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)

Here’s the what and where of SIM cards in Japan if you’re here for only a week or so. These SIM card providers are recommended for travelers or those on a short business trip who rely on Skype, LINE, or WhatsApp to communicate with their counterparts.

Japan Wireless offers a Prepaid SIM card (data only) with options for 7 days, 15 days, and 30 days. Japan Wireless is known for its coverage, providing reliable connections in Japan. The SIM Cards are Multi-fit, meaning you can cut down and resize the SIM card to your preferred size easily, and they can accommodate a wide variety of smartphone brands. Previous users have left great reviews for Japan Wireless’s customer support, as well as the ease of pick up and drop off.

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

All providers in this list provide full English support.

*The low-end of the price is usually for 7 days, and the ceiling price is for 30 or 31 days.

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)

Now, let’s talk about the what and where for long-term SIM cards if you’re moving to Japan.

The major telecommunications players are SoftBank, NTT Docomo, and au. But there are also others called mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), which are cheaper than the aforementioned big names. They rely on the reliable connection quality of the big telcos but have their own phone plans.

SIM cards for long-term stays in Japan are different for short-term stays precisely because of the phone number.

Usually, long-term SIM cards bind you with a 3-, 6-, or 12-month contract and ask you to fill out forms (mostly in Japanese), require you to have a residence visa, and have a Japanese credit card.

Most—if not all—of SIM card providers meant for long stays have phone plans bundled with the SIM card. You may check their website if you have a phone preference.

*This refers to the SIM price, the administrative fee, or activation fee that you pay at the beginning of your contract.

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. For example, for Mobal, everything is done online and you’re guided through the process—inputting numbers and information and clicking next, mostly.

Another way to activate a SIM card is to go through the APN settings. For example, for IIJmio, manually setting up of your APN simply means turning on some knobs or ticking some boxes and entering your connection settings.

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. All of the SIM card providers that we mentioned above are physical SIMs.

eSIMs (embedded SIMs), on the other hand, are virtual SIM cards. They’re relatively new, so not all phones are compatible with them. Here are some phones that we know will take eSIMs:

• 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 options for eSIMs in Japan:

There are also other providers that offer eSIMs not only for Japan but other countries, as well. You can look into Gigsky, Truphone,  Redtea Mobile, and MTX Connect.

Now, 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.

Other Options to Stay Connected

Now, SIM cards aren’t the only ways to get connected in Japan. Here are other ways to remain online in Japan:

• Pocket Wi-Fi

If you need a reliable internet connection, but you don’t want to worry whether your smartphone is compatible with the SIM card, then the Pocket Wi-Fi is your best friend. Here are just some reliable pocket Wi-Fi providers in Japan.

Out of the choices above, we recommend Japan Wireless.

Japan Wireless offers Pocket WiFi rental with unlimited data starting at $4/day. They have reliable network coverage, the data speed is sufficient for most general purposes, and they provide options for both short-term and long-term rent. Like their other products, the Prepaid SIM card, users have also left great reviews for Japan Wireless’s customer support and the same convenient delivery and pick-up options.

If you’re planning to go 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.

All of these options have an unlimited data cap. Limited data caps would mean lower costs, of course. 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!