- Internet + Cell Service
- Buying Used Items on Facebook
- Home Centers in Tokyo
- Great Things To Buys
- Other Resources
- Japanese Review Sites
Trying to search for a cell phone plan in Japan?
Go to a Yodobashi Camera (ヨドバシカメラ) or Bic Camera (ビックカメラ) store
- These big electronics stores have well-staffed cell phone section where you can browser through various plans
- Stores by major stations also tend to have more English speaking staff
Go to a Yodobashi or Bic Camera staff and ask for a recommendation
- They will go over the various plans and help you pick the best one for your needs & price range
- ⚡ Do not go to the specific cell phone plan salesperson at the branded booths unless you are 100% sure you want their plans
Personal Recommendation:
- Store: Yodobashi Camera Shinjuku West Main Store (ヨドバシカメラ 新宿西口本店)
- Plan: SoftBank 光 + YMobile Bundle Plan
- Great for working at home with the fast Softbank 光 fiber internet connection
- Cheaper than buying the two services separately (saved on setup costs and reduced monthly billing)
- Simple integration with PayPay
As of Nov 2022:
- SoftBank 光 is pricier but the fastest internet plan for Tokyo
- YMobile is a budget-friendly cell phone plan that has the same coverage as SoftBank
- Recommend YMobile for those who want coverage in rural areas (mountains, beaches, etc.)
- Rakuten Mobile is the cheapest cell phone plan but has limited coverage
- Easiest way to pay for your cell phone plan would be with a credit card
- Japan Post Bank is the way one to open a bank account with.
- For more information, refer to the How To Open A Japan Post Bank Account - MATCHA article.
- Then apply for a Rakuten credit card before trying to get a cell phone plan.
- Got money in a different currency? Consider Wise Debit Card as a payment method.
Japan's major cell service providers:
- AU
- Docomo
- Softbank
- Rakuten Mobile
Data + voice vs data-only plans?
- It is cheaper to get a data-only plan and use a VoIP app like LINE or WhatsApp for voice calls
- Generally, data-only plans does not support phone calls or SMS (text messages)
- Great for those who have company phones
- Not great when trying to use 2-step verification for online services (security or sign ups)
Vocabulary:
| English | Japanese | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited plans | 無制限 / museigen |
Helpful Articles
- Japan's Cheapest Cell Phone Plans Compared - Tokyo Cheapo
- How and why to get a Japanese phone number - Time Out Tokyo
Closest thing to Home Depot 😅
Near central Tokyo:
- Event if it is small, it makes a huge difference in simplifying laundry days!
- EN: Compact clothes dryer
- JP: 小型衣類乾燥機
- Solid size for a small apartment: 3.0kg ~ 4.0kg
Recommendation:
- EN: My Wave Warm Dryer 3.0
- JP: マイウェーブ ウォームドライヤー3.0
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B06XBBNMRX/
- Keepa (Price Tracker): https://keepa.com/#!product/5-B06XBBNMRX