A Japan travel sim card is a great option for easy and convenient access to the internet without going through the hassle of finding free wifi hotspots and the associated security concerns. It’s common for your accommodation provider to offer wifi for guests but once you step outside you won’t be able to use it anymore.
Access to the internet is even more important as a traveller – uploading photos, using social media, and finding your way around with Google Maps and public transport information are just a few examples of when you will need it. Here’s another article on some of the apps we have found useful when travelling to Japan.
Japan Sim Card Summary of Recommended Options
For those of you just looking for some quick recommendations for the best Japanese sim card for tourists without reading the whole article here is a summary of our recommended options. An alternative option for the newer generation phones is to purchase an eSim plan. Click here to check out our detailed article on eSim options for Japan.
Check out the below table to see your Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card options for Japan.
Mobal Voice+Data+SMS Sim Card for Japan
- Unlimited data, first 7GB at high speed,
- 30/60/90 days or more.
- Free incoming calls & SMS, paid outgoing calls (Domestic ¥39 per minute).
- International Delivery. Rechargeable.
- $US 21 Activation Fee, then $US 31/30 days, $US 62/60days, $US 92/90 days
Sakura Voice+Data+SMS Sim Card for Japan
- Unlimited data, first 4GB/25GB at high speed.
- Free incoming calls & SMS, paid outgoing calls (Domestic ¥22 per minute).
- Free next day hotel delivery or airport pickup in Japan. Rechargeable.
- $US 40 Activation Fee, then $US 23/1 month, $US 46/2 months, $US 69/3 months
Check out the below table to see data only sim card options for Japan.
Mobal Data Only Sim Card for Japan
- Unlimited data, first 3GB per day at high speed.
- No talk or text. Not rechargeable.
- Free International Delivery.
- $US 27/8 days, $US 41/16 days, $US 52/31 days
Sakura Data Only Sim Card for Japan
- Unlimited data, first ~3GB per day at high speed.
- No talk or text. Not rechargeable.
- Free next day hotel delivery or airport pickup in Japan.
- $US 34/8 days, $US 49/15 days, $US 68/30 days, $US 110/45 days, $US 121/60 days, $US 182/90 days
Sim Card Geek Data Only Sim Card for Japan
- Unlimited and fixed data sim card options
- No talk or text. Not rechargeable.
- Free International Delivery or Airport Pickup in Japan
- Unlimited Data Options, first ~3GB per day at high speed: $US 24/5 days, $US 34/12 days, $US 48/21 days
- High Data Use Options - 1GB per day: $US 24/8 days, $US 38/16 days, $US 48/31 days
- Low Data Use Options: $US 31/14 days/3GB, $US 34/30 days/7GB
Japan eSim Plan Options
For people with newer generation mobile phones you can alternatively purchase a prepaid Japan eSim plan, you can check out our detailed Japan eSim plan article at this link. You can also see a summary of our recommended Japan eSim options for tourists in the below table.
Simcard Geek 4G eSim for Japan
*OUR PICK FOR HIGH DATA USERS*
- Japan only eSim plan with unlimited data with initial data allocation at high speed.
- Instant activation
- 8 days 1GB / $US 14, 3GB / $US 17, 30GB / $US 23
- 16 days 1GB / $US 16, 3GB / $US 20, 50GB / $US 28
- 31 days50GB / $US 35
"I thought it looked a bit dodgy but went for it, and it works absolutely beautifully! The only thing is there isn’t a platform to see how much data you have used, but you can use your phone’s data usage reading for an idea. Lots of super-fast data across Japan. Highly recommended!" - HJ
Ubigi 5G eSim for Japan (use Coupon Code PRETRAVELLER to get your 10% discount)
*OUR PICK FOR HIGH SPEED DATA*
- 5G connectivity is available in Japan at no additional cost (with a 5G compatible device)
- Use coupon code PRETRAVELLER to get your 10% discount
- A great option for high, medium and low data users.
- Instant confirmation, rechargeable, the Ubigi eSim app can be used in over 190 countries.
- 30 days 1GB/$US 4, 3GB/$US 8, 10GB/$US 18
- Monthly and Annual Plans and Asian region eSim plans also available
- Japan only eSim plan with unlimited data with initial data allocation at high speed.
- Instant activation
- Unlimited data plans are Lite - 500MB per day, Basic - 1GB per day and Pro - 2GB per day. The initial allocation is at high speed, then when used up, it will switch to a lower data speed
- Lite: 3 days / $US 4, 5 days / $US 6, 7 days / $US 8, 12 days / $US 11
- Basic: 3 days / $US 6, 5 days / $US 8, 7 days / $US 10, 12 days / $US 16
- Pro: 3 days / $US 9, 5 days / $US 12, 7 days / $US 16, 12 days / $US 23
- Fixed high speed data plans are: 7 days/3GB/$US 8, 15 days/5GB/$US 12, 20 days/10GB/$US 19
Airalo 4G eSim for Asian Region
- Asian Region eSim can be used in 14 Asian countries including Japan.
