【2024 Version】The Best MVNOs for Working Holidays

photo by Titanas

A 12-month working holiday is something you should experience at least once before turning 30. Japan has working holiday agreements with 23 countries and regions, accepting about 15 thousands of working holiday makers every year. Because of the subsidence of the pandemic and the weak yen, the number of working holiday makers visiting Japan has been increasing. In order for them to enjoy working holidays life in Japan, a smartphone is must-have item to search jobs and make bookings with hotels and public transports. On the other hand, most of them also want to save costs on phones. For working holiday makers, budget mobile carriers called Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) is the best option. It uses the same phone lines as the major phone companies but offers different services to save costs.

The pros and cons of Japanese carriers

Use major carrier’s SIM

Docomo, SoftBank, and au are the three major phone companies in Japan. They used to impose a 12-month contract period, or you had to purchase a device when you contract a mobile phone line, but these restrictions were lifted a few years ago.

Pros

• A wide range of support at their shops
• Lower phone call rates
• Stable signals

Cons

• Higher rates
• No data-only plans (Exceptional if you contract two or more lines)

Purchase MVNO SIM

Purchase only a SIM card from a low-cost mobile carrier.

Pros

• Data charges are lower than the three major phone carriers.
• Most carriers have no contract period.
• You can use it on your SIM-free device brought from your country.

Cons

• Inferior in customer support services compared to the major phone carriers.
• No need to purchase a SIM-free device in Japan.
• Phone calls are expensive.
• You need to do the initial setting by yourself.
• Reception might be unstable in crowded places (e.g. events, long lines)

Purchase prepaid SIM

Purchase a prepaid SIM and use it on your phone. Basically, there is no additional charge other than what you initially paid.

Pros

• No mobile contract needs to be made.
• No need to cancel the contract, no cancellation charge.
• No additional charges other than what you paid at the beginning.
• You can use your SIM-free device.

Cons

• Plans are for a short period of time, therefore not suitable for a long stay.
• Inferior in customer support services compared to the major phone carriers.
• Data charges are more expensive than the major carriers.
• You need to purchase additional data if you want to have extra data.
• You need to prepare a SIM-free device that can be used in Japan.

A working holiday visa is normally valid for up to 12 months (18 months for some countries) and allows you to stay in Japan for a rather long period of time, so using a prepaid SIM wouldn’t be a good choice. You should purchase a SIM from one of the major phone carriers or low-cost MVNOs and use it on your phone. However, mobile plans from the major phone carriers are more expensive than those of MVNOs, making a few thousand-yen difference per month. If you want to save your living expenses in Japan, a low-cost SIM from MVNO would be the best option. You need to have a SIM-free device that can be used in Japan to do so, but if your phone doesn’t meet Japanese standards, you can purchase an appropriate device in Japan. Lately, many low-cost SIM-free smartphones are available from retail shops at 10,000 – 20,000 yen. If you wish to take the phone you purchased in Japan to your country, you should ask a shop staff about the specification.

MVNO Plans

There are three types of MVNO plans.

Phone + SMS + Data

You can make phone calls, send SMS and use data.

SMS + Data

You can send SMS and use data. The most commonly used free-call app in Japan “LINE” requires SMS vilification. There is only a slight difference in prices between the data-only plan and SMS and data plans, normally a 100 – 150 yen difference. It is recommended to have SMS on your phone while you live in Japan.

Data only

You can use data only, thus a low price. This is the best plan if you only want to use the internet with no phone numbers and SMS.

If you are going to look for a job, you definitely need a phone number. Also, you cannot call emergencies with your free-call app in Japan. Phone + SMS + Data plan is most recommended for working holiday makers.

Data Usage

Monthly data size would be your prime concern when you make a contract with MVNO. While each carrier provides various plans with monthly data of such as 1GB, 10GB or even unlimited, 3GB plans are typically popular. This is because most sharehouses, backpackers or guesthouses normally have free Wi-Fi connection, then guests do not need to use data on their mobile phones unless they go out. Therefore, a majority of people tend to choose plans with rather small data to lower their communication expenses.

MVNO Carrier SIM 3GB Plan Comparison

Depending on the plan you choose, MVNOs offer several different choices. The following chart summarizes the information for 3GB plans of different MVNOs.

*1 Free call service is only available for domestic calls.
*2Cancellation fee will be charged for cancellation within contract period.
*3 No app for QT Mobile. Their standard phone call rate is ¥11/30sec.

SMS and call fees are often overlooked when using a MVNO SIM. Receiving calls is free of charge, but calling to other phones is charged. Also, while receiving SMS is free, sending domestic SMS message costs 3-30yen per message and international messages cost 50 – 500yen per message. In addition, there is monthly fees of 2-3yen called “Universal service fee” which is to maintain the service system.

Summary

Best customer support

MVNO contracts are mainly made online. However, most of those websites are written only in Japanese. If you are not confident in your Japanese language skill and have no one to help you, it is recommended to choose a carrier that has branch shops. AEON Mobile provides face-to-face customer support at 200 shops across Japan. Their rates, ¥1078 for a 3GB plan and ¥550 for a 5-minute free call are also reasonable.
Many MVNOs offer online application, but most of them have only Japanese homepages. Among these MVNOs, Rakuten, IIJmio, LINEMO, b-mobile let customers apply for new contracts via their English websites.

Best phone call deal

One downside of MVNO SIMs is the expensive phone call rates. Almost all carriers set their phone call rates at ¥22/sec and offer 5 to 10-minute free call options by using their original phone apps. You can also choose an unlimited call but the price ranges between ¥1500 and ¥2000. If you want to talk on the phone a lot, Rakuten SAIKYO Plan is the best for you. By using an app, you can make unlimited domestic calls even to other company’s lines. QT Mobile doesn’t have an app. But their normal phone charge is already very reasonable, 11 yen/30 seconds.

Best value deals

If you simply want to cut down your phone costs, choose Rakuten SAIKYO Plan or LINEMO. Rakuten offers monthly rates as low as ¥1078 for 3GB and zero initial cost, surpassing all others in low-price competition. Also, LINEMO which is run by LINE, the largest free chat service in Japan, offers monthly rates as low as 990 yen for a 3GB plan and a 5-minute free call for the first 7 months. IIJmio, OCN Mobile, LIBMO, BIC SIM offer rates lower than 1,000 yen.

Related Article:
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【2024 Version】Stay Connected! A Guide to Japan’s Free Wi-Fi Spots