Prepaid and Rental SIM Cards and Cellular Phones for Foreign Tourists

Within the last few years, several carriers have started to offer prepaid and rental data SIM cards, mobile phones, and mobile routers for foreign tourists and those staying short-term in Japan.

B-mobile Visitor SIM and PAYG SIM

The prepaid smartphone data SIM cards offered by B-mobile provide Internet access over mobile carrier NTT Docomo’s network. Two types of cards are available: a 1 GB type, providing 14 days of access or a total of 1 GB of data on the high-speed LTE and 3G networks, and a 14-Day type providing unlimited access of up to 300kbps for 14 days. The charge for both card types is ¥3,980 tax included, and users can choose standard, micro, or nano varieties.

Cards must be purchased either at a branch of Yodobashi Camera or online at the B-mobile site or through Amazon. Cards bought at the B-mobile site can be delivered to hotels, post offices at major airports, or any fixed Japanese address in 2–4 days.

Link: B-mobile Visitor SIM

B-mobile also offers PAYG SIM, a card that can be used for both voice calls and data transmission. The cards are available in the same three sizes as Visitor SIM, and can be used for up to 60 minutes of domestic and international calls and 3 GB of data transmission over a 7-day period. PAYG SIM cards are priced at ¥9,980, and are available from stores including Yodobashi Camera, select Aeon stores, or via the B-mobile website and elsewhere online.

Link: B-mobile PAYG SIM

For those who don’t need the option to make calls, PAYG SIM also offers the PAYG Data SIM, currently on sale at the Kyoto Royal Hotel and Spa. Priced at ¥4,990 (including tax), the card enables 3 GB data transmission for a period of 14 days.

Link: B-mobile PAYG Data SIM

Elecom Prepaid SIM Card

These smartphone data SIM cards provide wireless Internet access over NTT Docomo’s high-speed LTE and 3G networks for 10 days or up to 500 MB. Cards are available in standard and micro sizes.

Cards can be purchased at Elecom shops in China and Hong Kong.

Link: Elecom Prepaid SIM Card

So-net Prepaid LTE SIM

So-net prepaid SIM cards provide visitors to Japan with 1 GB and 2.2 GB 30-day and 3 GB 60-day high-speed data packages for smartphones over the NTT Docomo LTE and 3G networks. Cards cost ¥3,000 for 1GB, ¥4,000 for 2.2 GB, and ¥5,000 for 3 GB. Extra data can be purchased for ¥1,620 for 200 MB, ¥2,160 for 500 MB (both have 30-day limits), and ¥3,065 for 1 GB, which has a 60-day limit. All prices include tax. Cards are available in standard, micro, and nano sizes.

Cards can be purchased from machines at Kansai International, Naha, and Sendai airports, Mobile Center outlets at Narita International Airport, Haneda Airport International Terminal, and New Chitose Airport International Terminal, Kyoto City Bus and Subway Information Center, Akibaoo shops in Akihabara, Laox outlets in Akihabara and Ginza, and Dospara shops throughout Japan. A complete list of locations is available on the So-net LTE SIM website.

Link: So-net Prepaid LTE SIM

NTT Communications Prepaid SIM for Japan

The NTT Communications prepaid SIM for smartphones uses NTT Docomo’s LTE and 3G networks and gives users up to 100 MB of high-speed data per day for either 7 or 14 days. SIM cards come in standard, micro, and nano sizes and cost ¥3,218 for the seven-day plan, or ¥3,780 for 14 days, both with tax included.

Cards can be purchased online from the official website and delivered to hotels, post offices at select airports, or any set address in Japan.

Cards can also be purchased at counters located at airports around the country, retail shops such as Yodobashi Camera and Don Quijote, as well as from vending machines inside Aqua City Odaiba and Terminal one of Kansai International Airport. Cards can be activated via a dedicated website. Vending machines can also be used to activate cards after purchase.

Cards come with instructions for connecting to the Japan Connected-Free Wi-Fi service.

Link: NTT Communications Prepaid SIM for Japan

Japan Travel SIM powered by IIJ mio

These prepaid smartphone SIM cards aimed at visitors to Japan from overseas are made available by Internet service provider IIJ mio. The cards entitle you to as much as 1 GB over 30 days or three months of up to 2 GB of data transmission over NTT Docomo’s LTE and 3G networks, and are available in standard, micro, and nano sizes.

Japan Travel SIM cards can be purchased from all Yodobashi Camera stores, along with selected branches of Bic Camera, Kojima, and Sofmap, as well as from Tourist Information Center Tokyo (by the Nihonbashi exit of Tokyo Station), Kyoto Tourist Information Center (Kawaramachi Shijō), and from Khaosan hostels in Tokyo and Kyoto. The price may vary depending on location, but, for reference, Bic Camera is offering Japan Travel SIM cards for ¥2,656 for 1 GB and ¥4,082 for 2 GB (tax included).

