How to Get a Japanese Phone Number | Online Contracts and More!

Need to open a bank account? You need a Japanese phone number. Planning on renting an apartment? You need a Japanese phone number. Signing up for some Japanese services or purchasing concert tickets? Believe it or not, you need a Japanese phone number.

We highly recommend getting a Japanese phone number if you are moving to Japan for work, school, etc., and will live there for three months or more.

A common misconception is that, while messaging apps like LINE and WhatsApp are popular in Japan, some may think a Japanese phone number is unnecessary. However, having a Japanese phone number is essential for numerous things in Japan and can make life much harder without one.

Last Updated: May 30, 2024 (5/30/2024)

In this article, we will introduce the benefits and uses of a Japanese phone number, along with companies we recommend, and how to apply for a Japanese phone number in-store and online.

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

1. How to apply for a phone number online
2. How to apply for a phone number in-store
3. Why do you need a Japanese phone number?
4. The providers we recommend

5. Why is Sakura Mobile less expensive?
6. For those who prefer a full English application process with customer support

1. How to apply for a phone number online

If you’re moving to Japan for work, school, or travel, we recommend ordering a SIM card or eSIM online before you arrive. Not just any SIM card or eSIM though, but one with a Japanese phone number.

There are plenty of companies that provide Japanese phone numbers, but we recommend Sakura Mobile. They offer airport pickup and English customer support. This way, when you arrive at the airport, you can have a Japanese phone number almost immediately after picking up your luggage.

Most companies can also ship to anywhere in Japan within a few days, so if you’ve already arrived, don’t worry.

For most companies, ordering online is simple and easy. Just fill out and turn in the online application. Input a credit or debit card, a place where the company can ship the Japanese phone number SIM card, and your name, and you’re basically done! Sometimes, they will require a picture of some identification.

After you order, all you have to do is wait a few days for your SIM card to arrive and then put it into your phone.

★ eSIM is Also Available! ★

If your phone is capable of eSIM, this is also an option for a Japanese phone number. Just make sure your phone is unlocked and has eSIM capability. Most eSIM orders can be made online, and the company will send either a QR code or a link to an application to download onto your phone to receive the eSIM. Depending on when you order, you may need to pick up the eSIM QR code with your ID (Passport, Residence Card, etc.). This is due to Japan’s strict Voice & Data SIM card/eSIM regulations.

Sakura Mobile offers Japanese phone number eSIM plans, in addition to their SIM card plans. The QR code can be picked up at the airport, or if you have a Japanese government-issued ID with your address registered on it, you can have the eSIM sent directly to you!

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2. How to apply for a phone number in-store

Applying for a phone number in a store might seem simple because of the sheer number of phone stores you may see when walking around Japan, but that may not be the case.

The three largest carriers are SoftBank, docomo, and au. Their stores can be seen everywhere, and you can apply for a contract at the store by walking in and signing up. But there are quite a lot of things to bring and a couple of things to expect before you go in.

Before going in, expect the whole process to take about 2 or 3 hours. Often, there will be no staff members who speak English. You can check if they have English-speaking staff members at specific stores ahead of time for docomo and SoftBank below.

• SoftBank
• docomo

After you walk in, they’ll ask you various questions about what you want, your price range, and if you would like a new phone with your phone number and the phone you want, and they will recommend contracts that fit your needs. Usually, they’ll scan your ID and make copies while selling you the various options and additional services.

Choose your contract and give them the credit or debit card you want to use to pay the administrative and monthly fees. Then, the staff will take your application and send it to the company, which will approve or sometimes deny it. This process can take upwards of an hour, so be prepared to wait.

If you’re approved, you will now have a Japanese phone number and a new phone if you choose a contract with a phone.

If your contract is denied, don’t panic! Large companies like SoftBank, docomo, and au, have specific criteria for applicants. They don’t release the criteria or say why some people are denied and others are approved. If you are denied, you’ll have to try again with a different company or location.

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3. Why do you need a Japanese phone number?

Many people may come to Japan with a SIM card from their home country and an international data plan. While this is great for first arriving and short trips, there are many things that you need a Japanese phone number for in Japan.

A Japanese phone number is required to create a Japanese bank account, lease an apartment or home, enter a company or school, or fill out other large amounts of various Japanese paperwork.

