Poll: Best Travel SIMS for JAPAN in 2018

scrimshaw on 17/01/2018 - 16:01

Moderators at OzBargain have decided to run yearly polls to decide the best products in popular categories that get asked repeatedly in the forum. Our aim is to have a central thread where users can vote on the items, suggest options and also change their vote throughout the year. The polls will end once the year is over.

Question

What is the best Japanese Travel SIM for the year 2018?

Time for the second round of "What's the best Travel SIM for JAPAN" for 2018. First off I'll announce last year's winners: Leading the pack with 24+ votes was B-Mobile's Travel Data only SIM, followed with 5 Votes for StarHub SIM, then followed with just 2 votes for U-Mobile 30-day plan.

Getting a SIM card for use in Japan can be a little tricky, as most mobile providers usually require you to be a resident of Japan in order to sign up to a mobile plan. That's where MVNO's (mobile virtual network operators) come in, who resell part of a main operators network (such as N.T.T Docomo or Softbank) to tourists. Many of these SIM cards can be purchased in Japan, either in person at Airports or from select stores, or, you can order them online and have them shipped to you.

Some Important points to consider when choosing a Travel SIM:

  • Whose cell network you will be using. Refer to this network coverage map
  • NTT Docomo has the best regional coverage, covering most of Japan. Softbank mostly covers the metropolitan cities, such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Sendai and Fukuoka. KDDI is somewhat in-between in terms of coverage.
  • There are SIMS that offer only data usage and nothing else. These SIMs aren't capable of receiving any calls, but they might fit those who find using Skype, WeChat or Whatsapp sufficient for keeping in touch. However, having access to voice calls can have a big advantage — namely, being able receive calls while abroad and also being able to use 24-hour Translation hotlines which can help you out when you're stuck.
  • Many SIM packages offer unlimited incoming phone call/SMS's and even unlimited data* (speed throttling applies once you've reached a certain threshold, which resets after 24 hours)

So what's your favourite JA Travel SIM account for the year 2018? Make your suggestions below, and be sure to justify why it's the best account for you.

  • Don't see a SIM Plan that you like in the poll options? Make a (sensible) suggestion and we'll add it to the list.
  • You are allowed to change your vote.

How to Suggest a Poll option? Simply type into the textbox above your Comment box and then submit your comment.

Image.

Poll Options

This is part of What Should I Buy poll for 2018. Check out other recommendations from the OzBargain community.
Travel What Should I Buy

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 17/01/2018 - 16:12
    +2
    Suggested B-mobile Visitor SIM (5GB, 21 Days)

    Let's try again. with B-mobile Data only SIM, 21 Days.

    prices are different this year! It costs 3480 yen on the website, but price can differ depending on where you bought,

    Price ¥3,230 (excluding tax from Yodobashi) (Roughly $36.66 Australian)
    SIM size Nano / Micro / Regular
    Service type Data only. No Voice services
    Data speed LTE / 3G (Best effort theoretical maximum speed.)
    Traffic control P2P Applications are throttled, Streaming applications are also throttled (continuous data)
    Data amount 5GB
    Usable period 21 days or up to 5GB which ever comes first.
    Charge You can charge (refill / top-up) 1GB ( 1day/ 500yen (including tax)) from Charge page.
    Tethering Able to use tethering feature.
    Network coverage Most all of Japan ( as per NTT docomo network)

    It uses LTE Band 1 (2100MHz), Band 19 (800MHz), Band 21 (1500MHz)

    You cannot use SMS and MMS.

    I've also noted, at one stage they had a 14-day 2000 yen Visitor SIM as well. However, this is no longer available??
    http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/visitor_unl/index.html

  • dasher86 on 17/01/2018 - 16:19

    I guess it depends on how long you are staying in japan for.
    I used so-net 7 day 250mb a day whilst in Tokyo.
    It runs on the docomo network and i receive excellent coverage every where i was.

    It cost 2000JPY and can be bought at vending machines in the airport.
    Easy to set up with step by step instructions - i managed to do it on the kesei skyliner.

    I managed to go over 250mb a day (playing pokemon on two phones) and i didn't seem to get capped.

    If i was going for longer i probably would try B mobile as above for convenience.