If your card runs out, additional data can be purchased with an IIJ mio Coupon Card, which are available at convenience stores or other locations, or a Brastel prepaid IP phone card. Brastel cards can be charged by credit card or PayPal via the Brastel website, and enables domestic and international calls, as well as payments for data transfer over the 2 GB IIJ mio limit. Coupon cards can be purchased for ¥1,500 for 500 MB and ¥3,000 for 2 GB while Brastel cards can be charged at a rate of ¥1,100 for 500 MB and ¥2,200 for 1.25 GB.

Link: Japan Travel SIM powered by IIJmio

Link: Brastel products and charges information

Wirelessgate Prepaid SIM

Wi-fi provider Wirelessgate offers a prepaid smartphone SIM card aimed at overseas visitors to Japan. The cards offer connection to NTT Docomo’s LTE and 3G networks, as well as the use of 40,000 wi-fi hotspots nationwide. The available options are: 1 GB of data transmission over a 14-day period, 2 GB over 30 days, and 3 GB over 60 days.

The cards also come in three sizes: standard, micro, and nano. You can adjust your settings, check how much data headroom you have left, search for wi-fi spots and take advantage of automatic login using the Wirelessgate app, available from Google Play and the Apple App Store.

As of January 2015, these cards are only available at Yodobashi Camera, priced at ¥2,980 for 1 GB, ¥3,590 for 2 GB, and ¥3,980 for 3 GB (all including tax). Users who reach their data-transmission limit can purchase an extra gigabyte to be used over a 14-day period, priced at ¥1,000 (including tax).

Link: Wirelessgate Prepaid SIM

Wi-Ho Prepaid SIM

Mobile device rental company Telecom Square provides 1 GB and 3 GB prepaid SIM cards for smartphones that allow users to connect to NTT Docomo’s LTE and 3G networks. Both card types can be used for 30 days and come in micro and nano sizes. A 1 GB card is ¥4,500 and a 3 GB card is ¥6,500.

Cards can be purchased at Telecom Square counters at Narita, Haneda, New Chitose, and Fukuoka Airports. Staff will also assist customers in setting up and activating the cards. Additional data can be purchased from the Wi-Ho webpage at ¥1,980 per 1 GB.

Users can also access telephone interpretation services in English, Chinese, and Korean to assist in making reservations, communicating with shop staff, or in unforeseen emergencies. Charges are paid by the caller and use is limited to three sessions.

Link: Wi-Ho Prepaid SIM

Biglobe Ninja SIM

Internet provider Biglobe offers 1 GB, 3 GB, and 7 GB prepaid smartphone SIM cards providing access to NTT Docomo’s LTE and 3G networks. All cards are valid for 30 days.

SIM cards come in standard, micro, and nano sizes. Prices are ¥2,916 for 1 GB, ¥4,860 for 3 GB, and ¥7,884 for 7 GB. Users are able to check data usage and can purchase additional data for ¥2,160 per gigabyte. Additional data is valid for 30 days. A customer service hotline is available in English, Chinese, and Korean.

The paper packaging on SIM cards come with directions showing how to fold it into an origami throwing star.

Cards can be purchased at select Aeon shopping centers and the Tokyo Central Youth Hostel. Biglobe plans to increase availability with new locations, including household electronic stores.

Link: Biglobe Ninja SIM

SoftBank Global Rental

The wireless carrier SoftBank provides rental of data SIM cards, mobile phones, smartphones, and mobile routers. Daily rental fees are ¥110 for data SIM cards with voice calls, ¥260–¥540 for mobile phones, ¥210–¥540 for iPhones, and ¥1,290–¥1,590 for mobile routers. Call and data rates for devices, excluding mobile routers, are metered according to usage; data access on iPhone SIM cards is metered to ¥1,550 per day and unlimited afterward.

SIM cards and devices can be rented at select SoftBank shops and major international airports such as Narita, Haneda, Chūbu Centrair, and Kansai International.

Link: SoftBank Global Rental

Telecom Square

Telecom Square provides rentals of mobile phones, smartphones, and wi-fi routers. Daily rental fees start at ¥540 for a NTT Docomo mobile phone, ¥1,296 for a Y!mobile LTE smartphone, and ¥1,296 for a wi-fi router. Call and SMS charges are not included.

Orders are made online via the Telecom Square homepage and must be placed by 3 p.m. (JST) the day prior to the desired pickup date. Devices can be picked up at Telecom Square counters at seven airports around Japan, including Narita, Haneda, Chūbu Centrair, and Kansai International.

Link: Telecom Square

(All information is current as of July 9, 2015. Banner photo courtesy Highways Agency.)