Sadly, free calling apps that provide a phone number, like LINE and Skype, aren’t good enough. You’ll need a number that starts with 090, 080, or 070 for official papers and filling out forms.

Please note that some contracts with data-only SIM cards will give you a phone number that starts with 050. These are IP phone services that use internet lines. They are usually less expensive than regular lines and are great for using data when you’re not in a place with the internet. But be careful! Phone numbers with 050 cannot be used in official situations like creating a bank account or signing a lease.

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4. The providers we recommend

Below are the companies we recommend you make a contract with. We based our recommendations on a few things. We think readers care most about low prices, fast speeds, English support, and overall ease of signing up.

Scroll right for more →→

*Tax included

All of the above carriers

• have above 99% coverage of the populated area of Japan
• provide SIM cards with phone numbers starting with 070/080/090

Below, we will explain each company in more detail.

Sakura Mobile

Sakura Mobile, a Shinjuku-based SIM card provider, offers great low-cost plans: 4GB for 3,278 JPY/month, 25GB for 4,378 JPY/month, and 40GB for 5,478 JPY/month.

Right now, they are running a campaign to reduce phone number activation fees from 16,500 JPY to 5,500 JPY. Plus, if you want English customer support 7 days a week, Sakura Mobile is perfect for you.

One of the best things about Sakura Mobile is the number of delivery options available for your SIM card or eSIM. If you order it online, you can have it sent anywhere in Japan and receive it as early as the next day. If you prefer to pick it up in person, you can head to their Shinjuku office after completing an online application. You can have your eSIM delivered to your device if you have the proper documentation. But if you don’t, rest assured, you can go to the Shinjuku office, and the staff will help you with everything to get your eSIM!

For those not in Japan yet, you can even order a Sakura Mobile SIM card or eSIM before your flight and pick it up when you land at any international airport in Japan. Just let them know your arrival date, airport, time, and flight number.

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

Check out Sakura Mobile here.

• Sakura Mobile official site

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docomo

docomo is one of the largest mobile carriers in Japan. If you live in or have ever been to Japan, there is a good chance that you’ve seen a docomo store.

Most of their plans are tier-priced, meaning the more data you use, the more you’ll be charged that month.

docomo is more expensive than au and SoftBank, but its communication quality is higher. The speed is the fastest in Japan, and the coverage is wide enough to connect even in deep rural areas in the mountains.

If you want to enjoy gaming on your phone or plan to use your phone in the countryside, consider making a contract with docomo.

Check out docomo here.

• docomo official site

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SoftBank

SoftBank is one of the other three biggest phone carriers in Japan. Its administration fee is only 3,300 JPY for new contracts. Monthly plans start from 3,278 JPY/month for 1 GB of data, and they are on a tiered price system. If you use more than 1 GB of data, it will cost more.

Check out SoftBank here.

• SoftBank official site

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au

au is the 2nd largest carrier in Japan. With a store at almost every large station, you won’t be able to go anywhere without spotting a few. If you get their adjustable plan, you can pay based on how much data you use. Using under 1GB a month will only cost 2,178 JPY, all the way up to 4,928 if you use between 4GB and 7GB.

If you use a lot of data, go for their unlimited data plan for 7,238 JPY a month. You can bundle your au phone service together with other services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple Music, YouTube Premium, and more. You can get a discount on other au services, like home internet or a new phone if you have a phone contract. Check them out below.

Check out au here.

• au official site

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5. Why is Sakura Mobile less expensive?

Sakura Mobile is a type of cell service provider called Mobile Virtual Network Operator, or MVNO for short. It doesn’t own any phone lines but actually rents out a portion of docomo’s line. The connection speed may be a little slower during the peak times, but you can watch YouTube or Netflix without a problem.

If you want to save money, we recommend contracting with an MVNO like Sakura Mobile, where the cheapest plan starts at 3,278 JPY. Unlike docomo’s cheapest plan, which starts at 5,555 JPY, it seems like an easy decision as they even use the same phone towers.

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6. For those who prefer a full English application process with customer support

Very few companies in Japan have sufficient English language support. There have been many stories of people who have trouble due to lack of English support.

If you’ve ever worried about being unable to speak Japanese fluently while signing a phone contract, Sakura Mobile is a safe choice.

For more, check it out here.

• Sakura Mobile

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