SIM Card Guides

How to buy a Tokyo SIM card in 2025

Stay connected in Tokyo with a local Tokyo SIM card. Learn where to buy the best SIM cards as well as their pricing and features.

Tokyo is a bucket list destination for many, but it can also be overwhelming, especially if you don’t have internet access for map or translation apps. Thankfully, Japan travel SIM cards offer a simple and reliable way to get data in the city. But with many options available, choosing one isn’t always easy.

Follow along as we take a look at the best Tokyo SIM cards, including where you can buy them, how much they cost, and what you get for your money. On top of that, we’ll introduce Holafly — a top international eSIM that offers unlimited data without the need for plastic cards.

In this article

Where to buy a SIM card in Tokyo

There are several ways to get a Tokyo SIM card, whether you prefer to buy in advance or pick one up when you arrive. Let’s take a look at your options:

Online: You can buy your Japanese SIM card online from international retailers such as Amazon and have it delivered to your door. Alternatively, some local providers also allow you to order your SIM online and either deliver it to an address in Japan or have it ready for pick up at the airport when you arrive.
At the airport: Tokyo’s major airports, like Haneda and Narita, have kiosks, counters, electronic stores, and even SIM card vending machines where you can buy voice and data SIM cards for Tokyo.
Throughout Tokyo: You can get your SIM card for mobile internet in Japan at any mobile provider store in Tokyo, as well as many convenience and electronics stores such as Bic Camera, Yamada Denki, or FamilyMart.
Buy an eSIM instead: If you don’t want to waste your holiday time looking for a place that sells prepaid SIM cards, you can buy an eSIM from Holafly instead. You can buy it before your trip and simply activate your eSIM when you land in Tokyo for instant internet access.

Holafly eSIM for Tokyo: A hassle-free way to stay connected

Holafly’s eSIM for Tokyo allows you to use your phone in Japan without the need for a physical SIM card. Choose any number of days from 1 to 90 to match your holiday and enjoy local network coverage with an eSIM made for travelers. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone.

The prices range from $1.55 to $6.90 USD per day, with the daily cost getting cheaper as plan duration increases. All Holafly plans include unlimited data and 24/7 customer support, ensuring that you’ll never lose connection or have to worry about data usage.

If you’re planning to stay in Japan or travel the world for a while longer, consider Holafly Plans instead. It’s a pay-monthly eSIM subscription that offers coverage in 170+ destinations with a single eSIM. Use it for as long as you need and cancel any time, no contracts or cancellation fees to worry about.

Best Tokyo SIM card: Top 4 options

Now that you know where to get a Tokyo SIM card, let’s explore the top options for staying connected. It’s worth noting that some of Japan’s top cell service providers, such as NTT Docomo, don’t offer prepaid SIM cards. That said, you can get a SIM card from MVNOs that use NTT Docomo’s reliable network to keep tourists in Tokyo connected.

SoftBank

SoftBank is one of Tokyo’s oldest telecommunications companies with plenty of plans available. However, they only have one travel SIM card data plan that costs ¥1,650 (~$11.20) for 3 GBs of data.

This Japan SIM card cannot be bought online is only available for purchase at official SoftBank stores as well as consumer electronics stores.

Mobal

Mobal is a Japanese MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) that works on the SoftBank network and offers a range of tourist SIM card options. These include data-only SIMs as well as physical SIM cards that offer voice calls, SMS, and data.

Data-only plans:

8-day 25 GB data plan for ¥4,730 (~$32.00)
16-day 50 GB data plan for ¥6,490 (~$43.90)
31-day 50 GB data plan for ¥7,920 (~$53.60)

Data+call+text plans:

30-day plan for ¥7,920 (~$53.60): This plan includes 7 GB of data and a Japanese phone number. All incoming texts and calls are free, but outgoing texts and calls are charged extra with ¥44 (~$0.30) per minute of domestic calls and ¥33 (~$0.22) per domestic text.

There are a few more data+call+text plans available, but they include auto-renewal and monthly billing, which makes them not as good for short-term visitors in Tokyo.

IIJmio

IIJmio, a budget-friendly Japanese MVNO that uses both Docomo and au networks for it’s service. It’s popular among travelers and locals looking for flexible and cost-effective Japan SIM cards.

The cards are available in a range of data options starting at 3 GB and going up to 55 GB, with each card having a validity of 30 days. IIJmio doesn’t have its own physical stores, but you can buy their SIMs at many retail and electronics stores throughout Tokyo.

The prices for their cards are determined by each retailer separately, but expect to pay anywhere from ¥2,500 (~$16.90) to ¥7500 (~$50.75), depending on how much data you need.

Sakura Mobile

Sakura Mobile provides travelers with simple and effective mobile services, including pocket WiFi rentals, eSIMs, and SIM cards. Pocket WiFi, eSIM, and SIM cards all use the Docomo network, which ensures solid coverage throughout Tokyo.

Sakura Mobile specializes in data-only plans and doesn’t offer any voice calls or texts with its service. That said, all plans include unlimited data, making it a good option if you want to use mobile apps in Japan without having to constantly track your data allowance. The top tourist plans include:

5-day unlimited data plan for ¥3,500 (~$23.70)
8-day unlimited data plan for ¥4,500 (~$30.45)
12-day unlimited data plan for ¥5,700 (~$38.55)
15-day unlimited data plan for ¥6,500 (~$44.00)
21-day unlimited data plan for ¥7,650 (~$51.75)
30-day unlimited data plan for ¥9,000 (~$60.90)

Since it’s a tourist-oriented service, Sakura Mobile makes it easy for you to stay online. You can order your SIM online and have it delivered to major airports, your hotel, or residence in Japan.

How much is a SIM card in Tokyo?

Depending on your chosen provider and plan, a SIM card for Tokyo can cost anywhere from ¥1,650 (~$11.20) to ¥9,000 ($60.90). If you’re unsure whether to go with a cheaper or more expensive Tokyo SIM card, it’s better to calculate how much data you will need in advance. Otherwise, you can find yourself low on data or lose connection altogether.

How to register your Tokyo SIM card

All you need to register your Tokyo SIM card is an unlocked phone and a valid passport or ID. Once you’ve checked your device compatibility, you can register your SIM by following these steps:

Insert the SIM in your phone
Turn on your phone
Follow the instructions on the SIM card package
You will be asked to provide personal information, such as your full name and photos of your ID
Set up your APN settings to those provided in the instructions

With that done, your SIM card should start working within minutes.

If you’d rather skip the registration process altogether, you can get an eSIM for Japan from Holafly. You don’t need to register your Holafly eSIM. Simply activate it and get connected instantly.

What is the best SIM card for Tokyo?

All in all, any local SIM card is a good way to avoid high charges when roaming in Japan, and your pick depends mostly on your personal needs. Sakura Mobile is a good option if you need unlimited data, while Mobal and SoftBank also offer a local number for calls and texts if that’s what you need.

However, if you want the ultimate convenience, consider getting an eSIM for Tokyo from Holafly instead. Enjoy unlimited data, hotspot sharing, and 24/7 customer support with a completely digital product designed to keep you connected wherever you go.

Traveling to nearby destinations as well? Take a look at more of our local SIM card blog posts:

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Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

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