- A great option for high, medium and low data users, periods of 7, 30, 90 and 180 days.
- Instant confirmation, rechargeable, the Airalo eSim app can be used in over 190 countries.
- 7 days 1GB/$US5
- 30 days 3GB/$US 13, 5GB/$US 20, 10GB/$US 37
- 90 days 50GB/$US 100, 180 days 100GG/$US 185
Join the Japan Travel Planning Facebook Group and Discord Server
You are also welcome to join our Japan Travel Planning Facebook Group and our new Japan Travel Planning Discord Server – they are great resources to enable you to ask questions about your upcoming trip to Japan!
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Travel Sim Japan Compared With Japan Portable Pocket Wifi Rental – Pros and Cons
When my family travels overseas, we have used both travel sim cards and portable wifi units and over time have learnt the pros and cons for both. Here are my thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of both.
It can be a bit of a hassle to install a sim cards in Japan for tourist usage such as accessing your phone apps, but once you have put the sim card in it can be more convenient than a wifi unit. Firstly, you don’t need to be mindful of turning your phone on and off to save battery life unlike with a portable wifi. You also don’t need to return it at the end of your stay in Japan and you will have one less device to carry around. It’s also easy to use your phone as a mobile hot spot if you have a generous data allowance.
If you are going to use your phone and a prepaid sim card in Japan you will want to check that your phone is unlocked and is compatible with the Japanese network you will be using through Will My Phone Work. Also, make sure your phone settings are correct to avoid additional charges. If you use a major network such as SoftBank and Docomo you should have reasonable network coverage in both urban and rural areas. Regardless of whether you use a Japanese prepaid sim card or Japan pocket wifi rental, if you plan to travel to areas which are a distance from a town centre you may not have network coverage.
For Japan eSim cards you should receive your eSim details either instantly or within 24 hours of placing your order, so this is a much faster option if your phone is a newer phone. Make sure you check before booking whether your cell phone can be used with an eSim, as only newer phones have this feature. Click here to check out our detailed article on eSim options for Japan.
Pocket wifi rental units make it very easy to connect multiple devices which make them very useful if you are going to travel with a group of people that all require internet access. In this situation you would want a Japan pocket wifi device with a generous data allowance as it is common practice for speed to be reduced when you exceed your data allowance. For many portable wifi routers battery life is about 6-9 hours, so you will either need to conserve your battery life, recharge the unit, or use an external power bank.
If you prefer to rent a portable pocket wifi I suggest you check out our Best Online Pocket Wifi Rental In Japan For Tourists article to assist you to choose the option which will suit you best.
How to Choose the Best Japanese Sim Card for Tourists
What prepaid sim card for Japan will best suit your needs? The answer to this question depends on your individual needs with considerations such as:
- How long you will be travelling
- What will you be using the data allowance for
- How often you will need to use data
- Whether you require voice and SMS services or data only
This article provides an overview of the features and costs for various tourist sim card Japan options.
Data only plans along with apps such as Skype or Whatsapp should suit most people. Think about setting up a Skype number so you can easily call people and they can easily call you.
Costs are accurate as at October 2022, but prices may go up or down depending on product pricing, exchange rate changes and various promotions offered by the different providers. This article will be periodically updated to reflect the latest prices.
Prepaid Sim Card Japan – Data + Voice + SMS
Below is a comparison table of the Voice+Data+SMS prepaid sim card Japan options. These are available primarily for foreigners staying in Japan for longer periods, such as students and expats. Note that Mobal sim cards can also be used by tourists as they offer set periods of 30, 60 or 90 days. A 30-day card can be used for less than 30 days. Our recommended providers also offer longer term sim card options which are detailed in the table below.
Click on the links below to check out further information and to make your purchase.
Mobal Japan Sim Card – Data+Voice+SMS
The Mobal Japan Sim – Voice+SMS+Data is a great option to have both unlimited data as well as a Japanese phone number which you can use to make and receive calls and SMS messages in Japan. Free worldwide shipping means that you can order and receive your sim card before you depart, and also makes it easy to activate prior to your arrival in Japan. Check out our detailed Mobal Japan Sim Review at this link.
The first 7GB of data per month is at high speed, and you then get unlimited data at slower network speeds. The high speed data allowance is reset on the first day of each month. Incoming calls and SMS messages are free, and you will pay additional fees for outgoing calls and SMS messages. as detailed below:
- Outgoing domestic calls ¥39 per minute
- Outgoing international calls (selected countries) ¥65 per minute (includes Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA)
- Outgoing international calls to other countries ¥200 per minute
- Outgoing domestic SMS messages ¥29 per message
- Outgoing international SMS messages ¥140 per message
The Mobal Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card can be purchased for either a 30, 60 or 90 day period for pricing from $US 39 to 53 per month.
