Last edit by: stifle
Japan - Prepaid Data SIM Wikia
1) get a SIM before the trip, activate it when you land. you can find japan-specific prepaid SIMs on ebay/amazon/... .Some countries have providers that offer good roaming rates in other countries(eg Starhub in Singapore, Ais Sim2Fly available globally)
2) preorder it, delivered to your hotel
3) preorder it to airport post office, can pick up when you land
4) preorder it, pickup at some airport counter/store
5) at airport/city, find an store/kiosk/vending machine and buy from them
6) Use an app such as Iijmio, Airalo or Ubigi to buy an e-SIM if your phone supports it
1) get a SIM before the trip, activate it when you land. you can find japan-specific prepaid SIMs on ebay/amazon/... .Some countries have providers that offer good roaming rates in other countries(eg Starhub in Singapore, Ais Sim2Fly available globally)
2) preorder it, delivered to your hotel
3) preorder it to airport post office, can pick up when you land
4) preorder it, pickup at some airport counter/store
5) at airport/city, find an store/kiosk/vending machine and buy from them
6) Use an app such as Iijmio, Airalo or Ubigi to buy an e-SIM if your phone supports it
Prepaid SIM discussion (consolidated)
#661
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
If you need a physical SIM then I'd advise going to Bic Camera or Yodobashi when you arrive.
Getting one at the airport is convenient, and not so expensive, but I picked up an unlimited LTE data plan for $20 for 30 days, extendable for 3 months, all instructions in English.
There is no issue at all with writing you delivery instructions in English if you need to mail items, Japan Post and all other couriers completely understand the addresses in English.
Because you cannot buy a SIM with phone or SMS access, only data, they don't even need your name or any ID. Just put it into your phone and if needed choose the APN. I've got a dual Sim phone, so use the foreign SIM for receiving calls, and use the Japanese one for data and sending message and making calls with Skype.
Getting one at the airport is convenient, and not so expensive, but I picked up an unlimited LTE data plan for $20 for 30 days, extendable for 3 months, all instructions in English.
There is no issue at all with writing you delivery instructions in English if you need to mail items, Japan Post and all other couriers completely understand the addresses in English.
Because you cannot buy a SIM with phone or SMS access, only data, they don't even need your name or any ID. Just put it into your phone and if needed choose the APN. I've got a dual Sim phone, so use the foreign SIM for receiving calls, and use the Japanese one for data and sending message and making calls with Skype.
#664
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Osaka
Programs: UA GS, NH Diamond
Posts: 80
#665
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: Delta Gold 1MM, JAL JGC Diamond, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 393
The IIJmio e-sim 550 yen promotion pricing is extended through Nov 30.
On a separate topic: How is docomo's 5G service? Is it worth signing up for via Ubigi instead of IIJmio (which is 4G only for data e-sim)?
On a separate topic: How is docomo's 5G service? Is it worth signing up for via Ubigi instead of IIJmio (which is 4G only for data e-sim)?
#666
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 24
I used Ubigi on an S22 when I was last in Japan in September and I don't think my phone connected to 5G. I also wasn't terribly impressed with the speeds (10-15mbps) and had a couple instances where data dropped entirely despite having good reception - I toggled my TMo's free 256kbps roaming data back on and it connected to NTT just fine so I don't think it was a network issue. I'm gonna try iijmio when I land in a few days to see how it compares.
#667
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MAD/TRD EBG
Posts: 181
Thanks for all the great info in this thread! I am however still somewhat confused; is it impossible to get voice/SMS without being a resident or is this possible if showing e.g. passport at Yodobashi or BIC? I tried to look at the website of iijmio but it seems to be impossible to do online without Japanese documents...
#668
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: TXL
Programs: US, LH, HH
Posts: 723
Thanks for all the great info in this thread! I am however still somewhat confused; is it impossible to get voice/SMS without being a resident or is this possible if showing e.g. passport at Yodobashi or BIC? I tried to look at the website of iijmio but it seems to be impossible to do online without Japanese documents...
#669
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,345
According to the Ubigi website, the clock starts ticking when you purchase the data plan.
When is the best timing to buy
When is the best timing to buy
from my local testing (without paying for a data plan) - their eSIM profile firewalls everything except their ubigi.com website
1) so you can land, turn on phone, connect to Ubigi network
2) phone won't work for any otherwebsite other than ubigi.com, so you can go purchase your plan at that time
3) in NYC, they gave me a native NYC ip address (and low latency), so hopefully it'll be the same in japan.
it used to be cheapish (~30USD ), but now their pricing model is different
eSIM support for phone without eSIM (can move eSIM across phones)
#670
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 615
I need some advice on this..
I am coming to Japan in a few days. I need mobile data. I haven't reserved anything yet.
I will be in Japan for 1 month most likely.. possibly 2 months. What is the best pre-paid SIM card for me?
I will be landing at KIX airport around 22:00PM. Is it too late to get a SIM card? Which SIM card is affordable for mobile data only for a period of 1 - 2 months?
I need input on this as I'm confused when I Google it. Any specific recommendations? It may be too late to get it when I arrive KIX.. but perhaps I can get a SIM card a day or two later from a store?
I don't want to carry around a mobile "hotspot".. I'd prefer to just have a SIM card I can swap into my unlocked GSM Android phone.
I am coming to Japan in a few days. I need mobile data. I haven't reserved anything yet.
