Why You Need a Japanese Phone Number First
Without a domestic phone number, you cannot open a bank account, rent an apartment, or sign up for most services in Japan.
A Japanese Number Is Required For
- Bank accounts — every bank requires an 080/090/070 number for SMS verification
- Apartment rental — landlords and agencies require a Japanese contact number
- Utility contracts — electricity, gas, water, and internet all require a domestic number
- Ward office registration — needed for residence and My Number card processes
- Essential apps — LINE (Japan’s main messenger), PayPay, delivery services, Amazon Japan
The Arrival Sequence
- Step 1: Get your residence card at the airport (immigration)
- Step 2: Get a SIM card with a Japanese phone number
- Step 3: Open a bank account (requires phone number)
- Step 4: Sign a lease & set up utilities (requires phone + bank)
- Can you use your home number? No — most Japanese services reject foreign numbers. Keep it as a backup but get a domestic SIM immediately.
Pro Tip
Pre-order a SIM from Mobal before you fly. It arrives at your home address, and you can activate it the moment you land in Japan — no waiting in line, no residence card needed on day one.
Best SIM Cards for Long-Term Residents
Real providers, real prices. Here’s how they compare for foreigners living in Japan.
| Provider | Network | Monthly Cost | Data | English Support | Contract Required | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobal | SoftBank | ¥1,980–¥4,980 | 3–30 GB | Full English | No | New arrivals (pre-order before landing) |
| Sakura Mobile | NTT Docomo | ¥2,990–¥6,490 | 3–50 GB | Full English (Shibuya office) | No | In-person English setup |
| ahamo | NTT Docomo | ¥2,970–¥4,950 | 20–100 GB | Some English | No | Heavy data users |
| LINEMO | SoftBank | ¥990–¥2,728 | 3–20 GB | Limited | No | Budget pick (unlimited LINE data) |
| IIJmio | Docomo / au | ¥850–¥2,000 | 2–20 GB | Limited | No | Cheapest data plans |
Mobal — Best for New Arrivals
- Order before you leave home — SIM ships to your address worldwide
- No residence card required at sign-up (they verify later)
- Full English customer support via phone, email, and chat
- Plans from ¥1,980/month on the SoftBank network
- Also offers pocket WiFi rentals for your first days
Sakura Mobile — Best In-Person Experience
- Walk-in office in Shibuya with English-speaking staff
- Same-day activation — walk out with a working phone number
- NTT Docomo network (best overall coverage in Japan)
- Plans from ¥2,990/month including voice + data
- Can help you set up your phone, apps, and account on the spot
ahamo — Best Value for Heavy Users
- 20 GB for ¥2,970/month or 100 GB for ¥4,950/month
- Runs on NTT Docomo’s main network (not an MVNO — full speed)
- Online-only carrier — no physical stores, limited English support
- Includes 5-minute domestic calls free, international roaming in 82 countries
- Best pure value if you’re comfortable with some Japanese
LINEMO & IIJmio — Budget Picks
- LINEMO Mini: 3 GB + unlimited LINE messaging for just ¥990/month
- IIJmio: Data plans from ¥850/month (cheapest on the market)
- Both require Japanese-level comfort for sign-up and support
- LINEMO runs on SoftBank; IIJmio uses Docomo or au lines
- Great once you’re settled, but tricky for first-time setup
eSIM Options for Immediate Connectivity
Need internet the moment you land? An eSIM is the fastest way — but it’s a temporary bridge, not a long-term solution.
Popular eSIM Providers
- Saily — by Nord Security; affordable eSIM plans for Japan with easy app setup
- Airalo — from ~¥700 for 1 GB / 7 days; buy and activate instantly via app
- Holafly — unlimited data plans from ~¥2,500 for 5 days; good for heavy users
- Ubigi — flexible pay-as-you-go data; longer validity periods
- All install before departure — activate when your plane lands
Important Limitations
- Data only — no Japanese phone number, no SMS, no voice calls
- Cannot use for bank account, apartment, or ward office registration
- Designed for tourists and short-term visitors, not long-term residents
- Use as a bridge until you get a proper SIM with a phone number
- Check your phone supports eSIM before purchasing (most 2020+ phones do)
Recommended Strategy
Buy a Saily, Airalo, or Holafly eSIM before your flight for immediate data on arrival. Then, within your first 2–3 days, visit Sakura Mobile in Shibuya or activate a pre-ordered Mobal SIM to get your permanent Japanese phone number.
How to Sign Up — Step by Step
Before You Arrive (Pre-order)
Choose a provider that ships internationally
Mobal is the most popular choice — they ship a physical SIM to your home address in 50+ countries. Order at least 2 weeks before your flight.
