To fully enjoy your trip to Japan, you must get a SIM card soon after arriving at Kansai Airport.
However, there are many different providers that you could choose from, all with different plans and prices.
Upon arriving at Kansai Airport, the following questions might come up:
- Which SIM card should I buy?
- I don’t want to buy a cheap SIM card if it isn’t going to work properly.
- I want someone to tell me what criteria I should be looking at when choosing a SIM card.
In this article, we recommend 5 of Kansai Airport’s best SIM card providers.
We have included a comparison of each provider so that you can decide which SIM card suits you.
Table of contents
- 3 points to think about when choosing a SIM card at Kansai Airport
- Compare 6 SIM card providers at Kansai Airport
- Top 3 SIM cards at Kansai Airport
- If you don’t know which provider to choose…
- Pickup and return
- Things to be careful of when buying a prepaid SIM card
- For long-term stays (more than 3 months), consider getting a long-term contract
- Japan does not have free WiFi so be sure to get a SIM card
- Can you use free WiFi at Kansai Airport?
- Conclusion
3 points to think about when choosing a SIM card at Kansai Airport
The following are some of the most important things to consider when choosing a SIM card.
- Reserve a SIM card in advance on the internet
- Will you have enough data?
- Is there good English support?
Below, we will go into more detail about each point.
1) Reserve a SIM card in advance on the internet
We recommend reserving your SIM card in advance. This can save you a lot of money. For example, you can save 2,000 JPY on an 8-day SIM card by reserving it online.
You might think that you want to avoid the hassle of navigating through a website and just buy directly at the airport. However, this is not recommended, as airport counters have limited stock.
If you arrive at the airport and the counter you visit is out of the product you are looking for, you will have to survive in Japan without an internet connection until you can get a SIM card from a different provider.
To avoid unnecessary stress, reserve your SIM card online.
2) Will you have enough data?
If you are unsure about how much data you will be using on your trip, we suggest you go unlimited.
Japan’s options for free WiFi spots are very limited, and it would be a major inconvenience to not have data when you need it.
Some companies will give you a set amount of data for the days you travel. This is sometimes cheaper, but if you want to use your phone as much as you want outside your hotel room, it would be wise to get unlimited data to save stress.
3) Is there good English support?
It is easy to disregard English support by assuming you pick up your SIM card from the airport, put it into your phone, and then do not have to deal with anything else.
However, there may be times during your trip when the SIM card malfunctions or does not connect properly. In these cases, having English support to help you solve your problems can be a lifesaver.
It is also important to ensure that customer support can be reached in various ways. In the best-case scenario, you can contact your provider through email, live chat, and the phone.
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Compare 6 SIM card providers at Kansai Airport
Below is a comparison between some of Kansai Airport’s best SIM card providers. This table should give you a better idea of each company’s prices and services.
Scroll right for more →→
| Sakura Mobile | JAL ABC | U-Mobile SIM (Vending machine) | Joy2Call | AnyFone JAPAN | SoftBank Global Rental |
|
| Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Suspended due | Suspended due |
| Data Amount x Days | Unlimited data 8 - 90 days | Unlimited data 7 - 30 days | 200 MB 7 - 15 days | Unlimited Daily rental | Unlimited data 3 - 30 days | 3 - 10 GB 7 - 30 days |
| Prices | Low | Low | Low | High | High | Average |
| Customer Support | Good | Poor | N/A | Good | Good | Good |
| Network | docomo | ? | docomo | ? | SoftBank | SoftBank |
| Online Order | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
About prepaid SIM cards with phone numbers
In Japan, prepaid SIM cards sold with a phone number are rare. Travelers to Japan can generally only purchase a data-only SIM card.
This is because the ID verification process for getting a phone number is very strict in Japan. Due to these regulations, selling SIM cards with phone numbers is difficult.
A few companies advertise prepaid SIM cards with phone numbers, but some may operate illegally. You should know the risks if you want to purchase one of these SIM cards.
