How to choose a SIM card in Japan

A phone number and mobile internet are often needed soon after arriving in Japan. You may be asked for a phone number for city office procedures, banking, work, school, housing, and delivery. This guide explains what foreign residents should check before choosing a SIM card.

Who this page is for

• People preparing to come to Japan
• People who have just arrived and need a phone number
• People starting life in company housing, school housing, or a dormitory
• People worried about contracts in Japanese
• People who do not yet have a Japanese bank account or registered address

Decide this first

• Voice SIM: Useful if you need a Japanese phone number, calls, and SMS verification.
• Data SIM: Good if you only need internet. It may not work for procedures that require phone calls or SMS.
• eSIM: Can be set up without receiving a physical card, but your phone must support eSIM.
• Physical SIM: A card is delivered or handed to you. Check the receiving address and delivery date.

Check before applying

• Whether your current phone can be used on Japanese networks
• Whether the SIM lock is removed
• Whether you need calls, SMS, or data only
• What identity documents are required
• Whether the address on your residence card matches your current address
• Which payment methods are accepted
• Whether you can receive the SIM card at your address

Common problems for foreign residents

• No fixed address yet: You may not be able to receive a physical SIM card.
• Address not written on the residence card: Some applications may stop until address registration is complete.
• Payment method mismatch: Credit cards, debit cards, Japanese bank accounts, and direct debit rules differ by provider.
• Name mismatch: Differences between your residence card, passport, card name, and bank account name can cause identity verification problems.
• Short stay and long-term residence are different: Tourist SIMs and monthly resident SIMs have different conditions.

Costs to check

• Monthly fee
• Initial fee, contract fee, and SIM issue fee
• Call and SMS charges
• Speed or extra charges after using your data allowance
• Remaining device installment payments
• Cancellation, MNP, and plan change costs
• Normal price after a campaign ends

How to choose by situation

• You do not have a Japanese bank account yet: Check whether card payment is accepted and whether payment method can be changed later.
• You need to proceed with city office or bank procedures: Consider a voice SIM because calls or SMS verification may be needed.
• Your dormitory or company housing has Wi-Fi: A smaller data plan may be enough.
• You often use maps, translation, and messaging outside: Prioritize data allowance and coverage area.
• You want to keep your current phone number: Check MNP support, reservation number rules, or MNP one-stop availability.

Official information to check

• MIC Mobile Phone Portal
• Government Public Relations Online: MNP procedures
• National Consumer Affairs Center: mobile phone contract confirmation measures

Next actions

• Check your preparation with the Life in Japan Start Diagnosis
• Use the pre-arrival checklist
• Check how to choose Wi-Fi
• Ask about mobile preparation