Where is the best place to buy Japanese SIM card for tourist?
Are you planning a trip to Japan? During your stay, Instagram, messaging apps, and Google Maps are essential tools. While Japan has many free Wi-Fi hotspots, they often come with limitations, such as time restrictions or the need for user registration, making them less convenient and easy to use. Additionally, free Wi-Fi does not guarantee internet access anytime and anywhere. The simplest way to ensure seamless internet access during your stay in Japan is by using a prepaid SIM card or an eSIM. Prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs available in Japan offer generous data allowances and improved connection speeds, making them incredibly convenient. You can find plans ranging from 30GB to over 100GB of data, and many now support 5G connectivity. Although eSIMs are gaining popularity, physical prepaid SIM cards are still widely purchased by many users. This article explains the best places for travelers to Japan to purchase a prepaid SIM card.
Where is the Best Place to Buy a SIM Card?
To get straight to the point, the best option for obtaining a SIM card for use in Japan is to reserve it online before your trip. By purchasing a Japanese SIM card through an online service before arriving, you can enjoy lower prices, a wider range of plans, and the convenience of picking up the SIM card at the airport or having it delivered to your hotel.
Which online service is the best for purchasing SIM cards for Tourists?
Many people wonder which online service is the best for purchasing SIM cards for travelers. While we at CDJapan Rental would like to claim we are the best, any service run by a Japanese company that offers a plan suited to your needs will suffice.
The reason is that the quality of network connectivity is largely the same across services. It's more important to choose a SIM card based on the data allowance and duration of use that fit your needs.
Our SIM cards are comparable to those of other companies, but one unique feature we offer is a refund guarantee. If you're considering a SIM card for your stay in Japan, be sure to include CDJapan Rental as one of your options.
Japan UNLIMITED 5G Prepaid SIM Card
Japan UNLIMITED eSIM
Before coming to Japan vs. after arriving in Japan
There are three methods to purchase a SIM card for use in Japan:
- Reserve online before arrival and pick up at a Japanese airport or hotel.
- Reserve online before arrival from platforms like Amazon and receive it in your home country.
- Purchase directly at shops in Japanese airports.
Reserve online before arrival and pick up at a Japanese airport or hotel
This is the most recommended method. Purchasing from Japanese online shop offers competitive prices, and they deliver throughout Japan. You can start using the SIM card immediately upon arrival. Additionally, if your plans change and you can't make it to Japan, cancellation fees are often lower.
Reserve online before arrival from platforms like Amazon and receive it in your home country.
As these cards are not sold in Japan, the sales commission is higher. However, since you receive the card before coming to Japan, there's no risk of not being able to pick it up, providing peace of mind.
Purchase directly at shops in Japanese airports
During peak travel seasons, shops selling SIM cards at airports may run out of stock, leaving you unable to purchase one. Also, prices at the airport shops are slightly higher due to airport fees.
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Reserve online before arrival and pick up at a Japanese airport or hotel. | - Highly recommended method. - Prices are lower when purchased from Japanese online services. - Delivery available throughout Japan. - Immediate usage upon arrival. - Affordable cancellation fees if plans change. |
|
| 2. Reserve online before arrival from platforms like Amazon and receive it in your home country. | - No risk of being unable to pick up, as it arrives before coming to Japan. | - Higher SIM card sales commission, as it's not sold in Japan. |
| 3. Purchase directly at shops in Japanese airports. | - Convenient during travel season. |
- Risk of shops running out of stock. - Slightly higher prices due to airport fees. |
What kind of SIM card/eSIM should you buy for use in Japan?
About Network
To communicate comfortably in Japan, you need to buy a SIM card/eSIM with a stable network. There are four major carriers in Japan, but to put it simply, if you buy a SIM card or eSIM that uses the networks of either Docomo or Softbank, you will be able to connect to many places and have stable communications. SIM cards with docomo networkeSIMs with docomo network
Data capacity
A data capacity of 1GB per day is considered sufficient. Calculate based on the number of days you will be staying and buy a SIM card or eSIM card with a higher capacity. If you want to use your smartphone as a hotspot, it's better to have more data capacity. 50GB or more should be enough. Also, consider buying SIM cards or eSIMs that are not prohibited from being used as hotspots. How Much Data Do You Need for Traveling in Japan?
Forgot to reserve a Prepaid SIM card
If you cannot purchase a Prepaid SIM card upon arriving in Japan, consider the following three alternative methods:
eSIM
If eSIM is available for your device, buying an eSIM is the most convenient option. You can purchase an eSIM that allows you to communicate in Japan anytime, anywhere. eSIM for Japan Travel
Electronics Retailers
In some major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, you can buy Prepaid SIM cards at certain electronics retailers. Consider visiting large electronics retailers such as Yodobashi Camera; it's often more cost-effective than purchasing at the airport. Yodobashi Camera's website
Convenience Stores
Not all convenience stores in Japan sell SIM cards, but those located in tourist areas often do. While convenience stores don’t offer a wide variety of plans like electronics retailers, you can still purchase SIM cards or eSIMs there.
The prices are generally similar to those at airports, which means they tend to be higher than buying a SIM card online.
However, for travelers who didn’t have time to purchase a SIM card at the airport, buying one at a convenience store is a popular option.
Seven Eleven,Lawson and more.
CDJapan Rental
Why not purchase a SIM card or eSIM through our service?
Our shop also offers Prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs.
Compared to buying at the airport, our options are more affordable, offer larger data capacities, and include a variety of choices such as SIM cards and eSIMs with unlimited 5G connectivity.
Japan UNLIMITED 5G Prepaid SIM Card
Japan UNLIMITED eSIM
Do you need Japanese phone number?
In Japan, prepaid SIM cards with phone numbers are rarely sold to travelers. For short-term visitors, only data-only SIM cards or eSIMs are available for purchase. To obtain a phone number in Japan, identity verification is required, and it is generally limited to those with a Japanese address. While some airports reportedly sell SIM cards with phone numbers, they are very expensive, often requiring prior reservations or complicated procedures. As such, purchasing one immediately after arriving in Japan is neither practical nor a realistic option.
How to Make Calls in Japan Without Japanese Phone Number
There’s no need to pay a high price or go through complex procedures to purchase a SIM card with a phone number. Before coming to Japan, you can register for Skype or obtain an IP phone number. With Skype or an IP phone, you can make calls in Japan at very low rates. Additionally, communication apps like Line or WhatsApp allow you to make calls using data. This means you can use a data-only SIM card or eSIM without any issues for calls.
