Japan is one of the most connected countries in the world, offering fast, reliable mobile networks even in rural areas. For tourists, digital nomads, and short-term visitors, prepaid SIM cards in Japan are a convenient and affordable way to stay connected without long-term contracts. This guide covers everything you need to know—from availability and prices to detailed comparisons of SoftBank, IIJmio, B‑mobile, Rakuten, and Sakura Mobile.
SIM Types: Physical SIM (nano/micro) and eSIMCommon Options: Data-only SIMs are most popular; voice + SMS SIMs are limited for touristsValidity: 7, 15, 30, 60, or 90 days depending on providerNetworks Used: SoftBank, NTT Docomo, KDDI (au), RakutenTypical Speeds: 4G LTE nationwide, expanding 5G in major citiesBest For: Tourists, business travelers, students, digital nomads
Availability Prepaid SIM cards are widely available across Japan, especially in:
International airports
Major train stations
Electronics stores
Online (delivery to hotel or airport pickup)
eSIM platforms (instant activation)
Where to Buy
Airports: Narita, Haneda, Kansai (KIX), Chubu, FukuokaElectronics Stores: Bic Camera, Yodobashi CameraConvenience Stores: Limited availability (mainly data-only SIMs)Online Stores: Provider websites, travel SIM platformseSIM Marketplaces: Instant QR-based activation
Mobile Network Frequencies in Japan Network 4G LTE Bands 5G Bands SoftBank B1, B3, B8, B41 n77, n257 NTT Docomo B1, B3, B19, B21 n77, n78, n79 KDDI (au) B1, B3, B18, B26 n77, n78 Rakuten B3, B18 (roaming) n77
Tip: Ensure your phone supports Band 1 and Band 3 for best compatibility.
Coverage & Speed Comparison Provider Network Used Coverage Typical Speed SoftBank SoftBank Excellent nationwide 50–150 Mbps IIJmio Docomo Excellent nationwide 30–120 Mbps B-mobile Docomo Excellent nationwide 25–100 Mbps Rakuten Rakuten + au Good (urban-focused) 30–100 Mbps Sakura Mobile Docomo/SoftBank Excellent nationwide 30–120 Mbps
At a Glance Comparison Provider Data Only Unlimited Plans Tourist Friendly eSIM SoftBank Yes Yes Medium Limited IIJmio Yes Limited High Yes B-mobile Yes Limited High Yes Rakuten Yes Yes Medium Yes Sakura Mobile Yes Yes Very High Yes
Biometric User Registration Japan does not require biometric registration (fingerprints or facial scans) for prepaid SIM cards. Passport verification is sufficient for tourists.
Device Registration
No mandatory device registration
SIM locking must be removed
Phones must support Japanese LTE bands
SIM Card Price (Estimated for 2026) Validity Data Allowance Estimated Price (2026) 7 Days 3–5 GB ¥1,800 – ¥2,800 30 Days 10–20 GB ¥3,500 – ¥5,800 30 Days Unlimited ¥5,000 – ¥7,800
Prices reflect moderate annual increases and wider 5G access in 2026.
Top Up Method
Online account dashboard
Credit/Debit card
App-based recharge
Some providers support convenience-store vouchers
SoftBank Prepaid SIM Prepaid Plans – Data Add-Ons
Add‑On Data Validity Price Small 1 GB 7 Days ¥1,000 Medium 3 GB 30 Days ¥2,500 Large 10 GB 30 Days ¥4,000
SoftBank SIM Card Unlimited Data Plan Speed Policy Validity Price Unlimited Basic Fair use 30 Days ¥7,200 Unlimited Premium Priority data 30 Days ¥8,200
SoftBank Feature Packages Feature Included Hotspot Yes VoLTE Yes International Roaming Limited
App Zero‑Rated LINE Yes WhatsApp No Instagram No
SoftBank Data‑Only Available in physical SIM and limited eSIM formats.
IIJmio Prepaid SIM Prepaid Plans – Data Add‑Ons Add‑On Data Validity Price Light 2 GB 30 Days ¥1,800 Standard 5 GB 30 Days ¥3,000 Heavy 10 GB 30 Days ¥4,500
IIJmio Unlimited Data Plan Speed Cap Validity Price Unlimited 200 kbps after FUP 30 Days ¥4,000
IIJmio Data Feature Packages Feature Included Hotspot Yes VoIP Apps Supported
App Zero‑Rated LINE Partial Twitter/X No
IIJmio Data‑Only Strong option for long‑stay travelers.
B-Mobile Prepaid SIM Prepaid Plans – Data Add‑Ons Add‑On Data Validity Price Mini 1 GB 21 Days ¥1,200 Standard 5 GB 30 Days ¥3,500
B-Mobile Unlimited Data Plan Speed Policy Validity Price Fair Use Unlimited Throttled after limit 30 Days ¥4,800
B-Mobile Feature Packages Feature Included Hotspot Yes IPv6 Yes
B‑mobile Data‑Only Popular among tech‑savvy travelers.
Rakuten Prepaid SIM Prepaid Plans – Data Add‑Ons Add‑On Data Validity Price Small 3 GB 30 Days ¥1,980 Medium 20 GB 30 Days ¥2,980
Rakuten Unlimited Data Plan Coverage Price Rakuten Unlimited Rakuten + au roaming ¥3,980/month
Rakuten Feature Packages Feature Included Hotspot Yes Domestic Calls App‑based
App Zero‑Rated Rakuten Link Yes
Rakuten Data‑Only Best value in urban areas.
Sakura & Lyca Mobile (Tourist Focused) Prepaid Plans – Data Add‑Ons Plan Data Validity Price Tourist Unlimited 30 Days ¥5,500
Sakura Unlimited Data Plan Speed Policy Price Unlimited Fair use ¥6,200
Sakura Feature Packages Feature Included English Support Yes Airport Pickup Yes
Sakura Data‑Only Highly recommended for first‑time visitors.
How to Check Remaining Balance
Provider mobile app
Online account dashboard
SMS/USSD code (varies by provider)
How to Check SIM Number
Phone settings → SIM status
Provider app
Customer support
Tourist SIM Cards Tourist SIMs are usually data‑only , valid for short stays, and require only a passport.
Digital eSIM Providers
Airalo
Nomad
Ubigi
Sakura eSIM
Other Options
Pocket Wi‑Fi rental
Free public Wi‑Fi (limited & slow)
Activation
Insert SIM or scan eSIM QR
APN auto‑config or manual setup
Activation time: 5–15 minutes
Help Line Numbers Provider Support SoftBank English support available IIJmio Online ticket system B‑mobile Email & chat Rakuten App‑based support Sakura 24/7 English hotline
Official Websites Apps Conclusion In 2026 , Japan remains one of the best-connected countries in the world for travelers. Prepaid SIM cards continue to offer excellent coverage, fast 5G-ready speeds, and flexible short-term plans .
SoftBank and Docomo-based SIMs (IIJmio, B-mobile) remain the most reliable for nationwide travel.Rakuten Mobile delivers the best value for unlimited data users staying mostly in urban areas.Sakura Mobile and eSIM providers are ideal for first-time visitors who want English support and easy activation.
By choosing the right prepaid SIM or eSIM in Japan, travelers in 2026 can enjoy seamless connectivity, accurate navigation, instant translations, and uninterrupted social media throughout their trip.
