SIM card at the airport (Narita, Haneda or Kansai). But is it that easy? Is that cost-effective? What other options are there?

Let us help you answer those questions.

There are SIM cards in Japan that are better for short-term stays, and there are those more suitable for long-term stays. There are also SIM cards that can be pre-ordered online and picked up at the airport or shipped to your hotel via courier**. And there are SIM card providers that are more English-speaking friendly than others.

Read on to help you decide whether to get a Japan SIM card or rely on other options to stay connected.

Who are the main mobile carriers in Japan?

The main mobile carriers in Japan are NTT Docomo, au, and SoftBank,.

• NTT Docomo, Inc. provides phone, video phone, i-mode, and mail services. It stands for "do communications over the mobile network" and is also a word for “everywhere” in Japanese (dokomo).
• au, sometimes au by KDDI, plays second to Docomo as the largest wireless carrier in Japan. Au the Japanese word for “to meet” and “to unite”
• SoftBank is a multinational conglomerate that dabbles in technology, energy, and finance. It’s most known as a telecommunications network. Its most popular product or service are Yahoo! Japan, PayPay, and LINE.

Rakuten Mobile is also starting to emerge as another top mobile carrier in Japan, but it’s only been operating as a mobile network operator since 2019.

Do Japanese SIM cards work on foreign phones?

Most SIM cards in Japan work on any SIM-unlocked phone. However, older phone models tend to reject modern SIM cards. Some SIM card providers have a list of compatible mobile phones on their websites, which you can check out.

Because some people are worried about this, pocket Wi-Fi has become the more reliable option to stay connected.

Top SIM card providers for tourists (short-term)

If you're visiting Japan for a week or two, knowing your SIM card options can make your trip much smoother. The providers below work well for travelers and those on short business trips who plan to stay in touch through LINE or WhatsApp.

Japan Wireless offers a Prepaid SIM card with durations ranging from 3 to 30 days. You can choose between their Standard Plan, which gives you 3GB of daily high-speed data before speeds slow down, or their Premium Plan, which includes 5GB of unlimited data.

What makes Japan Wireless popular is their strong coverage throughout the country, giving you a dependable connection wherever you travel.

These SIM cards come in a Multi-fit design, which means you can adjust the size to fit your specific phone model without any special tools, and can accommodate a wide variety of smartphone brands.

Previous users praise their responsive customer support and appreciate how easy it is to pick up the SIM card when you arrive and return it when you leave.

Check out their website to learn more about their products and services.

All providers on this list provide full English support.

Note: The low-end of the price is usually for shorter durations (3-7 days), and the ceiling price is for longer stays (30-31 days or more).

Do I need a phone number in Japan?: Calls vs Data-Only

Travel SIM cards in Japan are usually data-only and don’t provide you with a phone number.

SIM cards with a phone number allow you to make international or domestic voice calls without the use of messaging apps. These SIM cards are not necessary, but they can be helpful if you need to call your hotel or Airbnb host ASAP.

If you’re planning to move to Japan or stay there for a long time, you need a phone number. You need a phone capable of voice calls. It’s also required when entering a contract with your landlord, setting up a bank account, working at a company, or enrolling in a school.

Top SIM card providers for tourists (long-term)

If you're planning to stay in Japan for an extended period, you'll likely need a phone number for local services, banking, and daily life.

The major telecommunications players are SoftBank, NTT Docomo, and au. There are also cheaper alternatives known as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). They rely on the reliable connection quality of the big telcos but have their own phone plans.

Long-term SIM cards differ from tourist options primarily because they provide you with an actual Japanese phone number.

Many long-term SIM providers may bind you with contracts or ask you to fill out forms (mostly in Japanese), or require you to have a residence visa or a Japanese credit card. However, several providers now offer no-contract or month-to-month options with varying levels of English support.

Nearly all providers offer phone plans bundled with the SIM card, so check their website if you have a phone preference.

Note: Initial cost covers the SIM card itself, administrative fees, or activation charges that you pay when starting service. Some providers now offer free initial setup.

