Quick Answer — Choosing a Japan SIM or Phone Plan
| Short trip (1–4 weeks) | Prepaid SIM or eSIM — no contract; data-only or voice-included options; available at major airports and online before departure |
|---|---|
| 1–3 month stay | Prepaid SIM with sufficient data, or short-term MVNO plan — confirm cancellation policy and data limits; SIM unlock may be required for your handset |
| Resident (3+ months) | Contract SIM or full phone plan — Residence Card (在留カード) required; credit card or Japan bank account typically needed for direct-debit plans |
| Need a Japanese phone number | Contract plans provide a Japanese number; some prepaid options also offer voice; essential for bank accounts, app verification, and delivery scheduling |
| Heavy data user | Unlimited plans from major carriers (docomo, au, SoftBank) and MVNOs — compare price vs. speed throttling thresholds; prices and plan details change regularly |
Getting a Japanese phone plan as a foreign resident is one of the first and most practical tasks after arrival. Japan’s mobile market is large and competitive, with significant differences between major carriers, budget MVNOs, and eSIM-only options. This guide covers the main plans available to foreign residents in 2026, the documents you need, step-by-step signup, and which plan fits each situation.
Contents
Which plan is right for you?
Find your situation below. Each links to the provider’s official site so you can verify the current price before signing up.
Disclosure: Links above go to each provider’s official website. JapanWiseLife earns no commission from these links. See our affiliate disclosure.
The Three Plan Categories
Major carriers (MNO): NTT Docomo, au (KDDI), and SoftBank run Japan’s physical network. Their budget sub-brands — Ahamo (Docomo), povo2.0 (au), and LINEMO (SoftBank) — offer competitive pricing on the same networks without long-term contracts. Online signup only; shops handle network contracts but not the budget sub-brands.
MVNOs: IIJmio, HIS Mobile, b-mobile, and others lease Docomo or au capacity and resell at lower prices. Often best rates for moderate data usage and more accommodating of foreign residents. Many have English-language signup flows.
Rakuten Mobile: Operates its own 4G/5G network with genuine unlimited data at ¥3,278/month — the only true unlimited option at a competitive price. Particularly foreign-resident-friendly with English customer service.
2026 Provider Comparison: 8 Plans Side by Side
| Provider / Plan | Monthly fee | Data | Network | Contract lock | English app/support | Int’l card | Best for foreigners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| povo2.0 au (KDDI) |
¥0 base | Pay-as-you-go topups: 3GB ¥990 20GB ¥2,700 150GB ¥12,000 |
au (4G/5G) | ✓ None | App: English Support: Japanese only |
✓ Yes | New arrivals: pay only when needed while settling in |
| LINEMO Mini SoftBank sub-brand |
¥990/mo | 3GB (unlimited LINE calls) |
SoftBank (4G/5G) | ✓ None | App: Japanese Support: Japanese |
✓ Yes | Light users who mainly use WiFi and LINE |
| LINEMO SoftBank sub-brand |
¥2,728/mo | 20GB (unlimited LINE calls) |
SoftBank (4G/5G) | ✓ None | App: Japanese Support: Japanese |
✓ Yes | Mid data users on SoftBank network; cheap for 20GB |
| ahamo Docomo sub-brand |
¥2,970/mo | 20GB + 5min unlimited calls +100GB option: ¥1,980 extra |
Docomo (4G/5G) | ✓ None | App: English available Support: online only (Japanese) |
✓ Yes | Best balance of Docomo coverage + flat 20GB price |
| Rakuten Mobile Own 5G network |
¥1,078–¥3,278/mo (3/20GB/unlimited tiers) |
Unlimited (auto-steps by usage) |
Rakuten 5G + au (roaming) | ✓ None | App: English ✓ Support: English chat available |
✓ Yes | Most foreign-friendly: English UI, simple signup, unlimited option |
| IIJmio MVNO (Docomo/au) |
¥850–¥2,000/mo | 2GB ¥850 5GB ¥990 15GB ¥1,500 20GB ¥2,000 |
Docomo or au (choose) | 6 months min (cancellation fee applies) |
App: Japanese Support: Japanese |
✓ Debit card OK | Cheapest per-GB; good for debit card users |
| HIS Mobile MVNO (Docomo) |
¥290–¥990+/mo | 1GB ¥290 3GB ¥990 7GB ¥1,190 |
Docomo | ✓ None | App: English Support: English available |
✓ Yes | Ultra-light users; lowest possible monthly cost |
| b-mobile MVNO (Docomo) |
¥700+/mo | Various (incl. foreigner-specific plans) | Docomo | ✓ None | Support: English | ✓ Yes | Has specific foreigner onboarding; flexible payment |
Prices as of May 2026, tax included. Verify current plans on each provider’s official website before signing up — promotions change frequently.