Submit your documents online
You will need a passport photo (scan or photo), a credit card, and your planned Japan address (hotel or temporary housing is fine initially).
Receive and insert your SIM
The SIM arrives by mail. Insert it into your unlocked phone before departure or upon landing. Follow the included APN setup instructions.
Activate in Japan
Most pre-ordered SIMs activate automatically when they first connect to a Japanese network. You should have service within minutes of landing.
After You Arrive (In-store or Online)
Gather your documents
Required: residence card (zairyu card), passport, credit card or Japanese bank account. Some providers accept debit cards.
Visit a store or apply online
In-store: Sakura Mobile (Shibuya), major carrier shops (Docomo, au, SoftBank). Bring documents and your unlocked phone.
Online: ahamo, LINEMO, IIJmio — apply on their websites. SIM ships to your Japan address in 1–3 business days.
Choose your plan and sign up
Select voice + data (recommended) or data-only. Provide your residence card number, address, and payment details. No cancellation fee for most plans listed above.
Activate and start using
In-store activations work immediately. Online orders require inserting the SIM, configuring APN settings, and sometimes calling an activation number. Typical time: same day to 3 business days.
Payment Tip
Many carriers only accept Japanese credit cards or bank accounts. Mobal and Sakura Mobile accept international credit cards, making them the easiest options for newcomers who don’t have a Japanese bank account yet.
Understanding Japanese Phone Plans
Japanese mobile plans work differently from many countries. Here’s what you need to know.
Voice + Data vs. Data Only
- Voice + Data: Includes a Japanese phone number (080/090/070) — essential for long-term residents
- Data Only: Internet access without a phone number — fine for tablets or a second SIM
- Always choose voice + data for your primary SIM as a long-term resident
- Most services listed above include voice by default
Contract vs. No-Contract
- Traditional carriers (Docomo, au, SoftBank) used to lock you into 2-year contracts with penalties
- Since 2022, cancellation fees have been abolished by law for most plans
- All providers listed in this guide are no-contract or month-to-month
- You can switch providers freely — just request an MNP number
Number Portability (MNP)
- MNP = Mobile Number Portability — keep your number when switching carriers
- Request an MNP reservation number from your current provider (valid 15 days)
- Give the MNP number to your new provider during sign-up
- Transfer is usually completed within 1–2 hours
- Free or minimal fee (¥0–¥3,300 depending on carrier)
Calling vs. LINE / WhatsApp
- LINE is Japan’s dominant messaging app — 95 million monthly users
- Most Japanese people communicate via LINE, not traditional calls or SMS
- LINE voice and video calls are free (uses data, not phone minutes)
- Traditional calling is rarely needed but useful for businesses and emergencies
- WhatsApp is uncommon in Japan — switch to LINE for local communication
VPN Tip
Once you’re connected, use a VPN like NordVPN to access your home country’s Netflix, banking apps, and streaming services. It also keeps you secure on Japan’s many public WiFi networks at cafes, stations, and convenience stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Mobal allows you to pre-order a SIM before arriving and does not require a residence card initially. Most other providers require a residence card (zairyu card) for a long-term contract. Tourist SIMs and eSIMs like Airalo and Holafly work with just a passport but provide data only — no Japanese phone number.
In-store activation at places like Sakura Mobile is usually same-day — you walk out with a working SIM. Online orders typically take 1 to 3 business days for delivery and activation. Pre-ordered SIMs from Mobal can be shipped to your home country before departure or to your Japan address.
IIJmio offers the cheapest data plans starting from around ¥850/month for 2 GB. For a budget option with a phone number and some data, LINEMO’s mini plan at ¥990/month (3 GB + unlimited LINE messaging) is the best value. However, both have limited English support.
Yes, for long-term residents it is essentially required. A Japanese phone number (090, 080, or 070) is needed to open a bank account, sign a lease, set up utilities, register at the ward office, use LINE, and sign up for services like PayPay, Amazon Japan, and delivery apps.
You can keep your home number active with international roaming, but it will not work for most Japanese services that require a domestic number starting with 080 or 090. It is also very expensive for daily use. The best approach is to get a Japanese SIM for daily life and optionally keep your home number on a minimal plan or port it to a VoIP service.
ahamo runs on the NTT Docomo network and offers 20 GB for ¥2,970 or 100 GB for ¥4,950/month, making it ideal for heavy data users. LINEMO runs on the SoftBank network and offers a budget 3 GB plan for ¥990 or 20 GB for ¥2,728. LINEMO includes unlimited LINE app data usage on all plans. Both are online-only carriers with no physical stores.