Mar 22, 2016, 3:00 am
Last edit by: RichardInSF
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
If you are arriving at Haneda international terminal without a SIM: Exit customs, turn right, and continue to the BIC camera store on the left side. Ignore any other places and vending machines that will sell you a SIM. BIC has a good selection at regular camera store prices.
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
If you are arriving at Haneda international terminal without a SIM: Exit customs, turn right, and continue to the BIC camera store on the left side. Ignore any other places and vending machines that will sell you a SIM. BIC has a good selection at regular camera store prices.
Prepaid SIM discussion (consolidated)
Jun 30, 2023, 8:03 pm
#736
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: HNL
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 87
What's cheapest sim card I can buy at HND for a 16-hour layover in Tokyo? I'm arriving around 5:50 am and only need data.
Other than vending machines the lowest price I've seen is a 3 gb Tre Sim card for ¥3000 at JAL ABC.
Arrigato...
Other than vending machines the lowest price I've seen is a 3 gb Tre Sim card for ¥3000 at JAL ABC.
Arrigato...
Jun 30, 2023, 8:58 pm
#737
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,385
Eg Amazon usa had a few options $15-$21 shipped to USA addresses. You might find something similar in your country/region
Also might also review eSim.me, makes your phone support esim. I don't like their new pricing model, and phone compatibility is ymmv... But that (25€+) allows you to use ubigi esim Japan $2.50 500MB 1 day plan)
Jun 30, 2023, 10:34 pm
#738
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: HNL
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 87
Do you mind buying the sim from overseas?
Eg Amazon usa had a few options $15-$21 shipped to USA addresses. You might find something similar in your country/region
Also might also review eSim.me, makes your phone support esim. I don't like their new pricing model, and phone compatibility is ymmv... But that (25€+) allows you to use ubigi esim Japan $2.50 500MB 1 day plan)
Eg Amazon usa had a few options $15-$21 shipped to USA addresses. You might find something similar in your country/region
Also might also review eSim.me, makes your phone support esim. I don't like their new pricing model, and phone compatibility is ymmv... But that (25€+) allows you to use ubigi esim Japan $2.50 500MB 1 day plan)
Jul 1, 2023, 1:39 am
#739
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
Jul 1, 2023, 11:01 am
#740
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: TXL
Programs: US, LH, HH
Posts: 725
Jul 2, 2023, 5:23 pm
#741
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Waterloo, ON
Posts: 28
This year I went to japan with a e-sim, called Airalo. It's pretty cheap, especially comparing with the plan provided by other providers, and you don't need to wait for a physical sim card. Pricing is around 3 GB, 30 days, $8.5.
Not sure how it works on oneplus phones.
Sep 22, 2023, 9:26 am
#744
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SAN, LAX
Programs: JMB, Bonvoy, Hyatt
Posts: 237
Has anyone tried one of these? https://www.biccamera.com/bc/item/11073782/
Oct 1, 2023, 5:19 am
#745
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LBA
Programs: KLM FB Gold, LH M&M
Posts: 454
Arriving at NRT T1 in November 2023. I have a SUICA card, purchased in May 2017 in Tokyo and last used in Osaka in November 2018. Will this still be valid?
I suspect it needs to be "topped up", which I should be able to do at NRT.
If I have problems with my old SUICA, I will probably purchase a Welcome SUICA from a vending machine. Although this will be invalid after 28 days and I will have to throw it away when I get back home to the UK. Thus causing even more IC chip shortages...
I suspect it needs to be "topped up", which I should be able to do at NRT.
If I have problems with my old SUICA, I will probably purchase a Welcome SUICA from a vending machine. Although this will be invalid after 28 days and I will have to throw it away when I get back home to the UK. Thus causing even more IC chip shortages...
Oct 1, 2023, 5:31 am
#746
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,920
Arriving at NRT T1 in November 2023. I have a SUICA card, purchased in May 2017 in Tokyo and last used in Osaka in November 2018. Will this still be valid?
I suspect it needs to be "topped up", which I should be able to do at NRT.
If I have problems with my old SUICA, I will probably purchase a Welcome SUICA from a vending machine. Although this will be invalid after 28 days and I will have to throw it away when I get back home to the UK. Thus causing even more IC chip shortages...
I suspect it needs to be "topped up", which I should be able to do at NRT.
If I have problems with my old SUICA, I will probably purchase a Welcome SUICA from a vending machine. Although this will be invalid after 28 days and I will have to throw it away when I get back home to the UK. Thus causing even more IC chip shortages...
I had a 2019 suica card that I used in Nov 2022 ( checked the charge left on it at a JR station and topped up for my stay) with no issues so I think you will be ok.
- From the JR site it is good for 10 years so you are ok
Suica | Fares & Passes | JR-EAST (jreast.co.jp)
Regards
TBS
Oct 6, 2023, 9:31 am
#747
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 51
Anyone here ordered a physical sim from IIJ? I picked Sunday for the arrival date and they still haven't shipped it out yet which is making me a little nervous... but I also know delivery in Japan is super quick so maybe they will do it last minute?
Oct 9, 2023, 5:27 pm
#748
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
I've done it, had a SIM delivered to Yokohama, memory's a bit fuzzy as to whether it was next-day or 2-day, but it didn't take longer than that. In your case that means it should've gone out later the day you posted. Did it get to you in time?
Oct 25, 2023, 10:35 am
#749
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 51
Dec 14, 2023, 7:55 pm
#750
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,385
airalo is having 10GB 30day for USD$9 (50% of original price of $18)
https://www.airalo.com/japan-esim/mo...hi-30days-10gb
as per other people above, I didnt have good experience with airalo last time (havent tried Airalo recently)
nomad also sale, $13/15GB or $11.5/10GB
https://www.getnomad.app/japan-eSIM
I tried Alosim in Japan - still proxied back to Singapore (>100ms ping) and 10-20mbps... okay, apn auto-configured.
when leaving HND, it stopped working (sees KDDI signal but refused to connect), unsure why but had other things to do/wifi
https://www.airalo.com/japan-esim/mo...hi-30days-10gb
as per other people above, I didnt have good experience with airalo last time (havent tried Airalo recently)
nomad also sale, $13/15GB or $11.5/10GB
https://www.getnomad.app/japan-eSIM
I tried Alosim in Japan - still proxied back to Singapore (>100ms ping) and 10-20mbps... okay, apn auto-configured.
when leaving HND, it stopped working (sees KDDI signal but refused to connect), unsure why but had other things to do/wifi
Last edited by paperwastage; Dec 14, 2023 at 8:21 pm