Common Pitfalls for Foreign Residents
- No residence card = no resident SIM. You cannot sign up for any resident mobile plan without a valid residence card. Tourist eSIMs (Airalo, Holafly) are the only option in the first days before your residence card is issued.
- Short visa = plan rejection. Some providers reject applications from short-term visa holders (e.g., working holiday or 90-day tourist). Rakuten Mobile and HIS Mobile are generally most flexible for shorter stays.
- Credit score check. Major carrier direct plans (Docomo, SoftBank, au) and their handset installment contracts run a credit check. MVNOs and sub-brands (ahamo, LINEMO, povo) typically do not.
- Monthly billing requires a Japanese bank account or credit card. Most providers require a Japanese card for autopay. Exception: IIJmio accepts debit cards; HIS Mobile and b-mobile accept international cards. Rakuten Mobile accepts PayPay as well.
- APN settings for non-Japanese phones. Unlocked international phones require manual APN configuration. Each carrier’s settings are on their website — it takes 2–3 minutes but is rarely automatic.
- Cancellation fees at MVNOs. IIJmio charges an early cancellation fee if you leave within 6 months of signup. Most sub-brands (ahamo, LINEMO, povo, Rakuten) have zero cancellation fees.
Documents Required
- Residence card (在留カード) — required for all resident plans
- Passport — for identity verification alongside residence card
- Payment method — credit or debit card (Japanese card preferred; international cards accepted by Rakuten and HIS Mobile)
- Japanese address — required for SIM delivery and registration
New arrivals without a residence card can use tourist eSIMs or pocket WiFi until card registration. Most providers require the residence card to have been issued — not just applied for.
Step-by-Step: How to Get a SIM as a New Resident
- Get your residence card — issued at airport immigration on arrival, or at city hall when registering your address within 14 days.
- Register your address — go to your local city/ward hall with passport and residence card. You receive a juminhyo (resident registration certificate) and an official Japanese address for deliveries.
- Choose a plan — use the comparison table above or the situation cards at the top of this page.
- Apply online or in-store — most MVNOs are online-only. Major carrier sub-brands are all online signup.
- Wait for SIM delivery — physical SIM cards arrive in 3–5 business days. eSIMs activate immediately after online approval.
- Configure APN settings — MVNO plans require manual APN setup. Each provider’s website has instructions in English.
eSIM Options for Residents
Rakuten Mobile, Ahamo, LINEMO, povo2.0, and IIJmio all offer eSIM plans for residents. eSIM allows immediate activation after online approval — no waiting for physical delivery. Confirm your phone is SIM-unlocked before ordering; phones bought in Japan from carriers are usually locked, international phones are usually unlocked. iPhones XS and later and most recent Android flagships support eSIM.
Living in Japan Practical Guides
Bank accounts, credit cards, health insurance, and more — browse the Living in Japan hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a SIM card without a residence card?
Resident plans require a residence card. If you just arrived, use a tourist eSIM or pocket WiFi rental until your residence card is issued.
Which carrier has the best English support?
Rakuten Mobile offers the best English experience: English app, English customer support, and English signup. HIS Mobile and b-mobile also have English support. Major carrier sub-brands (Ahamo, LINEMO, povo2.0) are Japanese-only.
Can I keep my foreign phone number?
No. Getting a Japanese SIM means getting a Japanese phone number. You cannot port a foreign number to a Japanese carrier.
Do I need a Japanese credit card?
Not necessarily. Rakuten Mobile, HIS Mobile, and b-mobile accept major international credit cards. povo2.0 and Ahamo accept international cards. LINEMO requires a Japanese card at signup.
How long does it take to get a SIM after applying?
Physical SIM cards: 3–5 business days. eSIM plans: typically within minutes to hours of approval. Plan for up to 3 days for document verification.
Sources & Official References
- Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications — Telecommunications
- Rakuten Mobile — Foreign National Application Guide
- IIJmio Official Site
- povo2.0 (au) Official Site
Prices and plan details verified May 2026. Always confirm current prices on the provider’s official website before signing up.
- Setting Up Utilities in Japan
- Opening a Bank Account in Japan — required for direct debit SIM plans
- Cashless Payments in Japan — IC cards, QR payments, and Apple Pay setup
- Pocket WiFi Rental for Japan — alternative for short-term visitors and multi-device use
- Moving to Japan Checklist — SIM setup is one of the first priorities on arrival