Mobile Phones, SIM Cards, Internet, and Mail
Living in Japan, you will use things such as mobile phones, SIM cards, internet service, and mail.
Living in Japan, you will use things such as mobile phones, SIM cards, internet service, and mail.
Check the contract and cancellation conditions before signing up.
Check when contracting, buying, or moving
The communication contract and device price may be separate. Whether construction, a minimum contract period, or cancellation fees apply varies by provider and contract.
Communication contract
- Monthly fee, data allowance, call charges, contract period, cancellation conditions
Buying a device
- Total payment amount for the device
- If paying in installments, how much remains to be paid
Home internet
- Whether construction work is needed
- Whether there is a minimum contract period or cancellation fees
Moving or returning home
- Check whether to continue, change, or cancel
- Check remaining device payments and updating your address with your bank, employer, and government office
Mobile phones and SIM cards
You contract with a mobile phone carrier or an MVNO (budget carrier).
You will need identity documents and a payment method.
Check the contract period, monthly fee, data allowance, call charges, and cancellation conditions.
Buying a smartphone
The communication contract and the device price are sometimes separate.
If you buy a device in installments, check the total payment amount and how much is still left to pay.
Home internet
Options include fiber-optic lines and home routers.
Check whether construction work is needed, whether there is a minimum contract period, and whether there are cancellation fees.
When moving or returning to your home country
Check whether you will continue, change, or cancel your mobile phone and internet contracts.
If you still have installment payments remaining on a device, also check what happens to those payments afterward.
When your address changes, you may be able to use Japan Post's moving and forwarding service.
To prevent important mail from being sent to your old address, also update your address with your bank, employer, government office, and others.
What you can check next
- Moving or changing your address
- Electricity, gas, and water
- Leaving Japan and returning to your home country
Main places to check
- Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
- Mobile phone and internet providers
- Japan Post
Last checked: August 2026