Cheap Phone Plans and SIM Cards in Japan: Price Comparison and Tips

Budget-Friendly Plans and Smartphone Services (SIM): Features, Cost, and What to Watch Out For

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You've probably heard that cell phone plans in Japan are expensive. It’s not surprising, considering the average monthly bill from the three major mobile carriers was 8,312 yen (*2) according to a 2020 survey. As of 2024, there has not been a significant change in that amount.

The average monthly phone bill is around 20 to 40 dollars (3,137 yen - 6,274 yen) in Europe and North America, so it's definitely on the expensive side by comparison. However, recently the plan costs have been going down with the introduction of low-price smartphones (SIM) and other services.

An Influx of Low-Price Smartphone Plans

A wave of changes hit the Japanese cell phone industry in the spring of 2021 when the three major phone carriers introduced new phone plans available exclusively through online application. These monthly plans, priced at around 3,000 yen, are significantly cheaper than previous phone plans, leading many people to make the switch.

Furthermore, the popularity of Rakuten Mobile (Japanese) and Y!mobile (Japanese) has risen sharply. Rakuten Mobile has the largest data network next to the major carriers, while Y!mobile provides cheap SIM card services.

In this article, we'll take a look at low-price plans from Rakuten Mobile and major mobile carriers, sub-brands, cheap smartphone plans (SIM), their respective features and costs, and things to look out for when signing a contract.

*1: the major three carriers in Japan are NTT docomo, KDDI, and SoftBank.
*2: Information taken from the MMD Data Labo’s “Survey on the Costs and Capacity of Telecommunication Services” (Japanese)

Table of Contents

Rakuten Mobile, Low-Price Plans, Cheap SIM Cards, and Sub-Brands

Budget-friendly phone plans are largely separated into four categories. The table below summarizes each.

Low-Price Plan	Sub-Brand
A new brand from major carriers that offers budget services on their mobile network Services: ahamo, povo, LINEMO	A cheap SIM card service from major carriers Services: Y!mobile, UQ mobile

Rakuten Mobile	Cheap SIM Cards
Offers low-price telecom services on their own mobile network Rakuten Mobile only	Provide telecom services by renting mobile networks from major carriers Services: GTN MOBILE, IIJmio

Rakuten Mobile (Japanese) offers inexpensive phone services on their own mobile network. Major mobile carriers are now providing affordable phone plans, as well as SIM card services under sub-brands. MVNOs (otherwise known as cheap SIM cards) offer telecom services by renting mobile networks from major carriers. Let's take a look at the features from each category.

*All costs mentioned in this article include tax.

Rakuten Mobile: Great Features and Low Costs

Photo from Rakuten Mobile

Rakuten Mobile (Japanese) is a low-price smartphone carrier that offers unlimited data for a monthly cost of 3,278 yen.

What separates it from other low-price plans and SIM card services is the Rakuten mobile network. You can use your data at unlimited high connection speeds while within the Rakuten network area. You can also use your phone for up to 5GB per month in regions not covered by the Rakuten network, via their partnership with au mobile.

Monthly costs vary based on the amount of data used. It costs 1,078 yen for up to 3GB of data, 2,178 yen for usage between 3GB and 30GB, and 3,278 yen for unlimited data beyond 20GB. With retail stores located nationwide, so you can feel secure with Rakuten's customer support when signing up and for the duration of your contract.

Discount campaigns are available at various times, including one that offers 6,000 points when you "keep your existing phone number, switch over from your previous carrier, and sign up for a new contract."

Want to have unlimited use of your data, or save using Rakuten points? Then this is the plan for you!

Rakuten Mobile
Cost	3,278 yen/unlimited data, etc.
Extra Options	Unlimited 15-minute calls (1,100 yen), unlimited domestic calls (free through the Rakuten Link app), etc.
Discounts/Campaigns	Get 6,000 points when you keep your existing number, switch over from your previous carrier, and sign up for a new contract, etc.

Click the banner for more details on Rakuten Mobile!

Low-Price Plans from Major Mobile Carriers: ahamo, povo, LINEMO

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The most important feature of any major carrier’s low-price phone plan is that it’s budget friendly. However, there are some differences that set them apart from standard phone plans. Let’s take a look at the features you’ll want to know before signing up for an affordable plan.

Below is a table summarizing the differences between major mobile phone carriers (a standard plan) versus their low-price plans.

	Major Carriers (Standard Plan)	Low-Price Plan
Application/Support	In-store and online	Online only
Price Plans	Relatively many	Relatively few
Transmission Speed	Same	Same *However, speeds may slow down during peak traffic times
Smartphone Selection	Wide variety	Often does not offer smartphones or has a very limited selection
Email Service	Available	None

There are three low-price plans: ahamo from NTT docomo, povo from au, and LINEMO from SoftBank.

