Best Monthly SIM Card for Foreigners Living in Japan: Sakura Mobile vs IIJmio vs Rakuten Mobile Compared (2026)

By Elena · Published 2026-09-01 · Updated 2026-09-13 · How we check prices

This article contains affiliate links. We have an affiliate partnership with Sakura Mobile. We have no partnership with IIJmio or Rakuten Mobile. If you sign up through our Sakura Mobile link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and it does not affect what we recommend. Details

Switching to a monthly SIM in Japan as a foreign resident comes down to one question before price: can your current card pay the bill? Sakura Mobile explicitly accepts internationally issued cards; IIJmio requires a credit card but does not confirm whether overseas-issued cards work; Rakuten Mobile lists card payment with no mention of international cards. This guide compares monthly cost, cancellation terms, and application requirements — including rules found only in Japanese-language pages. All prices and policies verified from each carrier's official website, August 31, 2026.

How to Compare Monthly SIM Plans in Japan

This guide evaluates three plans against five criteria drawn from official contract terms — no speed tests, no user reviews:

1. Actual monthly cost — plan price plus initial fee, amortized across expected months of use
2. Minimum commitment and early-exit cost — when can you cancel, and what does leaving cost?
3. Cancellation-month billing — all three plans here charge a full month with no daily proration; the mechanism differs by carrier
4. Standard price after any promotional period — IIJmio's campaign pricing runs through November 4, 2026; the standard price after that date is not confirmed in this article
5. Application requirements — which ID is accepted, whether a Japan-issued credit card is required, and whether the entire application can be completed in English

If you just arrived in Japan without a bank account or a locally issued credit card, see Getting Online in Japan from Day One for options that work before those are in place.

Which Plan Fits Your Situation

The table below uses official contract terms only. ◎ = well matched, ○ = workable with a condition, △ = a confirmed limitation or an unconfirmed requirement.

Sources: Sakura Mobile payment page, IIJmio foreigner guide (iijmio.jp/hdc/visitors/en/), Rakuten Mobile identity verification page — all verified August 31, 2026.

What English-Language Comparisons Consistently Miss

All three carriers offer English web content, but their Japanese pages contain terms the English versions omit. Every comparison article reviewed for this piece used the English pages alone — which creates a gap between what you read before signing and what the contract says.

IIJmio: cancellation billing is not prorated

IIJmio's pricing page carries a Japanese-language footnote — absent from the English foreigner guide — stating that the monthly charge for the cancellation month runs through the end of that month regardless of when you submit the request.^iij-spec Cancel on the third day of a month and you pay for the full month. There is no daily proration. The minimum commitment period is the end of the calendar month in which service starts; the same no-proration rule applies to any later cancellation month.

Japan's Telecommunications Business Law provides an eight-day cooling-off period for voice SIM and voice eSIM contracts. IIJmio's Japanese-language cancellation page details what it waives and what it does not.^iij-cancel Waived: the cancellation adjustment fee and the SIM issuance fee. Not waived: the initial package fee (¥3,300 tax inclusive), the monthly service charge for the period used, and voice call charges. Cooling-off does not make the first month free.

Rakuten Mobile: identity verification rules differ for foreign nationals

Rakuten Mobile's identity verification page is in Japanese only — no English translation exists.^raku-verify It states that foreign nationals require different identity documents and cannot use postal delivery for verification. In Japan, receiving a registered letter at your address is a standard way to confirm a new mobile contract; Rakuten Mobile does not offer this to foreign nationals. Verification must be done via smartphone NFC or in person at a Rakuten Mobile Shop.

A further restriction applies from 2026: if your residence card was issued on or after June 14, 2026 and is of a specific card type, smartphone NFC verification is also unavailable. In-store application is the only option.

Rakuten Mobile: phone support is in Japanese only

Rakuten Mobile's website has a language switch covering English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese, but phone support is in Japanese only.^raku-flow A separate notice adds that certain features and messages, including customer service, may not be available in the selected language.^raku-proc

Sakura Mobile: cancellation timing and the final bill

Sakura Mobile's English FAQ covers the cancellation rules directly.^sm-cancel Cancel by the 25th and service ends at the end of that month; cancel on the 26th or later and the contract runs through the end of the following month. Either way, the final month is billed in full — no proration. Because Sakura Mobile is postpaid, the final invoice arrives the month after service ends.

Signing up without a Japanese credit card

Most foreign residents arriving with a new residence card do not yet hold a Japanese bank account or a Japan-issued credit card.

Sakura Mobile explicitly confirms acceptance of internationally issued cards: "most credit and debit cards, including international ones."^sm-payment

IIJmio requires a credit card and provides no alternative payment method. Whether cards issued outside Japan are accepted is not stated on any official page.^iij-en

Rakuten Mobile also accepts bank transfer and certain debit cards.^raku-pay Bank transfer requires a Japanese bank account; the debit card option covers Rakuten Bank debit and select domestically issued cards. Whether internationally issued cards are accepted is not confirmed.

Rakuten Mobile: cancellation fee and cooling-off

Rakuten Mobile's cancellation terms appear on Japanese-language pages with no English equivalent.^{raku-commission} Canceling within one year of the line activation date incurs an administrative fee of up to ¥1,078 (tax inclusive); after the one-year mark, no fee applies.

The cancellation month is billed by actual data use that month, at standard tiered rates, with no daily proration.^{raku-cancel-guide}

Japan's cooling-off period applies: eight days from the contract start date (day one), written application required. Cooling-off waives the administrative fee but not usage charges or device costs incurred before the cancellation date.^raku-ict

Sakura Mobile Monthly SIM

Sakura Mobile was built for international residents in Japan. The contract is written in English — the terms of service state that "The original version of this Agreement is in the English language" — and the application process, pricing pages, and customer support are all conducted in English.^{sm-termssm-monthly} The network uses NTT Docomo's 5G and 4G infrastructure.^sm-price

Pricing

All prices are tax inclusive. Verified August 31, 2026.^sm-price

Voice + Data plans (SIM or eSIM)

Sources: sakuramobile.jp/monthly/price/. Checked 2026-08-31.

Data-only plans (SIM or eSIM)

Sources: sakuramobile.jp/monthly/price/. Checked 2026-08-31.

Plans above 30 GB are listed on the pricing page but were not confirmed for this article. The activation fee is ¥5,500 (tax inclusive) for all plans.^sm-price Students can save ¥1,100 using the coupon code "studentdiscount" at checkout.^sm-price

Domestic calls on Voice+Data plans: ¥16.5 per 30 seconds. International calls start at ¥34.1 per 30 seconds, or ¥16.5 per 30 seconds via the Sakura Dial prefix (0077-502-010).^sm-price All plans include tethering and data rollover.^sm-monthly

Payment and identity documents

Credit cards accepted include Visa, Mastercard, Discover, JCB, American Express, and Diners Club — including cards issued outside Japan — and no Japanese bank account is required.^sm-payment The cash alternative is Smart Pit (Lawson, FamilyMart, or MiniStop, payable 1st–10th of each month), which requires a ¥20,000 deposit for Voice+Data plans.^sm-payment Overdue Smart Pit payments incur a ¥500 late fee.^sm-payment

Accepted identity documents: passport, residence card, special permanent resident certificate, Japanese driver's license, My Number Card, health insurance card, or a utility bill combined with a passport.^sm-id The name on your document must match your application; the document must be valid with a legible photo.

How to apply

1. Open sakuramobile.jp (affiliate link — opens the Sakura Mobile home page; monthly SIM plans are in the top navigation).
2. Select Voice+Data or Data-only, then choose a data tier.
3. Choose eSIM (QR code by email, usable almost immediately) or physical SIM (available for same-day pickup at the office or airport if arranged in advance; delivery times within Japan are not stated on the official page).^sm-pickup
4. Upload your identity document.
5. Enter your payment details.

Pickup at affiliated offices on certain US military installations requires completing the application at least three days before collection.^sm-pickup

Who Sakura Mobile monthly SIM suits

Foreign residents who want an English application, English contract terms, and English customer support. Those paying with a card issued outside Japan — Sakura Mobile explicitly confirms acceptance of international cards. Students who qualify for the ¥1,100 activation fee discount.

Who should skip Sakura Mobile

Residents focused on monthly cost: the lowest Voice+Data plan starts at ¥3,278, while IIJmio offers voice plans from ¥850. Those who call Japanese numbers frequently: per-call billing at ¥16.5 per 30 seconds adds up where Rakuten Mobile's Rakuten Link covers domestic calls at no extra charge. Those prioritizing large data at the lowest price: IIJmio's Data eSIM rates are lower.

IIJmio Gigaplan

IIJmio is one of Japan's largest MVNOs. The Gigaplan is the only plan among these three that lets you choose between two backbone networks: Type D (NTT Docomo) and Type A (au). Both cost the same monthly, but Type D supports data-only eSIM as a standalone option while Type A does not.^iij-spec

Pricing

Campaign prices, valid through November 4, 2026. All prices tax inclusive. Verified August 31, 2026.^iij-spec

Voice SIM — campaign pricing (single line)

Sources: iijmio.jp/hdc/spec/. Checked 2026-08-31.

Adding a second line under the same mioID reduces the monthly fee by ¥100 per line.^iij-spec The 5 GB plan includes an additional campaign discount of up to ¥400 per month for up to three months. The 25 GB plan includes a discount of up to ¥1,100 per month for up to six months, with data increased to 30 GB during the discount period.^iij-spec

Data eSIM (Type D / NTT Docomo only) — standard pricing

Sources: iijmio.jp/hdc/spec/. Checked 2026-08-31.

Additional data eSIM tiers (35 GB, 45 GB, 55 GB) are listed on the official page but omitted here for length; consult iijmio.jp/hdc/spec/ directly.^iij-spec

The initial signup fee is ¥3,300 (tax inclusive). During the campaign period, the data eSIM initial fee is halved.^iij-spec The cancellation adjustment fee is ¥0.^iij-spec First-month billing is prorated from the activation date.^iij-spec

Application requirements

A Japanese residence address and Japanese contact phone number are required. Payment must be by credit card in the applicant's name; whether foreign-issued cards are accepted is not confirmed on the official page.^iij-en Applicants under 18 cannot open a voice SIM or voice eSIM account.^iij-spec

The application and terms are in Japanese only — the English foreigner page acknowledges this directly: "Terms and Conditions of IIJmio's Services (only in Japanese)."^iij-en Customer support is available in English via @IIJmio on X, but the signup process cannot be completed in English.

Who should skip IIJmio

Residents who need an English-language application or English phone support. Anyone relying on a foreign-issued credit card (unconfirmed whether it works). Applicants under 18 for voice plans. Residents who need to cancel and expect a prorated final-month bill — the full month is charged regardless of when you cancel. Anyone who wants a data-only eSIM on the au network — data eSIM is Type D (docomo) only.

Rakuten Mobile Saikyo Plan

Rakuten Mobile runs its own proprietary network rather than leasing capacity from a larger carrier.

Pricing

All prices are tax inclusive. Verified August 31, 2026.^raku-plan

Sources: network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/fee/saikyo-plan/. Checked 2026-08-31.

The contract fee is ¥0 for the first four lines; ¥3,850 (tax inclusive) from the fifth.^raku-plan Cancellation terms, including the early-termination fee, are detailed in the "What English-Language Comparisons Consistently Miss" section above.

Domestic calls are unlimited through the Rakuten Link app at no extra charge.^raku-plan Calls through the standard phone dialer cost ¥22 per 30 seconds.^raku-plan 0570 numbers — used by many businesses, government offices, and hospitals — are not covered by Rakuten Link and incur per-minute charges.^raku-plan International roaming includes 2 GB per month across more than 100 countries.^raku-plan

Payment options include credit card, debit card, bank transfer, Rakuten Points, and Rakuten Pay balance.^raku-pay Whether foreign-issued cards are accepted is not confirmed on the official page.

Who should skip Rakuten Mobile

Foreign nationals whose residence card was issued on or after June 14, 2026 (specific type): online application is unavailable; in-store only. All foreign nationals: postal delivery is not available for verification; NFC or in-store only. Residents who need English customer service: phone support is Japanese only, and not all features are available in translated pages. Residents who call 0570 or similar numbers frequently: those calls fall outside Rakuten Link and are billed at ¥22 per 30 seconds. Residents who have neither a Japanese bank account nor a domestically issued credit card: bank transfer requires a local account, and whether internationally issued cards are accepted is unconfirmed.

Japan Monthly SIM Comparison at a Glance

Prices and information verified August 31, 2026. Check each carrier's official site before applying, as prices and campaign conditions may change.

Sources: sakuramobile.jp/monthly/price/, sakuramobile.jp/info/payment/, iijmio.jp/hdc/spec/, network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/fee/saikyo-plan/, network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/guide/verify/, network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/guide/commission/. Checked 2026-08-31.

12-Month Cost at the Same Data Tier

The table projects costs for one year using a 5 GB voice plan. IIJmio's campaign price is used throughout; this campaign is valid through November 4, 2026, and the standard price after that date is not confirmed. Rakuten Mobile assumes data use stays under 3 GB every month, which is not guaranteed.

Sources: sakuramobile.jp/monthly/price/, iijmio.jp/hdc/spec/, network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/fee/saikyo-plan/, network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/guide/commission/. Checked 2026-08-31.

IIJmio prorates the first month from the activation date; the table uses 12 full months for consistency. Sakura Mobile first-month proration is not confirmed on official pages. Rakuten Mobile final-month billing is by data-use tier, not daily proration.

Which Plan: Decision Tree

Do you have a credit card that can pay the monthly bill?
├─ NO
│   └─ Sakura Mobile — Smart Pit cash option available
│      (Lawson / FamilyMart / MiniStop; ¥20,000 deposit required for voice plans)
└─ YES
    └─ Is your card issued in Japan?
        ├─ NO (internationally issued card)
        │   └─ Sakura Mobile — the only carrier here confirmed to accept
        │      international cards
        └─ YES
            └─ Do you need the application, contract, and support in English?
                ├─ YES → Sakura Mobile
                └─ NO
                    └─ Is the lowest possible monthly price the priority?
                        ├─ YES → IIJmio Gigaplan
                        │        (¥950 / 5 GB, campaign through Nov 4, 2026;
                        │         Japanese application required)
                        └─ NO
                            └─ Does your data use vary month to month, or do you
                               call domestic numbers frequently?
                                ├─ YES → Rakuten Mobile
                                │        (tiered ¥1,078–¥3,278; unlimited domestic
                                │         calls via Rakuten Link; 0570 excluded)
                                └─ NO  → IIJmio Gigaplan
                                         (fixed monthly cost; docomo or au
                                         network choice)

Next Step: Confirm the Current Terms

Before signing up, verify the plan's prices and conditions on the carrier's official page — both may have changed since this was written.

If Sakura Mobile fits, confirm document requirements, choose between eSIM and physical SIM, and check residence card eligibility on their monthly SIM page. Check Sakura Mobile monthly SIM plans (affiliate link — opens the Sakura Mobile home page; monthly SIM plans are in the top navigation).

We have no affiliate partnership with IIJmio or Rakuten Mobile. Their relevant pages: IIJmio foreigner guide and Rakuten Mobile Saikyo Plan page.

Once your mobile SIM is in place, home internet is the next decision for most residents. Home Internet in Japan for Foreigners covers fixed-line options available to foreign residents, including document and credit history requirements.