Japan Start Guide

Tag: residence card

  • SIM Cards in Japan You Can Get with Just a Residence Card (2026)

    Just arrived in Japan and don’t have a credit card yet?
    No problem.

    This guide lists all the SIM cards you can get in Japan
    using only your Residence Card (Zairyu Card).

    ■ Why You Need a Residence Card-Only SIM

    Newly arrived foreigners often face these challenges:

    ・No Japanese credit card yet
    ・Just opened a bank account — worried about credit checks
    ・Application forms are in Japanese only

    The good news: several SIM cards in Japan accept your
    Residence Card as the only form of ID.

    ■ SIM Cards You Can Get with a Residence Card

    Service | Monthly Fee | Credit Check | Payment | English Support
    Dare Demo Mobile | ¥2,178~ | None | Bank transfer | Yes
    Rakuten Mobile | ¥1,078~ | Yes (easy) | Card/Bank | Yes
    IIJmio | ¥850~ | Yes | Credit card | Partial
    Japan SIM | ¥290~ | Yes | Credit card | No
    b-mobile | ¥2,178~ | None | Card/Bank | No

    ■ Detailed Reviews

    【1】Dare Demo Mobile
    Monthly fee: ¥2,178 (unlimited calls + 3GB)
    Credit check: None
    Payment: Bank transfer (no credit card needed)
    English support: Yes
    Foreigner-friendly: ★★★

    The biggest advantage is zero credit check. Anyone with
    a Residence Card and a Japanese bank account can apply.
    Best choice if you just arrived and don’t have a
    credit card yet.

    → Apply for Dare Demo Mobile [No credit check]

    【2】Rakuten Mobile
    Monthly fee: From ¥1,078 (up to 3GB)
    Credit check: Yes (relatively easy to pass)
    Payment: Credit card or bank transfer
    English support: Yes (select stores)
    Foreigner-friendly: ★★★

    Only ¥1,078/month for up to 3GB. Some stores have
    English-speaking staff. Residence Card accepted for
    identity verification.

    → Apply for Rakuten Mobile

    【3】IIJmio
    Monthly fee: From ¥850 (2GB plan)
    Credit check: Yes
    Payment: Credit card only
    English support: Partial
    Foreigner-friendly: ★★☆

    One of the cheapest options in Japan. However, payment
    is by credit card only. Best for those who already
    have a Japanese credit card.

    → Apply for IIJmio

    【4】Japan SIM (日本通信SIM)
    Monthly fee: From ¥290 (1GB plan)
    Credit check: Yes
    Payment: Credit card
    English support: None
    Foreigner-friendly: ★★☆

    The cheapest option available. From ¥290/month for
    light data users. Application is in Japanese only,
    so some Japanese reading ability is required.

    【5】b-mobile
    Monthly fee: From ¥2,178
    Credit check: None (foreigner-specific plans available)
    Payment: Credit card or bank transfer
    English support: None
    Foreigner-friendly: ★★☆

    One of the few services with foreigner-specific plans.
    No credit check required, but support is in
    Japanese only.

    ■ How to Apply Without a Credit Card

    If you don’t have a Japanese credit card, you have
    two options:

    Option 1: Choose a SIM that accepts bank transfer
    → Dare Demo Mobile, Rakuten Mobile, and b-mobile
    all accept bank transfer payments.

    Option 2: Get a credit card first
    → Rakuten Card is relatively easy to apply for
    with a Residence Card.
    → Once you have a card, IIJmio and Japan SIM
    become available options.

    ■ Documents Checklist

    Prepare these before applying:

    Required:
    □ Residence Card (both sides)
    □ Japanese address
    □ Email address
    □ Bank account details (for bank transfer payment)
    □ Credit card (for card payment)

    Helpful to have:
    □ Passport (as supplementary ID)
    □ My Number Card

    ■ Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: Can I apply on a tourist visa?
    A: Most SIMs on this page require a Residence Card.
    If you are on a tourist visa, we recommend a
    prepaid SIM instead.

    Q: Can I pay with a foreign bank account?
    A: No. A Japanese bank account is required.
    Japan Post Bank and online banks like SBI Net Bank
    are also accepted.

    Q: How long until I can use the SIM?
    A: For online applications, the SIM is delivered
    by mail. Allow 3–5 business days.

    Q: Can I cancel anytime?
    A: Most services have no lock-in period and can
    be cancelled at any time.