Activating a SIM card

Depending on your provider, there are different ways to activate your SIM card. Most providers have a step-by-step guide in English on their website.

One way to activate a SIM card is to do it online. Take Mobal, for example: simply enter your information, input the required numbers, and follow the prompts through each screen until activation completes.

Another way to activate a SIM card is to go through the APN settings. For example, for IIJmio, manually setting up your APN simply means going to your phone's network settings, toggling certain options, and entering the connection information provided with your SIM card.

Physical SIM vs. eSIM

Physical SIMs are the plastic cards you insert into your phone. They usually come in three cuts: standard, micro, and nano. Most of the SIM card providers that we mentioned above offer physical SIMs.

eSIMs work differently because they're completely digital. Instead of inserting a physical card, you download your phone plan directly to your device. But since this technology is fairly recent, not every phone supports it. Compatible devices include:

• iPhone XR and later models
• Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL and later models
• Samsung Galaxy S20, Galaxy Fold, and Galaxy Flip
• Motorola Razr foldable phone

Here are some of your main eSIM options in Japan:

eSIM Providers (Updated with Mobal and eSIM Japan)

Several other companies provide eSIM service that works in Japan but also in other countries. Consider looking into Gigsky, Truphone, Redtea Mobile, and MTX Connect.

eSIMs are great if you're not tech-savvy or you want to save yourself the hassle of setting up your APN or SIM tray. They also make voice calls available immediately, yet they're not as expensive as roaming charges.

If you're visiting other countries or have stopovers elsewhere, eSIMs are a better option than physical SIMs.

Pocket Wi-Fi Providers

Some travelers prefer not to swap SIM cards at all. If you want reliable internet access without checking whether your phone is compatible with local SIM cards, renting a Pocket Wi-Fi device solves that problem completely.

Here are some reliable pocket Wi-Fi providers in Japan.

Among the available options, Japan Wireless and Ninja Wifi offer competitive pricing and reliable service.

Japan Wireless offers Pocket WiFi rental with 4G LTE unlimited data. Their network reaches most areas tourists visit, speeds work well for navigation apps, social media, video calls, and browsing, and you can rent devices for either brief trips or longer stays.

Customers who've used their Pocket WiFi devices report the same positive experiences with customer support and delivery options that their Prepaid SIM card users mention.

If you're going to Japan soon and need a reliable internet connection as soon as you arrive, we recommend checking their website for further details on their range of products and services.

Most of these options offer unlimited data plans, though some may have fair use policies. There are also providers outside Japan, and you can have them ship the pocket Wi-Fi to your address even before you enter the country.

• Rental Phones

If you’re worried about compatibility, you can rent phones in Japan. SoftBank and ANA (yes, the airlines!) have mobile and smartphone rentals.

• Free Wi-Fi Hotspots

Hotels, airports, train stations, convenience stores, and some restaurants, bars, and cafes have free public Wi-Fi networks. Connection and security, of course, may be in an issue if you want to check your credit card balance or whatnot.

Japan Wi-Fi Auto-Connect and SoftBank’s Free Wi-Fi Passport are two services that can help you connect to plenty of access points across Japan. You need to register before you can use these two services and gain access to their hotspots.

• Paid Wi-Fi Hotspots

Yes! There are paid Wi-Fi hotspots, too. There’s SoftBank Wi-Fi Spot (EX), which allows you to access any SoftBank Wi-Fi spots for ¥514/day. There’s also NTT Docomo, which charges ¥388/day to access their Wi-Fi spots. And lastly, Wi2, which charges ¥800/day to connect to their 200,000 Wi-Fi spots.

• International Roaming

If things are too complicated for you, you can turn on your phone’s international roaming instead. This is a very expensive option, though.

• Internet Cafés and Manga Cafés or Manga Kissa

Now, this is another experience on its own. Similar to other countries, you can stay in a cubicle or room to rent out a computer. In Japan, though, some people actually use these cafes as a budget hotel—like a capsule hotel alternative.

You’ll be tethered to one place with these options, but at least you know they exist.

I hope that helps you decide what kind of SIM card to get when you go to Japan. Happy travels!