Last verified: March 13, 2026 (JST)
As of March 2026, the cheapest mobile phone plan in Japan starts at ¥850/month (IIJmio, 2GB voice SIM on Docomo's network). This guide ranks Japan's most affordable plans by actual price and explains what you're getting—and giving up—at each price point.
Japan's Cheapest Mobile Plans Ranked (March 2026)
| Provider | Plan | Price | Data | Network | English Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIJmio | ギガプラン 2GB (voice SIM) | ¥850/mo | 2GB | Docomo | Limited |
| LINEMO | ベストプラン (0–3GB tier) | ¥990/mo | 0–3GB | SoftBank | Limited |
| Rakuten Mobile | Saikyo Plan (0–3GB tier) | ¥1,078/mo | 0–3GB | Rakuten | Full English |
| povo 2.0 | Base + 20GB topup (effective) | ~¥2,728/mo | 20GB/30 days | au | Limited |
| ahamo | Standard | ¥2,970/mo | 30GB | Docomo | None (Japanese only) |
Note: Prices are tax-included. povo's ¥0 base rate requires topup purchases for any data.
IIJmio: ¥850/Month — Japan's Cheapest Voice Plan
IIJmio's ギガプラン (GigaPlan) voice SIM starts at ¥850/month for 2GB on Docomo's network. This is the cheapest month-to-month voice+data plan available from a legitimate carrier in Japan as of March 2026.
Important distinction: IIJmio's ¥440/month data-only eSIM plan exists, but it has no voice calling capability. For a plan where you can make and receive calls, the minimum is ¥850/month for the 2GB voice SIM.
What you get for ¥850:
- 2GB of monthly data on Docomo's nationwide network
- Voice calls (charged at ¥11/30 seconds)
- SMS
- Monthly data rollover of unused data
The trade-off:
IIJmio is an MVNO—it shares bandwidth with other IIJmio customers. During peak hours (lunch 12:00–13:00, evening 19:00–21:00), speeds can slow noticeably compared to direct carrier plans like ahamo or povo. Off-peak hours are generally fast and comparable to direct carrier performance.
IIJmio higher-capacity plans:
- 5GB: ¥990/month
- 10GB: ¥1,500/month
- 15GB: ¥1,800/month
- 20GB: ¥2,000/month
LINEMO: ¥990/Month — SoftBank Network, LINE Data-Free
LINEMO's ベストプラン (Best Plan) automatically bills at ¥990/month when you use 3GB or less. It runs on SoftBank's network.
LINEMO's unique advantage — LINE GigaFree:
All LINE app usage (messages, voice calls, video calls, group chats, stickers) is completely data-free—it doesn't count toward your monthly data cap. If you're a heavy LINE user, your effective usable data is significantly higher than the nominal GB limit.
LINEMO pricing tiers (automatic):
- 0–3GB: ¥990/month
- 3–20GB: ¥2,090/month (Best Plan V)
- 30GB flat: ¥2,970/month (Best Plan V 30GB option)
LINEMO foreign credit cards:
Unlike ahamo which frequently rejects foreign cards, LINEMO is generally more accepting of Visa and Mastercard issued outside Japan. English signup is available for the online application.
Rakuten Mobile: ¥1,078/Month — Full English Support
Rakuten Mobile's Saikyo Plan starts at ¥1,078/month when you use 3GB or less. Unlike LINEMO and IIJmio, Rakuten Mobile offers comprehensive English support throughout the entire customer experience.
Why Rakuten stands out for foreigners:
- Full English website at network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/en/
- English-speaking customer service by phone (0800-805-0805, 9:00–17:00 JST)
- English signup process—no Japanese language skills required
- Foreign credit cards and Japanese credit cards both accepted
Rakuten Saikyo Plan tiers (automatic):
- 0–3GB: ¥1,078/month
- 3–20GB: ¥2,178/month
- 20GB+ (unlimited): ¥3,278/month
The trade-off:
Rakuten's network is newer and still building out. Rural coverage and indoor building penetration are weaker than Docomo or SoftBank networks, though the 700MHz platinum band (launched June 2024) has significantly improved indoor coverage. If you live or work primarily in major cities, coverage is generally reliable.
povo 2.0: ¥0 Base Rate — Pay Only When You Need Data
povo 2.0 has a unique pricing model: the base plan costs ¥0/month—literally nothing. However, the ¥0 base plan includes no data at all. To use mobile data, you must purchase "topup" packages:
povo data topups (examples):
- 3GB: ¥990 (valid 30 days)
- 20GB: ¥2,728 (valid 30 days)
- 60GB: ¥6,490 (valid 90 days)
- 150GB: ¥12,980 (valid 180 days)
- 24-hour unlimited: ¥330
When povo makes sense:
- You travel frequently and want a Japanese number when abroad but rarely use mobile data in Japan
- Your usage is extremely variable—some months heavy, some months near-zero
- You want a backup SIM for travel with au's strong nationwide coverage
The ¥0 catch:
If you don't use or purchase any topup for 180 days, povo may suspend or cancel your service. The ¥0 plan is genuine, but it requires occasional engagement to maintain.
