8 Brands “Low-Budget SIM Card” Comparison for Long-Term Residents in Japan
The feature of Rakuten Mobile is simple pricing. There is only a single plan, and it is charged by the monthly data volume you use. For example, if you use only 1GB a month, the charge is 980 yen. If you use 20GB in a month, it will be charged 1,980 yen.
Also, the call charge will be free if you make a call using Rakuten Mobile’s exclusive calling app, “Rakuten Link.” * Excludes calls to/from overseas.
Ahamo is a data communicatione-only plan from NTT docomo.
The feature is that the communication runs relatively fast even when communication is restricted due to data over-usage. If the capacity limit of 20GB is exceeded, communication will be restricted, and the speed will be limited to 1Mbps. However, if you browse the site, use SNS such as LINE, Instagram, music apps, and watch videos (medium image quality), you can still use it comfortably.
In addition, overseas roaming is also possible. (Data limit is within the same 20GB plan) When you return to your home country temporarily, you can use the communication without paying a separate fee. A smartphone connected to the internet is necessary worldwide and could also be essential for your life in Japan.
If you are staying for a long time in Japan, a monthly payment contract is helpful,
A low-budget economical communication service called “Kakuyasu SIM” (“Kakuyasu” meaning cheap or low-cost) is our recommendation.
In recent years, the competition for “Kakuyasu SIMs” has intensified in Japan, and telecommunications companies are launching various new services.
Let’s look for 8 different services comparing which one could be your choice.
Kakuyasu SIM
The most significant benefit of “Kakiyasu SIMs” is its low-budget plan. “NTT docomo, au, Softbank,” which is called the 3 major telecommunication carrier in Japan, provides generous support but has the disadvantage of high usage fees. “Kakuyasu SIMs” offers low-priced services by renting a major carrier’s network line to reduce initial investment and providing only the minimum necessary support.
According to a survey conducted in September 2021, the average usage amount (including call charges) of NTT docomo, au, and Softbank users was 8,471 yen. On the other hand, the Data communication-only plan for the “Kakuyasu SIMs” was 6,365 yen, the sub-brand was 4,673 yen, and the other MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) was 3,841 yen. You can see that services from the “Kakuyasu SIMs” categories are considerably cheaper than the three major carriers.
However, there are about 600 companies that offer “Kakuyasu SIMs” in Japan.
For those who do not know which service to use, we will introduce 8 “Kakuyasu SIM” brands that have a large share of communication usage in Japan.
Reference
Popular “Kakuyasu SIMs”
Data Communication-Only Plan
The “data communication-only plan” is a complete online plan offered by a major carrier.
In addition, since it uses the same network line as major carriers, it has relatively good communication quality and stability. Since there are no retail stores, you must go through all procedures and support online.
1. Ahamo
Ahamo is a data communicatione-only plan from NTT docomo. The feature is that the communication runs relatively fast even when communication is restricted due to data over-usage. If the capacity limit of 20GB is exceeded, communication will be restricted, and the speed will be limited to 1Mbps. However, if you browse the site, use SNS such as LINE, Instagram, music apps, and watch videos (medium image quality), you can still use it comfortably.
In addition, overseas roaming is also possible. (Data limit is within the same 20GB plan) When you return to your home country temporarily, you can use the communication without paying a separate fee.
LINEMO (pronounces like “la-in-mo” in Japanese) is a data communication-only plan from Softbank.
Since they are in the same business group, LINEMO has a high affinity with the LINE app. If you use LINE chat or LINE phone communication, the data capacity is not consumed, so you can use the LINE app unlimitedly without concerning the data limit.
They also often carry out commercial campaigns such as “Cashback by PayPay” or “6 months free usage for LINE MUSIC”.
Service
3. povo
POVO is the data communication-only plan service provided by au.
POVO’s feature is that you can turn on / off an option called “Toppings” according to your usage.
