Complete Guide for Travelers 路 Updated 2026
Everything you need to know about buying a local SIM card in Japan. Compare 3 providers, find prepaid plans starting from $11 USD, and learn exactly where to buy and what documents you need.
Cheapest Plan
$11
Providers
3
Network
Currency
JPY
Airport arrivals or any 7-Eleven/FamilyMart convenience store
Compare all 3 carriers offering prepaid SIM cards to tourists in Japan. Side-by-side comparison of coverage, speed, and pricing.
| Carrier | Type | Coverage | Speed | Cheapest Plan | Plans | Buy At |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IIJmio | MVNO | Good | Good | $11USD 3 GB / 7 days | 3plans | AirportOnline |
Sakura Mobile | Tourist | Good | Good | $20USD 3 GB / 30 days | 2plans | AirportOnlineHotel |
Mobal Best Coverage | Tourist | Excellent | Good | $30USD 5 GB / 30 days | 2plans | OnlineAirport |
Coverage and speed ratings per carrier
From
$11
3 GB / 7 days
| Plan | Data | Price | USD | Validity | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel 3GB | 3 GB | 1,600 JPY | $11 | 7 days | Data only |
| Travel 5GB | 5 GB | 2,400 JPY | $16 | 14 days | Data only |
| Travel 10GB | 10 GB | 3,800 JPY | $26 | 30 days | Data only |
From
$20
3 GB / 30 days
| Plan | Data | Price | USD | Validity | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist 3GB | 3 GB | 3,000 JPY | $20 | 30 days | Data only |
| Tourist 10GB | 10 GB | 5,000 JPY | $34 | 30 days | Data only |
From
$30
5 GB / 30 days
| Plan | Data | Price | USD | Validity | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan SIM | 5 GB | 4,500 JPY | $30 | 30 days | 50 min local |
| Japan Unlimited | Unlimited | 7,000 JPY | $47 | 30 days | Unlimited local |
Select providers to compare their plans directly
Select up to 3 providers to compare. 3/3 selected.
IIJmio
Travel 3GB
1,600 JPY JPY
IIJmio
Travel 5GB
2,400 JPY JPY
Sakura Mobile
Tourist 3GB
3,000 JPY JPY
IIJmio
Travel 10GB
3,800 JPY JPY
Mobal
Japan SIM
4,500 JPY JPY
Sakura Mobile
Tourist 10GB
5,000 JPY JPY
Mobal
Japan Unlimited
7,000 JPY JPY
Visual comparison of carrier pricing in Japan
Cheapest to most expensive plan (USD)
Cheapest available
$11
Find the best place to buy a prepaid SIM card in Japan, with details on hours, ease of purchase, and what to expect at each location type.
This is the easiest option for tourists arriving in Japan.
Carrier counters and kiosks in the arrivals hall. Staff speak English and handle registration on the spot.
Available at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, and similar stores. Look near the checkout counter.
Order online before your trip and pick up at the airport, or have it delivered to your hotel.
SIM card vending machines at airports and major train stations. Often multilingual interface.
Japan does not require identification for prepaid SIM purchases, making it one of the easiest countries to get connected.
Japan uses 4G LTE / 5G networks. Here is how each provider compares for coverage and speed across the country.
Coverage Map for Japan
Visit each carrier's website for their interactive coverage map
mvno carrier
Urban
Strong
Rural
Moderate
tourist carrier
Urban
Strong
Rural
Moderate
tourist carrier
Urban
Strong
Rural
Strong
Japan has minimal registration requirements. Follow these steps for a quick and smooth activation.
Prepare these before buying a SIM in Japan
Unlocked phoneRequired
Your phone must be SIM-unlocked to use a local SIM card
PassportOptional
Valid passport for SIM registration
SIM ejector toolRequired
Or use a paperclip to open the SIM tray
Cash in local currencyRequired
Some vendors do not accept credit cards
Photo ID (backup)Optional
A second form of ID in case your passport is needed elsewhere
mvno carrier
Step 1
Passport (for in-store purchase)
APN: iijmio.jptourist carrier
Step 1
Passport
tourist carrier
Step 1
Passport
Step 2
Credit card for registration
Get a printable PDF with provider comparisons, activation steps, and APN settings for Japan.