I will be in Japan for 1 month most likely.. possibly 2 months. What is the best pre-paid SIM card for me?
I will be landing at KIX airport around 22:00PM. Is it too late to get a SIM card? Which SIM card is affordable for mobile data only for a period of 1 - 2 months?
I need input on this as I'm confused when I Google it. Any specific recommendations? It may be too late to get it when I arrive KIX.. but perhaps I can get a SIM card a day or two later from a store?
I don't want to carry around a mobile "hotspot".. I'd prefer to just have a SIM card I can swap into my unlocked GSM Android phone.
#671
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 615
Let me add.. that I just learned my phone (OnePlus 9) doesn't have "esim" feature sadly...
and ideally looking for physical SIM 1-3GB of data valid for 30 days for $20 USD (or less) from KIX airport. I saw esims with 3GB data are going for about $8 USD for 30 days.. what is the best deal for a physical SIM card with 1-3GB on it from KIX?
and ideally looking for physical SIM 1-3GB of data valid for 30 days for $20 USD (or less) from KIX airport. I saw esims with 3GB data are going for about $8 USD for 30 days.. what is the best deal for a physical SIM card with 1-3GB on it from KIX?
#672
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SVG
Programs: SAS EBG
Posts: 51
I have been using "Mobal" for over a week now, and it works great. Physical sim that I ordered online and picked up at HND when I arrived.
In the phone it looks like a IIJ card, so I guess they are using the same network.
https://www.mobal.com/japan-sim-card/
In the phone it looks like a IIJ card, so I guess they are using the same network.
https://www.mobal.com/japan-sim-card/
#673
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: Top Tier Flyertalk Member
Posts: 652
I need some advice on this..
I am coming to Japan in a few days. I need mobile data. I haven't reserved anything yet.
I will be in Japan for 1 month most likely.. possibly 2 months. What is the best pre-paid SIM card for me?
I will be landing at KIX airport around 22:00PM. Is it too late to get a SIM card? Which SIM card is affordable for mobile data only for a period of 1 - 2 months?
I need input on this as I'm confused when I Google it. Any specific recommendations? It may be too late to get it when I arrive KIX.. but perhaps I can get a SIM card a day or two later from a store?
I don't want to carry around a mobile "hotspot".. I'd prefer to just have a SIM card I can swap into my unlocked GSM Android phone.
I am coming to Japan in a few days. I need mobile data. I haven't reserved anything yet.
I will be in Japan for 1 month most likely.. possibly 2 months. What is the best pre-paid SIM card for me?
I will be landing at KIX airport around 22:00PM. Is it too late to get a SIM card? Which SIM card is affordable for mobile data only for a period of 1 - 2 months?
I need input on this as I'm confused when I Google it. Any specific recommendations? It may be too late to get it when I arrive KIX.. but perhaps I can get a SIM card a day or two later from a store?
I don't want to carry around a mobile "hotspot".. I'd prefer to just have a SIM card I can swap into my unlocked GSM Android phone.
Let me add.. that I just learned my phone (OnePlus 9) doesn't have "esim" feature sadly...
and ideally looking for physical SIM 1-3GB of data valid for 30 days for $20 USD (or less) from KIX airport. I saw esims with 3GB data are going for about $8 USD for 30 days.. what is the best deal for a physical SIM card with 1-3GB on it from KIX?
and ideally looking for physical SIM 1-3GB of data valid for 30 days for $20 USD (or less) from KIX airport. I saw esims with 3GB data are going for about $8 USD for 30 days.. what is the best deal for a physical SIM card with 1-3GB on it from KIX?
#674
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
Are those pictures recent? All three of those companies don't seem to offer tourist SIMs anymore if their websites are any indication.
Another option is to order a SIM from another country bought online. Some physical roaming SIMs do offer voice/SMS at a higher price; for example, AIS SIM2Fly.
Thanks for all the great info in this thread! I am however still somewhat confused; is it impossible to get voice/SMS without being a resident or is this possible if showing e.g. passport at Yodobashi or BIC? I tried to look at the website of iijmio but it seems to be impossible to do online without Japanese documents...
#675
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 183
If you need a physical SIM then I'd advise going to Bic Camera or Yodobashi when you arrive.
Getting one at the airport is convenient, and not so expensive, but I picked up an unlimited LTE data plan for $20 for 30 days, extendable for 3 months, all instructions in English.
There is no issue at all with writing you delivery instructions in English if you need to mail items, Japan Post and all other couriers completely understand the addresses in English.
Because you cannot buy a SIM with phone or SMS access, only data, they don't even need your name or any ID. Just put it into your phone and if needed choose the APN. I've got a dual Sim phone, so use the foreign SIM for receiving calls, and use the Japanese one for data and sending message and making calls with Skype.
Getting one at the airport is convenient, and not so expensive, but I picked up an unlimited LTE data plan for $20 for 30 days, extendable for 3 months, all instructions in English.
There is no issue at all with writing you delivery instructions in English if you need to mail items, Japan Post and all other couriers completely understand the addresses in English.
Because you cannot buy a SIM with phone or SMS access, only data, they don't even need your name or any ID. Just put it into your phone and if needed choose the APN. I've got a dual Sim phone, so use the foreign SIM for receiving calls, and use the Japanese one for data and sending message and making calls with Skype.