  • StrayfireX on 17/01/2018 - 23:12
    Suggested Starhub SIM

    Why don't you just add the old options?

  • StrayfireX on 17/01/2018 - 23:12
    +1

    Yokoso SIM

    NTT DoCoMo Network.

    Delivers to your doorstep in Australia.

    https://www.ebay.com.au/usr/yokososim-au?_trksid=p2047675.l2…

    $32 - 8 days 3GB
    $45 - 16 days 3.5GB
    $49 - 31 days 4GB
    $65 - 65 days 5GB

    Used them in July 2017. Wait for a 20% off code from eBay.

  • scrimshaw on 17/01/2018 - 23:15
    Suggested Yokoso SIM

    Yokosou SIM added by StrayfireX

  • Thrawn on 24/01/2018 - 13:44

    I bought 2 x China Unicom HK/China/Japan 7-day SIMs yesterday. 3GB per SIM. Comes to $40 delivered to Australia. Softbank network

    Also works in HK/China which is useful for combined trips. And you don't have to worry about hunting down a SIM seller or vending machine when you get there.

  • myusername on 24/01/2018 - 14:55

    b mobile rocks have used it before and just ordered another for my return trip to the land of sugoi ne!

    • JimmyLmao on 24/01/2018 - 17:47
      +1

      Do you happen to know the answer to my question below? :)

  • JimmyLmao on 24/01/2018 - 17:32

    Do the B-mobile sims work in most areas (e.g. whilst on a bullet train trip from city to city?), also can these be purchased whilst there (e.g. from Bic Camera at Narita airport?)

    I almost just want to try see if I can get by with the free wifi at our airbnbs + hotspots around the cities. But want to know if I can get one of these if need be, as a back-up plan.

    Thanks :)

    • myusername on 24/01/2018 - 18:54
      +1

      i'm unable to answer this 100%.

      but

      last time in japan i started in tokyo and went to osaka via shinkansen, had coverage all the way and honestly i can't remember it ever dropping out.

      i kept bumping into a couple of girls from sydney who were trying to only use the free wifi. each time i saw them they would ask me for directions or if they could look something up on google maps.

      the deal is your order them before you get to japan depending on the time of your flight arrival they can be picked up from the airport or they will have it waiting at your accommodation. i arrived in narita late at night got to the hotel and the receptionist handed the sim card over in an envelope with my room keycard.

      honestly to give you peace of mind whilst over there grab yourself a sim card. you dont want to be spending your time trying to find free wifi instead of enjoying the scenery eye candy etc

      • JimmyLmao on 24/01/2018 - 19:43

        Tyvm for the info! You may have persuaded me :P

        • myusername on 03/05/2018 - 16:11

          have just returned and, the obvious places my service dropped out was in the deep subway tunnels on shinkansen and in some really rural parts of japan.

    • andysa on 13/02/2018 - 14:38

      Hot spots around the city? Last time I was in Tokyo there were plenty, but they are all locked down. $35 is a small price to pay for an easy map and translation device in your pocket.

  • jubz on 24/01/2018 - 17:57

    B-mobile VISITOR SIM 5GB/21days Prepaid data SIM (Nano) is 2,936 JPY as of 24/01/2018 on Amazon Japan. I bought this nano sim end of October 2017 for the same price and got it delivered to my first hotel where I was staying. I believe you can get it delivered to Australia if you have time. I would recommend to anyone. It works almost everywhere for me, metro & regional.

    B Mobile Amazon Japan

    In case you want to convert it to Micro/Regular sim. Just get any standard free sim from Australia as most of the sim come like 3 in 1 size. You can use the outer sim frame to convert nano sim to your required preference.

  • yoonibear on 13/02/2018 - 14:00

    Apologies for hijacking this thread - but are the travel sims really necessary? We're looking at hiring a pocket WIFI for the majority of our data needs

    • andysa on 13/02/2018 - 14:35

      WiFi / sim, same, same. Sims are generally cheaper though and the AirBnB I'm staying at are giving me a free pocket WiFi to use while I'm there too.

  • MisplacedGaijin on 19/02/2018 - 19:38
    +1

    Last September I bought a "Japan Travel SIM (powered by IIJmio)" at the local BIC store
    but couldn't get it to connect on my unlocked Nokia 532 (originally Telstra-locked but unlocked before the trip).
    Local Japanese telephone support tried hard to help but as that model is not supported by them
    they were unable to resolve the problem.