These phone plans were introduced by major mobile carriers as exclusive online-only plans. They're are designed to offer budget-friendly alternatives to expensive standard plans.

After pricing, network quality is another big concern. Thankfully, there are almost no differences in speed because low-price plans use the mobile networks of their respective providers. However, speeds tend to slow down during peak traffic times.

Low-price plans are not available in stores, since applications must be done online.

Photo by Pixta

All three brands offer a plan priced at around 3,000 yen for 20GB of data. Calling rates are set so that you can adjust them to your lifestyle. Compare this to standard plans from major carriers, which allow customers to choose their pricing from among several options.

Major carriers support various iPhone and Android models, as well as a number of other phones. On the other hand, low-price plans may offer a limited selection.

Email services are another thing you should keep in mind. Major carriers will provide users with their own email address (ex. @docomo.ne.jp), but low-price plans will not when compared to major carriers.

Keep in mind that you must use web-based email services or communication apps like LINE with these low-price plans.

Comparing Low-Price Plans and Prices Among the 3 Major Carriers

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the features and prices of cheap phone plans from major carriers.

1. ahamo (docomo)

Picture courtesy of ahamo

Ahamo is docomo's low price plan. Customers pay 2,970 yen monthly for 20GB of data. If you surpass your allotted 20GB, you will be charged an additional 550 yen per 1GB or 1,970 yen for 80GB.

A notable feature is that domestic calls are free for the first five minutes. If you call others frequently, then you should sign up for the 1,100 yen unlimited calling option.

International data-roaming is also free up to 20GB. Data connectivity is available in 91 countries and regions for no additional fee (as of July 2024). You can use your smartphone effectively even during international travel or business trips.

As of July 2024, there are around 30 smartphone models available with ahamo, including the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Xperia 10 VI SO-52E, and Galaxy Z Flip6 SC-54E.

You can purchase a new smartphone, but ahamo also offers a system where returning the smartphone in the 23rd month reduces the cost of the device.

ahamo
Cost	2,970 yen/20GB, etc.
Extra Options	Unlimited Calling Option (1,100 yen)
Discount/Campaigns	Exchange devices to purchase a smartphone at a reduced cost

2. Povo (au)

Picture courtesy of povo

Povo is au’s low-price plan, which offers a unique pricing plan.

The base fee is 0 yen. The monthly cost is determined by combining the base plan with as many extra options, called toppings, as you want.

There are various options available as toppings, such as 1GB (7 days) for 390 yen or 20GB (30 days) for 2,700 yen. There's also an unlimited data topping for 330 yen. The unlimited data applies for 24 hours after you apply through the app and is great for days when you want to watch a lot of videos.

Call toppings include unlimited five-minute calls (550 yen/month) and unlimited calls (1,650 yen/month). The standard call rate is 22 yen per 30 seconds.

International roaming has been available since July 2023 and can now be used in over 160 countries and regions (as of July 2024).

Moreover, you must download the povo topping app to be able to check your toppings, available data, and contract details.

Povo does not sell smartphones. Therefore, you must use your own smartphone or buy a new device at an electronics retail store. Note that some smartphones are not supported by povo. Check out povo’s official website for a list of supported devices (Japanese).

You won’t need to unlock your SIM card if you’re switching from au to povo. If you’re switching from any carrier outside of au to povo, then smartphones purchased before September 30, 2021 must have an unlocked SIM card.

povo
Costs	0 yen base fee (+toppings)
Extra Options	Unlimited 5-minute calls (550 yen), unlimited calls (1,650 yen), etc.
Discounts/Campaigns	Refer-a-friend and receive 3GB (30 days), etc.

3. LINEMO (SoftBank)

Photo from LINEMO

LINEMO is offered by SoftBank. It is 990 yen per month for 3GB of data, or 2,728 yen per month for 20GB of data.

The plan’s biggest feature is LINE GIGA FREE. With this service, all chats, voice calls, and video calls on the messenger app LINE do not use data.

You can add unlimited stickers (240 yen/month) or unlimited stickers and emojis (480 yen/month) on LINE as well. This is a great plan for those who rely on LINE.

Calling rates are 22 yen per 30 seconds. You can also sign up for unlimited five-minute calls (550 yen/month) or unlimited calls (1,650 yen/month) as extra options.

Currently, there is a promotion (end date TBD) that offers a flat-rate calls (550 yen) for free for seven months when you switch carriers or sign up for a new contract. If you switch your number from SoftBank or Y!mobile and sign up for unlimited calls, applicable service and monthly fees will be free for the first month, making it a great deal!

