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Should you pay with cash or card in Japan? Read our handy guide including cash etiquette, Japanese ATMs and using your UK card.
How to buy a prepaid SIM card for Japan?
Thinking about getting on a plane from the UK and visiting Japan soon? For many, this is often the trip of a lifetime. But, besides taking care of accommodation and getting there, it's important to consider how you’ll be communicating and getting around during your stay.
To ensure your Japanese holiday goes smoothly, consider getting a Japanese SIM card while you’re there. This could not only save you money but also let you use translation apps and maps without needing Wi-Fi.
Also, if you need a cost-effective way to handle your finances across borders, check out the Wise card from the money services provider Wise. It can help you get ready for your stay in Japan and save money while travelling abroad. You can pay and withdraw cash like a local in 40 currencies including JPY for low fees and great mid-market exchange rates.
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Why should you buy a prepaid SIM card when travelling to Japan from the UK?
Investing in a Japanese SIM card is actually a great way to save money. It’s most likely cheaper than all the extra fees your provider will charge for using your phone abroad. Also, with a local SIM card, you'll have access to Japan's reliable and extensive cellular network throughout your trip.
Since you won’t have to take Wi-Fi breaks during the day, you could stay connected with friends and family the entire time. Having a Japanese SIM card also allows you to use GPS and maps, as well as translation apps, which are all travel essentials, especially if you plan on studying in Japan.
A Japanese data plan could also come in handy for making reservations and meeting new people. It can really help you blend in with the locals and have an immersive travel experience.
How much does a SIM card cost in Japan?
The price of your Japanese SIM card mostly depends on the amount of data included, since the 30-day validity period is pretty much the norm. For example, a 1 GB prepaid package costs £10.5, which is one of the cheaper deals. If you want to have the option of calling someone, you can expect to pay around £42.
eSIMs are a much more affordable option for shorter stays in Japan. You can get a weekly data card for only a few pounds sterling. The eSIM plans made for sharing are the most expensive ones, going up to £175 per month.
Many mobile operators don’t have price info on their websites, so you might have to ask around once you arrive.
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How to buy a prepaid Japanese SIM card?¹
In most cases, you can only buy voice-enabled SIM cards if you’ve fully moved to Japan and have a residence certificate. As a visitor, you can buy prepaid data SIM cards made for tourists and shorter stays.
There are three main mobile operators in Japan - NTT Docomo, au and SoftBank. However, there are many more popular Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), such as Mobal, Nippon Sim or IIJmio. You can buy a SIM card in one of their official stores or with a reseller, such as an electronic shop or convenience store.
Where can you buy a Japanese SIM card in the UK?
If you want to have a Japanese SIM card in your phone before entering the country, you can do so while still in the UK. There aren’t many options and they can sometimes be more expensive. However, SimCorner has a discount at the time of writing and they can deliver a Japanese SIM card to your address for £14.
If you want more to choose from, buying an eSIM ahead of your trip could be the way to go. Some providers sell country-specific eSIM cards, while others have regional or global deals. Either way, you’ll probably find a suitable offer, all from the comfort of your home.
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Can you buy a Japanese SIM card at the airport?²
Yes, you can buy a SIM card at all Japanese airports and do it very quickly. A variety of SIM cards are available on airport counters. Narita airport even has SIM card vending machines at multiple terminals.³
You can pay by cash or credit card. Just like anywhere else, airport prices can be higher.
Best prepaid SIM cards for Japan
Here are some of the best SIM card options for a short stay or holiday in Japan. In order to get the most up-to-date prices, you can contact the providers before your trip or ask for information at the airport.
SoftBank¹
SoftBank’s tourist SIM card costs just under £24. It’s a data only card with 3 GB at your disposal. If you use this up, you can buy an additional 500 MB for under £9. Each time you do so, you extend the validity of your SIM card by 31 extra days.
You can top up your SoftBank in their official stores or in convenience stores. Make sure to check if they have a counter at the airport you’re going to.
IIJmio¹
IIJmio is NTT Docomo’s MVNO. They offer three kinds of Japan travel SIM cards. The cheapest one is £10.5 and has 1 GB of data you can use up in 30 days. The two other options both cost £16. One has 3 GB of data for a month, while the other offers 2 GB you can use up in 90 days.
If you end up needing them, getting additional IIJmio top-up vouchers is easy and convenient. They can be bought in stores throughout Japan, such as 7-Eleven, FamilyMart or Yodobashi. Since you can buy any of IIJmio’s vouchers, you’re not limited to the data you initially get with the card.
Mobal⁴
Mobal is both NTT Docomo’s and SoftBank’s MVNO. They’re the only provider that offers Japanese SIM plans for tourists with calls and texts available.
