Figures, prices and terms were checked against the official price pages of Rakuten Mobile and ahamo on 6 August 2026. They change — check the current terms yourself before you sign up or file anything.
In short
- No credit card? Rakuten Mobile accepts other payment routes and eSIM activates the same day.
- Cheapest for light use: Nihon Tsushin from about 1,390 yen. Many calls: ahamo. Unlimited data in cities: Rakuten (as of July 2026).
- You need: residence card, a Japan address, and a payment method. Apply online in about 15 minutes.
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The first thing you need after arriving in Japan is a mobile plan. LINE, messages from your school or job, finding a part-time job, maps, translation – life stops when your phone does.
But foreigners hit walls that locals never see. This guide compares only the SIMs you can actually get – by price, data, coverage, eSIM, and one-year total cost – so you can pick the right one.
- The 30-second answer
- The three walls foreigners hit
- Comparing the four main options (2026)
- How much data do you actually need?
- #1: Rakuten Mobile – the walls disappear
- #2: ahamo – for callers and coverage
- What about povo and Nihon Tsushin?
- Coverage: it depends on where you are
- eSIM or physical SIM?
- Signing up: 4 steps
- Three traps to avoid
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary: two easy choices
- Related guides
The 30-second answer
The three walls foreigners hit
Wall 1: No credit card
Most budget SIMs accept credit cards only. Right after you arrive, card applications often fail – and many people get stuck here. Rakuten Mobile accepts a debit card or bank transfer, so this wall disappears (ahamo also allows bank transfer). Want a card too? See our guide on cards you can get as a foreigner.
Wall 2: Residence period check
You need a residence card to sign up, and if little time is left on it, the check can fail. Apply right after you renew your status of residence.
Wall 3: Japanese-only sign-up
In-store staff mostly speak Japanese. Applying online lets you go at your own pace and use a translation app. Every SIM here can be set up online.
Comparing the four main options (2026)
| SIM | Monthly (incl. tax) | No card OK | Calls | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten Mobile | ¥1,078 (-3GB) / ¥2,178 (-20GB) / ¥3,278 (unlimited) | ◎ debit / transfer | Free via Rakuten Link | Rakuten |
| ahamo | ¥2,970 (30GB) | ○ bank transfer | 5-min free | Docomo |
| povo | ¥0 base + toppings | △ card | pay per use | au |
| Nihon Tsushin | from ¥290 (1GB) | △ card | varies | Docomo |
The takeaway: Rakuten Mobile – no card needed, no cancellation fee – fits most newcomers best.
How much data do you actually need?
| How you use it | Per month | Best plan |
|---|---|---|
| Calls, social, maps (Wi-Fi at home) | 2-3GB | Rakuten ¥1,078 / Nihon Tsushin |
| Video on the train too | 10-20GB | Rakuten ¥2,178 / ahamo |
| No home Wi-Fi, tethering instead | 50GB+ | Rakuten unlimited ¥3,278 |
If you set up home internet separately, you’ll need far less phone data. Not sure? Rakuten’s “pay for what you use” plan means you can’t pick the wrong size.
#1: Rakuten Mobile – the walls disappear
- No credit card needed – debit card or bank transfer (the key point for foreigners)
- No wrong choice – price scales automatically with your usage in three steps
- Free calls via the Rakuten Link app
- Unlimited tethering – use your phone as home Wi-Fi
- No cancellation fee – leave freely when you move or go home
Honest caveat: deep inside buildings or basements, the signal can still be weak. Fine for most city life, but if your school or workplace is underground or in a large building, consider ahamo (Docomo network).
Sign-up campaigns often give several thousand yen in points
#2: ahamo – for callers and coverage
- ¥2,970 for 30GB plus free 5-minute domestic calls – great if you make many job-application calls
- Docomo network – connects well underground and in buildings; the pick if signal stability matters most
- Bank transfer OK, no cancellation fee, and 30GB of free overseas roaming (handy for trips home)
Caveat: it’s fully online and in-store support costs extra. It’s flat ¥2,970 even in low-usage months, so it’s pricey for light users.
What about povo and Nihon Tsushin?
povo has a ¥0 base and you buy data “toppings” only when needed – cheap if you master it, but not ideal as a first SIM (card required, and you get throttled if you forget to top up).
Nihon Tsushin SIM starts at ¥290/month for 1GB – the cheapest, if you have home Wi-Fi and use almost no data outside. Payment is by card and the sign-up info is mostly in Japanese.
Coverage: it depends on where you are
eSIM or physical SIM?
All four support eSIM. Choosing eSIM means you can activate the same day – no waiting for a card in the post. If your phone is recent (modern iPhone or major Android), pick eSIM. Older phones use a physical SIM (arrives in 2-3 days).
Signing up: 4 steps
You need: your residence card, a Japanese address, and a payment method. A name that doesn’t match your residence card is the #1 cause of rejection.
Three traps to avoid
1. Signing up at a carrier shop near the station
Shops may push ¥5,000-8,000 large plans and extra options. Online-only plans on the same network are usually thousands of yen cheaper – tens of thousands over a year.
2. Taking a phone instalment loan with it
A 48-month device loan means a big remaining balance when you cancel or leave. Buy a used or older phone cheaply and get a SIM only.
3. Thinking free Wi-Fi is enough
Café and station Wi-Fi is unstable, and using banking or money-transfer apps on public Wi-Fi is risky. A ¥1,078 plan is cheap insurance.
Official source: Rakuten Mobile official pricing
Frequently asked questions
Can I sign up without a credit card?
Yes. Rakuten Mobile accepts a debit card or bank transfer. ahamo allows bank transfer. povo and Nihon Tsushin usually need a card.
Can I apply with just my residence card?
Yes. Enter your name and address exactly as written on your residence card.
Can I activate the same day with eSIM?
Yes, on an eSIM-capable phone, right after ID verification. A physical SIM arrives in 2-3 days.
Is there a cancellation fee when I leave Japan?
Rakuten Mobile and ahamo both have zero cancellation fees. Confirm your final billing date before closing your bank account.
How much data do I need?
2-3GB for calls and social with home Wi-Fi; 10-20GB if you watch video out; 50GB+ if you tether instead of home internet. Rakuten’s usage-based plan removes the guesswork.
Summary: two easy choices
- No card / don’t want to overpay → Rakuten Mobile (from ¥1,078, pay for what you use)
- Many calls / want strong signal → ahamo (30GB + 5-min free calls, ¥2,970)
Both have zero cancellation fees, so you can start with one and switch if it doesn’t fit. The most expensive mistake is paying for an over-sized plan a shop sold you.