There's also a promotion that will give you up to 15,000 yen in PayPay points when you switch carriers.

LINEMO does not sell smartphones. Please use a device you already own or purchase a new one. For information on supported devices, please visit LINEMO's official website.
If you are switching from SoftBank to LINEMO, you do not need to unlock your phone yourself, as the SIM unlock process will be handled before you complete the switch.

LINEMO
Costs	2,728 yen/20GB, etc.
Extra Options	Unlimited 5-minute calls (550 yen), unlimited LINE stickers (240 yen), etc.
Discounts/Campaigns	Receive up to 15,000 yen in PayPay points when you switch plans, etc.

Disadvantages and Things to Look Out For With Low-Price Phone Plans

You may need to go through the MNP (mobile number portability) process when switching to a major carrier’s low-cost plan.

MNP is a system that allows customers to keep the same phone number after switching telecom carriers. This is a mandatory process before signing up for a low-price plan.

Major mobile phone carriers like au or SoftBank also offer discounts. Examples include a Home Bundle Discount Hikari Set, which can be redeemed when signing up for both internet and phone services as a set. There's also a family discount when signing up for the entire family.

Please note that you may not be able to receive these discounts when signing up for a low-price plan.

Features of Cheap SIM Cards

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Some people may ask, “I know that a low-price plan is cheap, but what sets it apart from a cheap SIM card service?” In this section, we’ll take a look at the differences between low-price phone plans and cheap SIM cards.

Simply put, a cheap SIM card is a phone service that is cheaper than signing a contract with a major carrier. It provides a SIM card—a critical component for phone calls and transmission—and offers services to customers at a low cost.

Cheap SIM cards average 2,000 to 3,000 yen per month. Companies offering cheap SIM cards (MVNO: Mobile Virtual Network Operator) do not have their own mobile network. Instead, they offer telecom services using networks from major carriers.

These companies can curb expenses on network equipment and maintenance by not hosting their own mobile network. This is how they manage to offer services at cheaper prices.

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Transmission speeds will be slower than major carriers due to their mobile network rental. Cheap SIM cards give customers the option of choosing their call and internet communication service from among several plans.

On the other hand, low-price plans from major carriers have base prices marked down to 3,000 yen. This is thanks to utilizing their own mobile network. The connection speeds may be stable, but you have limited choices in plans.

Y!mobile and UQ Mobile: Cheap SIM Card Sub-Brands

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Are you worried about not having in-store support with a low-price plan? Then we recommend cheap SIM card services—a sub-brand of these major carriers. Y!mobile (Japanese), a sub-brand of SoftBank, and the au-affiliated UQ Mobile fall under this category.

Sub-brands have the advantage of making it easy to receive support nationwide. In addition to physical stores, sub-brands can serve customers at their parent company stores. There are also kiosks available in the phone section of major electronics shops.

If you prefer to sign up or receive customer support in-person, then consider these sub-brands.

Sub-brands fall under the cheap SIM card category: a phone service that borrows mobile networks from major carriers. However, a sub-brand will have better network quality than other cheap SIM card services, since they can utilize their parent company’s mobile network.

Low-price phone plans such as ahamo, povo, and LINEMO have a limited selection of smartphone models, but the appeal to sub-brands is that they will offer smartphones at reasonable prices.

The cost of a sub-brand is around 2,000 to 3,000 yen monthly. This is significantly cheaper than a major carrier, but will often be more expensive than a cheap SIM card service.

Y!mobile

photo by Y!mobile

Y!mobile (Japanese) has three phone plans: S (2,365 yen/4GB monthly), M (4,015 yen/20GB monthly), and L (5,115 yen/30GB monthly). Calls cost 22 yen per 30 seconds regardless of your plan. Unlimited calls can be added as an extra option.

There are two unlimited call options available. Daretodemo Teigaku+ (880 yen/month) offers unlimited 10-minute domestic calls, and the Super Daretodemo Teigaku+ (1,980 yen/month) adds unlimited 24-hour domestic calls to your plan.

The family discount is another welcome feature of Y!mobile. Sign up and add two or more phone lines to your contract to receive a 1,100 yen monthly discount to your phone bill.

Let’s say a husband is the first to sign a contract for the M Plan (4,015 yen/20GB). His wife then signs up for the M Plan on the same group plan, bringing her bill to 2,915 yen after a 1,100 yen discount.

We recommend Y!mobile if you're looking for a budget-friendly discount for you and your family's phone bill!

