Prices and Quality of Prepaid SIM cards sold at convenience stores in Japan

For those planning a trip to Japan, ensuring internet access is crucial. Free Wi-Fi in Japan is not as readily available. Therefore, to use a comfortable online experience, it’s essential to either purchase a Prepaid SIM card or eSIM or consider renting a Pocket Wi-Fi.

If you prioritize communication quality, ample data capacity, and easy connectivity in Japan, renting a Pocket Wi-Fi is often the best choice over Prepaid SIM cards or eSIM. For more details, please refer below.

Japan Best Pocket Wi-Fi Rental in 2024 Recommended plan for comfortable networking

Recently, Prepaid SIM cards have become available for purchase at convenience stores in Japan. If you haven’t reserved a Pocket Wi-Fi before coming to Japan and can’t rent one at the airport, considering buying a Prepaid SIM card from a convenience store might be a suitable option.

You might be curious about the quality and cost of Prepaid SIM cards available at convenience stores in Japan.
This article describes our research on Prepaid SIM Cards sold at convenience stores in Japan.

Prepaid SIM cards are sold only at very few convenience stores

There are vending machines for prepaid SIM cards at the airport, but once you leave the airport, there are few places where you can purchase prepadi SIM cards.
Convenience stores have recently started selling prepaid SIM cards, but there are only a few stores that sell them, so do not expect to be able to buy a SIM card anywhere in Japan.

Please consider reserving a pocket wifi before arriving in Japan. It’s cost-effective, you can pick it up immediately upon airport arrival, and also they even deliver it to your hotel.

Pricing of Convenience Store Prepaid SIM Cards

Here are the prices for Prepaid SIM cards available at convenience stores:

7-Eleven

SIM cards can be purchased at very few stores.
SIM Card Provider: TSIM teck (Chinese Company)
It does not appear to be a SIM card sold by a Japanese company, but a type that can connect to a Japanese carrier through roaming.
You can choose the data capacity of your SIM card from 500 MB to 30 GB.
Price 880 yen

Family Mart

SIM cards can be purchased at very few stores.
SIM Card Provider: TSIM teck (Chinese Company)
It does not appear to be a SIM card sold by a Japanese company, but a type that can connect to a Japanese carrier through roaming.
You can choose the data capacity of your SIM card from 500 MB to 30 GB.
Price 880 yen

Lawson

It is available only in certain stores.
SIM Card Provider: IIJ (Japanese Company)

Quality of Convenience Store Prepaid SIM Cards

While we haven’t surveyed all types of Prepaid SIM cards, those available at convenience stores are generally provided by IIJ.

Actual communication speeds for IIJ’s Prepaid SIM card, measured on January 13, 2024, are as follows:

Although communication quality is lower compared to Pocket Wi-Fi, these speeds are generally acceptable for a Prepaid SIM card. If faster speeds are essential, it’s advisable to rent a Pocket Wi-Fi before arriving in Japan.

After conducting our research, it turns out that Prepaid SIM cards from Japanese convenience stores might be on the pricier side compared to other options. While these SIM cards offer convenience and can be readily obtained, the rates can be higher when compared to purchasing from other sources, such as online providers or specific telecommunication stores.

For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, exploring alternative avenues for obtaining a Prepaid SIM card in Japan, such as online services or dedicated stores, could potentially result in a better deal. It’s always a good idea to weigh the convenience against the cost to find the best option that suits your needs.

Momo

I am Japanese and my nickname is Momo.
I have been working in the mobile telecommunications industry for about 7 years and am familiar with Japanese telecommunications services. Although my English is not very good, I would like to provide useful telecommunication-related information to those who stay in Japan as accurately as possible.

Published: March 19, 2024