    Back here in Oz I did a bit on digging around and I think found why.

    In principle, SIM-free phones and unlocked phones function in the same way. They should work on almost any network worldwide. However, there is a subtle difference between the two.

    SIM-free, also sometimes referred to by vendors as “factory unlocked” means that the phone is designed to be used around the world by whichever network you choose. These phones, if they are genuinely SIM-free, should not have any network markings (such as an AU or SoftBank logo) on them.

    Unlocked phones are those which originally belonged to a specific carrier but have been manually unlocked by someone with the requisite expertise. Although in most cases these phones should work on almost any network, they are less reliable than true SIM-free phones that are designed to be used in several different countries on multiple networks.

    Until the mid-2000s, the most common network band globally was GSM, however, Japan has never had a GSM-compatible network. So, GSM phones will not work in Japan.

    So, if you're going to use a MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) like IIJmio, B-mobile etc (rather than the Telstra / Optus equivalents like AU, Softbank etc) with an unlocked (rather than a SIM-free) Oz mobile then you might want to look at other options …

  • Johnny-2007 on 14/03/2018 - 16:50
    Suggested Vodafone $5 a day roaming

    What about Vodafone's $5 a day roaming. Use your own phone, data, text and voice allowances just as you would in Aus.

    Many countries allowed including Japan.

    Cheers - First post!

    Link to Vodaphone website with more info

  • Nalar on 19/03/2018 - 09:53

    Gonna have to -1 for B Mobile. Used it in November and there were lots of time when the internet was slow as hell, in Tokyo metro areas like Shinjuku/shibuya It would take ages to load Google Maps. It was slightly better in Yamagta and Aomori, but even then I wasn't able to voice call over FB at the Main train station in Aomori, which isn't rural by any measure.

    Phone Samsung S7. Used Approx 3gb over 12 days. Travelled Sendai/Tokyo/Yokohama/Aomori/Yamagata/Hirosaki

  • pandarps on 29/03/2018 - 21:59

    When I went to Japan I used a thai sim card called sim2fly. 4gb of 3G/4G data for 8 days for under $20

    • nightelves on 03/04/2018 - 10:55

      Using sim2fly atm as well. Works quite well for Tokyo so far.

      • jonnlad1 on 04/07/2018 - 19:18

        Did either of you top up whilst there?

        I'm going to Japan for 2 weeks so would need to top up once

    • cheesecactus on 04/09/2018 - 21:51

      How'd you buy this? Any way to get it in australia?

  • Sailormoon000 on 10/04/2018 - 12:02

    Is the B-mobile sim compatible with Iphone X or Samsung S8? Have anyone used it with either of those?
    I checked their website but none of these 2 phones are on their list that's been tested using the SIM card.

    • myusername on 03/05/2018 - 16:12

      samsung s8 is what i took over there recently and no issues at all

  • ShadowCrimson on 08/05/2018 - 09:10

    I'm heading over next month to Japan and will be there for 4 weeks. The first two weeks I will just be using hotel wifi as attending conference and then just in Tokyo where I shouldn't need wifi when out much, but the two weeks after will be moving around a lot and will help to have for maps etc. Any good sims for lots of data? Guessing I might use a fair bit on maps each day.

    • j05h on 20/05/2018 - 23:20

      Not sure if you have sorted out a sim yet - but if you’re looking for lots of data then check out Roaming Abroad. See my comment below.

  • j05h on 20/05/2018 - 23:18
    Suggested Roaming Abroad unlimited 8, 15 or 30 day (4G NTT Docomo)

    Roaming Abroad unlimited 8, 15 or 30 day SIM cards.

    Certainly more expensive than some other options, but gives unlimited 4G data which can be really useful. I have used on 2 trips (admittedly had discount codes though) as needed large data allowance. Could not fault the very high speeds and excellent coverage. Was able to hotspot a few devices at once without any trouble.

    If anyone remembers a company called Travel Sims Direct - I’m pretty sure it’s the same people under a different name. The sims ship express post from Melbourne too.