Effective monthly cost comparison:
- Light user (3GB/month): ¥990 (similar to LINEMO)
- Regular user (20GB/month): ¥2,728 (competitive with ahamo for 2/3 the data)
ahamo: ¥2,970/Month — Best for Heavy Users and International Travelers
ahamo (Docomo's sub-brand) isn't the cheapest option, but at ¥2,970/month for 30GB on Docomo's premium network, it offers the best data-per-yen ratio among Japan's major budget carriers for users who need consistent 20GB+ per month.
ahamo's standout feature:
Free data roaming in 91 countries included in your monthly allowance (up to 30GB overseas). No topup required, no advance registration. For frequent international travelers, this feature alone can save thousands of yen per year compared to purchasing roaming packages separately.
When ahamo is worth the higher price:
- You use 20–30GB monthly consistently
- You travel internationally 2+ times per year
- You need Docomo's premium rural and indoor coverage
- You or someone who helps you can navigate Japanese (ahamo has no English support)
Cheapest Plans for Students in Japan
Students typically benefit most from plans with flexible pricing and low minimum costs. Here's what to consider:
Best for students on tight budgets: IIJmio (¥850/month, 2GB) or LINEMO (¥990/month, 3GB + LINE free). Both keep monthly costs under ¥1,000.
Best for students who need English support: Rakuten Mobile (¥1,078/month for light usage, full English) is the clear choice. International students who can't read Japanese should prioritize Rakuten's English support over the ¥88–¥228/month savings from IIJmio or LINEMO.
Best for students with variable data needs: Rakuten Mobile's automatic billing means light months cost only ¥1,078 while heavy months top out at ¥3,278 (unlimited). No need to choose a tier in advance.
Required documents for students: All carriers require a valid Residence Card (在留カード). Student visa holders with a card valid for more than 90 days can apply. Tourists and short-stay visitors cannot apply for Japanese mobile plans.
Summary: Which is Cheapest for Your Situation?
| Situation | Recommended | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Absolute minimum cost | IIJmio 2GB | ¥850 |
| Heavy LINE user | LINEMO | ¥990 |
| English support needed | Rakuten Mobile | ¥1,078 |
| Variable/unpredictable usage | povo 2.0 | ¥0–varies |
| Heavy data (20GB+) + international travel | ahamo | ¥2,970 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest mobile plan in Japan in 2026? As of March 2026, the cheapest voice + data plan is IIJmio's ギガプラン 2GB voice SIM at ¥850/month on Docomo's network. If you only need data (no calls), IIJmio's data-only eSIM starts at ¥440/month for 2GB. povo's ¥0 base plan technically costs nothing but provides no data without purchasing topups.
Which cheap Japan mobile plan has English support? Rakuten Mobile (¥1,078/month for 0–3GB) is the only budget carrier with comprehensive English support—English website, English customer service by phone, English signup process. LINEMO has English signup available but limited ongoing English support. IIJmio and ahamo are primarily Japanese-only.
Can I get a mobile plan in Japan without a Japanese credit card? Yes, with caveats. Rakuten Mobile is the most flexible—it accepts foreign Visa and Mastercard. LINEMO is generally more accepting of foreign cards than ahamo. ahamo frequently rejects foreign credit cards even from major networks and strongly recommends a Japanese card.
Is there a free mobile plan in Japan? povo's ¥0/month base plan is the only truly free option from a major carrier, but it provides no data. You pay only when you need data via topup purchases. There is no ongoing free tier with included monthly data at any major Japanese carrier as of 2026 (Rakuten Mobile discontinued its ¥0/month tier under the older UN-LIMIT VI plan).
How much data do I actually need? Light users (messaging, social media, maps, occasional streaming): 3–5GB/month. Moderate users (streaming video 30 min/day, regular social media): 10–20GB/month. Heavy users (frequent video streaming, mobile hotspot for laptop): 30GB+. Most people overestimate how much data they use when connected to WiFi at home and work.
Which Japan budget plan is best for short-term stays? None of Japan's mobile carriers offer prepaid month-to-month plans for tourists—all require a valid Residence Card. For short stays (under 90 days), consider Japan-specific tourist SIM cards or pocket WiFi rentals instead. For people staying longer than 90 days on a work or student visa, the plans in this guide are your options.