Guide to docomo Phone Plans | Prices, Speeds, and How to Apply

Are you looking for a reliable Japanese SIM card? Have you considered docomo and wondered if docomo is a good network?

docomo is one of Japan’s three largest mobile carriers, and you’ve likely seen their stores if you’ve spent any time walking around cities like Tokyo. Many people assume that signing up with a major carrier like docomo will be an easy solution. However, that’s not always the case.

When you visit their website, you’ll see they offer a range of plans, options, and pricing that can be difficult to navigate. With so many choices, it can be tough to figure out which plan suits your needs and budget.

This guide will break down all of docomo’s phone and SIM card plans, explaining what each option offers, how much it costs, and how to apply for them. We’ll also touch on international roaming, calling, and texting options, as well as the availability of English support.

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

1. Understanding all of the docomo fees
2. docomo phone plans/SIM card plans | eximo, ahamo, & irumo
3. International calling, SMS and roaming data fees
4. Do I Have to Buy a Phone?
5. Data Speeds and Coverage
6. English Support
7. How to Apply
   How to Activate Your docomo SIM Card
8. The docomo Screening Process
9. If you’re looking for simple phone plans in Japan

1. Understanding all of the docomo fees

Before we get into the details of docomo’s specific phone and SIM card plans, let’s take a look at how their fee structure works. Understanding the big picture will make it easier to navigate the different plans.

When you sign up for a docomo phone or SIM card plan, there are two types of fees: an initial fee and a monthly fee. Below is an overview of both.

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Let’s go into detail about each of the monthly payments.

Basic fee (Mobile data usage)

Voice call fee

SMS fee

To summarize:

• With docomo plans, there are 3 main monthly fees. The basic fee, the voice call fee, and the SMS fee.
• The basic fee (mobile data usage) is based on the plan that you choose (3,465 JPY to 7,315 JPY).
• The voice call fee and SMS fee are based on how much you use them and not your plan. You pay what you use.

Optional monthly fees

In addition to the basic fee, voice call fee, and SMS fee, docomo offers several extra services that come with additional costs.

• Add-ons
• Monthly installments

Here’s a quick breakdown of each option.

Add-ons

docomo offers a variety of add-ons, with the most popular being the unlimited domestic calling service.

docomo Plans Options

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There are also other services you can purchase, such as an answering machine service, among others. If you choose to add any of these options to your plan, your monthly fee will increase.

Monthly installments

With docomo, you can get a new phone along with your docomo SIM card.

You have the option to either purchase the phone outright or pay for it in monthly installments as part of your phone plan.

You can spread the cost over 12, 24, or 36 months.

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2. docomo phone plans/SIM card plans | eximo, ahamo, & irumo

Next, let’s go over the details of docomo’s phone and SIM card plans. When you visit docomo’s website, you’ll find a variety of plans available to suit different needs. For the sake of this article, we’ll focus on the most popular plans currently being offered.

These three plans come with a Japanese phone number, allowing you to make calls, send SMS, and use mobile data while you’re in Japan.

docomo Plan Details

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Now, let’s explore the docomo phone and SIM card plans below.

Here are the details of these basic plans:

eximo

Price (Including Tax)

• 4,565 JPY for under 1GB
• 5,665 JPY for 1GB to 3GB
• 7,315 JPY for over 3GB
• eximo poikatsu plan: 10,615 JPY/month

Perfect for:

• Users who need a lot of data and prefer unlimited usage. eximo is designed for heavy data users and includes a free family calling service. You can also customize your plan with paid options like unlimited calling or free calls under 5 minutes.

eximo operates on a tiered system, where your fee increases based only on the amount of data you use. If you don’t need family calls, you can opt for paid add-ons like unlimited or 5-minute calls. The eximo poikatsu option offers point bonuses and includes all the features of the regular eximo plan but at a higher monthly cost.

You will only be charged for the voice calls you make and SMS that you use.

ahamo

Price (Including Tax)

• 30GB plan: 2,970 JPY/month
• ahamo oomori (110GB): 4,950 JPY/month

Perfect for:

• People who use a moderate amount of data and are comfortable handling their accounts online (in Japanese). ahamo offers 30GB of data and charges you only for the domestic voice calls and SMS you use. It’s ideal for average users who don’t need a lot of data but prefer a straightforward and affordable plan.

If you need more data, the ahamo oomori plan gives you up to 110GB of data for 4,950 JPY/month, making it perfect for heavy users.

You can find more details on the ahamo plans in our article here.

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irumo

Price (Including Tax)

• 0.5GB plan: 550 JPY (minimum maintenance fee)
• Up to 3GB: 2,167 JPY
• Up to 6GB 2,827 JPY
• Up to 9GB: 3,377 JPY/month

Perfect for:

• Light users who only need minimal data. irumo is the cheapest plan, ideal for those who don’t use much data. The plan starts at just 550 JPY/month, with the ability to increase your data allowance to 9GB for a slightly higher fee.

irumo charges you only for the voice calls and SMS you use, making it a flexible and budget-friendly option for minimal data usage.

 

These three plans offer different data options, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your usage habits. Whether you’re a heavy user or someone who just needs the basics, docomo has a plan that will work for you.

3. International calling, SMS, and roaming data fees

Before we get into the nitty gritty details of international fees, let’s take a moment to understand what these charges mean. When using your docomo phone abroad, various fees, including calls, SMS, and roaming data, may apply depending on your usage.