    ■ Summary

    With a Residence Card, getting a SIM card in Japan
    is easier than you think.

    Best choice by situation:
    ・No credit card → Dare Demo Mobile
    ・Want English support → Rakuten Mobile
    ・Lowest cost → Japan SIM (日本通信SIM)
    ・Worried about credit check → Dare Demo Mobile

    Get connected from day one in Japan!

    Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links.
    If you sign up through our links, we may receive a
    commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations
    are honest and independent.

  • Best SIM Cards in Japan for Foreigners (2026) — No Japanese Required

    Are you new to Japan and confused about how to get a SIM card?

    Signing up for a phone plan in Japan can feel overwhelming —
    especially when everything is in Japanese. But don’t worry.
    This guide covers the best SIM cards for foreigners in Japan
    that you can apply for with just your Residence Card.

    ■ Common Problems Foreigners Face

    When trying to get a SIM card in Japan, you might run into
    these issues:

    ・Application forms are only in Japanese
    ・Many carriers require a Japanese credit card
    ・Some services reject foreign applicants
    ・It’s unclear what documents are needed

    The SIM cards on this page were chosen specifically to solve
    these problems.

    ■ SIM Cards You Can Apply for with a Residence Card

    1. Dare Demo Mobile (だれでもモバイル)
      Monthly fee: From ¥2,178 (unlimited calls + 3GB)
      Credit check: None
      English support: Yes
      Why we recommend it: No credit check required. Anyone with
      a photo ID and a Japanese bank account can apply. One of the
      most foreigner-friendly SIM cards in Japan.
    2. Rakuten Mobile (楽天モバイル)
      Monthly fee: From ¥1,078 (up to 3GB)
      Credit check: Yes (relatively easy to pass)
      English support: Yes
      Why we recommend it: English-speaking staff available at
      some stores. Online application accepted. Residence Card
      accepted for identity verification.
    3. IIJmio
      Monthly fee: From ¥850 (2GB plan)
      Credit check: Yes
      English support: Partial
      Why we recommend it: One of the cheapest options available.
      Simple application process. Popular among long-term residents.

    ■ Comparison Table

    Service | Monthly Fee | Credit Check | English Support | Foreigner-Friendly
    Dare Demo Mobile | ¥2,178~ | None | Yes | ★★★
    Rakuten Mobile | ¥1,078~ | Yes | Yes | ★★★
    IIJmio | ¥850~ | Yes | Partial | ★★☆

    ■ Top 3 SIM Cards for Foreigners

    1 Dare Demo Mobile

    No credit check. English support available. Only requires
    a photo ID and Japanese bank account. Best choice if you
    just arrived in Japan and don’t have a credit card yet.

    2 Rakuten Mobile

    Only ¥1,078/month for up to 3GB. English-speaking store
    staff available. Great if you want in-person support during
    the application process.

    3 IIJmio

    Starting from ¥850/month — one of the lowest prices in Japan.
    Best for those who are comfortable with online procedures
    and want to keep costs down.

    ■ How to Apply: Step-by-Step (Dare Demo Mobile)

    Step 1: Visit the official website
    Step 2: Choose your plan (Unlimited calls + 3GB recommended)
    Step 3: Prepare your ID (Residence Card or Passport)
    Step 4: Enter your Japanese bank account details
    Step 5: Submit your application
    Step 6: Receive your SIM card by mail (approx. 3–5 business days)
    Step 7: Insert the SIM and complete the activation process

    ■ Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: Can I apply with just a passport?
    A: For Dare Demo Mobile, you need both a passport and
    Residence Card. If you are on a tourist visa, we recommend
    a prepaid SIM instead.

    Q: Can I apply without a credit card?
    A: Yes. Dare Demo Mobile accepts payment via Japanese
    bank account.

    Q: Can I apply in English?
    A: Dare Demo Mobile and Rakuten Mobile both offer English
    support. The application forms are in Japanese, but you
    can follow the step-by-step guide on this page.

    Q: How long does it take to receive the SIM?
    A: Usually 3–5 business days after your application
    is approved.

    ■ Summary

    Getting a SIM card in Japan is easier than you think —
    as long as you choose the right provider.

    ・No credit check, apply today → Dare Demo Mobile
    ・English support at the store → Rakuten Mobile
    ・Lowest monthly cost → IIJmio

    Pick the plan that fits your situation and get connected
    from day one in Japan!

    Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links.
    If you sign up through our links, we may receive a
    commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations
    are honest and independent.