    8 day $49 (currently $39 on sale)
    15 day $69 (currently $59 on sale)
    30 day $119 (currently $109 on sale)

    • Archi on 13/08/2018 - 12:13

      i'll be travelling to Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo for 2 weeks in October…
      do you have a discount code…

    • lazylionking on 13/08/2018 - 15:54

      j05h, any experience on this website? Similar deal but cheaper (shipped from Hong Kong it seems)
      https://simcartonline.com/en_intl/docomo-4g-japan-8-days-unl…

    • Ayanse on 20/02/2019 - 17:00

      I've ordered this for my upcoming trip to Japan - Can you confirm if it was true unlimited data at 4G or is there a daily cap? Does the daily cap restart each day? If so how much till it throttles?

      Thanks :)

  • jonnlad1 on 04/07/2018 - 19:11

    On b-mobiles' site (http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/english/index.html), it says you need:

    "3) Your mobile phone carrier have contract with NTT docomo's roaming partner ( You'll jump to docomo's page. Click the PDF link and find your mobile phone carrier) Or have Japanese Technical Conformity Mark on your device."

    Anyone know why is this required? I have an unlocked Galaxy S7 - surely this point is not applicable?

    • Archi on 14/08/2018 - 09:33

      Yes it is compatible.. I was in japan last year with the Samsung S7 and this sim card. I didn't need to do anything other than put the sim card in and follow a couple of setting changes that's on the packaging

  • Calcifer on 25/07/2018 - 11:37

    Can anyone recommend a sim for higher data limits over a shorter duration? We're only needing sim cards for a week, but will be video calling home at least daily

    eg 8-10GB over 7 days

  • lazylionking on 13/08/2018 - 15:50

    Has anyone used this option? Any feedback on the authenticity?
    Apparently, I can get unlimited data for around $20 USD (delivered) each sim. Cheapest I have seen so far.

    https://simcartonline.com/en_intl/docomo-4g-japan-8-days-unl…

  • letmesingh on 30/08/2018 - 10:59

    https://topup.starhub.com/preorder/

    has anyone used Starhub's data only $32 plan with 2gb data daily for 15 days??

    Prepaid SIM – $32 Internet
    Ideal for tablets and WiFi devices

    2GB daily for 15 days

  • miicah on 02/09/2018 - 22:19

    Sent two emails to roaming abroad about wether their Sim is actually unlimited, but no response so far. Can't find any terms and conditions on their website

    • letmesingh on 06/09/2018 - 11:49

      I think its unlimited (4g for 1gb and then 256kbps unlimited)

  • letmesingh on 08/09/2018 - 20:18
    Suggested Klook DoComo Sim (30GB)

    https://www.klook.com/activity/3110-sim-card-japan-osaka/?kr…

    Has anyone used this?

    around $28 with code mobile10

    Unlimited 4G Data 8 Days Usage
    Package Details
    SIM card (nano or micro size)
    Unlimited 4G data connection (with no reduction of speed)
    8 days validity
    No outgoing calls, incoming calls or SMS
    Due to the rules of Japanese telecom companies, when the traffic flow exceeds 30GB, the data speed will be reduced to 3G

    • Baa on 28/09/2018 - 10:55

      This is what I will be using when there next, with discount code I think I got it down to $25ish

      • letmesingh on 28/09/2018 - 11:29

        I used it last week, It was amazing.

        • Baa on 28/09/2018 - 15:33

          Good to hear, just noticed you were the one who posted the deal that I bought it from. I happen to be there for 8 days so works out perfectly.

          • letmesingh on 28/09/2018 - 15:35

            @Baa: What part of Japan you going to??

            • Baa on 28/09/2018 - 18:41
              +1

              @letmesingh: A few nights in Tokyo, a few in Sendai before heading down to Kyoto and flying out from Osaka.

              • letmesingh on 30/09/2018 - 23:25

                @Baa: Japan is amazing, I so wanna go back ASAP

  • hiluke on 15/09/2018 - 18:02

    Anyone tried this option:
    https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/services/simcard

    Says it is an unlimited data only SIM Card, using NTT Docomo network.
    8/16/31 day options for $27/$40/$52 + delivery.

    You get it delivered to your address in Australia, so you have it before you go.
    Delivery seems to remain flat at $7 if you buy multiple or also buy a rail pass.

