Visiting Japan soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Japan SIM card.
In this guide, weâll explain where to buy a SIM card in Japan in person and online. Weâll also discuss prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs if your mobile supports them.
Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Japan. If you donât mind not having Internet, youâll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.
That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Japanese â you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in Japan.
Best SIM Cards In Japan
If youâre traveling in Japan, we recommend using a SIM card from Mobal, SoftBank, B-mobile, or Airalo. (Iâll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)
That said, if youâre planning on visiting other countries during your trip to Asia, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other Asian countries.
How To Buy A SIM Card In Japan
You can either buy a Japanese prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.
Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we donât recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.
That said, you wonât necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so itâs essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.
For this reason, Iâd recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.
Although, this means you wonât get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase an Asia prepaid SIM card online.
Now, letâs take a look at the data plans offered by Mobal, SoftBank, and B-mobile.
Mobal SIM Cards
Mobal offers several different tourist plans:
- Unlimited data, valid for 8 days for JPY 3,990 ($26.62)
- Unlimited data, valid for 16 days for JPY 5,990 ($39.96)
- Unlimited data, valid for 31 days for JPY 7,490 ($49.07)
- Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for JPY 7,500 ($50.04)
- Unlimited data, valid for 60 days for JPY 12,000 ($80.06)
- Unlimited data, valid for 90 days for JPY 16,500 ($110.08)
SoftBank SIM Cards
Softbank offers a prepaid SIM for travelers, which includes:
- 3 GB data, valid for 31 days for JPY 1,650 ($11.01)
B-mobile SIM Cards
B-mobile offers two SIM-only plans for tourists:
- 5 GB, 10 days, JPY 1,980
- 7 GB, 21 days, JPY 2,970
Overall, we think Mobal is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person. That said, any would do if you canât find their store!
How To Buy A Japan Prepaid SIM Card Online
If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.
Youâll find different plans on Amazon. For example, the Prepaid Asia-Pacific SIM Card works in more than 17 countries and gives you unlimited data for 14 days. Japan is included.
But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.
Another option is to purchase a prepaid Asian SIM card on SimOptions.
They currently offer two data plans in Japan:
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $24.90
- 10 GB, valid for 14 days for $49.90
Alternatively, you can order a Japan SIM card that you can collect at the airport or directly at your hotel on jrailpass.com.
This is the website where you can purchase train passes for your travels in Japan. So, while youâre there, you can purchase a SIM card and a train pass.
Hereâs an overview of the plans available:
- 10 GB, valid for 15 days for $45.12
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $51.75
Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for Japan or, if youâre traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for Asia.
How To Buy An eSIM Card For Japan
eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone. If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards â itâs definitely one of the best options to get data in Japan.
Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.
I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. And I first tried it when visiting my family in Canada. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo. Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for Japan.
Airalo Japan
If you want to buy an eSIM for Japan, you could purchase one on Airalo.
This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Asia and Japan. Iâve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine.
Here are the options available:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $4.50
- 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $6.50
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $8.50
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $11.50
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $18
- 20 GB, valid for 30 days for $26
Hereâs an overview of the options available for Asia:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $5
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $13
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $20
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $37
- 50 GB, valid for 90 days for $100
- 100 GB, valid for 180 days for $185
The options mentioned above are part of Asialink and offer coverage in 14 countries, including Japan.
Alternatively, if youâre traveling in other countries that are not mentioned on the list, you can try Discover Global, which offers coverage in 124 countries, including Japan.
Hereâs an overview of the options available on Discover Global:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9
- 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $17
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $24
- 5 GB, valid for 60 days for $35
- 10 GB, valid for 180 days for $59
- 20 GB, valid for 365 days for $69
Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that youâll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.
Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip. In that case, it might be because youâre connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.
When you purchase the eSIM, youâll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.
Japan Wireless
Japan Wireless offers two types of data plans in Japan. You can choose between a 30-day plan and a daily plan.
Hereâs an overview of the plans available:
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $14.03
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $24.82
- 30 GB, valid for 30 days for $43.15
- 1 GB for $3.42/day
- 2 GB for $4.59/day
- 5 GB for $8.27/day
You can get a 10% discount by using my promo code: JWMELISSA.
Holafly Japan
Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly. You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.
Hereâs an overview of their plans for Japan:
- Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for $21
- Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for $29
- Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for $37
- Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for $51
- Unlimited data, valid for 20 days for $62
- Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for $75
- Unlimited data, valid for 60 days for $107
- Unlimited data, valid for 90 days for $139
Nomad Japan
Finally, Nomad is also a great eSIM provider.
Hereâs an overview of the plans available for Japan:
- 1GB, valid for 7 days for $6
- 3GB, valid for 30 days for $15
- 5GB, valid for 30 days for $17
- 10GB, valid for 30 days for $50
- 20GB, valid for 30 days for $69
Nomad also has APAC, an eSIM plan for Asia. This plan offers coverage in Japan.
Hereâs an overview:
- 1GB, valid for 7 days for $6
- 3GB, valid for 30 days for $15
- 5GB, valid for 30 days for $17
- 10GB, valid for 30 days for $50
- 20GB, valid for 30 days for $69
Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In Japan
As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Japan or even an eSIM for your travels in Japan is pretty straightforward.
Youâll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in Asia without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase an Asia plan.
I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Japan if you wish to have data upon your arrival. This way, you wonât need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.
Obviously, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.
Traveling to Japan soon? Read one of the following blog posts:
