Mobile Phone / SIM Contract in Japan — Complete Guide
EN: To get a mobile phone number in Japan, you sign a contract with a carrier. There are major carriers (docomo, au, SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile, etc.) with physical stores, and budget SIM providers (格安SIM / MVNO) that are often cheaper and app/online-based. Your 在留カード (Residence Card) and remaining period of stay (在留期間) affect what you can sign up for, and your payment method (credit card vs other options) affects which plans are available to you. Exact requirements and prices are set individually by each carrier and change over time — always confirm on the carrier's official website or in-store before assuming.
やさしい日本語: 日本(にほん)で携帯電話(けいたいでんわ)の番号(ばんごう)を持(も)つには、 携帯電話会社(けいたいでんわがいしゃ)と契約(けいやく)します。ドコモ・au・ソフトバンク・楽天モバイルなどの 「大手キャリア(おおてキャリア)」(店舗(てんぽ)がある)と、「格安(かくやす)SIM」(アプリや ネットで申(もう)し込(こ)む、安(やす)いことが多(おお)い)があります。在留(ざいりゅう)カード や在留期間(ざいりゅうきかん)、支払(しはら)い方法(ほうほう)によって、契約(けいやく)できる プランが変(か)わることがあります。会社(かいしゃ)ごとに条件(じょうけん)が違(ちが)い、 変(か)わることもあるので、公式(こうしき)サイトや店舗(てんぽ)で必(かなら)ず確認(かくにん) してください。
Write EXACTLY as on your 在留カード (Residence Card), same order, same spelling. 例: NGUYEN VAN A
Katakana version of your name. Ask staff to help if unsure
Confirm which calendar format (西暦/和暦) the form wants
Should match your 住民票 (Certificate of Residence) or 在留カード address
Top right of the card: 2 letters + 8 numbers + 2 letters
Copy from Residence Card
Copy from Residence Card. Some carriers limit contract length or plan type based on how much time is left on your visa (for example, some carriers require a Japanese-issued credit card if your remaining period is under 90 days) — the exact threshold differs by carrier, so confirm with the specific carrier
例: クレジットカード (credit card) / 口座振替 (bank account auto-debit). Some plans require a Japanese credit card or bank account; which payment methods are accepted differs by carrier
Usually your 在留カード. A passport is legally a valid identity document under the law, but it has no address printed on it, so carriers that also need to confirm your address may ask for it alongside a supplementary document (e.g. 住民票, utility bill) or may prefer 在留カード as the primary ID for a resident contract — confirm with the specific carrier
Data amount, call minutes, contract length. Read carefully — some plans include a minimum contract period or device installment; terms differ by carrier and plan
Confirm your phone supports the SIM size or eSIM format before purchasing — check your phone's settings or manufacturer specs
Carriers use your Residence Card as your primary ID, and some plans or contract lengths may not be available if your remaining period of stay is short — for example, some carriers require payment by a Japanese-issued credit card if less than around 90 days remain on your visa. The exact minimum requirement is set by each carrier, so ask before applying.
Some carriers require a credit card (sometimes specifically a Japanese-issued one) or a Japanese bank account for automatic debit. If you don't have either yet, ask the carrier or store staff which plans accept prepaid or other payment methods — accepted payment methods differ by carrier (see also the D2 bank account guide — you may need to sort out a bank account first, or vice versa, depending on the carrier).
Budget SIM plans are often cheaper and can be signed up for online, but may have fewer physical stores for in-person support, and customer service may be limited to Japanese. Major carriers have more staffed stores, sometimes with multilingual support at certain locations, but plans can cost more. Compare based on your needs — neither is universally better, and the details of each plan should be checked on the carrier's official website.
Some plans lock you in for a set number of months, or bundle a phone on an installment plan. Read the contract terms about early cancellation before signing, since fees may apply — the specific terms are set by each carrier and plan, so check your own contract.
Confirm whether your phone needs a physical SIM (and which size: standard/micro/nano) or supports eSIM before you go to sign up, to avoid a wasted trip or extra fee for a replacement SIM.
If your address on file doesn't match your 在留カード or 住民票, some carriers may reject the application or ask for extra proof (utility bill, etc.). Update your address at the city/ward office first if you've recently moved. Exactly what extra proof is accepted differs by carrier.
*Provided free by Japan Paperwork. Not legal advice. For individual visa or contract questions, consult the specific carrier's official website/store staff, or a licensed 行政書士 (immigration specialist) for visa-related concerns. / 個別の契約条件・在留資格の相談は各キャリアの窓口、または行政書士(専門家)へ。*
ビザの ルールの へんこう、ぜいきんの しめきり、もらえる お金の おしらせが、まいしゅう とどきます。
よやくする(むりょう)おしえて ください。むりょうの ガイドを つくります。なまえは いりません。