Comparing Mobile Plans in Japan: Save on Phone & Data Bills

This guide helps you compare real 2025 mobile plans in Japan and cut your monthly phone bill. We explain the main types of providers, show sample prices, and give step-by-step tips so you can choose, switch, and save with confidence.

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At a glance: easiest ways to lower your bill

If you want quick wins before we go deep:

• Move away from old “big carrier” shop plans (full-price Docomo/au/SoftBank contracts with device installments).
• Use online brands like ahamo, povo 2.0, LINEMO, or Rakuten Mobile instead of legacy plans – they are usually 30–50% cheaper for similar data.
• Consider a budget MVNO (e.g., IIJmio) if you are okay with slightly slower speeds at busy times.
• Right-size your data: many people in Japan use around 10–12 GB per month, so a 30 GB plan often has room to spare.
• Check for Wi-Fi, family discounts, and bundles to avoid paying for data you do not actually need.

Finding Japanese contracts confusing? If you need full English support and want to pay with your foreign credit card, we highly recommend checking Sakura Mobile first.

For a full picture of SIM types, where to buy them, and activation steps, read this together with How to Get a Japanese SIM Card and Internet Plan (2025).

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How mobile plans work in Japan

Japan’s mobile market looks complicated at first, but almost every plan you see belongs to one of four nationwide networks:

• NTT Docomo – and its online brand ahamo
• KDDI/au – and its online brand povo 2.0
• SoftBank – and its online brand LINEMO
• Rakuten Mobile – a newer carrier with its own network plus roaming on others

On top of these, there are many MVNOs (budget virtual operators) such as IIJmio or mineo. They rent capacity from the big three networks.

Three main categories of plans

Think in terms of these broad types:

1. Traditional carrier shop plans (Docomo / au / SoftBank main brands)
   • Sold in physical shops.
   • Often include device installments, family discounts, and complex bundles.
   • Good support, but prices are usually the highest, especially if you are not using all of the features.
2. Online sub-brands (ahamo, povo 2.0, LINEMO)
   • Run by the big three carriers but mostly online-only.
   • Simple pricing and no long contracts.
   • Strong networks, usually the best balance of price vs speed for residents.
3. Rakuten Mobile and MVNOs (IIJmio, etc.)
   • Rakuten Mobile uses a single tiered plan that scales from low usage to unlimited data, with heavy use still relatively cheap.
   • MVNOs like IIJmio offer very low prices (for example, around 5 GB for 950 yen per month) but may slow down more at peak times.

If you are new in Japan and setting up your money life, it also helps to read Opening a Bank Account in Japan and How to Pay Bills in Japan, since you will usually pay your phone bill from a Japanese bank account or credit card. To transfer your initial funds to Japan with the lowest fees, we recommend using Wise.

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Key 2025 resident plans you should know

Here are some of the most important options for long-term residents in late 2025. Prices are tax-included unless noted and may change, so always confirm on the official sign-up page.

ahamo (NTT Docomo)

• What it is: Docomo’s online-only plan.
• Price & data:
  • Main plan: 30 GB for ¥2,970/month, including 5 minutes of free domestic calls per call.
  • “Oomori” add-on: boosts to about 110 GB total for ¥4,950/month.
• Good for: People who stream a lot, hotspot for laptop, or commute long distances and want big data with simple pricing.

LINEMO (SoftBank)

• What it is: SoftBank’s online low-cost brand, contract-free.
• Price & data:
  • “Best Plan” series: 3 GB for ¥900 (before tax) and 10 GB for ¥1,900 (before tax); LINE chat and calls do not count towards your data.
• Good for: Light to medium users who rely heavily on LINE, and people who want SoftBank’s network but simpler bills.

povo 2.0 (KDDI/au)

• What it is: An ultra-flexible plan where your base fee is ¥0 and you buy “toppings” (data packs and call packs) only when you need them.
• Typical data price:
  • For example, a 60 GB / 90 days topping costs ¥6,490, which works out to roughly 20 GB per month for around ¥2,163.
• Good for: People who use lots of Wi-Fi and only sometimes need mobile data, or those who have irregular months.

Rakuten Mobile – Rakuten SAIKYO Plan

• What it is: A single tiered plan that scales with your usage, with unlimited data at the top tier.
• Price & data (regular age band, with family discount on unlimited):
  • Up to 3 GB: marketed as starting around ¥1,000/month.
  • Unlimited data: ¥2,880 (¥3,168 including tax) with SAIKYO FAMILY discount.
• Perks: Unlimited calling in Japan when using the Rakuten Link app, some free overseas data, and many point-return campaigns.
• Good for: Heavy data users, people who already use the Rakuten ecosystem, and families taking advantage of discounts.

