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| One example of travel SIM in Japan |
There are some basic facts you should be aware of about Travel SIM for foreign visitors in Japan. The sim cards you can use for a limited time period are called either "prepaid（プリペイド）" / "travel" / "Visitor's" SIM.
You can switch sim cards in your smartphone or tablet when you land in Japan and take advantage of the great technology.
"Sim-free" or "unlocked" is a must:
First things first: your handset, such as iPhone or Android smart phones, and any tablet device needs to be sim-free or unlocked.
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| apple.com |
Apple sells "sim-free" iPhone models, not only carrier specific models such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon. There is no difference in price when you buy new at Apple.
Handsets purchased at carrier shops are most likely locked, but might not be, depending on your plan and contract. But as a rule of thumb, if you have paid off your device, you are entitled to have it unlocked.
A couple of years ago President Obama signed a law that made unlocking smartphones legal (it was previously illegal). And, as of last year, all US carriers must unlock your phone if your account is in good standing and you request it to be unlocked. (Quoted from Business Insider)
Data Service Only: Most Travel SIMs in Japan are data only.
As a principle, Japanese Travel SIMs don't come with a phone number to use during your trip, unless you have a government issued ID which can prove your current address in Japan. Such IDs include your driver's license, health insurance certificate, juki card(resident's registration), alien registration card, and others.
If you can present your passport and one of the above IDs, try this Wi-Ho Prepaid SIM with voice at either Narita or Haneda airport. For the details, click here.
There are many free Apps you can download for voice communication, such as WhatsApp, Line, Facebook messenger, as well as Internet based calling services such as Skype.
Carriers and Networks: Docomo and Softbank
Docomo:
Docomo is the largest network and covers most of Japan as this carrier used to be the government run organization for their telecommunications until the late 1990’s. Many Travel SIM cards are sold by its MVNOs such as OCN Mobile One, IIJmio, Freetel, U-Mobile, Mineo, Wi-Ho, Biglobe, etc . |
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Standards and Frequencies:
Docomo
LTE: Band 1(2100MHz) / Band 3(1800MHz) / Band 21(1500MHz) / Band 19(800MHz) / Band 28(700MHz)
W-CDMA/UMTS（3G）: band 1(2100MHz) / band 9 (1700 GHz) / band 6,19 (800MHz帯)
Coverage:
The latest service areas are shown here (Japanese site).
Softbank:
Softbank is one of the three major carriers in Japan. It has widened its business to foreign visitors just last year. The name of Softbank's SIM is "Prepaid SIM for Travel".For Softbank "Prepaid SIM for Travel" Official Site, click here.
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Standards and Frequencies:
LTE: Band 41（2500 MHz）/ Band 1（2100 MHz）/ Band 3（1700 MHz）/ Band 8（900 MHz）
W-CDMA/UMTS（3G）: Band 1（2100 MHz）/ Band 3（1700 MHz）/ Band 11（1500 MHz）/ Band 8（900 MHz）
Coverage:
They say the service area depends on the device you use, so please visit here to see what result you get with your phone. For example, the latest service area for iPhone 7 is shown here (iPhone 7) (Japanese site).
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