For example, if you have a day when you plan to use a lot of data, add toppings with unlimited data communication turned on for 24 hours. If you plan a specific month to make a call frequently, add toppings for an unlimited call option within 5 minutes/call
Service
Sub-brands
Sub-brands are low-priced communication services provided by affiliated companies of major carriers. Since it uses the same network as major carriers, the quality of communication is relatively high quality and stable.
4. Y!mobile
Y!mobile is a sub-brand of Softbank.
Y!mobile discount is applied when you are already contracting either Softbank Hikari or Softbank Air internet service at home. There are not many “Kakuyasu SIMs” that offer discounts together with the Internet service at home, so if you are signing up for the Softbank internet at home as well, this is a great deal.
Service
Plan
5. UQmobile
UQ mobile is a sub-brand of au.
One of its features is the “Saving mode,” which consumes no SNS data. Saving mode is a function that allows you to save data without consuming data volume by switching to low-speed communication. If you use Twitter, Facebook, LINE apps, data consumption will be zero.
In addition, your surplus data capacity is carried over to the next month, so data communication is possible without waste.
Service
Plan
The “Forth Carrier, Rakuten Mobile”
Rakuten Mobile started its service in April 2020. Rakuten Mobile provides communication services in Japan as the fourth carrier company after NTT docomo, au, and Softbank.
6. Rakuten Mobile
The feature of Rakuten Mobile is simple pricing. There is only a single plan, and it is charged by the monthly data volume you use. For example, if you use only 3GB a month, the charge is 1,078 yen. If you use 20GB in a month, it will be charged 2,178 yen, if you use 20GB more, it will be charged 3,278 yen.
Also, the call charge will be free if you make a call using Rakuten Mobile’s exclusive calling app, “Rakuten Link.” * Excludes calls to/from overseas.
Unlike other “Kakuyasu SIMs,” it uses its individual network line and has expanded the area to a population coverage rate of 96%. However, communication is sometimes unstable as it is still a newcomer in the carrier. Rakuten lines cannot be used in some areas, so au lines are used instead.
Service
Plan
Other "Kakuyasu-sim"
7. mineo
The feature of mineo (pronounces like “my-neo”)is that you can select the line you want to use from the three networks of au, Softbank, and NTT docomo.
With other “Kakuyasu SIMs,” you can only use the network of a specific fixed carrier, but with mineo, you can choose the network from 3 carriers at the time of application.
In addition, there is a function called “Free tank” that allows data to be shared among mineo users nationwide. You can put data in the Free tank when it is about to expire, and when there is not enough data, you can retrieve the data from the free tank.
Service
8. BIGLOBE mobile
The feature of BIGLOBE is that there is an option to reduce the data consumption to zero for different 21 types of entertainment apps such as Youtube and music apps. Even if the communication speed is limited, you can use the target application crisply without speed constraints.
Also, if you subscribe to a plan of 6GB or more, you can use the Wifi spot provided by BIGLOBE for free. BIGLOBE has 100,000 Wifi spots nationwide, including convenience stores, McDonald’s, and train stations.
Service
Precautions for application
No matter which carrier you sign up with, you will need to submit your residence card and passport.
Depending on the service, there may be required visa conditions for the remaining period of stays, such as 9 months or more.
Also, some cases in the payment examination may not pass if the credit card is issued overseas.
Since the carriers are not officially announcing the application screening criteria, contact the store staff, or the site is helpful if you have concerns.
Summary
- ①Need stable connection at all times
→Ahamo, LINEMO, povo - ②Need customer support at the shop
→Y!mobile, UQ mobile - ③Unlimited data plan
→Rakuten Mobile - ④Lowest Price
→mineo, BIGLOBE mobile
As introduced above, there are several “Kakuyasu SIMs” services in Japan, and each company offers various services, so be sure to choose the service that suits your usage.
Also, even if you think you chose a good-valued “Kakuyasu SIM,” if you do not understand the plan’s contents properly, it may be higher than you thought. Before making a contract, we recommend checking the service details carefully.
*The service content of this article was from the research made in February 2022. Service details may change without notice. Please visit the carrier’s websites for the latest details.
