SIM cards for Tokyo: Best providers, locations, and alternatives

Popular SIM cards for tourists in Japan: A quick overview 

When most people think about tourist SIM cards for Japan, they think of traditional prepaid SIM cards for Tokyo: small, plastic cards that have a fixed amount of data. You physically insert the card into your device to use your phone in Japan and connect to local mobile networks. 

Certain providers may give you an option for a SIM card with a phone number for Japan. This is ideal for longer trips, where you might need a Japanese phone number to make local calls, get verification codes, or sign up for events.

Traditional SIM cards require you to physically swap out your home SIM with your Japanese SIM, which can be a hassle, not to mention that one of your cards could get lost, damaged, or stolen. For a truly seamless experience, a virtual eSIM for Japan like Saily may be the way to go. With an eSIM, you can get reliable data coverage in Tokyo as soon as you arrive, without any extra friction. 

Now that you understand a little more about Japan’s SIM card landscape, let’s get into the details.

Sakura Mobile and Mobal: Big names worth knowing

Sakura Mobile and Mobal are two of the biggest Japanese SIM card providers. Sakura Mobile caters exclusively to foreign visitors. Their representatives all speak English, and they offer delivery to hotels and airports. Sakura Mobile operates on one of Japan’s most extensive networks, NTT Docomo, so you’ll have coverage even if you head out to more remote areas like Mount Fuji. Most of Sakura Mobile’s SIM cards offer unlimited data, and they charge per day rather than per GB. If you’re a heavy data user or a first-time visitor, Sakura Mobile may be your best bet.

If you’re spending an extended amount of time in Japan, Mobal is a strong choice. Mobal gives you a Japanese phone number, and it operates on the Softbank network. While it isn’t a tourist-exclusive provider, Mobal does have strong English-language support. You can buy short-term, data-only prepaid SIM cards for Japan from Mobal, but you can also get extended plans with voice, text, and data for 30-90 days.

Where to buy a SIM card in Tokyo: Airports and city center  

If you’re planning to use a physical SIM for your trip, you’ll need to plan ahead. Where you buy your SIM card in Tokyo will affect both convenience and price, and you don’t want to be stranded in the middle of a foreign city without data. We’ll walk you through your options for where to get a SIM card in Tokyo.

Buying a SIM card at Tokyo airports: Narita and Haneda 

Buying a SIM card at the Tokyo airport is the easiest way to get connected. Whether you fly into Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport, you’ll find kiosks from multiple major Japanese mobile providers staffed by English-speaking representatives. However, this convenience comes with a price because most airport kiosks charge more than center city retail locations. 

Narita Airport 

To buy a SIM card for Japan at Narita Airport, you have multiple options:

• JR East Travel Centers (available in all three terminals)

• SoftBank Global Rental Counter (Terminal 1)

• Air Bic Camera (Terminal 2)

• 7-Eleven (Terminals 1 and 2)

• Lawson (Terminals 1 and 2)

You can also find SIM card vending machines in all three terminals.

Haneda Airport 

To buy a SIM card for Japan at Haneda Airport, you can head to one of the following retail locations:

• Mobile Center Haneda Airport (Terminals 2 and 3)

• SoftBank Counter (Terminal 2)

• Bic Camera Store (Terminal 3)

• GLOBAL/NINJA WiFi (Terminal 3)

• J Walker SIM Vending Machine (Terminal 3)

• 7-Eleven (Terminal 3)

If your plane arrives late at night, the J Walker SIM vending machine and the 7-Eleven are open 24/7. 

Buying a SIM card in Tokyo’s city center: An overview of your options 

If you’re willing to navigate the first leg of your journey without internet, you can save money by picking up your SIM card in Tokyo’s city center. You have three main options for where to buy a prepaid SIM card in Tokyo: electronics stores, pickup points, and convenience stores.

Electronics stores like Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera

Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera are two of the most popular electronic stories in Japan. No matter where you are staying in Tokyo, there’s sure to be a Bic Camera or Yodobashi Camera nearby. Multiple branches are located steps away from stations on the Yamanote Line (Tokyo’s main railway loop), including the BIC Camera Shinjuku West Exit Store, BIC Camera Shibuya Hachiko Exit Store, Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Akiba in Akihabara, and Yodobashi Camera Shinjuku West Main Store.

