Guide 02

Phone and internet

Think of it in two stages: a bridge that works before you have any Japanese paperwork, and a longer-term plan once you do.

Stage one: the bridge

A prepaid travel eSIM installs on your phone before you leave home. Many are data-only, with no Japanese phone number, which is fine for maps, translation and messaging apps in your first days.

Stage two: a resident plan

Once you've registered your address, look at plans aimed at foreign residents. Before you sign up, check three things: whether you get a Japanese phone number, what ID and payment method the provider accepts, and the minimum contract length.