Note: The fees for international calls, international SMS, and roaming data are country-dependent, so it’s always a good idea to check specific details for your destination.

International Fees Overview

• International call fees vary by the country being contacted.
• International SMS fees depend on the length of the message.
• Roaming data fees apply when using data outside Japan and depend on the country you’re visiting and your activities.

Let’s look at each of these fees more closely.

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International call fees

International call rates depend on the country you’re calling and the duration of the call. docomo has different rates for each country and we can’t list all of them here. However, here’s a brief example of the international call rates.

Check the table below for specific rates:

✔ International call rates (Price at 30 seconds in JPY, time in Japan Standard Time)

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For countries not listed, please check the docomo official website (Japanese only).

• docomo international call fees

International SMS fees

International SMS fees are based on the number of characters in the message. docomo charges for sending texts internationally, and the cost increases as the message length grows.

See the table below for more details:

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To confirm the countries and carriers that you can send SMS to, check the docomo website (Japanese only).

• docomo international SMS fees

International roaming fees

When you take a docomo-contracted phone outside of Japan and use data abroad, you’ll incur an international roaming fee. This fee applies when you make calls, send messages, or use mobile data in another country.

For example, roaming charges will apply if you’re in the U.S. and calling a friend in Japan or streaming YouTube in Canada without WiFi.

The exact fee depends on several factors, including:

• The country you’re in
• The type of activity you’re doing on your phone (e.g., calls, data usage)
• The type of phone you’re using

It’s important to check with docomo before traveling to ensure you know the roaming charges. Each country may have different fees, and docomo can clarify the costs for you.

If you’re on the ahamo plan, you get free international roaming data for up to 15 days during your trip, with a generous 30GB allowance for 91 countries.

Check the docomo website to see what kind of fees you’ll incur traveling abroad (Japanese only).

• docomo international roaming fees

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4. Do I Have to Buy a Phone?

When browsing the docomo website, you may notice that many plans are bundled with devices. While it might appear that you must purchase a phone to use their services, docomo also offers SIM card-only contracts.

If you already have a phone, you can apply for a SIM-only contract, but keep the following in mind:

Ensure that your phone is unlocked before applying for a SIM card.

Double-check that your phone is compatible with Japan’s network. Some plans, like eximo, are part of a 5G contract billing plan, which requires a compatible device.

If you’re unsure whether your phone is compatible with docomo’s services, contact them for confirmation.

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5. Data Speeds and Coverage

docomo is one of the three largest carriers in Japan and is widely considered to have the fastest network. But what are the actual data speeds you can expect?

iOS download speed: 39 to 298 Mbps

iOS upload speed: 8 to 27 Mbps

Source: docomo

While speeds can vary, docomo’s download speeds often range from around 150 Mbps on the lower end, which is fast enough to comfortably stream YouTube videos and browse the web.

If you want to know how fast docomo 5G is specifically, it’s said to be able to get up to 6.6 Gbps but it may vary.

(Source: docomo)

As for coverage, docomo boasts 99% coverage of Japan’s populated areas. Unless you are traveling to remote countryside locations, deep forests, or underground, you should experience a strong signal nearly everywhere.

If you want to take a closer look, check out docomo’s coverage map (Japanese only).

• docomo coverage map

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6. English support

Docomo understands that language barriers can be a challenge, so they offer English support for their customers.

For more information, you can visit docomo’s English website.

You can also get phone assistance directly from docomo’s English speaking staff.

• Phone number: 0120-005-250

If you prefer in-person service, docomo stores offer English support via a phone interpreter service. You’ll need to make an appointment in advance to use this service.

docomo English support business hours: 9 AM to 8 PM (including weekends and holidays)

To book an appointment, visit the docomo website (Japanese only).

• Make a docomo reservation

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7. How to apply

If you want to sign up for a plan with docomo, there are two main ways to apply: online and in-store.

• docomo online shop (Japanese only)

• Find nearby docomo stores on Google Maps

While the online shop offers the convenience of applying from home, please note that the entire process is in Japanese. If you’re uncomfortable navigating in Japanese, we recommend completing the forms with the help of a friend who can read the language.

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How to Activate Your Docomo Sim Card

To activate your docomo SIM card, including eSIM options, docomo provides a straightforward online process.

If you’re wondering how to activate your Docomo SIM card, you can visit their eSIM activation page for step-by-step instructions. This guide covers setting up a new SIM, switching to eSIM, and configuring your device for docomo’s network.

You’ll need to log in to your docomo account, follow the instructions to register your SIM, and install the necessary profile on your device. The process is available in English, ensuring easy navigation for international users.

8. The docomo Screening Process

Even after successfully completing your docomo application, you might not be able to start using their services immediately. There’s a screening process that all applicants must pass before their service is activated.

Unfortunately, docomo does not disclose the criteria for passing this screening, and there have been cases where international residents were rejected after applying.

If you fail the Docomo screening process, don’t worry—there are other options. Consider using a service like Sakura Mobile, which specializes in phone services for international residents.

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9. If you’re looking for simple phone plans in Japan

If you’re looking for simple, flexible phone plans during your stay in Japan, Sakura Mobile is a great alternative.

Here are some unique features of Sakura Mobile’s long-term SIM cards:

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