You can choose between three SIM card options, depending on the duration of your stay - 30, 60 or 90 days. All three have 7 GB of data per month, while outgoing calls and texts are charged separately. The 30-day SIM card costs roughly £42, the two month plan is £68, while the 90-day package will set you back £94.
If you don’t plan on calling anyone in Japan, you can get a data-only plan as well. They start at £25 for 25 GB of data over the course of 8 days. If you plan on staying longer than that, there’s a 16-day plan you can get for £34 and a 31-day package that costs £42, both including 50 GB of data.
Mobal has English-speaking customer support, so you can give them a call if you have any doubts.
Best e-SIM cards for Japan
If your phone supports them, eSIMs are a convenient option, since you can get them with only a few clicks. Here are some of the best ones.
eSIM Japan
eSIM Japan has three different nationwide plans you can choose from - Unlimited Data, Daily Data and Fixed Data. All of them have free hotspots included, so you can share them with your friends and split the costs.
The Unlimited Data plan divides into three packages costing between $3.99 and $26.99. The cheapest Lite option lets you use 0.5 GB of high-speed internet per day, the Basic has 1 GB of fast daily data, while the Pro package includes 2 GB. Each package can be used for up to 12 days.⁵
The Daily Data plan has 3 GB of fast data per day and it renews every midnight. The options vary from 5-day to 90-day plans and cost between $17.99 and $133.99.⁶
The Fixed Data plan is the most limiting one, but it’s good if you know exactly how much data you’ll need. The packages cost between $7.99 and $39.99 at the moment. The biggest one has 30 GB of data over the course of a month.⁷
If you’ll only be staying in one city, you can also get one of their city-specific plans. They can be used nationwide, but they guarantee the best connection in the selected city. The options include Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and more.⁸
Airalo⁹
Airalo is one of the most popular global eSIM providers. They have six different plans for Japan that cost up to $26 for a 30 day validity period. The most affordable plan costs $4.5 at the moment and it allows 1 GB of data usage in a week. Airalo runs regular promotions so keep an eye out for potential savings.
Airalo also has regional and global eSIMs, which can be a great option if you’ll be travelling somewhere else as well. Global eSIMs can be used in 126 countries, Japan included. The prices start at $9 for 7 days and go up to $89 for year-long deals that include calls and texts.¹⁰
Maya Mobile¹¹
Maya Mobile Japan eSIMs let you pick between 4 validity periods and 4 data amounts. Their deals last 5, 10, 15 or 30 days. When it comes to data, the lowest amount is 3 GB and the highest 20 GB. The least expensive Maya Mobile eSIM is £12, while the 20 GB, 30-day one is £54. On top of that, there is a separate unlimited data eSIM that costs between £24 and £103.
They also offer special unlimited data eSIMs that have Wi-Fi hotspots. They’re made to be shared with your friends and between devices, so they could be a pretty affordable option when splitting the cost. These group eSIMs cost £135 and £175, depending on the amount of high-speed data you get.
Holafly¹²
Holafly only offers unlimited data plans, but they can’t be shared. Their prices start at £19 for 5 days, but the more days you buy, the better the deal.
For example, the Holafly Japan eSIM with 10 days of unlimited data costs £29, while 20 days is £49. If you plan on using your eSIM for a whole month, that will set you back £59. If you decide to extend your stay even more, the biggest package can last you up to 90 days at a rate of £87.
Spend like a local in Japan with Wise
As you decide on the right Japanese SIM card for your trip, it's also a good idea to plan how you'll spend money while on vacation.
The Wise card from the money services provider Wise is a convenient choice. For a one-time cost of just £7, you can spend like a local in Japan and 150+ more countries. The Wise card has no foreign transaction fees for spending abroad, no hidden fees or margins, and only a small currency conversion fee.
You can get the Wise card by opening a Wise multi-currency account. It’s not a bank account but offers many similar features.
What’s more, you can also make international payments for low fees and mid-market exchange rates. The account supports 40+ currencies, including JPY. You can send money to pay for a rental car, accommodation, or the like while still in the UK.
Sources used for this article:
- Phone Travel Wiz - SIM cards in Japan
- JAL ABC - SIM cards for use within Japan
- Narita Airport - SIM Card sales locations
- Mobal - Japan SIM Cards
- eSIM Japan - Unlimited Data
- eSIM Japan - Daily Data
- eSIM Japan - Fixed Data
- eSIM Japan - City plans
- Airalo - Japan eSIM
- Airalo - Global eSIMs
- Maya Mobile - Japan eSIM plans
- Holafly - Japan eSIM for travellers
Sources last checked on date: 14-Feb-2024
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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