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Japan SIM card: Best plans for tourists 2026
Explore Japan SIM card options to stay connected on your trip, including prices, plans, tourist requirements, plus a digital travel solution.
One way to stay connected while avoiding high roaming charges from your home carrier is with a local Japan SIM card. In this article, we’ll explore the best Japan SIM cards, including options, prices, purchase and delivery information, and tourist requirements.
We’ll also discuss a digital alternative to physical SIM cards: a travel eSIM for added convenience and peace of mind.
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Can I get a SIM card in Japan as a tourist?
Yes, you’ll be able to get a SIM card and use your cell phone in Japan, but there are some requirements for tourists. To buy and register your Japanese SIM card, you’ll need:
- A valid passport and a copy (for identification purposes)
- Working payment method (credit/debit card or local currency in cash)
- An unlocked phone to accept foreign carriers
- Proof of accommodation/stay (some carriers require this)
The entire SIM card registration process takes anywhere between 15 minutes and an hour, longer especially during peak season. If you’d enjoy connecting in Japan without lengthy registration times, consider an eSIM over a physical SIM card.
With quick set-up times (under five minutes) and no SIM card swapping, eSIMs remain one of the best ways to get mobile data in foreign destinations.
Which is the best SIM card in Japan for tourists?
The best SIM card in Japan for tourists depends on your internet and coverage needs. Japan’s top mobile providers are NTT Docomo, KDDI, SoftBank, and Rakuten. Each offers various prepaid SIM card packages ideal for tourists and short-term travelers. Here’s a quick overview of each top provider and the packages they offer:
NTT Docomo Japan SIM card for tourists
NTT Docomo is Japan’s largest mobile network operator, offering reliable nationwide coverage for locals and tourists. However, NTT Docomo does not provide SIM cards under its brand name. Instead, Sakura Mobile, bMobile, eConnect, and IIJmio offer prepaid tourist SIMs on the Docomo network.
Prices range from ¥ 1,900 (~$13 USD) for 10-15-day validity periods to ¥ 5,000+ (~$35+) for 30-60-day validity periods. Data allowances range from 5 GB to unlimited, and most Docomo providers offer data-only plans.
How and where to get an NTT Docomo SIM card for tourists:
- Online from NTT Docomo (order an NTT Docomo SIM card online to your accommodation/stay in Japan)
- Official NTT Docomo stores
- BIC Camera/Yodobashi Camera stores
- Convenience stores
- Don Quijote stores
- Airport kiosks (Narita International Airport, Tokyo Haneda International Airport, Osaka Kansai International Airport)
KDDI Japan SIM card for tourists
au by KDDI is Japan’s second-largest mobile operator and is known for its high-speed data network. KDDI’s prepaid SIM card plans range from ¥ 2,000 (~$15) to ¥ 9,000 (~$60), with 5 GB to unlimited data allowances and 7- to 30-day validity periods.
How and where to buy a KDDI Japan SIM card for tourists:
- Official au by KDDI stores (use the store locator search tool)
- Convenience stores (BIC Camera, Yodobashi Camera, Yamada Denki)
- Airports (Narita International Airport, Tokyo Haneda International Airport, Osaka Kansai International Airport)
SoftBank Japan SIM card for tourists
SoftBank is another popular mobile provider in Japan, offering reliable coverage and high speeds. They sell data-only SIM cards for tourists that cost just under ~$26 and have a 3 GB data allowance. You can top up your card with an extra 500 MB for ~$10 each time, extending its validity by 30 days.
How and where to buy a SoftBank SIM card in Japan:
- All major airports (in the arrivals area)
- Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart)
- Electronics stores (Yodobashi, BIC Camera, Yamada Denki)
- Get a SoftBank SIM card online and delivered to your local Japan address
Rakuten Japan travel SIM card for tourists
Rakuten has gained significant popularity recently and offers reliable mobile communication services across Japan. They offer budget-friendly and convenient prepaid Japanese SIM cards for tourists through the Rakuten SAIKO Plan. Prices range from ¥ 980 (~$7) to ¥ 2,980 (~$22), with data allowances from 3 GB to unlimited.
