Two steps: temporary internet first, regular contract afterward
Right after you land, you probably won’t yet have a Japanese address, a bank account, or an established payment method that can be used for identity verification. That can make it impossible to sign up for a regular mobile number, and you may be turned away repeatedly when applying for a regular contract.
A reliable approach is to split the process into two steps. First, use “temporary internet access” on the day you arrive so you can navigate and contact your school, agent, or dormitory. Second, once your address registration and bank account are in place, sign up for a regular number that can receive SMS verification codes and calls from your school and landlord.
There are three options for the first step: a short-term SIM purchased at the airport counter, portable Wi-Fi rental, and an eSIM (which you can order online before departure and use as soon as you land, provided you confirm that your phone supports eSIM). Official pickup points for SIMs, eSIMs, and portable Wi-Fi are available at airports such as Narita and Haneda. For international students, temporary internet access isn’t a waste of money—it’s a backup plan for Day 1.
Three common misconceptions (and the facts)Experience
“Rakuten / ahamo / povo are budget SIMs” — Not quite accurate
楽天 (楽天モバイル) is Japan's fourth full-scale MNO operating its own network. ahamo / povo / LINEMO are official 「サブブランド」 (sub-brands) of major carriers, not third-party MVNOs (格安SIM). A true 格安SIM is an MVNO such as IIJmio that rents capacity on a major carrier's network. Confusing the three types can lead you in the wrong direction when choosing a plan (for example, thinking ahamo is the cheapest discount SIM, or that povo and IIJmio are the same type).
NoteRemember the three tiers: MNOs (docomo/au/SoftBank/楽天, operating their own networks) → サブブランド (ahamo/povo/LINEMO/Y!mobile) → MVNO 格安SIM (IIJmio, etc.).
“Any SIM will let me receive verification codes” — Data-only SIMs can’t receive SMS
Plans come in several types: 「音声通話付き / データ専用 / SMS付き」. A data-only SIM (データ専用) cannot receive SMS verification codes, but Japanese banks, QR payments, and many government online procedures rely on text-message codes. Choosing a data-only SIM by mistake can block all of these later steps. For your main number, choose voice calling or at least SMS.
NoteTreat “can access the internet” and “can receive text messages” as separate requirements. For your main number, make sure you can call and receive SMS before focusing on the lowest monthly price.
“I just need to get a phone first” — In reality, it’s a vicious circle involving a phone number, bank account, and credit card
Many low-cost plans (especially MVNOs) accept only a Japanese credit card in the contract holder's own name. But getting a credit card often requires a Japanese phone number and bank account, while opening an account often requires a registered address. The three requirements depend on each other, so you can get stuck for days. A typical sequence is: register your residence and get an address where you can receive mail → open a relatively accessible bank account (such as ゆうちょ) → use a temporary number → sign up for a cheaper full plan once your payment method is established.
NoteAt first, focus on being able to make calls and receive SMS. Do not immediately chase the lowest monthly fee or wait for a credit card before getting a phone number.
Comparison of major carriers and plans [目安]Variable
Swipe sideways to see the full table
| Option | Type | Identity verification (residence card) | Payment method | Monthly price range [目安] | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIJmio (MVNO budget SIM) | MVNO budget SIM | Identity verification required | Credit card only, in the contract holder's own name | Voice/eSIM from about 850–950 yen/month | People who already have a Japanese credit card in their own name and want to keep monthly costs down |
| povo (au sub-brand) | Sub-brand | Identity verification required | Primarily online | 0-yen base fee + add-ons (トッピング) as needed | People with variable usage who want to add data as needed |
| Mobal (for international students and foreign residents) | Mobile services for foreign residents | Identity verification required; available in English | Primarily online | Basic voice plan from about 990 yen/month; voice + data from about 1,650 yen/month | People unsure of their Japanese who want the entire process in English |
| irumo (docomo; new applications discontinued)irumo.docomo.ne.jpirumo.docomo.ne.jp | docomo plan | New applications ended on 2025-06-04; existing users can continue using it | Existing users follow the official billing and payment procedures | To verify Existing users: see the official plan page (verification link in this row) | People already using irumo who need to confirm renewal conditions |
| Y!mobile (a SoftBank sub-brand)ymobile.jpymobile.jpymobile.jp | Sub-brand | Official document requirements by residence status: permanent residents / Highly Skilled Professional (ii) need a residence card; special permanent residents need a 特別永住者証明書; other statuses need a residence card + foreign passport | Monthly fees can be paid by credit card or bank-account debit. See the official payment page (link in this row) for accepted cards/financial institutions and documents required when the account is not in your name. | To verify Check the current official plan (料金プラン; verification link in this row) | People who want in-store support and a reliable identity-verification process |
A few more things to check before signing upVariable
- Update the address on your documents first: Online applications are often rejected immediately if the address on your residence card or other identity document has not been updated. Complete your resident registration and update your address before applying.
