Are you visiting Japan and never know which prepaid SIM card is best for the internet or call. We will help you to choose the best SIM card that completes your needs while living in Japan. There are currently two major mobile phone networks in Japan which are Docomo and Rakuten. You should read the post-Best Japanese Prepaid Tourist SIM Card for Travelers.
Both networks have good coverage and good price plans. The third network in Japan is Softbank. Most of the famous and used networks in Japan are Docomo. We will compare Docomo and Rakuten internet packages and calling plans. By reading this post fully, you can know which network is the best for Japanese visitors.
List of Mobile Phone networks in Japan / Japan
- Docomo Japan
- Rakuten
- Softbank Japan
| Network | Subscribers |
|---|---|
| Docomo Japan | 82.632 million |
| Rakuten Japan | 5 million |
| Softbank Japan | 29.2 million |
While going to Japan you can also use the data roaming service of your current prepaid card and can talk with your friends and family at roaming plans of your country network. But doing so will make calls and internet plans very expensive and the better solution would be to buy a prepaid card from a good company in Japan.
Also read: Tourist SIM Card Cambodia – Best Prepaid & Postpaid SIM
Here you can compare all networks in Japan and can select the best SIM card for you. Currently, Docomo is the No.1 network because of its good coverage and cheapest calling offer.
1. Docomo:
Docomo is offering a Free prepaid SIM card that is available at all airports in Japan. If you are looking for Free Prepaid SIM card in Japan then Docomo is offering a Free SIM Card to its new customers. You need only your passport to buy this card from the airport. Docomo free traveller SIM card offer is just for a limited Rakuten and it can change any Rakuten without any notice. From this offer, all new users can buy a Free SIM card but they have to pay its package price which is just 190 円.
| Regions | International Call (30-second increments) |
|---|---|
| North America | 31 JPY to 34 JPY |
| East Asia | 49 JPY to 148 JPY |
| Southeast Asia | 63 JPY to 68 JPY |
| South Asia | 98 JPY to 148 JPY |
| Oceania | 63 JPY 68 JPY |
| Europe | 78 JPY to 108 JPY |
| Central America | 60 JPY to 148 JPY |
| Middle East | 98 JPY to 148 JPY |
| Africa | 120 JPY to 180 JPY |
Customers can make calls to international numbers by dialling a mobile phone number with a country code like +44 before the number. There are different verities of international calling plans and offers. In Japan, there are fixed caller networks and customers have never needed any SIM card to insert into mobile phones. For East Asia, international calling rates start at 49 JPY to 149 JPY 30 second increments. Price plans for North America are starting from 31 JPY to 34 JPY per 30 seconds increments.
2. Rakuten Japan:
| Resources | Charges |
|---|---|
| 10 standard Minutes & Unlimited calls with Rakuten | 1,100 yen/month |
| 3GB data, unlimited Calling | 980 yen/month |
| 20GB, Unlimited calling | 1980 Yen/month |
Rakuten is the second-largest mobile phone network in Japan. This network has prepaid, postpaid and broadband connections in all of Japan. All new customers who want to get a free SIM card while travelling in Japan can get this prepaid card without any charges. Customers can use this prepaid card like the “pay as you go” service after purchasing it from any airport in Japan.
Customers can get a free Rakuten SIM card but they have to pay the package price with a free prepaid card. The new prepaid traveller SIM card costs about 1100 yen/month and they will get unlimited calling minutes and 10 standard minutes. Those customers who want to get unlimited internet can subscribe to the 2,980 yen per month plan which is available with this same package. After activating the internet package customers will be able to use the internet on 5G and 4G signals up to 1Mbps speed.
3. Softbank Japan:
| Resources | Charges |
|---|---|
| Internet | 500MB |
| Validity | 31 Days |
| Price | 1,650 yen |
Softbank is a 4G & 5G mobile phone network in Japan that has all types of services like Docomo and Rakuten networks. This network is also offering free prepaid SIM Card to all new travellers. Customers who are visiting Japan and looking for a free SIM card can choose a Softbank SIM card. This network is offering 7 days, 15 days and 30 days packages types for travellers. Softbank users who have to buy travellers SIM cards can activate the free 3GB internet. This package is valid for 31 days and by getting this SIM card users will receive 500MB of internet.
Also read: Best Prepaid SIM Cards in Saudi Arabia for Tourists
Comparison of Japan Prepaid SIM Card with Lowest Prices
We are providing you with this price table with the low price packages for travellers of all validity.
Docomo and Rakuten have more packages like this. If you want to buy other packages you can visit Docomo’s official website Docomo.jp/. Softbank tourist SIM card prices start from 46 円 but Docomo and Rakuten tourist SIM cards with packages start from 980 yen. If customers want to activate international calling, Internet and SMS package, they can also choose a visitor card that cost about 1,650 yen.
Finally, you have to decide which SIM is best for you. We have added the latest price plans, internet, SMS, Voice Call services and international calls offers. You can select any good prepaid card as per your requirement. If you are going to visit Japan then we hope that with the help of this post you will select a good prepaid network for yourself.