IIJmio Giga Plan (example MVNO)

• What it is: A well-known MVNO with good customer satisfaction.
• Example: 5 GB “Giga Plan” for ¥950/month (voice SIM), with larger tiers going up to 55 GB.
• Good for: Budget-focused users who do not mind small speed drops at busy times.

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Sample 2025 price comparison (residents)

To make things concrete, here is a simple comparison of representative plans many residents choose.

The numbers below come from carriers’ official pages and recent comparisons as of late 2025. Always check the final price at sign-up in case of promotions or changes.

Brand / type	Network	Example plan (voice)	Data allowance (month)	Approx. monthly cost	Notes
ahamo	Docomo	Standard plan	30 GB	¥2,970	5-minute domestic calls included; big add-on option for ~110 GB.
LINEMO Best Plan	SoftBank	3 GB tier	3 GB	~¥900 before tax	LINE chat and calls are “data-free”, so real usage can feel larger.
LINEMO Best Plan	SoftBank	10 GB tier	10 GB	~¥1,900 before tax	Good mid-range choice if you live on LINE and light browsing.
povo 2.0	au	60 GB / 90 days topping	≈20 GB (average)	≈¥2,163 per month	Base fee ¥0; you choose toppings in the app when needed.
Rakuten SAIKYO	Rakuten	Unlimited data with family discount	Unlimited (fair-use)	¥2,880 (¥3,168 incl.)	Single plan that scales with usage; unlimited tier for heavy users.
IIJmio Giga Plan	Docomo/au	5 GB voice SIM	5 GB	¥950	Very low price; may slow during busy hours like lunch and evening.

This table already shows why many expats switch: moving from an old big-carrier shop plan at ¥7,000–¥9,000 to one of these options can easily cut your bill in half or more, without losing coverage.

If you want to see how this fits into your overall budget, compare it with your rent, utilities, and transport using Cost of Living in Japan 2025 – Expenses Breakdown.

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Price changes and 2025 trends you should know

Carriers in Japan have been raising data amounts or adjusting prices to respond to competition and inflation:

• Docomo increased ahamo’s data from 20 GB to 30 GB in October 2024 while keeping the monthly fee at ¥2,970.
• MVNOs like IIJmio have increased data on key plans (for example, 4 GB to 5 GB) while keeping or even lowering prices, making low-cost plans more attractive.
• KDDI’s UQ mobile has announced price and data revisions for some existing plans from November 2025, showing that old plans may quietly become more expensive or be replaced.

Because of these changes, it makes sense to review your plan at least once a year. To tie this into your wider money system, you might also want to schedule a regular “money checkup” using guides like Money-Saving Tips in Japan or Leaving Japan Financial Checklist if you plan to move out.

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Which plan is best for your usage?

Instead of picking the “cheapest” brand overall, match the plan to how you actually use your phone.

1. Light user (mostly on Wi-Fi)

Profile: You use Wi-Fi at home and work, plus a bit of data for maps and messages when outside.

• A 3–5 GB plan is usually enough.
• Best fits:
  • LINEMO 3 GB plan (cheap, and LINE is data-free).
  • IIJmio 5 GB Giga Plan if you want the lowest possible bill.
• Avoid: Big 30 GB or unlimited plans unless you really need them.

2. Everyday commuter / mixed use

Profile: You stream some music, scroll social media, use maps, and sometimes hotspot a laptop.

• 10–20 GB is a comfortable range for most people.
• Good options:
  • LINEMO 10 GB tier if you like LINE.
  • ahamo 30 GB if you want a simple “never worry” buffer and free 5-minute calls.
  • povo 2.0 toppings (like 20 GB for 30 days) if your usage changes month to month.

3. Heavy streamer / hotspot worker

Profile: You stream video on the train, tether a laptop, or use your phone as a primary internet line.

• ahamo with Oomori add-on is strong value for ~110 GB on Docomo’s network.
• Rakuten SAIKYO unlimited tier is attractive if coverage in your area is solid and you can use Rakuten Link for calls.
• Some MVNOs and povo have large multi-month toppings (for example, 300 GB / 90 days) that can be cost-effective if you do not mind occasional slowdowns.

If you plan to work remotely from home or cafés, combine this with our Remote Work in Japan guide.

4. Irregular user / long vacations abroad

Profile: Some months you use almost nothing (travel abroad, busy at home with Wi-Fi); other months you use a lot.

• povo 2.0 shines here because your base fee is ¥0. You can pause topping purchases and pay nothing in quiet months, then buy a topping when you need data again.
• This is also useful if Japan is your “base” but you spend long periods overseas.

5. Families and couples

Profile: Several people in the same household all need mobile data.

