2026 Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of Japan's most popular mobile plans. Find out which SIM card is right for you.
All plans below are postpaid (monthly) plans available to foreign residents in Japan with a residence card. Prices are in Japanese Yen (tax included).
| Rakuten Mobile Our Pick | ahamo | LINEMO | povo 2.0 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network | Rakuten / au | NTT docomo | SoftBank | au (KDDI) |
| Monthly Price | ¥1,078 (~3 GB) ¥2,178 (3~20 GB) ¥3,278 (20 GB~) |
¥2,970 (30 GB) ¥4,950 (110 GB) |
¥990 (~3 GB) ¥2,090 (3~10 GB) |
¥990 (3 GB/30 days) Pay-as-you-go toppings |
| Unlimited Data | ✓ ¥3,278/mo | ✗ Max 110 GB | ✗ Max 10 GB | ● 24hr pass ¥330 |
| Domestic Calls | ✓ Unlimited free (via Rakuten Link app) |
5 min/call free then ¥22/30sec |
¥22/30sec (paid add-on available) |
¥22/30sec (paid add-on available) |
| Overseas Roaming | ✓ 2 GB free 100+ countries |
✓ 30 GB included 91 countries, 15 days |
● Available (paid) | ✗ Limited |
| eSIM | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Contract / Cancellation Fee | ✓ None | ✓ None | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| English Support | ✓ Website & app | ✗ Japanese only | ✗ Japanese only | ● Partial |
| Physical Shops | ✓ Nationwide | ✗ Online only | ✗ Online only | ✗ Online only |
| Sign-up Bonus | ✓ Rakuten Points (via referral) |
● dPoints (campaigns) | ● PayPay points (campaigns) | ✗ |
| Best For | Overall best for newcomers | Heavy data users who speak Japanese |
Light users who mainly use LINE |
Tech-savvy users who want flexibility |
The best choice for newcomers to Japan. It's the only carrier with English support, physical shops where you can get help, unlimited free calls, and unlimited data at a reasonable price. Auto-adjusting pricing means you never overpay. Plus, earn Rakuten Points when you sign up via referral.
If you travel internationally often, ahamo's 30 GB overseas roaming (91 countries, 15 days) is unbeatable. But the website and support are Japanese only, and there are no physical shops. The ¥2,970 plan with 30 GB is solid value if you don't need unlimited.
At ¥990 for 3 GB, LINEMO is the cheapest option. LINE data is free (doesn't count toward your limit), which is great since everyone in Japan uses LINE. But no English support, max 10 GB, and calls cost extra.
A unique pay-as-you-go model where you buy "toppings" as needed. Great if your usage varies a lot. The base plan is ¥0/month (with 128kbps speed). But it's complex to manage, mostly in Japanese, and has no physical shops.
Yes. All four carriers have no cancellation fees and no minimum contracts. You can switch anytime by applying for MNP (Mobile Number Portability) to keep your phone number.
All four use Japan's major networks (docomo, au/KDDI, SoftBank) which cover 99%+ of the population. In rural areas, docomo (ahamo) and au (Rakuten/povo) tend to have a slight edge. Rakuten's own network is still expanding but falls back to au's network.
Yes — you need one for banking, utilities, apartment contracts, and daily life in Japan. All four carriers provide a Japanese number (080/090/070).
Most unlocked smartphones (iPhone, Samsung, Pixel, etc.) work with all four carriers. If your phone supports eSIM, you can activate within minutes without a physical SIM card.
Sign up through my referral link and earn bonus Rakuten Points (楽天ポイント)!
Sign Up with Referral Link →Prices and plan details were last updated in March 2026. Plans may change — always verify on each carrier's official website before signing up.
This comparison is intended to help newcomers to Japan choose a mobile plan and is not affiliated with any carrier.