How and where to buy a Rakuten SIM card for tourists in Japan:
- Official Rakuten mobile stores across Japan
- All major airports
- Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart)
- Electronics stores (Yodobashi, BIC Camera, Yamada Denki)
Note: If you need a Japan SIM card with a phone number as a tourist, you’ll have fewer options. Most Japan tourist SIM cards are data-only. SoftBank and Rakuten both offer plans with unlimited calls, but this may require in-store passport registration.
Where to buy a prepaid Japan SIM card?
You have three options: buy a SIM card for Japan before you travel, purchase a local SIM card in person once you arrive, or install an eSIM before your trip to Japan.
Buy a SIM card for Japan before you travel
Online third-party retailers let you buy Japan travel SIM cards in advance and have them delivered straight to your home address.
While none of Japan’s local mobile operators (NTT Docomo, KDDI, Rakuten, and SoftBank) deliver cards internationally, you can purchase travel SIM cards for Japan from various third-party online retailers.
It’s worth knowing that you’ll be responsible for activating and registering the SIM yourself.
- Where to buy a Japan SIM card in Australia: SimCorner, Simify, SimsDirect
- Where to buy a Japan SIM card in the USA: SimCorner, Mobal, Amazon USA
- Where to buy a Japan SIM card in the UK: SimCorner, Amazon UK
- Where to buy a Japan SIM card in Canada: SimCorner, GStarlink.
Buy a Japan SIM card after you land
Japan SIM cards are available to buy in person from airports, convenience stores, and electronics stores across the country. You’ll even find SIM card vending machines in some airport arrivals areas.
While buying a SIM card upon arrival may eat away at some precious vacation time, you’ll find better local rates and a fully supported SIM registration process.
Can I buy a Japan SIM card at the airport?
Yes, some specific airports include:
- Narita International Airport (Terminals 1, 2, and 3)
- Haneda Airport (arrivals lobby, SIM vending machines)
- Kansai International Airport (Terminal 1 arrival hall)
- Chubu Centrair International Airport (arrivals lobby, SIM vending machines)
Buy an eSIM for your trip to Japan
Opting for a digital alternative like an eSIM is easier than ordering a Japanese SIM card online or hunting down a SIM vending machine.
Install your eSIM, activate before you land, and have data the moment your phone finds a signal. Skip the long tourist queues and physical SIM swapping and insertion (no tiny SIM cards to lose). With providers like Holafly, you can enjoy unlimited data in Japan without incurring extra charges for data roaming in Japan with your home carrier.
Holafly eSIM: Unlimited data for hassle-free travels
With Holafly’s eSIM for Japan, get unlimited data usage, 24/7 customer support, and the flexibility to match your vacation to your eSIM plan. Choose a plan between 1 and 90 days, and top up via Holafly’s dedicated app if you decide to extend your trip!
Heading to Japan for a long-term stay? Consider Holafly Plans instead: a rolling monthly eSIM subscription offering unlimited data and hotspot data in over 160 destinations, including Japan. The eSIM doesn’t expire when your plan does.
Always On extends the connection with 1 GB of backup data each month in 150+ countries and stays active as long as the Holafly eSIM is installed. Useful the next time you land somewhere new and would rather not start with a SIM hunt.
Frequently Asked Questions on Japan SIM cards
The best SIM card in Japan for tourists depends on individual needs. If you require a Japan SIM card with a phone number and data allowance, you might gravitate towards SoftBank or Rakuten. If you only require data, KDDI might be a good option. For unlimited data and no SIM card swaps, consider an eSIM for Japan instead.
Yes, but you may have to register for one in-store and present your passport for identity verification.
Getting a Japanese SIM card may or may not be worth it, depending on your travel situation. If you’re planning a short trip to Japan, a travel eSIM is more convenient, as you can activate it in minutes and get an instant internet connection upon arrival. For longer stays, a Japan SIM card might be the better option. You can also consider Holafly Plans, a monthly eSIM subscription, for extended trips.
7-Eleven stores in Japan do sell tourist SIM cards, but stock and options are often limited. A better option for tourists is to get a SIM card upon arrival at the airport or visit official stores.
Learn how to get a SIM and which is the best option for various locations with our guides for:
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Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!
