Japan Phone GuideMobile phones in Japan, made simple.
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Japan Phone Guide

Mobile phones in Japan, made simple.

A personal information site about getting a mobile phone in Japan — written and kept up by one individual, not a company. How to buy a phone, sign a contract, read plans and fees, prepare documents, and know where you can actually get help if something goes wrong.

Start the 4-question checkLearn more
You
Choose a carrier
Choose a plan
Prepare documents
Sign the contract
Activate the SIM
Start using your phone
The path is the same whether you go in-store or online — only who does each step changes.

What do you want to know?

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Browse by topic

Ten areas cover almost every question people bring to a phone shop.

Buy a PhoneMobile ContractsRequired DocumentsPlans & FeesMNP & Changing PhonesMobile DictionaryCampaigns & DiscountsSIM & eSIMOnline-only PlansStore Support
Tools

Which procedure do you need?

New contract, MNP, device upgrade, SIM change or plan change — answer a few yes / no questions.

Start the 4-question checkIs an online-focused plan right for you?
Guides

How to get a mobile phone in Japan

  1. 1
    Choose a carrier
    DOCOMO, au, SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile, a sub-brand, an online-focused plan, or a low-cost SIM.
  2. 2
    Choose how you want to apply
    In a shop, or online. This choice affects the help you can get later.
  3. 3
    Choose a phone or SIM
    Buy a device, or bring your own and take a SIM / eSIM only.
  4. 4
    Choose a plan
    Data allowance, calling, and any options.
  5. 5
    Prepare documents
    Residence card and a payment method are the core. The exact list depends on the carrier.
  6. 6
    Identity verification
    At a counter, or by eKYC (photographing your ID and face) if you apply online.
  7. 7
    Payment setup
    Credit / debit card or bank direct debit. Installments need a check.
  8. 8
    Sign / confirm the contract
    Read the plan name, the options added, and the monthly total before you agree.
  9. 9
    Activate the SIM
    Insert the SIM or download the eSIM, then complete activation.
  10. 10
    Start using your phone
    Test calls and data. Save your account details and support contacts.
Read guide
Store Support

In-store or online? They are not the same

In Japan the way you apply changes what help you can get later. This is the single most important thing to understand.

Store contract

  • Staff can explain the plan in person
  • Documents can be checked with staff
  • You can ask questions as you go
  • Some services may have a store fee
  • Not every plan can be fully handled in-store

Online contract

  • Apply using a website or app
  • You upload / scan your own documents
  • You complete identity verification yourself (eKYC)
  • SIM is shipped, or an eSIM is activated digitally
  • Support may be online only
  • Some low-cost plans are designed only for online procedures
Store Support Explained
Price is not the whole story

A cheaper plan can cost you more time and stress if you cannot get help in a language you understand. Every plan page shows a Support Level — not just a price.

Online-only / Online-focused Plans
Guides

Popular guides

01Current carrier plans and call options02Bills, payment dates and overdue charges03Japanese phone numbers and short codes04How to buy a smartphone in Japan05What do I need for a mobile contract?06What is MNP?07What is an online-only mobile plan?08Can I get support at a phone shop?09How does ahamo support work?10How does povo support work?11SIM vs eSIM12Can foreigners buy phones in installments?13How Japanese mobile plans work14How phone discounts work15What happens at a Japanese phone shop?
Japan Phone Guide

A personal information site about mobile phones in Japan — made and kept up by one person, not a company or a carrier. It does not sell contracts.

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A personal information site, run by one individual. Not a company, not a carrier, and not affiliated with any of them.

The information here is shared in good faith but may be incomplete, out of date or wrong. Use it at your own risk: no responsibility or compensation is accepted for any loss, cost or disadvantage arising from this content or from anything done based on it. Always confirm with the official source — and, where it matters, a qualified professional — before you decide.

Plan names, prices and conditions were checked against the linked official sources as of 2026-08-29 (JST). Terms can change; confirm the official page before applying.

NTT DOCOMO, au, KDDI, SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile, ahamo, povo, LINEMO, UQ mobile, Y!mobile, and other carrier, brand and plan names are trademarks of their respective owners. Netflix, Disney+, DAZN, Amazon, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Hulu, Lemino, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube and other service names are trademarks of their respective owners. This is a personal site, not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any of them, and uses these names only to describe the services factually.

© 2026 Japan Phone Guide. Official source: 総務省 / MIC.