Even with a data-only SIM card, you can use applications like Skype or WhatsApp, so it may be wise to use these when making phone calls.
For the best SIM cards for long-term stays in Japan, be sure to check out the following article!
8 Best SIM Cards for Long-Term Stays in Japan
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Check out the article below for the best Japanese SIM card and eSIM in 2024!
Top 3 SIM cards at Kansai Airport
👑 #1. Sakura Mobile
Key features
- Unlimited data plan starting from 4,500 JPY
- Stable, fast docomo 4G network
- 99% of the populated area is covered
- Reliable, year-round English customer support
- Pickup at any international airport in Japan
- Order online, pick up as early as the next day
- Delivery to hotels across Japan is also available for free
Sakura Mobile is the first on our list of SIM card providers. With SIM cards on the docomo network, one of the three biggest networks in Japan, you can expect to have a strong connection almost anywhere in the country.
Unlike some other providers that only have pickup counters in certain airports, you can find pickup counters for Sakura Mobile in any international airport in Japan.
Sakura Mobile has a simple online reservation system that lets you pick up your SIM card, in some cases, as soon as the following day. If you get stuck during the reservation process or your stay in Japan, English support is available 7 days a week to help you through any problem.
| Rating | ★★★★★ |
| Data Amount x Days | Unlimited Data 8 - 90 days |
| Prices | Low |
| Customer Support | Good |
| Network | docomo |
| Online Order | Yes |
Below is a video that shows the pickup process from Sakura Mobile—watching it should give you a better idea of where to go and how to get your product at Kansai Airport.
Click below to play YouTube video↓↓
🥈 #2. JAL ABC
Key features
- Purchase counters at Kansai, Narita, and Haneda
- Many data options for SIM cards
- No online reservation available
JAL ABC is a provider that operates under Japan Airlines, a large and trustworthy company. Unfortunately, they do not have an online reservation system, but all the prices are listed on their website, so you know exactly what you are getting.
JAL ABC has multiple smaller-data options for those who know they will not need unlimited data.
| Rating | ★★★★☆ |
| Data Amount x Days | Unlimited Data 7 - 30 days |
| Prices | Low |
| Customer Support | Poor |
| Network | ? |
| Online Order | No |
🥉 #3. U-Mobile Prepaid
Key features
- Easy to purchase (vending machines at the airport)
- Affordable
- Suited for users who do not need much data
| Rating | ★★★☆☆ |
| Data Amount x Days | 200 MB 7 - 15 days |
| Prices | Low |
| Customer Support | N/A |
| Network | docomo |
| Online Order | No (Vending machine type) |
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If you don’t know which provider to choose…We recommend Sakura Mobile
Key features
- Unlimited data plan
- Fast connection speed on the docomo network
- Multiple pickup counters all over Japan
- Online reservation, pick up the next day at the earliest
- Year-round English support
We recommend Sakura Mobile for your SIM card needs. Over the years, Sakura Mobile has served thousands of visitors to Japan. With over 3,000 customer reviews and an average rating of 4.7/5, Sakura Mobile has gained a reputation among travelers for reliable service.
Aside from airport pickup, Sakura Mobile can also deliver to your hotel in Japan, or you can pick up your product directly from the Tokyo office.
Currently, Sakura Mobile offers a campaign on travel SIM cards that includes free shipping. Be sure to take advantage of it while it is still available!
| Rating | ★★★★★ |
| Data Amount x Days | Unlimited Data 8 - 90 days |
| Prices | Low |
| Customer Support | Good |
| Network | docomo |
| Online Order | Yes |
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Pickup and return
As stated earlier, Sakura Mobile has many pickup locations, with at least one at each international airport in Japan.
Below are the details of Sakura Mobile’s airport pickup counter at Kansai Airport.
Pickup location
If you have reserved a SIM card from Sakura Mobile, you should be looking to visit the one pickup location in Kansai Airport.
