{"id":36,"date":"2026-03-23T00:21:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T15:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/japanstartguide.com\/?p=36"},"modified":"2026-03-23T00:22:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T15:22:30","slug":"iijmio-apply-foreigners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/japanstartguide.com\/?p=36","title":{"rendered":"How to Apply for IIJmio in Japan: Step-by-Step Guide for Foreigners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>\u203b The information in this article is based on the time of writing.<br>Prices and services may change. Please check the official website<br>for the latest information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[PR] This article contains affiliate links. If you sign up through<br>our links, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.<br>All recommendations are honest and independent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>IIJmio is one of the most popular affordable SIM cards in Japan.<br>Low cost, simple process, and great for foreigners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This guide walks you through every step of applying for IIJmio<br>in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 What is IIJmio? Why Foreigners Choose It<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>IIJmio is a budget SIM card service provided by IIJ<br>(Internet Initiative Japan).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why people choose IIJmio:<br>\u30fbFrom \u00a5850\/month \u2014 one of the lowest prices in Japan<br>\u30fbChoice of Docomo or au network<br>\u30fbUnused data rolls over to next month<br>\u30fbGreat value for families with multiple SIMs<br>\u30fbSimple and straightforward application process<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Price plans (Giga Plan):<br>2GB\uff1a\u00a5850\/month<br>5GB\uff1a\u00a5990\/month<br>10GB\uff1a\u00a51,500\/month<br>15GB\uff1a\u00a51,800\/month<br>20GB\uff1a\u00a52,000\/month<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 What You Need Before Applying<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prepare the following before starting your application:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Required:<br>\u25a1 Residence Card (both sides)<br>\u25a1 Credit card (in your name)<br>\u25a1 Email address<br>\u25a1 Japanese address<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Helpful to have:<br>\u25a1 MNP reservation number (if keeping your current number)<br>\u25a1 SIM-free smartphone<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Important: IIJmio accepts credit card payment only.<br>Bank transfer is not available.<br>If you don&#8217;t have a credit card, please consider<br>Dare Demo Mobile instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Step-by-Step Application Guide<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Step 1: Go to the official website<br>Visit iijmio.jp and click &#8220;Apply&#8221; on the top page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Step 2: Choose your plan<br>Select &#8220;Giga Plan.&#8221;<br>We recommend starting with 2GB or 5GB.<br>You can change your plan later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Network type:<br>\u30fbType D (Docomo) \u2192 Stable coverage nationwide<br>\u30fbType A (au) \u2192 Good coverage in rural areas<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Step 3: Choose your SIM type<br>\u30fbVoice SIM \u2192 Calls + data (recommended)<br>\u30fbData SIM \u2192 Data only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Step 4: Upload your ID<br>Take a photo of the front and back of your<br>Residence Card and upload them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tips for a successful upload:<br>\u30fbPhoto must be clear and in focus<br>\u30fbAll four corners must be visible<br>\u30fbNo glare or reflections<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Step 5: Enter your credit card details<br>Enter your credit card information.<br>VISA, Mastercard, JCB, and AMEX are accepted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Step 6: Application complete<br>You will receive a confirmation email.<br>Your SIM card will arrive by mail in<br>approximately 3\u20135 business days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Step 7: Activate your SIM<br>Insert the SIM into your phone and complete<br>the activation process through IIJmio&#8217;s My Page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 APN Settings (After Your SIM Arrives)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Inserting the SIM alone will not connect you<br>to the internet. You need to configure APN settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For iPhone:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Download the profile from IIJmio&#8217;s official website<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Go to Settings \u2192 &#8220;Profile Downloaded&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tap &#8220;Install&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Done<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>For Android:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to Settings \u2192 Network &amp; Internet<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SIM \u2192 Access Point Names<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add a new APN:<br>APN: iijmio.jp<br>Username: mio@iij<br>Password: iij<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Save and you&#8217;re done<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Frequently Asked Questions<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Q: Can foreigners apply?<br>A: Yes. You need a Residence Card and a credit card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Q: Can I apply in English?<br>A: The application form is in Japanese only.<br>Follow the step-by-step guide on this page<br>and you will be fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Q: Is there a credit check?<br>A: As long as your credit card is approved,<br>you should be able to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Q: Can I cancel anytime?<br>A: Yes. There is no minimum contract period.<br>Note that there is no daily pro-rating \u2014<br>you will be charged for the full month<br>of cancellation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Q: Can I keep my current phone number?<br>A: Yes. Use MNP (Mobile Number Portability).<br>Get an MNP reservation number from your<br>current carrier before applying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Summary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>IIJmio is a great choice for foreigners who want<br>an affordable SIM with a simple application process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Best for:<br>\u30fbReducing your monthly phone bill<br>\u30fbThose who already have a credit card<br>\u30fbPeople who want a straightforward SIM<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note: A credit card is required.<br>If you don&#8217;t have one, check out Dare Demo Mobile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2192 Apply for IIJmio<br>\u2192 No credit card? Try Dare Demo Mobile instead<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u203b The information in this article is based on the<br>time of writing. Prices and services may change.<br>Please check the IIJmio official website for the<br>latest information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[PR] This article contains affiliate links.<br>If you sign up through our links, we may receive<br>a commission at no extra cost to you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u203b The information in this article is based on the time of writing.Prices and services may change. Please check [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[79,28,26],"class_list":["post-36","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-japan","tag-mvno","tag-sim-card"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/japanstartguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/japanstartguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/japanstartguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/japanstartguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/japanstartguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=36"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/japanstartguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37,"href":"https:\/\/japanstartguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36\/revisions\/37"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/japanstartguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=36"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/japanstartguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=36"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/japanstartguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=36"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}