Both stores carry a wide range of tourist SIM cards with different data plans, so it’s easy to find one that fits your needs. If you don’t speak Japanese, you have high chances of finding a sales associate who speaks English in the larger center city locations.

Provider pickup points

Many Japanese SIM card providers, like Sakura Mobile and Mobal, allow customers to pre-order a prepaid Japanese SIM card online and then pick it up at a designated location. These pickup points could be an airport counter, electronic store, hotel concierge, or partner service desk. Pickup points take the guesswork out of buying a SIM card when you’re jetlagged and disoriented. However, if you want to buy a SIM card in Tokyo from one of these pickup points, you can’t expect to just walk in. You’ll have to order online before your departure. 

Convenience stores

Convenience stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson offer prepaid SIM cards for Tokyo. They’re a good choice for grabbing a SIM on the go. However, the selection will be limited, and English language support will be extremely limited. If it’s your first time in Tokyo, it may be worth it to get your SIM directly from a mobile provider instead.

Alternatives to a physical SIM card for your trip to Tokyo 

While a physical SIM card is the traditional way to stay connected in Tokyo, it’s definitely not the only way. And for many travelers, a prepaid SIM card for Tokyo is not the most convenient option. Here’s two alternatives for your vacation: an eSIM for Tokyo or pocket Wi-Fi.

eSIM for Japan: Connect before you leave home  

An eSIM is the next evolution of a traditional SIM card. Like a physical SIM card, an eSIM for Japan allows you to connect to local networks, like SoftBank and NTT Docomo, without paying hefty international roaming fees, but an eSIM is much easier to use. You can get your eSIM before you travel so that it activates as soon as you arrive in Tokyo.

The benefits of an eSIM for Tokyo include:

• Instant activation.

• No need to find a retailer or wait in line.

• Eliminates the hassle of swapping out your card.

• No risk of lost, stolen, or damaged cards.

• Reliable, high-speed data access throughout Japan.

If you want a stress-free, high-performance option, try the Saily app. Saily’s affordable plans start at US$3.99, and they’re designed with savvy travelers in mind. Just download the Saily app, follow the easy setup process, and you’ll have access to reliable 4G/LTE and 5G coverage across Japan. Plus, Saily has advanced security features from the trusted team at NordVPN, including the ability to block malware and hide your IP address.

If your vacation is going to take you to more than one country, you can even buy a Saily plan for the whole region instead of a physical SIM card for Asia to get the data you need across the continent without switching providers.

Pocket Wi-Fi: The option that sounds good until you’re carrying it 

Pocket Wi-Fi is a portable router that generates a personal Wi-Fi network. Pocket Wi-Fi in Japan is a strong option for large groups or families because it allows multiple people to connect to the same network.

However, pocket Wi-Fi has some drawbacks that travelers should be aware of. First off, you need to rent your pocket Wi-Fi device, which typically costs between 600¥-1000¥ (US$3.77–6.28), but if you damage or lose your device, you’ll be on the hook for replacement fees. Second, your pocket Wi-Fi only works if your device is with you and charged. If you leave it in your hotel room, you’re out of luck. Finally, pocket Wi-Fi has inconsistent coverage in remote areas. If you’re staying in Tokyo proper, you should be fine, but that day trip to Mount Fuji could be an issue.

If you’re a solo traveler or a couple, there’s an easier way to stay connected: a Saily eSIM for Tokyo.

Why you should download the Saily eSIM app for your Tokyo trip 

Staying connected in Tokyo isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. You don’t want to order the wrong thing at a restaurant because you couldn’t translate the menu or get lost trying to find out which of the 200 exits in Shinjuku Station is the right one. If you want stress-free, reliable data access on your Tokyo trip, an eSIM for Japan is the way to go.

With easy activation, built-in security, and convenient coverage, Saily is a great choice for first-time visitors and seasoned travelers alike!