Sakura Mobile’s Kansai Airport counter is open every day of the week. Its operation hours are long, starting at 7:00 a.m. and ending at 9:00 p.m.
You can find the counter on the first floor of the International Arrival Lobby.
Below is a more detailed map of the location.
The following page provides more information on the other Sakura Mobile airport counters nationwide.
Returning your SIM card
You may wonder if you have to return your SIM card at the end of your stay. There should be no worries, as you can simply dispose of your Sakura Mobile SIM card when you are done using it.
Not having to think about the return process of a SIM card can be helpful for those who are worried about the steps to returning or are simply forgetful.
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Things to be careful of when buying a prepaid SIM card
Below, we list a few things you should be careful of before you reserve a prepaid SIM card. If your device is not compatible with the SIM cards sold in Japan, you might have to look for other options for internet connection.
Is your phone unlocked?
If your phone is locked, it cannot take SIM cards from other carriers, so you cannot properly use a SIM card from Japan (or any other provider in other countries). You must contact your cellphone carrier if you are unsure whether your device is unlocked (SIM-free).
Additionally, you may need to visit/contact the carrier directly in your home country to unlock your phone, so confirm this before you travel to Japan.
What size SIM card does your phone hold?
If you have never changed the SIM card in your phone before, it may be news to you that there are three different sizes of SIM cards: regular, nano, and micro.
When you buy a prepaid SIM card, choose the right size.
Sakura Mobile’s SIM cards all come with a free adjuster for any device.
Is your phone compatible with Japanese frequency bands?
Certain network signals used in Japan may not be compatible with your device. Sakura Mobile utilizes the docomo network, which uses Band 1 and Band 19.
Network compatibility is likely a new concept to many, so contact our customer support team if you have any questions.
For more information and to check whether or not your device is compatible, visit this page.
If you cannot figure out any of the above points before coming to Japan, we recommend purchasing a portable WiFi device instead of a SIM card. This will allow you to stay connected even if your phone is not unlocked, the SIM card does not fit, or your device is incompatible.
Sakura Mobile also offers Pocket WiFi for travelers. Learn more about our plans below.
Check out our blog below for more information on Pocket WiFi rentals!
Best Pocket WiFi Rentals with Unlimited Data
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For long-term stays (more than 3 months), consider getting a long-term contract
For those who plan to stay in Japan for more than three months, we recommend that you look into getting a monthly contract. These are not prepaid and are meant for those moving to Japan.
Sakura Mobile also offers multiple different long-term plans for those residing in Japan. You can find out more about them here.
If you are interested in learning about Japan’s different options for monthly contracts, visit the article below.
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Japan does not have free WiFi so be sure to get a SIM card
You might think that purchasing a SIM card is troublesome and that you would rather travel in Japan relying on free WiFi spots throughout the city.
However, these spots are only found in places like fast-food restaurants or coffee shops, and some do not work. You cannot find these places when you explore rural Japan or while riding a train or bus.
To avoid the stress of scrambling for free Wi-Fi everywhere you go, we strongly recommend that you have a plan for getting a SIM card before landing in Japan.
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Can you use free WiFi at Kansai Airport?
Kansai Airport has a free WiFi service. It does not require verification or application, making connecting easy after landing in Japan.
There are two network IDs, and you can connect to either one. They are named “_FreeWiFi-KansaiAirports” and “_FreeWiFi-KansaiAirports_2.4G.”
Note that the WiFi does not reach too far outside the airport’s premises; you will not have a connection if you walk too far away from the building or enter an aircraft. If you are without a SIM card or pocket WiFi device, send messages and check everything you need before leaving Kansai Airport.
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Conclusion
What did you think?
Especially because of the large amount of SIM card companies at Kansai Airport, it can be hard to decide which provider to choose from.
Each company differs in its prices and plans, so make sure to look carefully and choose based on your own needs and priorities.
We hope this article helped you narrow down which SIM card provider you want to use in Japan.
Good luck!
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