How To Get A Custom Phone Number In Japan

If you're moving to Tokyo or another role of Japan, you'll desire to get a Japanese mobile telephone number fix as before long as possible—preferably before yous make it, for maximum ease of adulting here. Y'all'll need a Japanese phone number to fix a bank account, sign a charter and sort out many of the other essentials.

man with phone on japanese train — Photo by iStock.com/RichLegg

The easiest way to get a Japanese phone number is to order a SIM card online—which you can exercise from away, and in English language, too. Two providers nosotros similar are Mobal, who donate the majority of their profits to charity, and Sakura Mobile. They both offer phonation and data plans, every bit well every bit data-only plans. They also have portable wifi plans for winning at tEh internets.

If you're setting up a Japanese mobile number, y'all'll probably need to get a vocalism and data SIM, or you won't be able to make or receive any calls except via VoIP services (e.k. WhatsApp or LINE calls), which often don't count when you need to put a Japanese telephone number down on documents.

Though it may work out a fleck cheaper to set upwardly a Japanese phone number when you're here, it generally takes a lot more fourth dimension, is a more than complicated process, and requires fluency in Japanese. So we recommend going the online route, at to the lowest degree initially, anyway. You tin can always switch to a unlike provider subsequently. Discover out how to port (keep) your number when switching, in our guide to long-term SIMs in Japan.

japan sim card — Photo by iStock.com/martin-dm

In terms of the actual handset, y'all tin bring your own cell phone (as long as information technology'south unlocked), which we assume most folks would do, or—if you're in the market for something new—purchase an iPhone at one of the Apple stores in Nihon, or another type of phone at i of the cellular stores (more than on these below) or electronic stores (like Bic Photographic camera or Yodobashi Camera).

How to go a Japanese phone number before you motility to Japan

If you're going to be working in Japan, your employer may aid with the set-up of a Japanese mobile number, simply if y'all need to take care of it yourself, ordering a SIM card online before arriving is quick and simple.

Getting a Japanese jail cell phone number online

Mobal

One of the easiest (and most popular) options is a voice and data SIM from Mobal. The order procedure is very straightforward, and they have great English language support. You lot can take your SIM carte du jour shipped (for free) to yous, and then that you lot can be connected pretty much as soon every bit y'all land in Japan (you will just need to complete the set-up process once you arrive).

Fast data is fixed at 1GB, 5GB, 10GB or 30GB, though you won't e'er be without data—speeds will simply boring down (to around 200kbps) after your monthly cap has been reached. In that location are no circuitous contracts, which is a concern with many of the Japanese providers, and you can change your plan on a monthly basis. Your Japanese cell phone number volition utilise the SoftBank network (one of the major cellular providers in Japan—formerly Vodafone), and yous can brand and receive calls, send and receive texts, and use data, of form.

Rates go from ¥ 1,480 to ¥ 4,380 per month depending on the plan you choose, with a in one case-off SIM fee of ¥ three,000 . Domestic call rates are 39 yen/minute. Incoming calls are gratis.

Billing options include debit card, credit menu and PayPal, as well as convenience store payment. You lot will need a credit card to complete the initial gild online. Read more about Mobal plans.

Sakura Mobile

Some other well-known name in the Japanese mobile game, Sakura Mobile offers two voice and data plans, both of which use the NTT DoCoMo network. The cheaper option is their Light Plan, which provides 4GB of data for ¥ three,278 /month, and there is besides a Premium Plan, offering 25GB of data for ¥ 4,378 /month.

The sign-up procedure is simple, and payments can be fabricated by credit or debit card, or in cash at the convenience store. At that place is a contract activation fee of ¥ 16,500 , simply this is oft reduced to ¥ 5,500 . Domestic call rates are 22 yen/xxx seconds (then, 44 yen/minute). You can cancel your contract for free, at any time, and there is full English-language support. Read more about Sakura Mobile plans.

woman with phone in hand — Photograph by iStock.com/MStudioImages

How to get a Japanese telephone number after moving to Japan

If y'all determine to await until later on you lot've arrived in Japan to sort out your mobile number, you tin can all the same club one online, or you can go into a cell phone store in person and gear up it upwardly there.

Getting a Japanese mobile phone number online

Merely follow the steps above, and get that SIM delivered. Again, we recommend this option, every bit information technology'southward the less stressful of the two.

Getting a Japanese phone number at a store

Walking around outside big railroad train stations (recall Shinjuku, Tokyo, Ikebukuro, Shinagawa and the like) or through shopping areas will have you lot past a number of different prison cell phone stores. The big names in the mobile game here are SoftBank, DoCoMo and au by KDDI. You can apply for a contract with them directly in store, though it's worth noting that not all stores will have an English-speaking staff member, and that both the requirements and contracts can be quite complex.

For example, you lot might exist signed upwards for a minimum of two years, with a hefty cancellation fee congenital into your contract, and you may have to show proof of a Japanese depository financial institution account, employment contract and your visa to authorize for a Japanese cell phone number. If you apply for a jail cell phone contract through i of the Japanese MVNOs that piggyback on these large mobile players, like IIJMio or Nuro Mobile, you volition likely nonetheless have to spring through the same hoops.

If this is something you want to do, it'southward recommended y'all set aside a 24-hour interval for information technology and ask a fluent Japanese speaker to accompany you lot, if you're not super skilled in the local lingo.

Looking to gear up internet in Nippon? See our guide to choosing an net service provider.

While we practice our best to ensure it's right, information is field of study to change. This post was outset published in March, 2020. Final updated in July, 2021.

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