• Instead of many large plans, mix and match:
  • Heavy user: Rakuten unlimited or ahamo Oomori.
  • Light users: LINEMO 3 GB or IIJmio 5 GB.
• Check family discounts such as Rakuten’s SAIKYO FAMILY program and youth/kids discounts.

To manage shared finances smoothly, you might also like Mobile Payment and Banking Apps, which explains how to handle split bills and automatic payments.

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How to compare plans step by step

When you are ready to choose or change plans, follow this simple process:

Step 1 – Check your real data usage

1. Open your phone’s data settings and check last month’s usage.
2. Look at your current carrier’s app or web portal for the last 3–6 months.
3. Take the highest number and add a small buffer (for example, +20%).

If you are regularly below 5 GB, you do not need a huge plan. If you frequently hit 30 GB, focus on ahamo, Rakuten, or big povo toppings.

Step 2 – Decide what matters most

Rank these items for yourself:

• Price per month
• Network coverage (especially if you live in the countryside)
• International roaming
• Hotspot / tethering rules
• English support and ease of sign-up
• Flexibility (can you pause or change plan easily?)

For coverage and roaming details, check each carrier’s map and notes; for example, Docomo and Rakuten both provide English pages about their plan features and coverage.

Step 3 – Shortlist 2–3 concrete plans

Using your usage and priorities:

• Pick one online brand (ahamo, povo, or LINEMO).
• Pick one alternative (Rakuten Mobile or a cheap MVNO like IIJmio).
• Optionally, keep your current plan in the list to compare.

Now compare total costs including:

• Voice options (unlimited or 5-minute adds-on)
• International calling or roaming packs if you need them
• Any device installments you still owe

If you are still paying off a phone from a big carrier, you can usually keep paying for the device even after switching your plan to another carrier via MNP.

Step 4 – Check contract and fees on your current plan

Before you switch, log into your current carrier’s website/app and check:

• Are there any cancellation fees or device financing penalties?
• Are you on a fixed-term discount that will end soon anyway?
• Do you need to request an MNP reservation number to keep your number?

The general MNP process and ID rules are outlined clearly in carriers’ English pages and in our own How to Get a Japanese SIM Card and Internet Plan (2025).

Step 5 – Apply for the new plan

In most cases, you can apply online:

1. Prepare your residence card, Japanese address, and payment method (credit card or bank account).
2. Enter your MNP reservation number if you want to keep your old phone number.
3. Choose SIM or eSIM. eSIM is quick but make sure your phone supports it.
4. Follow the activation steps (scan QR code for eSIM, or insert physical SIM and enter APN details).

Once the new line works and your number is fully ported, you can cancel or let the old line automatically close.

Most providers require a Japanese bank account or credit card. If you don’t have these yet, Sakura Mobile is the easiest option to get connected immediately upon arrival.

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Extra ways to save on phone and data bills

Even after you switch to a cheaper plan, there are more ways to avoid wasting money.

1. Use Wi-Fi smartly

• Connect to home Wi-Fi as much as possible; consider a stable fiber line if you work from home.
• In cafés and stations, use trusted Wi-Fi networks, but avoid entering passwords or banking details on unknown hotspots.

Public Wi-Fi is free but risky. Always use a reliable VPN like NordVPN to protect your personal data while connected to open networks in cafes or stations.

2. Control background data

On both iOS and Android, you can:

• Turn off background data for heavy apps (video, social media).
• Use built-in data saver modes.
• Disable auto-play for videos in apps like Instagram or TikTok.

3. Use VoIP and chat wisely

• In many cases, LINE calls are enough for friends and family. On LINEMO, LINE data is even “count-free” on some plans.
• Rakuten Link app offers free domestic calls inside Japan for Rakuten users.

This means you do not always need an expensive unlimited-calling add-on.

4. Share or split plans

• Families or couples can mix heavy and light plans, then use free Wi-Fi tethering from the heavy user when needed (check each plan’s hotspot rules).
• Keep track of all these bills with Mobile Payment and Banking Apps, which explains how to use Japanese cashless services.

5. Watch for quiet price hikes

Carriers sometimes change old plans (for example, UQ mobile’s legacy plans seeing price + data changes in November 2025).

Set a reminder to review your plan once a year and compare it to current offers. This small habit can save you tens of thousands of yen over time and fits well into a yearly review using Money-Saving Tips in Japan.

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Quick checklist before you choose a plan

Before you click “apply”:

• Is your phone unlocked and compatible with the new network?
• Do you know your average monthly data for the last 3–6 months?
• Have you compared at least one online brand and one MVNO option?
• Have you checked MNP and cancellation rules with your current carrier?
• Do you have your residence card, address, and payment method ready?
• Have you linked this choice to your wider budget (see Cost of Living in Japan 2025)?

If you follow these steps, you can turn a confusing market into a simple choice and keep more yen in your pocket each month.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.