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)
#331
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,603
These freebies are pathetic.
#333
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 124
Just make sure fellow flyertalkers see this
https://docomo.prepaid-sim.jp/lp/index.html
Domoco is giving away free tourist SIM.
https://docomo.prepaid-sim.jp/lp/index.html
Domoco is giving away free tourist SIM.
Right now, 100MB data plan is very less. People can consume it within hours.
In UK, you can get unlimited data & 200 minutes @ 5.00/month.
#334
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Yokohama (near HND, TYO)
Programs: meltdowngraded from "F" and "C" , Accor Plt, BW Dia, ihg G, UA 0.9999MM
Posts: 1,569
#335
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,298
There's some real value offered beyond "100 MB of data" or a cheap (for JP tourists) basic sim.
I'd get it for domestic SMS validation as it can be problematic to get a prepaid SMS + data sim (non-recurring) as a tourist. It'd be nice to activate that taxi app which requires JP sms validation. 500 MB for 700 yen isn't that bad, either, for Japan prepaid tourist oriented sims. It is also directly from NTT Docomo which should allow very decent LTE speeds, unlike MVNOs.
I typically supplement data with premium wifi code sponsored by Donki. The wifi codes have popped up in business hotels among the promo materials.
I'd get it for domestic SMS validation as it can be problematic to get a prepaid SMS + data sim (non-recurring) as a tourist. It'd be nice to activate that taxi app which requires JP sms validation. 500 MB for 700 yen isn't that bad, either, for Japan prepaid tourist oriented sims. It is also directly from NTT Docomo which should allow very decent LTE speeds, unlike MVNOs.
I typically supplement data with premium wifi code sponsored by Donki. The wifi codes have popped up in business hotels among the promo materials.
Q: Is transmission impossible if my LTE/3G data capacity runs out?
A: You can use an unlimited 128kbps connection for the first 15 days of using the SIM card.
Q: Can I make voice calls or use SMS text messages?
A: Voice is not available. SMS can only be received, not sent.
Q: How fast the data transmission will be?
A: High-speed data transmission
- 682Mpbs maximum (Download)
-50Mbps maximum (Upload)
Slow data transmission: 128Kbps maximum for both download and upload
Q: Can I charge additional data by buying credits?
A: Provided your card is still valid for use, you can purchase high-speed data.
Q: What sizes of data are available?
A: You can purchase in increments of 100MB and 500MB. 100MB: 200 JPY (Excluding tax); 500MB: 700 JPY (Excluding tax).
Q: Is tethering possible?
A: It depends on the devices you use. Please refer to the guide book of your device.
Q: What are the credits I can get for viewing advertisements?
A: By watching advertisements on the page or responding to surveys, you can get credits for high-speed data usage.
Q: If I purchase high-speed data, can I extend the usage period for the service?
A: The SIM card usage period is 15 days from the day of first use. We do not offer extensions.
Q: If I want to apply again within 15 days of starting use of the SIM card, what should I do?
A: We do not accept simultaneous applications; you will have to first cancel your current subscription before applying.
A: You can use an unlimited 128kbps connection for the first 15 days of using the SIM card.
Q: Can I make voice calls or use SMS text messages?
A: Voice is not available. SMS can only be received, not sent.
Q: How fast the data transmission will be?
A: High-speed data transmission
- 682Mpbs maximum (Download)
-50Mbps maximum (Upload)
Slow data transmission: 128Kbps maximum for both download and upload
Q: Can I charge additional data by buying credits?
A: Provided your card is still valid for use, you can purchase high-speed data.
Q: What sizes of data are available?
A: You can purchase in increments of 100MB and 500MB. 100MB: 200 JPY (Excluding tax); 500MB: 700 JPY (Excluding tax).
Q: Is tethering possible?
A: It depends on the devices you use. Please refer to the guide book of your device.
Q: What are the credits I can get for viewing advertisements?
A: By watching advertisements on the page or responding to surveys, you can get credits for high-speed data usage.
Q: If I purchase high-speed data, can I extend the usage period for the service?
A: The SIM card usage period is 15 days from the day of first use. We do not offer extensions.
Q: If I want to apply again within 15 days of starting use of the SIM card, what should I do?
A: We do not accept simultaneous applications; you will have to first cancel your current subscription before applying.
#336
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: Dirt
Posts: 949
#337
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,008
As opposed to you order the wrong size and you are screwed (some-what) - the situation with all other visitor data SIM card in Japan.
"I am unable to select a SIM card size when applying.
Since we offer Multi-cut SIM cards, you can cut yours to the respective size even if you do not select a specific size when applying."
Well you must choose a plan, 1000 or 1700 yen. So the SIM is "free". You pay for the plan, which could be one with unlimited slow speed data for 1000 yen.
Last edited by beep88; Jul 6, 2017 at 10:50 pm
#338
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: London
Programs: BA bronze, Hertz pres circle, Marriott Platinum, hilton diamond
Posts: 2,537
Hi, I'm arriving into Narita T2 on wednesday, I thought I'd just get a 2gb Japan Travel Sim from one of the vending machines.
I'm only going to be in Tokyo apart from one night in Hakone.
Whereabouts are the machines, and is this an decent enough option?
I'm only going to be in Tokyo apart from one night in Hakone.
Whereabouts are the machines, and is this an decent enough option?
#339
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,400
If the machines don't have what you're looking for, Big Camera may be an option. Obviously, buying on arrival have the disadvantage of you not knowing what is going to be available.
#340
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: London
Programs: BA bronze, Hertz pres circle, Marriott Platinum, hilton diamond
Posts: 2,537
Just to say, arrived in T2 last night, and went to a SIM card stall.
they had a few options but the simplest for me was 4000 jpy for 7 days unlimited data. Unari-Kun sim is what it's called. Seemed to be the best deal, especially for me since I expect to be fairly data intensive.
they had a few options but the simplest for me was 4000 jpy for 7 days unlimited data. Unari-Kun sim is what it's called. Seemed to be the best deal, especially for me since I expect to be fairly data intensive.
#341
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,008
Just curious if anyone has either bought or seen this SIM card for Japan while in Taiwan. It would be much more convenient (and appears to be cheaper) to buy this SIM while still in TW before leaving for Japan to save one extra task before getting on the train into the city.
https://www.iij.ad.jp/en/news/pressr...df/JTSTW_E.pdf
https://t.iijmio.jp/en/
I've been to TW multiple times since this announcement, but never saw one of these SIM cards, but I didn't know where to look for it before.
https://www.iij.ad.jp/en/news/pressr...df/JTSTW_E.pdf
https://t.iijmio.jp/en/
I've been to TW multiple times since this announcement, but never saw one of these SIM cards, but I didn't know where to look for it before.
#342
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 291
I'll be going from Taiwan to Japan in a few weeks.
The IIJ SIM from 7/11 in TW seems convenient but it sounds like the Unari-Kun at 4,000yen for unlimited data is the better deal. Even better than b-mobile (depending on how much data you need).
Any opinions?
The IIJ SIM from 7/11 in TW seems convenient but it sounds like the Unari-Kun at 4,000yen for unlimited data is the better deal. Even better than b-mobile (depending on how much data you need).
Any opinions?
#343
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Between Seas
Posts: 4,664
But I wonder if these are all soft-capped at 1GB/day, with slower 3G speeds beyond that.
#344
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,345
The image has fine print about fair use... Dunno what level/amount
Bmobile worked for me (as much high speed data as I'm willing to pay, at a cheap enough rate of 500/GB overage)