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📖 Japan SIM Card Overview

Beginner Guide

Getting a SIM card in Japan is one of the first priorities after landing. Japan has a highly competitive mobile market with dozens of providers — but not all are foreigner-friendly. This guide focuses on providers with English support that work well for residents from Nepal, Vietnam, Taiwan, and South Asia.

You have two main choices: a tourist SIM for short stays (no residency card required), or a contract SIM for long-term residents. Both have eSIM options.

Quick Tip: If you're arriving at Narita or Haneda, SIM kiosks are available in the arrivals hall. For the cheapest ongoing plan, set up IIJmio or Rakuten Mobile after receiving your residence card.

📶 Top Providers at a Glance

au (KDDI)

¥1,078/mo

Best coverage

NTT Docomo

¥1,320/mo

Largest network

IIJmio

¥850/mo

Best value

Sakura Mobile

¥3,000/mo

Foreigner-first

Ubigi eSIM

¥1,200/mo

Best eSIM

SoftBank

¥1,365/mo

Good for students

⚖️ Build Your Own Comparison

Select 2 or more providers to compare side by side — or click any provider above for a full profile page.

⚖️ Full SIM Comparison Table

Provider	Monthly Cost	Data	Calls	eSIM	English	No JP ID
IIJmio Cheapest	¥850–¥2,000	2–50 GB	Optional	✓	✓	✗
au (KDDI) Editor's Pick	¥1,078–¥4,928	3 GB–Unlimited	Included	✓	✓	✗
NTT Docomo	¥1,320–¥7,315	1 GB–Unlimited	Included	✓	✓	✗
Sakura Mobile	¥3,000–¥6,000	3–30 GB	Included	✓	✓	✓
Ubigi (eSIM)	¥1,200–¥3,500	1–20 GB	✗	✓	✓	✓
SoftBank	¥1,365–¥6,490	3 GB–Unlimited	Included	✓	✓	✗

🎬 Full Guide: Japan Mobile Networks Explained

Understanding MVNOs vs. the big three carriers and how eSIM works will save you thousands of yen. Watch our full community explainer:

⭐ Community Reviews

4.6

★★★★½

218 reviews

★★★★½

Based on 218 verified reviews from foreigners living in Japan

Raj Sharma

🇳🇵 Nepal → Tokyo

★★★★★

Dec 2024

IIJmio has been fantastic as a student. Unbeatable price and setup was easy even without fluent Japanese. Ported my number from SoftBank in about 3 days.

Helpful?

Nguyen Thi Lan

🇻🇳 Vietnam → Osaka

★★★★☆

Nov 2024

Sakura Mobile was worth the cost when I first arrived — English support and no Japanese bank required. Once my resident card arrived I switched to IIJmio and saved ¥2,000/month.

Helpful?

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Japan SIM without a residence card?+

Yes — tourist SIMs and eSIMs like Ubigi do not require a residence card. For contract SIMs (which give you a Japanese phone number), you'll need a valid Zairyu card. Sakura Mobile is most popular for new arrivals without one yet.

Which SIM has the best rural coverage?+

NTT Docomo has the widest rural coverage in Japan (99.9%+). IIJmio uses the Docomo network, so you get the same coverage at much lower prices.

Is eSIM better than a physical SIM for tourists?+

For tourists, eSIM is often better — activate before landing, keep your home SIM active for incoming calls. Just make sure your phone is eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked.

Can I use my home number to receive calls while in Japan?+

With dual-SIM phones, you can use a Japan SIM for data and your home SIM for incoming calls (roaming charges from your home carrier apply for any usage).

How do I pay my Japan SIM bill?+

Most providers accept international credit/debit cards online. Tourist SIMs are prepaid. Monthly contracts typically require a Japanese bank account or international credit card.

📖 Japan SIM Card Overview

📶 Top Providers at a Glance

⚖️ Build Your Own Comparison

⚖️ Full SIM Comparison Table

🎬 Full Guide: Japan Mobile Networks Explained

⭐ Community Reviews

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

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