When you first arrive, you can easily buy a travel, non-phone number SIM Card at the airport to get around. An actual phone number is a must though for life in Japan and can be obtained once you have your residence card and address.

• Requirements: Residence card, proof of address.

• SIM Cards:
  • Docomo, au, SoftBank etc.: ¥6,000–9,000/month, 

• Usually 2-year contracts, that often come with extra benefits, like availability abroad.

• Rakuten, IIJmio, LINEMO, UQ, Y!mobile etc.: ¥2,000–4,000/month.
  • Basic plans with no extras.

• Home internet: ¥4,000–6,000/month, usually 1–2 years contracts, installation can take 2–4 weeks.
• Pocket Wi-Fi or Travel SIM: ¥3,000–5,000/month; useful temporary option.