Personal Recommendation: Bic Camera
When you first arrive in Japan and need a phone number, I recommend going to Bic Camera. Go to a large store in the city — they usually have staff who can speak Chinese or English, so communication is easier.
Important to Explain Your Situation (Personal Experience)
Before applying, be sure to tell the staff your situation clearly. For example, if you don’t have a Japanese bank account yet, ask whether you can pay through convenience stores or use a foreign bank card (like a Malaysian one).
When I first applied, my mom’s card was rejected, and they told me I needed a registered bank card with my name on it — prepaid or nameless cards usually don’t work.
But when my sister applied, she used my mom’s card and it worked! So honestly, the requirements aren’t always clear:(
Different Stores, Different Staff, Different Rules
The requirements can change depending on the store or even the staff. Even in the same store, one staff member might say yes, and another might say no. That’s why I strongly recommend explaining your situation first. Otherwise, you might waste time listening to all the explanations, only to be rejected at the end with something like:
「あ！お客様、大変申し訳ございませんが、bla bla bla」
(“Ah! Sorry, sir/ma’am, but unfortunately…”). Super annoying.
Telecom Companies I Used
- NTT Docomo (cheap SIM brand: ahamo)
- SoftBank (cheap SIM brand: Y!mobile)
If you want to save money, consider cheap SIMs. They cost around ¥3,000 per month with about 25–30GB of data. Each company runs different promotions, so sometimes you might even get bonus data for free.
Other options include au, UQ Mobile, and Rakuten Mobile. The best choice depends on the signal quality in the area where you usually stay. Personally, I feel the difference is not that big overall.
About Phone + Contract Bundles
If you want to get a new phone, you can also choose a contract phone plan (like in Malaysia with Maxis). Usually, it’s a 2-year contract, but the length depends on your residence card validity.
If your residence card is close to expiration, they might only give you a contract until that date. So, it’s better to apply when your residence card still has plenty of time left.
Small Tips
- If you have a 2-year contract, you can switch to another company after the contract ends. Many people change providers every 2 years.
- If you don’t buy a contract phone (just SIM), you can usually switch after about 7–8 months.
Extra Benefit: Bic Camera Points
When you apply at Bic Camera, they often give you Bic Camera points as a bonus. These points can be used not only for discounts but also for special prices if you buy electronics or Wi-Fi equipment.
For example, when my sister and I switched from Docomo to SoftBank, we each got 20,000 points (1 point = 1 yen). I used the points to buy a ¥45,000 massage machine, paid 40,000 points, and only paid around ¥4,000 in cash — plus I earned more points. Super worth it!
