I want to use the cheapest SIM card in Japan! Recommended SIM cards
Nowadays, a mobile terminal (smartphone) is one of the indispensable items for daily life. Using translation functions and map applications will make your life in Japan more comfortable.
However, for foreigners who have just arrived from abroad and do not understand Japanese well, it is not easy to sign a contract with a major cell phone company.
Therefore, we recommend the use of a low-cost SIM card. In this issue, we will introduce Japanese SIM cards in detail. We have compiled a list of SIM card types in Japan and recommended cheap SIM cards for foreigners.
What is a low-cost SIM card in Japan?
There are various types of low-cost SIM cards in Japan.
First, it is helpful to know about cheap SIM cards in Japan.
What is an MVNO?
MVNO stands for Mobile Virtual Network Operator, and refers to businesses that borrow communication lines from major cell phone operators (MNO) such as docomo, au, and Softbank to provide cheap SIM cards.
MVNO SIM cards offer a wide variety of plans and services, with some plans offering lower monthly fees than those of MNOs and shorter minimum usage periods, making them easier to use.
Types of SIM cards in Japan
Japanese SIM cards can be broadly divided into the following three types. Be sure to choose the type that has the features you need.
- Dedicated data communication SIM card
- SIM card with SMS function
- SIM card with voice call function
Dedicated data communication SIM card
A data-only SIM card is a SIM card that allows only Internet communication without voice call and SMS functions. It is suitable for those who do not use the call or SMS functions and wish to use Internet communication in a non-Wifi environment.
SIM card with SMS function
A SIM card with SMS function is a SIM card that enables Internet communication and has an SMS function; this type is suitable for those who want to use the SMS function for application authentication such as LINE.
SIM card with voice call function
A SIM card with voice call function is a SIM card that allows both voice calls and Internet communications and includes an SMS function. 090, 080, and 070 phone numbers can be transferred, so if you want to use your smartphone in the same way as before, you should choose this type of SIM card.
Three SIM card sizes
The following three sizes of SIM cards are available in Japan.
- Standard SIM
- Micro SIM
- Nano-SIM
Keep in mind that different mobile devices support different SIM card sizes.
Standard SIM
The size of a standard SIM is 25 mm (length) x 15 mm (width). It is the largest size of SIM cards in use today and is used in relatively older models.
Micro SIM
Micro SIM measures 15 mm (H) x 12 mm (W) and is used in mobile devices such as iphone4 and iphone4s, but demand has been declining in recent years.
Nano-SIM
Nano-SIM measures 12.3 mm (H) x 8.8 mm (W) and is used in many mobile devices such as the iphone 5, iphone 6, and iphone 7, and is currently the mainstream.
Five recommended Japanese low-cost SIM cards
Here are 5 cheap Japanese SIM cards recommended for foreigners.
- Mobal
- IIJmio
- JP SMART SIM
- Rakuten Mobile
- LINEMO
Mobal
Mobal is a low-cost SIM card affiliated with Softbank, and is popular among foreigners because it does not require them to fill out complicated forms or present a residence visa.
There are plans for stays in Japan of 90 days or more and plans for stays of less than 90 days, so you can choose the plan that best fits the length of your stay.
In addition, the customer service provided by the official website is available in English, so even those unfamiliar with Japanese can use the site with confidence.
referencehttps://www.mobal.com/
IIJmio
IIJmio is a reliable Internet service that offers the latest smartphones as well as low-cost SIMs.
The 30-day plan is popular with short-term visitors because it can be used without signing a contract.
The amount of unused data can be carried over to the next month or added if there is a shortage.
The official website includes explanations in English, so it can be said to be easy to use.
referencehttps://www.iijmio.jp/hdd/visitors/en/miofone.html
JP SMART SIM
JP SMART SIM is a low-cost SIM card affiliated with DOCOMO and available in CALL+DATA SIM and DATA SIM, and is popular among foreigners.
You can apply online with your residence card or passport and pay at a convenience store. There is no minimum contract period, and customer support is available in English and Chinese.
Also, check out the campaign to double the amount of data for each plan.
referencehttps://jpsmart.net/ja/pages/call-sim
Rakuten Mobile
Rakuten Mobile's low-cost SIM cards are very popular in Japan.
With the Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI plan, you can use up to 1GB for free and 2,980 yen after 20GB.
Please keep in mind that you will need your residence card and other documents when you make a new contract with Rakuten Mobile.
referencehttps://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/fee/un-limit/
LINEMO
LINEMO is a low-cost SIM card that uses Softbank's line as it is and allows high-speed communication.
You can apply online with your residence card or special permanent resident certificate.
Voice calls using the LINE application are free of charge, making it suitable for foreigners who use LINE frequently.
List of Cheap SIM Cards in Japan
| SIM card | SIM card type | plan | Monthly Fee | Initial cost |
| Mobal | With voice call function | 1GB plan 5GB plan 10GB plan 30GB plan | 1,480yen2,980yen3,280yen4,380yen | 3,000 yen (card body fee) |
| IIJmio | Type D with voice call function | 2GB plan 4GB plan 8GB plan 15GB plan 20GB plan | 858yen1,078yen1,518yen1,848yen2,068yen | 3,000 yen (package price) + 394 yen (card issuance fee) |
| JP SMART SIM | Data Communications Only | 3GB Plan 6GB Plan 12GB Plan 20GB Plan | 1,980yen2,780yen3,980yen5,480yen | 3,000 yen (contract administration fee) |
| Rakuten Mobile | Data Communications Only | Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI (1st line) 0GB - 1GB 1GB - 3GB 3GB - 20GB 20GB - unlimited | Free 980 yen 1,980 yen 2,980 yen | free |
| LINEMO | Data Communications Only | Mini Plan (3GB) Smartphone Plan (20GB) | 900 yen 2,480 yen | free |
Notes on using a Japanese SIM card
To use a Japanese SIM card, the following points should be noted.
Check the size of the SIM card supported by the device.
Make sure that the size of the SIM card you want to use fits your mobile device. If the SIM card you want to use is a multi-SIM that can be any size, you can have it adapted to the optimal size.
However, it is important to remember that a resizing fee will be charged.
Check if the handset is SIM unlockable.
While overseas mobile terminals are basically SIM-free, some mobile terminals sold in Japan are SIM-locked. It is recommended to check if the device is in a condition to use a low-cost SIM card.
summary
In this article, we have introduced Japan's low-cost SIM cards.
When using a low-cost SIM card in Japan, it is recommended that you make sure that your mobile device is SIM-free and that you have a compatible SIM card size.
Choose the SIM card that best suits your needs: a data-only SIM card for data communications only, or a SIM card with voice call functionality if you need both calls and SMS functionality.