- Check that your phone supports eSIM and is not SIM-locked (SIM ロック): a phone brought from your home country may be locked or may not support eSIM, so you may only discover it will not work after inserting the SIM.
- MVNOs are cheap, but payment method is the barrier: IIJmio and similar providers explicitly say they accept only credit cards in the contract holder's own name. Without a Japanese credit card in your own name, you cannot sign up. This is a structural barrier, not your fault; use a temporary plan that accepts bank-account debit or offers English enrollment.
- Do not be misled by the “advertised monthly fee”: the actual bill often adds call charges, the universal service fee, tax, and options. Installment payments for a device (phone) may be folded into a “discount” to make the plan look cheaper; if you change phones or cancel early, the remaining balance may still be due. To verify
- Conditions for family, student, and foreign-resident campaigns change every year and often require proof of enrollment or the same household. If you do not ask, you may be signed up at the full price. To verify
Official procedure links
- Y!mobile identity verification (foreign nationals and residence cards): application processOfficial list of identity verification documents by residence status, and rules for supplementary documents
- Y!mobile online application payment informationOfficial reference for checking monthly payment methods, accepted card types, and financial institutions
- Y!mobile plans for the current season (料金プラン)Official reference for checking monthly fees, data allowances, discounts, and eligibility conditions
- Notice: New applications for irumo have endedOfficial notice: New applications have been discontinued as of 2025-06-04; existing users can continue using the service
- IIJmio payment information (only accepts credit cards in the applicant’s own name)Official terms for MVNO payment requirements
- IIJmio identity verification/contract information (additional details)Requirement that the contract be in the applicant’s own name
A small Japanese glossary: terms found in plan tablesExperience
- 格安SIMかくやすシム
格安SIM: A low-cost third-party service that uses a major carrier’s network (an MVNO). IIJmio is one such provider; a common requirement is “credit cards in the applicant’s own name only.”
- 本人確認ほんにんかくにん
本人確認: The identity verification process when applying for a phone plan. Foreign nationals usually present their 在留カード (residence card). Make sure your address is up to date first; otherwise, your online application may be rejected.
- 在留カードざいりゅうカード
在留カード: An identity document for mid- to long-term residents and a key document for identity verification when signing up for a phone service, opening an account, or entering into a contract.
- 音声通話付きおんせいつうわつき
With voice calls: A plan that lets you make phone calls. Choose this for your main number so you can receive calls from your school and landlord and receive text messages.
- データ専用データせんよう
Data-only SIM: Lets you access the internet but cannot receive SMS verification codes. This can prevent you from completing banking, payment, and government procedures online, so don’t choose this for your main number.
- SMS付きエスエムエスつき
With SMS: A plan that can receive SMS verification codes. If you don’t want voice calls, choose at least a plan with SMS.
- 申し込みもうしこみ
Application/sign-up: The act of entering into a contract. Contact the carrier by phone or online to 申し込み (apply) and activate a number.
Practice scenario: Calling to sign up for a main phone number (read along with the furigana)Experience
もしもし、お世話になります。新しく申し込みをしたいのですが。
Hello. Thank you for your help. I’d like to sign up for a new phone number.
かしこまりました。音声通話付きのプランでよろしいでしょうか？
Certainly. Would you like a plan with voice calls?
はい。銀行の認証で使うので、SMSが受け取れるプランにしていただけますか？
Yes. I’ll need it to receive bank verification codes. Could you give me a plan that can receive SMS?
承知しました。それでしたら音声通話付きのプランがおすすめです。
Understood. In that case, I recommend a plan with voice calls.
本人確認の書類をお願いします。在留カードはお持ちですか？
Please provide identity verification documents. Do you have a residence card?
はい、在留カードがあります。住所ももう登録してあります。
Yes, I have a residence card. My address has also been registered.
お支払い方法はクレジットカードでよろしいでしょうか？
Can I pay by credit card?
クレジットカードがまだないのですが、ほかの方法はありますか？
I don’t have a credit card yet. Is there another way to pay?