Written by Patrick Balfe
These days, it’s pretty easy to get around with a data-only SIM card or eSIM, at least when travelling. In some cases, though, and perhaps especially here in Japan, there is a big argument for having a SIM or eSIM with a local phone number.
Maybe you’re looking at tickets for an upcoming concert in Japan, but the website needs a local phone number. Or perhaps you’re planning a move here and need to fill out a rental application. Let’s take a look at the common scenarios where having a phone number in Japan can make life a whole lot easier, and how to get one.
Tourists and digital nomads
For those here on short to medium stints, having a local phone number can solve a lot of problems, particularly when you need to get in touch with a hotel or restaurant or, the worst, complete a two-factor authentication.
If you’re on a digital nomad visa or staying in an Airbnb or vacation rental, having a Japanese phone number will enable you to do a lot of the things that you might typically need a hotel front desk or concierge for.
Restaurant bookings
It’s pretty common for restaurants to request a phone number even if you’re a local but, due to an increase in booking cancellations and no-shows, restaurants around the country increasingly require a phone number to confirm a reservation.
If you’re staying at a hotel, you might be able to use the hotel’s phone number, but if you’re staying at an Airbnb or similar, you’ll likely need your own local phone number.
Event tickets
Japanese ticket websites are not exactly known for their user experience, but without a Japanese phone number, things only become more complicated. Most of the bigger domestic and international artists performing in Japan sell their tickets through platforms like Ticket Pia and ePlus, which often require a Japanese phone number to register.
Lately, some promoters offer a separate site for purchases from overseas, but this is only for high-profile international artists, and ticket availability may differ from domestic sales.
Bikes, e-scooters, and taxis
Japan is one of the few countries where rental bikes and e-scooters don’t end up scattered throughout the streets or ditched in rivers and lakes. These are a great way to see the city while getting from A to B above ground, but they do sometimes require a Japanese phone number to register (depending on the platform) — at the very least, having one makes things smoother.
Some local town halls provide bike rental services for tourists, but these places may also require a phone number.
The same goes with taxis: it’s easy enough to hail one in Tokyo, but if you want to book a taxi ahead of time or you’re somewhere more rural that doesn’t have a ton available, it helps to download an app like Go or S.Ride, which, again, require a phone number.
Mobile payment systems
Many places in Japan are moving away from cash and towards electronic payment systems (2050 vibes, right?). Many of the commonly accepted payment methods, like PayPay and Line Pay, are specific to Japan, though, and require a Japanese phone number to register.
Residents
As a resident, all of the above use cases and more apply. Although it may not always seem like it right after moving here, Japan has a ton of systems to help things run smoothly, but they can take a while to understand, and many of these systems still require a phone number.
For things like job and house hunting, many places will require a phone number; even if they don’t, having one is definitely a plus if they need to contact you.
When it comes to setting up a bank account or getting utilities switched on, you’ll definitely need one when signing up, and in many cases, gas or internet companies will want to call you to arrange a time to visit.
For things like parcel or Ikea deliveries, or redelivery of missed packages, having a number is also a huge plus. And for other day-to-day stuff like gyms, doctors or dental clinics, hair salons, domestic apps like Uber and dating apps, Amazon, banking and utilities apps, having a phone number to become a member or register will make things a lot easier.
Using a Japanese eSIM with roaming overseas
If you’re with a Japanese SIM or eSIM provider like Mobal who offers roaming, you can use your Japanese phone number overseas, too. This can be handy for things like buying concert tickets or booking a trip to the Ghibli Museum before you get here. You can also enter Pokemon TCG lotteries, or receive a one time password for Japanese apps and services while out of the country.
How to get a voice + data sim for Japan
Companies like Mobal have a range of short- and long-term physical and eSIMs to keep you connected while you’re in Japan.
For tourists and short-term travelers
You can order your SIM/eSIM online and have it delivered to your chosen destination, or you can pick it up at an airport, hotel, or major train station in Japan. Their voice + data SIMs and eSIMs plans include fixed-data 30-day plans and flexible monthly plans.
If you don’t need much data, they also have a budget-friendly Voice Lite plan that gives you a local phone number for things like local calls, texts, and SMS verifications.
For long-term stays
Mobal’s long-term voice + data plans range from 1GB to 30GB of data per month with free incoming calls and text. If you’ve already got a data plan and just need a local phone number, you can add a Voice Lite SIM or eSIM for a rather reasonable ¥990 per month, plus activation fee.
You can have your SIM or eSIM access code delivered to you anywhere in Japan, or pick it up at your chosen location the same day you order.
Read more on how to get a Japanese phone number.
A big thank you to Declan Somers, CEO at Mobal, for sharing his tips based on his personal experience.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.
