Mobile Plan Comparison FAQ

Question 1

What is the cheapest phone plan in Japan?

Accepted Answer

Rakuten Mobile offers the cheapest option at ¥0-3,278 per month based on your usage. If you use 0-3GB, you pay only ¥1,078/month (¥968 with Family Program discount). For unlimited data, it's ¥3,278/month (¥3,168 with Family Program). This pay-as-you-go structure makes it ideal for light users who want low bills, while heavy users get unlimited data cheaper than most competitors.

Question 2

Which carrier has the best coverage in Japan?

Accepted Answer

NTT Docomo has the best coverage in Japan with 99%+ population coverage nationwide, including superior indoor and rural penetration. Their ahamo sub-brand inherits this network quality at ¥2,970/month for 30GB. Rakuten Mobile now reaches ~99.9% 4G LTE population coverage through its own network plus au partner roaming, with the 700 MHz platinum band (launched June 2024) significantly improving indoor and rural reception.

Question 3

Can foreigners get a phone plan in Japan?

Accepted Answer

Yes, foreigners can get phone plans in Japan. You'll need: (1) Valid residence card or passport with valid visa, (2) Japanese address proof, (3) Payment method (Japanese credit card, bank account, or in some cases foreign credit cards). Rakuten Mobile and ahamo both offer English support and foreigner-friendly signup processes with online eKYC identity verification. Tourist SIMs are available for short stays, but long-term plans require a residence card.

Question 4

Do I need a Japanese credit card for mobile plans?

Accepted Answer

Not always. Rakuten Mobile accepts some foreign credit cards and offers bank account payment options. ahamo (Docomo) requires a Japanese credit card or bank account. povo and LINEMO have English websites but typically require Japanese payment methods for sign-up. Some MVNOs and prepaid options accept foreign cards. It's best to check each carrier's specific requirements, but having a Japanese bank account significantly expands your options.

Question 5

What is ahamo and how is it different?

Accepted Answer

ahamo is NTT Docomo's online-only sub-brand offering 30GB + 5-minute free calls for ¥2,970/month with no contract period. Key differences: (1) Uses Docomo's premium network (best coverage in Japan), (2) Includes free international roaming in 91 countries/regions, (3) Online-only support (in-store help costs ¥3,300), (4) Simple single-plan structure vs Rakuten's usage-based tiers. It's ideal for users who prioritize coverage reliability and international travel over price flexibility.

Carrier	Plan	Price/mo	Data	Speed	Contract
Rakuten Mobile	Rakuten SAIKYO Plan	¥3,278	Unlimited	Up to 1Gbps	No contract
Rakuten Mobile	Rakuten SAIKYO Plan	¥1,078	3GB	Up to 1Gbps	No contract
Rakuten Mobile	Rakuten SAIKYO Plan	¥2,178	20GB	Up to 1Gbps	No contract
Rakuten Mobile	Rakuten SAIKYO U-NEXT	¥4,378	Unlimited	Up to 1Gbps	No contract
NTT Docomo	ahamo	¥2,970	30GB	Up to 1Gbps	No contract
NTT Docomo	ahamo 110GB	¥4,950	110GB	Up to 1Gbps	No contract
SoftBank	LINEMO Best Plan	¥990	3GB	Up to 1Gbps	No contract
SoftBank	LINEMO Best Plan	¥2,090	10GB	Up to 1Gbps	No contract
SoftBank	LINEMO Best Plan V	¥2,970	30GB	Up to 1Gbps	No contract
au	povo 2.0	¥0	Pay per use	Up to 1Gbps	No contract

Rakuten SAIKYO Plan vs Docomo ahamo, au povo & SoftBank LINEMO

All plans compared