Sakura Mobile Sim Card – Data+Voice+SMS
The Sakura Mobile Sim Card – Data+Voice+SMS is a great option to have both a great data allowance as well as a Japanese phone number which you can use to make and receive calls and SMS messages in Japan. Free next day shipping to either your hotel or airport in Japan means that you can order your sim card before you depart, and collect it ready to get started after you arrive in Japan.
The first 4 or 25GB of data per month is at high speed, and you then get unlimited data at slower network speeds. Incoming calls and SMS messages are free, and you will pay additional fees for outgoing calls and SMS messages. as detailed below:
- Outgoing domestic calls ¥33 per minute
- Outgoing international calls from ¥69 per minute
- Outgoing domestic SMS messages ¥5.5 per message
- Outgoing international SMS messages ¥55 per message
The Sakura Mobile Data+Voice+SMS Sim Card can be purchased for an initial activation fee of $US40, and you will then pay a monthly fee of $US23 per month for 4GB per month, or $US31 per month for 25GB of data per month.
Japan Travel Sim Card Data only
Below are details of the Japan prepaid data Sim card options for travel for 30 days or less. These are the most common types of sim card available for tourists. Click on the links to check out further information and to make your booking.
Mobal Sim Card – Data Only
The Mobal Data Only Sim Card is a great option to get a Japan unlimited data sim. Free worldwide shipping means that you can order and receive your sim card before you depart, and also makes it easy to activate prior to your arrival in Japan. Check out our detailed review of the Mobal Japan Sim Card at this link.
The first 3GB of data per month is at high speed, and you then get unlimited data at slower network speeds.
The Mobal Data Only Sim Card can be purchased for either a 8, 16 or 31 day period for pricing from $US 29 to 53.
Sakura Mobile Data Only Sim Card
The Sakura Sim Card – Data Only is a great option to get an unlimited data Japanese data sim. Your sim card for Japan travel includes free next day shipping to either your hotel or arrival airport in Japan.
The first 3GB of data per month is at high speed, and you then get unlimited data at slower network speeds.
The Sakura Mobile Data Only Sim Card can be purchased for either a 8, 15 or 30 day period for pricing from $US 35 to 71.
Sim Card Geek Data Only Sim Card
The Sim Card Geek Mobile Data Only Sim Card is a great option to get either an unlimited data or other data allowance Japanese sim card for travellers. Your Japanese tourist sim card includes free international delivery or airport pickup.
Sim Card Geek offer a great range of Japanese data sim cards to suit every traveller as detailed below.
- Unlimited Data Options. Available for 5/12/21 days for prices from $US 25-50.
- High Use Data Options. Available for 8/16/31 day options with 1GB per day included data for prices from $US 25-50.
- Low Use Data Options. Available for 14/30 day options for prices from $US 32-36.
Japan Sim Card FAQs
We have put together some Japan Sim Card FAQs to help you better understand the options to get cheap access to data while travelling.
You may also like to check out the following articles:
Best Japan eSim Plan for Tourists [2023]
How to Rent a Japan Wireless Pocket Wifi [2023]
Review: Ninja Wifi Pocket Wifi Rental for Japan [2023]
Review: Pupuru Pocket Wifi for Japan
Rent the Best Pocket Wifi in Japan for Visitors [2023]
Best Japan Sim Card for Tourists [2023]
Mobal Sim Card Review for Japan for 2023
Top 16 Phone Apps for Your Japan Trip (plus Bonus Apps!)
Join the Japan Travel Planning Facebook Group and Discord Server
You are also welcome to join our Japan Travel Planning Facebook Group and our new Japan Travel Planning Discord Server – they are great resources to enable you to ask questions about your upcoming trip to Japan!
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I know this is the big thing in Japan and neighboring South Korea Tony. Prepaid SIM is the way to go. Noted for my trip to Japan, when I am heading that way.
Dang dude… My mother in law showed up so fast here in Fukuoka and we’re not able to have a second to think about getting a card. It’s been a pain walking around with no internet/cell for her here. Lot of missed connections when we go to see her at the hotel. 🙁 Airports make me just want to leave them as fast possible :/
Nathan, it is one of those things where the easiest option is to plan and book ahead so you don’t have to think about it after you arrive at the airport…
Not being connected to a network during our travels is such a pain. Well, thanks for sharing your knowledge about prepaid sims in Japan. This would be a great help. Good job.
Thanks for your feedback!
Can you advise if a same SIM card from Klook can be used in Tokyo and Osaka?
Yes the same sim card can be used in all areas across Japan.
Hi Anne, you’ve written that Softbank don’t offer their own SIM card but there seems to be one on Amazon. Is it actually run by someone else? I’ve also found an unlimited data card for 31 days with Japan-Rail-Pass which seems to be a great value, do you know anything about this one? It doesn’t say which network it uses of it throttles?
Thanks
Guy, the direct Softbank option is available through Amazon. Quite a few of the other providers are offering products which use the Softbank network.