    • Archi on 05/11/2018 - 16:53

      yes just got back from japan. we had 1x 16 day sim.. worked fine.. was able to get good reception for the whole trip. was also able to get reception on the shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo.

      I also had a 15 day unlimited sim from Roaming Abroad unlimited 8, 15 or 30 day SIM cards.(roamingabroad.com.au)

      they both worked fine.. had kids tablets and other phones tethered to both sims.

      will definitely recommend either of the 2

  • Hogg on 18/11/2018 - 19:18

    Is using a sim or a pocket WiFi better? I'm thinking that sim is better for solo travel and pocket WiFi better for two people?

    • Archi on 26/11/2018 - 11:13
      +1

      sims would be better…

      just one less thing to keep charged

    • Jayb290 on 24/07/2019 - 04:39

      I rather pocket wifi then sim cards if it's your first time in the country, had issues in the past with sim cards and operators not speaking decent english to help you activate.

  • escusemay on 29/11/2018 - 03:12

    This is currently our third trip and I've tried a different SIM cards everytime from different buyers. Previous years have costed around $40-$50 for our 2 week trips and one of them was quite annoying because the speeds would throttle to dialup speed after x number of MB was used and resets the next day.

    I'm in Japan for 2 weeks and bought some EasyGo SIM card vouchers from Klook before I came over last week. It cost about $13.26 for 3GB/8 days with a promo code so I ended up buying 4 in total to use between me and my wife (ie. $26.50ish/6GB/pp for 16 days). This works out to be the cheapest way so far for me out of the 3 trips we've done and so far I haven't experienced any issues with the Docomo network.

    Feel free to PM me if you need help with getting this pricing

  • KablammoNick on 27/12/2018 - 21:15

    Has anyone used a b-mobile SIM in their own wifi hotspot?

  • MrsMersums on 23/07/2019 - 20:40
    Suggested Mobal

    This company offer a great range of sims which I have used for short trips and longer stays in Japan - https://www.mobal.com/japan-sim-card/

    They offer shipping within Australia or you can collect from the airport when you arrive.

    I recommend the voice SIM which gives you a phone number and also a good amount of data. This product took some finding but suits my needs perfectly.

    • samfisher5986 on 23/07/2019 - 21:20

      Hey just curious, how long does it take for the sim to arrive in Australia?

  • Jayb290 on 24/07/2019 - 04:33

    I ended up using Wifipalm -

    (Www.wifipalm.com.au)

    When I travelled to Japan & Korea. It was just easy to deal with since it's an Australian company where you can just rent their wifi device and they'll send it out to you in the post to your residential address. It was $10 unlimited aussie a day, Didnt want to deal with finding a sim card in japan and trying to set it up at the airport.
    They were pretty good with connectivity and had my family with me using the same Wifipalm device. Didnt have any issues with throttle speeds…but depends what u want, I didnt want to deal with locating and purchasing a simcard, rather just have internet the moment I landed.

    Sim cards are good for frequent single people. If your travelling with more than 2 people and a family or if it's your first time in the country you rather just be prepared with having internet access quickly.

    • samfisher5986 on 24/07/2019 - 10:30

      At that price you would be better off buying your own wifi device, or tethering, and then getting an unlimited sim delivered here.

      Renting sounds like a pain and you are also liable for taking care of the device.

  • kelad on 24/09/2019 - 13:33

    Some feedback for you guys. Klook were awesome. Pickup at airport and the guy even got the phone working with the sim card. Paid about $AU30 for unlimited data. Worked great in Tokyo. Also, their online help was great. Cheers.

    • Hogg on 24/09/2019 - 15:27

      Which one did you end up getting? Can I get a link?

      • kelad on 25/09/2019 - 07:22
        +1

        https://www.klook.com/activity/16706-docomo-4g-sim-japan/

        When you add option
        Data package = unlimited for 8 days

        Cost = AUD 32.89 / Per SIM Card

        plus cash rewards 3.5%

        We picked it up from small place at airport 2.

        • Hogg on 26/09/2019 - 09:59

          Thanks mate. I'm going not get it based of your recommendation alone lol.

          The power of Ozbargain comments.

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