Before you sign up
Four things that decide which providers are open to you at all.
- Not every carrier accepts a residence card
Only 22 of the 27 carriers we checked state on their own site that they accept residence-card applicants. The rest are listed separately, never ranked.
- Payment decides more than price
9 of the 27 carriers confirm at least one way to pay without a Japanese credit card (debit, bank transfer or convenience store).
- Validity can start before you land
Some eSIM plans start counting when you install the profile, others on first connection in Japan. Refund rules differ the same way, so check both before buying.
- eSIM only works on some phones
If your phone is carrier-locked or has no eSIM support, a physical SIM is the only option. Check your device first, then pick the plan.
How we rank
- Official prices only
Every number traces back to the provider's own page, not a third-party summary, with the date we checked it.
- Ranked by total cost
For tourists, the full eSIM package price for your trip. For residents, the effective monthly cost including setup fees.
- Partnerships never move the ranking
Whether we have an affiliate link with a provider has no effect on where it appears. Prices are in yen, tax included.
What these pages answer
Each page answers one question with the data behind it.
Frequently asked questions
What is Japan SIM Navi?
It's the English section of SIM実額ナビ (SIM Navi), a Japan-based site that compares mobile data options by their real, all-in cost rather than the advertised headline price. This section covers two different needs: short-term eSIM for tourists, and monthly SIM plans for residents of Japan.
Is this page affiliated with any carrier or eSIM brand?
No single provider is favored. Some links on this site are affiliate links, and we disclose that on every page, but whether a link is an affiliate link never changes where a plan is ranked — ranking is always by calculated cost alone.
Are the prices accurate?
Every price shown is checked against the provider's own official page, with a link to that source and the date we checked it. Carriers change prices and promotions often, so always confirm the current terms on the official site before signing up.
I'm a tourist — which section should I read?
Go to Visiting Japan (eSIM for tourists). It ranks short-term data eSIMs by real cost for your trip length and daily data use, with no Japanese phone number or residence required.
I live in Japan on a visa — which section should I read?
Go to Living in Japan (SIM for residents). It only ranks carriers that explicitly state, on their own official site, that they accept applicants using a residence card — never a guess.
Choose by provider
Logos open the provider's own site.
