How to Get a Phone

First, don’t even think about getting a Japanese phone plan. They are more complicated, expensive, and require a 2 year contract. On the other hand, Japan's SIM cards have less rules, no cancelation fees, and cost less. NOTE: Your phone will need to be “unlocked” to use a Japanese SIM card, or you will need to buy a phone in Japan. You might want to buy an unlocked phone, on Amazon, before you move to Japan. The two best “data + voice call” SIMs are:

  • LINEMO (A good choice if you will have WIFI at your dorm or sharehouse)

  • AHAMO (Most apartments don’t come with WIFI, so this plan could be good. You could use your phone as a hotspot)

LINEMO (Softbank)

  • ¥ 2,728 / month

  • 20 GB /month

  • Free calls (if under 5 min long)

  • Unlimited data (when using LINE for voice / video calls)

https://www.linemo.jp/language/?lang=en&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=cpv&utm_campaign=DR_3_2&utm_content=1729201548_20460228855_153352288980_674472844204_____&gclid=CjwKCAjwmbqoBhAgEiwACIjzEMT8ccDRgd0wtknFzPiMsGocbWPu1s57xzf8lf87MZkSK8gGmcVt9hoCggIQAvD_BwE

This website explains how to order the SIM card online, and have it shipped to your address in Japan. https://selectra.jp/en/sim/apply-for-linemo