What are the Phone, Data, and SMS service options for a foreigner in Japan?

I recently arrived in Japan and have been having a very difficult time trying to find a suitable mobile service.

For short stays, SIM and phone rental services are a good option (1,500 JPY/day). I'm here for a few months, so I'm looking for something that's more affordable.

What are my options?

Basic requirements:

>=1 GB Data access per month
No need for Japan resident card
No long term agreement (max 3 months)

Nice to have:

Japan phone number
Local voice & SMS capabilities
Unlimited data access
Fast (25Mbps+) connection speed
NanoSIM form factor

I have multiple unlocked devices that I can use, with support for Japanese mobile bands.

Best Answer

The accepted answer is out of date: since 2014, you've been able to rent voice SIMs in Japan. See Are short-term visitors in Japan allowed to buy voice-enabled SIM cards? for details.

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How do I get mobile data in Japan?

You can buy data-only SIM cards easily in Japan, at major airports like Narita and Kansai, and at electronics shops in any city. You do not need to show ID to do so. Some cards require a brief registration process but it's usually pretty painless and you can do it on your phone.

How much is a data plan in Japan?

Short-term Japan SIM options for touristsPrice PlansEnglish Support100MB/day x 7 days: US$25.49 * (Rates updated daily) 100MB/day x 14 days: US$29.93 * (Rates updated daily)\u27141GB/30 days: US$20.99 * (Rates updated daily) 2GB/90 days: US$32.26 * (Rates updated daily)\u271410GB/30 days: US$22.39 * (Rates updated daily)\u27145 more rows

Are there prepaid SIM cards in Japan?

Short-term use: Prepaid Japanese SIM cardsYou can go directly through Japan's telco giants, SoftBank and NTT DoCoMo, but buying a SIM card from one of the many Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), who piggyback on the big networks, is preferable, as they offer some serious savings.

How much does unlimited data cost in Japan?

Japan SIM CardDays of useData PlanPrice (USD)8 daysUnlimited Data$35.8915 daysUnlimited Data$46.4420 daysUnlimited Data$72.8330 daysUnlimited Data$78.11

HOW TO USE YOUR PHONE WHILE TRAVELING! (International Phone Plans) - MUST WATCH!!!

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Daniel Moises Magulado, Alif Sagor, RODNAE Productions, Gustavo Fring