Y!mobile
Costs	2,365 yen/4GB, etc.
Extra Options	Unlimited 10-minute calls (880yen), etc.
Discount/Campaigns	Receive a PayPay gift card worth 20,000 yen when you switch plans (user must be between 5 to 18 years old), etc.

Click the banner below for more details on Y!mobile! You can conveniently submit an online application, too (Japanese)!

UQ mobile

Picture courtesy of UQ mobile

UQ mobile also has three phone plans: the Mini Mini Plan (2,365 yen/4GB), the Komi Komi Plan (3,278 yen/20GB), and the Toku Toku Plan (3,465 yen/15GB, will automatically receive a discount when data usage is under 1GB per month)

Domestic calls are 22 yen per 30 seconds. You can also add an unlimited calling plan as an option. Extra options include monthly 60-minute calls (660 yen/month), unlimited 10-minute calls (880 yen/month), and unlimited 24-hour calls (1,980 yen/month).

UQ mobile’s unique feature is the ability to rollover remaining data to the following month. This way, you can use all of your data without any waste.

Switch your electric company to au Denki, and UQ mobile will apply a Home Set Discount to your phone bill.

Additionally, you'll receive a discount when you pay your bill using an au PAY card.

After applying these two discounts, the Mini Mini Plan costs 1,078 yen, while the Toku Toku Plan costs 2,178 yen (990 yen if under 1GB of data usage per month), resulting in significant savings.

UQ mobile
Costs	2,365 yen/4GB, etc.
Extra Options	Monthly 60-minute calls (660 yen), etc.
Discounts/Campaigns	Home Set Discount, etc.

Disadvantages and Precautions With Sub-Brands

Sub-brands are reliable, with relatively stable connection speeds and in-store applications. However, there are some things you should keep in mind.

Sub-brands have a wide selection of phone models but will rarely have the newest iPhone or smartphone available.

Additionally, they do not offer any unlimited data plans. If you watch a lot of videos on your smartphone, then you’re better off with a standard plan with a major carrier.

Other Popular Cheap SIM Card Options

In recent years, additional cheap SIM card providers have joined the market alongside Y!mobile and UQ mobile.

GTN MOBILE (For Foreign Residents)

Photo from GTN MOBILE

GTN MOBILE is a phone service provider for foreign residents with SIM cards in Japan. GTN MOBILE makes it easy to communicate and enjoy Internet access in Japan on your mobile phone.

They have a selection of inexpensive plans with fees starting at 1,200 yen for 3GB of data. By applying the Set Discount, it becomes an even better deal at 650 yen per month.

The Set Discount applies when you apply for a GTN EPOS Card, a credit card exclusively for foreign residents, use it to pay your phone bill, and set up your home Wi-Fi with GTN.

GTN MOBILE’s website is available in seven languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepali, and Indonesian. You can sign up for a phone contract even if you don’t speak or read Japanese. Customers can also make inquiries in-store, via phone, or email in any of the languages above.

GTN MOBILE
Costs	650 yen/3GB (after set discount)
Extra Options	None
Discounts/Campaigns	Set Discount, get the first month of GTN Assistants (service providing lifestyle counseling in Japan, normally 1,078 yen per month) for free, etc.

Click for more details on GTN MOBILE!

IIJmio (miofone)

Picture courtesy of IIJmio

IIJmio (miofone) is known for letting customers bundle their desired SIM card features and data amount.

Customize a plan by choosing your features (data only, call and data, SMS, etc.) and data amount. You can choose from flexible data options, including 2GB, 5GB, and 10GB, with a maximum of up to 50GB available.

The cheapest plan has data capabilities and 2GB of data for 740 yen. The most expensive has call and data capabilities at 3,900 yen for 50GB of data. The cheapest plan for both call and data features is 850 yen at 2GB.

Sign up for a home fiber network with your phone plan to get the mio discount for 660 yen off your monthly phone bill. This discount is recommended for those who want to sign up for both a phone and internet plan!

IIJmio (miofone)
Costs	850 yen/2GB, etc.
Extra Options	Free unlimited 5-minute calls (500 yen), free unlimited 10-minute calls (700 yen), etc.
Discounts/Campaigns	mio discount, campaign offering discounts of up to 3 months on new voice SIM or voice eSIM contracts (until September 2, 2024)

Disadvantages and Precautions With Cheap SIM Cards

Cheap SIM cards are great for their relatively cheaper prices. However, some services have transmission speeds that are less stable than major carriers.

It’s always a good idea to check the company’s official website and online reviews before signing up.

Getting a Phone Plan in Japan

Japan is introducing a wide variety of inexpensive telecom and phone services.

Find the best phone plan for you by referring to this article, official websites, and online reviews!

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