Telecommunication Needs in Japan
Having a Japanese phone number is a basic necessity almost as important as a Residence Card. You will need it to open a bank account, sign up for any service, and for daily communication. LINE, the main chat application in Japan, also requires a phone number for registration.
The 3 Major Carriers vs. MVNOs
| Category | Provider | Price/month | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major Carrier | Docomo, au, SoftBank | 5,000-10,000 yen | Best coverage, in-store support | Expensive, 2-year contract |
| Sub-brand | ahamo, povo, LINEMO | 990-2,970 yen | Cheap, uses major carrier network | Online support only |
| MVNO | IIJmio, Mineo, Rakuten | 440-2,178 yen | Cheapest | Speed drops during peak hours |
Recommendations for Indonesian Citizens
For a Tight Budget: IIJmio
- 2GB Plan: 440 yen/month, 5GB: 660 yen/month, 15GB: 1,360 yen/month
- Can sign up online with a Residence Card
- English support on the website
- Uses the Docomo or au network
Best Price-Quality Balance: ahamo (Docomo)
- 20GB + 5 minutes of free calls: 2,970 yen/month
- Docomo network (the best in Japan)
- Can be used for free roaming in 82 countries, including Indonesia
- Sign up online, English support
Unlimited: Rakuten Mobile
- 3GB: 1,078 yen, 20GB: 2,178 yen, unlimited: 3,278 yen
- Rakuten Link App: unlimited free calls to Japanese numbers
- Can sign up at a physical Rakuten store with staff assistance
Temporary Solutions for the First Week
- eSIM: Buy before departure via Ubigi, Airalo (3-5 USD/week, data only)
- Prepaid Airport SIM: Available at Narita/Haneda, 3,000-5,000 yen for 30 days
- Rental Pocket WiFi: 3,000-5,000 yen/month, suitable for temporary use
How to Sign Up for a SIM Card
Required documents:
- Residence Card (在留カード) - mandatory
- Credit or debit card for monthly payments
- Active email address
Online process (IIJmio/ahamo):
- Visit the provider's website
- Choose a plan and SIM option (physical SIM or eSIM)
- Upload a photo of your Residence Card
- Enter payment information
- The SIM card will be sent by mail in 3-5 days (or activate the eSIM immediately)
Home Internet
| Provider | Price/month | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NURO Hikari | 5,200 yen | 2 Gbps | Fastest, but installation takes a long time (1-2 months) |
| au Hikari | 4,180 yen | 1 Gbps | Stable, many cashback promotions |
| SoftBank Hikari | 4,180 yen | 1 Gbps | Discount if you use SoftBank/Y!mobile |
| Docomo Hikari | 4,400 yen | 1 Gbps | Discount for Docomo users |
| Rakuten Turbo | 4,840 yen | ~100 Mbps | No cable, instant setup |
Tip: If your apartment already has a fiber connection (インターネット完備 - internet-ready), you may only need to pay the provider fee without installation costs. Ask the apartment owner before signing a contract.
Tips for Saving on Telecommunication Costs
- Use free WiFi at convenience stores, train stations, and cafes to save data
- Use LINE for free calls and chats (almost everyone in Japan uses LINE)
- Choose an MVNO if you don't make many phone calls and mostly use WiFi
- Avoid 2-year contracts with major carriers if your length of stay is uncertain