9 Cheap SIM Cards in Japan for Long-Term Stays: With English Support

Japan's Cheap SIM Cards - Ideal for Long-Term Stays

From keeping in touch with friends back home to searching how to get to a destination, smartphones are indispensable items to have while living in Japan.

If you're coming on a short trip, you can travel with ease with a prepaid SIM card like Japan Travel SIM. On the other hand, cheap SIM cards with monthly payments are great for stays in Japan that exceed a year.

Merits of Cheap SIM Cards and Major Mobile Carriers in Japan

The three major mobile carriers in Japan are docomo, au, and SoftBank. Each operates their own mobile networks, providing easy access to the Internet and customer support at their store locations. At the same time, the drawback of these carriers is that popular plans that offer users over 3G data or unlimited data will range between 4,000 to 5,000 yen monthly.

Alternatively, cheap SIM card companies offer mobile services using networks from these three major carriers. This occasionally creates a slow Internet connection. On the upside, the cost is extremely cheap with services available for as low as 1,000 yen per month.

In fact, plenty of companies offer inexpensive SIM card services. This option is the most appealing for its various plans offering different contract lengths and data limits. You also can choose whatever company and plan suit you.

This article will introduce additional information on Japan's three major mobile carriers.

Types of Cheap SIM Card Options in Japan

There are three types of cheap SIM cards available. They are broadly classified as SIM cards for data transmission, SMS (short message service) capabilities, or voice call functions (with a unique phone number).

Data SIM cards make it possible to connect to the Internet and social networking services. Over the past few years, social media apps like LINE or Messenger have developed voice call functions, so having a data SIM card allows you to make calls.

In Japan, however, authentication codes for identity verification purposes are sent through SMS when you join a membership or register on an app. You may be unable to use these services without SMS capabilities on your phone.

Having a voice call function makes it possible to call 110 (police) or 119 (ambulance) in an emergency. Additionally, the audio is much clearer on a call with a SIM card than those made on social media apps.

Take these things into account and choose the service that's best for you. If it's within your budget, we suggest choosing a plan with voice call functions just in case.

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In recent years, there are also eSIMS with SMS capabilities and voice call functions. An eSIM is a SIM card that does not require replacing a physical SIM card and can be embedded directly into your cell phone.

The advantage is that you can complete the process online and easily access to the service as long as you have a device compatible with eSIMs.

Is a Japanese Phone Required for SIM Cards?

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If you bring an unlocked, SIM-free smartphone from overseas without a Technical Conformity Mark (certification of radio transmission devices used in Japan), it will not function even with a SIM card inserted. It's typically recommended to use a Japanese phone. In the latter half of this article, we'll introduce IIJmio, Rakuten Mobile, and other mobile carriers where you can purchase various phone models with a SIM card.

Cheap SIM cards are available in three sizes: standard, micro, and nano. SIM card sizes vary depending on the smartphone model, so be sure to check the size required for your phone before purchasing.

Payments for your cheap SIM cards can also be made at convenience stores. Use this option if you don’t have a credit card or Japanese bank account.

Cheap SIM Card Options

Many companies offer budget-friendly SIM cards. Here, we introduce companies offering multi-language support, highly reliable services with leading market shares, and unique service plans.

Comparison of Cheap SIM Cards

Mobile Service Provider	Min. Data Cap.	Data SIM Card	SIM Card w/ SMS & Voice Calls
GTN MOBILE	1 GB	x	From 1,200 yen
LINEMO	3 GB	x	From 990 yen
mobal	1 GB	x	From 1,650 yen
Sakura Mobile	5 GB	From 2,728 yen	From 3,278 yen
ahamo (Japanese)	20 GB	x	From 2,970 yen
IIJmio	2 GB	From 740 yen	From 850 yen
Rakuten Mobile (Japanese)	0-3 GB	From 577 yen	From 1,078 yen
UQ Mobile	0-1 GB	×	From 2,365 yen
mineo (Japanese)	1GB	From 880 yen	From 1,298 yen
HIS Mobile (Japanese)	100 MB	x	From 290 yen

*SIM cards with SMS only functions have been omitted.

*The rates reflected above are current as of July 2024. Fees and services are subject to change. Check the respective company websites for details.

GTN MOBILE

Picture courtesy of GTN MOBILE

GTN MOBILE is a mobile phone carrier that offers great services to non-Japanese residents. Support is provided in seven different languages—Japanese, English, simplified Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Nepali—and customers are able to apply in their respective language. This service is recommended for those not confident in their Japanese skills.

SIM card payments can be made at convenience stores, so you don't need a credit card or Japanese bank account to apply. You can also easily reserve a SIM card with a passport. Make an advanced reservation up to 14 days before your scheduled arrival date to Japan.

LINEMO

Picture courtesy of LINEMO

LINEMO is a new online-only service introduced by Softbank in conjunction with LINE Mobile in 2021.

A 20 GB data plan with this service costs 2,728 yen. It is particularly popular among younger users and foreign residents in Japan, as data used on the LINE app (such as through messaging and even LINE audio/video calls) is not counted as a part of the overall data plan.

The website is available in multiple languages using machine translation in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Applications are only available in Japanese. However, there is an easy-to-follow application guide in English, which will allow you to complete the application on the Japanese screen while referring to the English guide.

This plan is not available in stores, and can only be applied to online.

