5 Best SIM Cards in Japan

A SIM card is one of the most popular options to get the internet connection when you visit and stay in Japan. There are some advantages on other internet options in SIM cards.

The cheapest rate to use the internet is one thing. You can also keep using your own cell phone in Japan by just changing your SIM card. For those who don’t want to carry a pocket WiFi or install a fixed internet router at home, it is highly recommended to get a Japanese SIM card.

Each communication company in Japan offers various SIM plans for varying terms, optional international texting and calling, which is why a SIM card is perfect for both short-term travelers and long-term stayers.

Here are 5 best SIM card options in Japan with a comparison of prices, data amount, network, etc. Their websites are available in English, so it is easy for you to check the details there. These SIM cards allow you to text and call domestically and internationally.

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.

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	1. Mobal	2. Yolo Mobile	3. GTN Mobile	4. IIJ Mio	5. Sakura Mobile
Cost/month	From 3,190 yen	3,828 yen	2,728 yen	1,760 yen	3,278 yen
Activation fee	2,970 yen	3,300 yen	3,850 yen	3,300 yen	5,500 yen
Data Amount	From 5 GB	6 GB	10 GB	3 GB	4 GB
Network	4G LTE	LTE	4G	LTE/3G or 4G LTE	4G LTE
Speed when exceeding	200 kbps	128 kbps	200 kbps	up to 200 kbps	Unknown
Domestic Calling	Free	40 yen/min	44 yen/min	44 yen/min	44 yen/min
International Calling	65 yen/min	Unavailable	44-254 yen/min	from 68 yen/min	from 68 yen/min
Website	https://www.mobal.com/japan-sim-card/?source=3443	https://www. yolo-japan.com	https://gtn-mobile.com	https://www. iijmio.jp	https://www. sakuramobile.jp

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1. Mobal

1. Mobal
Cost/month	★★★★☆	3,190 yen
SIM price	★★★★★	2,970 yen
Data Amount	★★★★★	5 GB
Network	★★★★★	4G LTE
Speed when exceeding	★★★★★	200 kbps
Domestic Calling	★★★★★	Free
International Calling	★★★★★	65 yen/min

Mobal is one of the most reliable SIM sales companies served globally, originally founded in the United Kingdom in 1989. Then, it has offered a cell phone rental service in the United States and has provided SIM cards in Japan recently.

There are several SIM card options you can choose in Japan, starting from 1 GB, and going up to 5GB, 10 GB and 30 GB with a reliable network. They allow you to use domestic phone calls for free. International calls are not available from 65 yen per minute, and incoming international phone calls are free. If you don’t want to pay the 65 yen/minute, you can also communicate with people overseas with some apps like Skype and Zoom, of course.

Mobal it is not the cheapest SIM card option but provide you with the highest quality of the services.

Check the official website: https://www.mobal.com/japan-sim-card/?source=3443

2. Yolo Japan

2. Yolo Mobile
Cost/month	★★★☆☆	3,828 yen
Activation fee	★★★★☆	3,300 yen
Data Amount	★★★★☆	6 GB
Network	★★★★★	LTE
Speed when exceeding	★★★★☆	128 kbps
Domestic Calling	★★★☆☆	40 yen/min
International Calling	–	Unavailable

Yolo Mobile, served by a Japanese foreigner-friendly cooperation Yolo Japan, offers a reasonable option for international people in Japan to get a domestic phone number with SIM cards. There are 4 SIM Card plans for 3, 6, 12, 20 GB per month.

Its customer service helps users in multiple languages such as English and Chinese. International calling is unavailable with the Yolo Mobile’s SIM card, however, you can communicate overseas using various apps including Skype and Zoom, of course.

Check the official website: https://www.yolo-japan.com/en/mobile/service

3. GTN Mobile

4. GTN Mobile
Cost/month	★★★★☆	2,728 yen
Activation fee	★★★★☆	3,850 yen
Data Amount	★★★★★	10 GB
Network	★★★★★	4G
Speed when exceeding	★★★★★	200 kbps
Domestic Calling	★★★☆☆	44 yen/min
International Calling	★★★★★	44-254 yen/min

GTN Mobile is one of the best affordable SIM card services in Japan, managed by a Japanese network company Global Trust Networks since 2015. There are several SIM card plans for foreign travelers and stayers in Japan.

The GTN MOBILE Lite plan, divided into 3 GB and 10 GB contract, offers the 4G network at the cheapest rate in Japan. On the other hand, The GTN MOBILE Advance 5G plan, consisting 3 GB, 10 GB and 17 GB contract, unlocks the extremely high-speed 5G network in a specific area. You can call and text both domestically and internationally with those SIM card plans.

Check the official website: https://gtn-mobile.com/

4. IIJ Mio

5. IIJ Mio
Cost/month	★★★★★	1,760 yen
Activation fee	★★★★☆	3,300 yen
Data Amount	★★★☆☆	3 GB
Network	★★★★★	LTE/3G or 4G LTE
Speed when exceeding	★★★★★	up to 200 kbps
Domestic Calling	★★★☆☆	44 yen/min
International Calling	★★★★★	from 68 yen/min

Iij Mio is a popular Japanese SIM card option, served by an internet service company Internet Initiative Japan Inc. established in 1992. The company’s personal network service began as Iij Mio in 2001.

There are three data amount SIM card plans in Iij Mio, which you can select from two major Japanese carriers NTTdocomo and KDDI: Minimum Start Plan for 3 GB, Light Start Plan for 6 Gb and Family Share Plan for 12 GB shared by 3 SIM cards. You can use not only domestic but also international calling and texting. If you use only voice calling apps such as Skype, Messanger and Zoom instead of calling, you can choose a cheaper plan with only Data and SMS.

Check the official website: https://www.iijmio.jp/

5. Sakura Mobile

6. Sakura Mobile
Cost/month	★★★★☆	3,278 yen
Activation fee	★★★☆☆	5,500 yen
Data Amount	★★★☆☆	4 GB
Network	★★★★★	4G LTE
Speed when exceeding	–	–
Domestic Calling	★★★☆☆	44 yen/min
International Calling	★★★★★	from 68 yen/min

Sakura Mobile, which started its WiFi and SIM cards service in 2014, has provided tourists in Japan with a pocket WiFi rental and SIM cards sales. It offers a SIM card with the reliable NTT Docomo network as well as pocket WiFi routers.

There are two data amount plans for SIM cards including 4 GB and 25 GB per month in Sakura Mobile. Of course, both domestic and international calls and texts are available.

Check the official website: https://www.sakuramobile.jp/

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There are also recommended options for eSIMs for Japan!

How about considering a home WiFi router if you live or stay longer in Japan?

Did you understand which SIM card is the best for you? For more tips for traveling and living in Japan, check these information below, too!

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