Prepaid SIM Card in Japan: Where and How to Buy for a Tourist

From this article you will learn how and where you can buy a prepaid SIM card in Japan. It will also provide the details of whether you can solve the issue with communication before arriving in the country and what to do if you need a SIM card immediately upon arrival.

In addition, we will detail the features of tariff packages of Japanese mobile operators for tourists and explain to you why it is advantageous to use eSIM technology in the country.

Where to buy a prepaid SIM card in Japan for tourists

A tourist who comes to the country for a few days or weeks has these options:

• buy a SIM card online before arriving in the country or upon arrival;
• activate eSIM technology in their phone;
• buy a prepaid SIM card in Japan for a tourist at the airport;
• go to a Bic Camera or Yodobashi Camera store.

Buying online before arrival is a perfect option for a tourist. For a short-term visit, a card from local operator Mobal, for example, just a little more than $30 for 8 days of use, is quite suitable. For long-term use, there are offers with card validity up to 90 days.

You can place an order either on the operator's website or on Amazon or eBay.

You can also order a SIM card online immediately upon arrival in the country. For example, the same operator Mobal in Tokyo has points of delivery of prepaid cards in Shibuya and Shinjuku districts. You have to pick them up by yourself. Similar outlets are available in Osaka, Yokohama, Kyoto and Nagoya.

If your phone supports eSIM technology, you don't have to waste time searching for Japanese SIM cards online. Simply activate the embedded chip in your smartphone, select the appropriate tariff on the Yesim operator's website to use mobile Internet in Japan at a favorable rate.

There are SIM card outlets in Tokyo, Narito and Haneda airports, as well as in Yokohama, Osaka and other major cities. It is convenient to buy at airport kiosks — the staff, as a rule, speaks English at a basic level and it will be easier to communicate. But be prepared for the main disadvantage of this option— overpayment and limited choice of offers.

A prepaid SIM card in Japan is also available at Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera stores — a large selection of tariff packages at lower prices than at the airport or when buying online. Buying a prepaid SIM card is usually not a problem. There are many stores selling SIM cards in the city, especially near popular subway stations such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Akihabara and Yuraku.

How to get a prepaid SIM card in Japan

A standard purchase of a prepaid phone card in Japan for travel purposes takes only a few minutes. You will not need to provide documents, prove that you legally stay in the country or explain the purpose of your visit. The maximum that may be required from a tourist is an ID card.

But when buying a contract SIM card, you will be asked to confirm the address of permanent residence or prove that you have already opened an account in a Japanese bank. If you do not do this, you will be offered a contract, but with significant restrictions.

Therefore, using a modern virtual eSIM card is much easier — it is already embedded in your device. You only need to activate the service and connect to the operator, which offers the most favorable tariffs.

Read also: What is eSIM: what is it for and how to use it?

The best prepaid SIM cards in Japan

Below you will find the information on how to get a prepaid SIM card in Japan — virtual and physical.

Yesim

If your smartphone supports eSIM technology, activate the embedded chip before you fly to Japan. Then you'll be able to make calls and access social networks without roaming as soon as you arrive. With Yesim application, there is no need to think about Japanese mobile operators' offers , compare their tariffs and try to explain what you need to local sales consultants.

The tariff plans for Japan are as follows:

• 500 Mb for 7 days at the price of 8 EUR;
• 1 GB for 7 days at the price of 13 EUR;
• 3 GB for 7 days at the price of 33 EUR;
• 5 GB for 15 days at the price of 52 EUR.

Such a digital prepaid SIM card in Japan for a tourist is the most convenient, because it is already integrated into the gadget by the manufacturer. To check whether your device supports eSIM technology, clarify this point on the official page of the operator.

Mobal

The popular Japanese operator offers tourists SIM cards for 8, 16 and 31 days. Regardless of the selected term, there are no traffic restrictions.

More details on the packages:

• 8 days, unlimited traffic, $26.62;
• 16 days, unlimited traffic, $39.96;
• 31 days, unlimited traffic, $49/97.

Japan Wireless

This company offers 7-, 15-, and 30-day SIM cards for $18, $20, and $23 dollars respectively. Traffic is 500 MB per day and speed is 150 Mbps.

If you stay in the country for a long time, the same company will issue a monthly card with a Japanese phone number.

IIJmio

IIJmio's physical SIM cards are designed for people who come to Japan for one to two months and either do not use the internet or use it a little. The operator has just two offers:

• A 30-day card with 1GB of traffic
• Card for 3 months with 2 GB of traffic.

Prices are different everywhere, they are set at the discretion of retailers. Therefore, you should compare offers from several retailers before buying.

Getting a prepaid phone card in Japan can be difficult due to the language barrier. For example, the official website of this operator has only one language version — Japanese. Therefore, using modern innovative technology eSIM is much more convenient.

Read also: SIM vs eSIM: what are the differences and what is better?

SIM Card Geek

We tell you how to use a prepaid SIM card in Japan if you choose SIM Card Geek. Physical cards of this local operator differ from the others as they are used for mobile Internet only. Usage periods range from 5 to 31 days, and unlimited offers are found in some packages.

More details on packages:

• 8 days, traffic volume of 8 GB, cost $23.22;
• 12 days, unlimited traffic, cost $33.22;
• 14 days, 3GB of traffic, $29.89.

Don't want to waste your time looking for a physical card point of sale and delve into the nuances of the local operator's tariff plans? We recommend a simpler solution — a virtual eSIM card, which is already available in most modern smartphones.

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Frequently asked questions on how to buy prepaid SIM card in Japan

What is the most favorable SIM card in Japan for a tourist?

A virtual eSIM card is one of the most cost-effective options for staying connected and using mobile internet in Japan. Activate the service on your smartphone, install the Yesim app and choose the tariff plan that suits you best. You can activate the service either during your stay in Japan or in advance.

How much does a SIM card cost at Tokyo Airport?

The cost of a physical SIM card at Tokyo Airport depends on the operator, the vendor's pricing policy, the amount of traffic and the validity period of the card. For example, a 90-day tariff package from the popular provider IIJmio with 2GB of traffic will cost $50.