How to get sim card for unlocked phone in Japan

MarkNaz · 23 Jan 2016

It's been a while since I was in Japan (Tokyo) but I was wondering what the cell phone situation is like there now. I have an unlocked Samsung s4 phone and I was hoping I could go somewhere in Japan and buy a sim card with some sort of maybe pre-paid plan, and then put that into my unlocked Samsung phone and have it work.

Does anyone have any advice on this for me?

Best,

rosensfole · 23 Jan 2016

Have a peep at www.mondaiji.com/blog/japan/general/10240-sim-only-mobile-providers-in-japan

Most often referred to in Japan as an MVNO, which stands for "mobile virtual network operator," the following is a potentially-growing list of SIM-only mobile providers that resell services on one of the major Japanese mobile networks: NTT Docomo, Au by KDDI, or Softbank. While the big three Japanese providers will usually force you into an over-priced 2-year auto-renewing service contract inseparable from the bundled phone, MVNOs can and will sell you just the SIM card and service. Most resell NTT Docomo, and I have yet to see one that resells Softbank; however anything is possible as Japan looks as if it is finally embracing SIM-only solutions.

nice gaijin · 23 Jan 2016

There are supposedly SIM vending machines at the airport, but any big box electronics store (BIC, Yodobashi etc) will have a display dedicated to prepaid SIMs. The sales staff at the phone counter of Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara spoke excellent English, if that helps.

I haven't seen a good prepaid SIM service with an actual phone plan, they're all data-only. Depending on your needs, I'd recommend the service I got from B-mobile and So-net.

If you're going to use a lot of data, I wouldn't recommend So-Net: while they had a decent up-front cost of 5000 yen for 3GB of data good for 180 days, but when I went to recharge the SIM they capped the recharge at 1GB for 3000 yen, which was frustrating.

MarkNaz · 27 Jan 2016

nice gaijin said:
There are supposedly SIM vending machines at the airport, but any big box electronics store (BIC, Yodobashi etc) will have a display dedicated to prepaid SIMs. The sales staff at the phone counter of Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara spoke excellent English, if that helps.

I haven't seen a good prepaid SIM service with an actual phone plan, they're all data-only. Depending on your needs, I'd recommend the service I got from B-mobile and So-net.

If you're going to use a lot of data, I wouldn't recommend So-Net: while they had a decent up-front cost of 5000 yen for 3GB of data good for 180 days, but when I went to recharge the SIM they capped the recharge at 1GB for 3000 yen, which was frustrating.

That sounds rather good for me actually. I will only be there one month. Thanks for the help!!!

KyushuWoozy · 28 Jan 2016

This article goes into some detail about pre-paid and rental SIMs
Staying Connected When Visiting Japan: Wi-Fi Access, Prepaid SIM Cards, and Rental Devices | Nippon.com
As has been mentioned it'll be data only so you'll need WhatsApp, Line, Vibe, Skype etc.

Hans Kamp · 31 Jan 2016

Talking about mobile internet in Japan: Is it available everywhere (except in tunnels of course)? Are you satisfied about the internet quality there?

In 2017 I have plans to go there, either in April/May or in December 2017/January 2018.

WonkoTheSane · 31 Jan 2016

Hans Kamp said:
Talking about mobile internet in Japan: Is it available everywhere (except in tunnels of course)? Are you satisfied about the internet quality there?

Yes to both, at least everywhere I've been.

Hans Kamp · 31 Jan 2016

Thank you, ありがとう！

Petaris · 10 Feb 2016

Hans Kamp said:
Talking about mobile internet in Japan: Is it available everywhere (except in tunnels of course)? Are you satisfied about the internet quality there?

In 2017 I have plans to go there, either in April/May or in December 2017/January 2018.

The last time I was there I had an international plan on my work phone. The LTE was amazingly fast. I think the local (Japanese) partner was NTT DoCoMo. I used it in Nara and Osaka with no issues.

Mika S · 23 May 2016

Japanese phone companies are the absolute worst, if you're just visiting, best to buy SIM cards at an electronic store. Look what people suggested on this thread (best fair to get japanese phone with internet for one month | General | Travel Help | LEVART

How to get sim card for unlocked phone in Japan

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