Best phone plan in Tokyo for foreigners
If you need mobile data and a real Japanese phone number, start with Rakuten Mobile. It is not always the absolute cheapest plan, but it is the easiest broad recommendation for newcomers who do not have Japanese help.
Rakuten
Mobile
SAIKYO plan at a glance
The short answer
Choose Rakuten Mobile if you want a normal Japanese phone number, enough data for daily Tokyo life, and a sign-up path that does not assume you already understand Japanese phone carriers.
Why this is our default
Why Rakuten is the default
Real Japanese number
This matters for SMS verification, reservations, accounts, deliveries, banks, apartments, and everyday admin.
Easy pricing
You pay by how much data you use, so you do not need to pick from a maze of carrier bundles.
Tokyo shops
If online setup gets confusing, having a real store nearby is useful.
eSIM available
If your phone supports eSIM and passes compatibility checks, you may not need to wait for a physical SIM.
Rakuten Saikyo Plan
What it costs
Rakuten Mobile uses one usage-based plan. These are the broad monthly tiers listed by Rakuten for Rakuten SAIKYO Plan.
Up to 3GB
¥1,078/mo
Light maps, messages, reservations, and occasional browsing.
Up to 20GB
¥2,178/mo
A comfortable amount if you use transit apps, socials, video, and maps daily.
Over 20GB
¥3,278/mo
Best if your phone is your main internet while moving around Tokyo.
Calls are a separate detail: Rakuten Link can make many domestic calls free, but some numbers are excluded and normal dialer calls can cost extra.
Before the shop or signup flow
What to bring
Residence card with your current address
Passport, just in case a shop asks for it
Unlocked phone
Credit card or bank account details
Email address you can access on the spot
Rakuten account, or time to create one
Before you apply
Check that your phone is unlocked and compatible. If you use eSIM, use Rakuten's compatibility checker first. If your residence-card address is old, update it before applying because the application details need to match your identity document.
Worth knowing
When not to choose Rakuten
You need the absolute lowest monthly price
BIC SIM / IIJmio can be cheaper for residents who are comfortable with more Japanese signup friction.
Your phone is not compatible
Do not force it. Check the device first, especially if your phone was purchased outside Japan.
You want premium English support
Mobal or Sakura Mobile may feel calmer, even if you pay more for less data.
If Rakuten does not fit
Good backup options
BIC SIM / IIJmio
Better monthly value if you can handle Japanese signup, identity checks, and credit-card friction.
Mobal
Useful if you need a real Japanese number with friendly onboarding, but data value is weaker.
Sakura Mobile
Good if English support matters more than monthly price.
ahamo
Great plan, but usually more than a newcomer needs if price is the priority.
Tokyo Loop take
The recommendation
If you are new in Tokyo and just need your phone to work, start with Rakuten Mobile. It gives you a real Japanese number, enough data for daily life, a simple price model, eSIM support, and a store path if online signup becomes annoying.
Once you are settled, you can optimize later. The first goal is not the perfect plan. The first goal is getting connected without losing a whole day to carrier confusion.
Sources
Next: Tokyo life basics without the guessing
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