What you’ll learn in this article
If you are staying in Japan for several months to years, choosing a “SIM for long-term residents” instead of a traveler SIM can help you maintain a stable communication environment while keeping costs down.
In this guide,
- If you have a residence card
- If you don’t have a residence card yet
we’ll explain the best SIM choices for each of these two scenarios.
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What is the best SIM for people staying long-term in Japan?
SIMs for long-term residents have the following features:
- Subscription model for monthly continuous use
- Many plans offer a Japanese phone number (090/080/070)
- Flexible plan changes and cancellations
Traveler SIMs are designed for short-term use, so using them long-term can become expensive.
Differences from traveler SIMs
Traveler SIMs have
- fixed usage periods and data limits
- often do not provide a Japanese phone number
On the other hand, SIMs for long-term residents are
- auto-renewed monthly for long-term use
- available with voice call plans
- allow you to obtain a “phone number” necessary for Japanese life infrastructure (banking, memberships, etc.)
These are the differences.
Checkpoints when choosing a SIM
- Data capacity (e.g., 15GB, 20GB, unlimited, etc.)
- Whether calls are needed (availability of unlimited call options)
- Signal strength in your area
- Identification documents required for the contract
- Payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, etc.)
For those with a residence card | How to choose a SIM with voice calls
If you have a residence card, your contract options with telecom companies greatly expand.
You can contract most plans, including major carriers, sub-brands, and budget SIMs.
Features of major carriers and sub-brands
- Stable communication speeds
- In-store support available
- Foreign language support may be available
Suitable for those who prioritize stability and support.
Features of budget SIMs
- Low monthly fees
- Optimizable according to the required capacity
- Contracts and support are mainly online
However, speeds may drop during peak times, so it’s important to choose based on your usage environment.
Price estimates
- Data capacity: 15-20GB/month
- Monthly fee: 2,000-4,000 yen
- Options: 5-minute unlimited calls or pay-as-you-go calls
You don’t need to choose the perfect plan from the start; it’s common to adjust as you use it.
For those without a residence card or on a short-term visa | Data-only SIM options
If you don’t have a residence card yet, it may be difficult to contract a plan with voice calls.
In that case, the realistic options are as follows:
- Data-only SIM (prepaid)
- eSIM
- Pocket Wi-Fi
Features of prepaid SIMs and eSIMs
- Relatively easy to contract
- Payments mainly by credit card
- Suitable for short to medium-term stays
However, you often cannot obtain a Japanese phone number, so they cannot be used for opening bank accounts, etc.
Comparison with pocket Wi-Fi
Advantages
- Can connect multiple devices simultaneously
- Can use smartphones, PCs, and tablets together
Disadvantages
- Need to carry a mobile device
- Battery management required
- May have higher monthly fees than SIMs
Comparing SIMs and pocket Wi-Fi according to your usage scene makes it easier to choose.
What you need when contracting a SIM
Identification documents
- Residence card
- Passport
- Documents that can confirm your address in Japan (resident card, utility bill, etc.)
Required documents vary by telecom company, so pre-checking is recommended.
Payment methods
- Credit card
- Bank account transfer
- Some companies also accept debit cards
If your address in Japan is not yet confirmed
If you haven’t settled on a residence yet,
- first use a traveler SIM
- or temporarily use pocket Wi-Fi
and switch to a long-term SIM after your address is confirmed.
Recommendations by usage scene
Students
- Frequent online classes and research
- Often have Wi-Fi at home
→ A voice SIM with around 15-20GB is well-balanced.
Working holiday or work visa
- A phone number is essential for workplace communication
- There are situations where LINE calls are not sufficient
→ A sub-brand or reliable budget SIM + call option is reassuring.
Staying with family
- Parents use voice SIM
- Children use data-only SIM or Wi-Fi
This combination is common.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Can I contract after arriving in Japan?
A. Yes, you can. However, since address and identification are required, it’s recommended to start with a traveler SIM.
Q. Are there any cancellation fees?
A. Recently, plans without cancellation fees have increased, but it varies by company, so checking in advance is necessary.
Q. Can I change plans?
A. Most companies allow it, but the timing and rules for changes vary.