Mobal

Picture courtesy of mobal

Mobal is provided by a British company and offers services for visitors to Japan and long-term residents. Their official website is available in English and Simplified Chinese with applications accepted in both languages.

The unique feature of mobal is that it ships SIM cards even to other countries than Japan. You can receive your SIM card before arriving in Japan and use the internet as soon as you've landed.

Moreover, mobal provides a pocket Wi-Fi router, which allows you to use 100 GB per month for just 4,980 yen. If you apply for this router and the SIM card at the same time, you get 10% off the price, making it very convenient.

Sakura Mobile

Picture courtesy of Sakura Mobile

Sakura Mobile offers both cheap SIM and pocket WIFI options and is specifically targeted towards people visiting Japan from overseas. They offer both short-term (two days to more than one week) and long-term (from 1 month onwards) SIM and WIFI plans. Their service utilizes major provider NTT Docomo’s connection.

Data-only plans start at 2,728 yen per month, and plans including both data and voice calls start at 3,278 yen per month.

Sakura Mobile has gained a reputation for the quality of their customer support offered in English. Here are some customer reviews: "When I lost my SIM card, they sent me a new one in just two days", "I didn't know whether to go for a SIM card or for pocket WiFi but they researched the quality of the signal in the region I was planning to visit and gave me the right advice."

As these reviews show, Sakura Mobile is a great option for those who are not fluent in Japanese.

Of course, you can also apply on the website in English.

ahamo

Picture courtesy of ahamo

ahamo is a paid SIM plan offered by Japan’s mobile communications giant, Docomo, that began its service in 2021.

The service offers two plans at 20 GB for 2,970 yen per month or 100 GB for 4,950 yen per month. Calls within Japan are free for the first 5 minutes, which adds to the service’s appeal. Due to it being operated by Docomo, ahamo also provides a very reliable connection to users.

IIJmio

Picture courtesy of IIJmio

IIJmio is a company with high reliability and a leading market share among other competitors. As of September 2023, IIJmio has the highest number of SIM card contracts in the country. If you’re looking to buy a Japanese phone, this company offers more than 60 different phone models.

The scope of the English service is gradually expanding. The AI chat answers questions asked in English in the same language. The official X account will also politely reply in English if you mention the account with an English question.

Please note the application page itself is in Japanese (as of July 2024). However, you can find details and explanations in English on IIJmio's website. If you aren't confident in reading Japanese, it would be best to apply with the help of a Japanese friend.

Rakuten Mobile

Picture courtesy of Rakuten Mobile

Rakuten Mobile offers a unique plan with a monthly fee that varies based on the amount of data used each month.

It will be 1,078 yen if you use 3 GB or less in a month, 2,078 yen if you use more than 3 GB to 30 GB per month, and 3,278 yen for unlimited data after exceeding 20 GB of data per month. The cost of that month will be cheaper if you don't use the data, so there is no data waste.

In recent years, the service has become easier to connect not only in urban areas like Tokyo and Osaka but also in regional areas. Data transmission speeds are becoming faster and faster.

You'll also enjoy an attractive 2 GB per month for international use in 73 countries and regions (as of July 2024). Additionally, Rakuten Link, an app you can register when signing your contract, allows free calls and messages anywhere in the world as long as you’re communicating with another Rakuten Link user.

The application is also available in English. Additionally, the app my Rakuten Mobile, which can be used to check your data usage, will switch to the language your smartphone is set to.

UQ Mobile

Picture courtesy of UQ Mobile

UQ Mobile offers the Mini Mini Plan with up to 4 GB of data, the Komi Komi Plan with up to 20 GB of data, and the Toku Toku Plan with up to 15 GB of data (discounts automatically apply if data usage is under 1 GB per month).

It is relatively expensive compared to others, but there are various discount services such as a significant price reduction when you also sign up for an au HIKARI home router. Depending on the plan, you can enjoy benefits like unlimited calls under 10 minutes and the ability to roll over any unused data to the following month.

The service is also known for its fast data speeds. Users have praised it for its relatively smooth and easy-to-connect transmission service compared to other cheap SIM cards.

Moreover, the website is available in English. However, applications can only be submitted in Japanese (as of July 2024).

ｍineo

Picture courtesy of mineo

Mineo's (Japanese) characteristics include the ability to choose your own data limits, whether or not the plan includes voice calls, and the mobile network provider. There are a wide range of options.

There are four data plans available: 1 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, and 20 GB. For voice calls, you can choose between unlimited calls under 10 minutes or unlimited calls overall, allowing you to customize the best plan for your needs. Additionally, you can choose between au, Docomo, and SoftBank for the mobile network, with no change in fees regardless of the provider you select.

Additionally, mineo is known for its unique options. There is a free option you can add that allows you to exclude the data usage from ads that appear while browsing the internet.

There are also options that allow you to earn benefits by managing your own data usage through an app during periods of reduced data speeds. You can earn rewards such as 100 MB of additional data.

HIS Mobile

Picture courtesy of HIS Mobile

HIS Mobile (Japanese) is a mobile phone carrier service provided by HIS, a major travel company in Japan. If you only require data, it offers a plan starting from 290 yen per month. Consider this service if you're satisfied with having a minimum amount of data.

Stay Connected Online in Japan!

When selecting the most suitable SIM card, please refer to this article to ensure you are online in Japan!

Main image by Pixta