If you're visiting Japan, you don't need a Japanese phone number. But if you have a need for a Japanese phone number, here's what you need to know:

1. Japanese voice and SMS services require identity verification. With requirements changing in April 2026, this functionally means that you need to present your passport in-person at a reception point in Japan.
2. It is illegal to transfer a phone number to someone else, including for your friend to give you their SIM card temporarily.
3. Because of point number one, it is extremely difficult for providers to support foreign customers, but it is not impossible.
4. It is relatively expensive to maintain a phone number that works outside of Japan for long-term use. You cannot simply pause service on most plans for these carriers. Consider the base cost of something like this $30-40 a month (US) as a service fee to be able to use Japanese services outside of Japan.

• IFMobile confirmed in March, 2026.
  • At the time of writing, how they will handle the compliance changes in April 2026 are undetermined.
• Mobal voice and data eSIM plans ONLY support roaming SMS and voice, for a 990 yen fee per roaming activation. You must be on the docomo eSIM plans for this. SoftBank physical SIMs do not qualify. Sending phone calls and SMS is an additional fee, but receiving SMS outside of the country is free.
  • The cheaper “voice lite” plan does NOT support this feature even though it's an eSIM.

• Sakura Mobile
  • Based on…
    • Can I use the Monthly service outside of Japan? answer: yes for Voice+Data SIM/eSIM
    • Do I need to be a resident to apply for Monthly contracts? answer: “Rest assured, you do not need to be a resident in Japan to apply for our service and application with a passport is possible.”
  • Do you use Sakura Mobile? Help me confirm this! You can reach me at [email protected]. I'd like to confirm this with one SMS and phone call.

These providers are confirmed working to have phone numbers for foreigners / tourists, but the caveat is that they can only be used in Japan. If you want to sign into e.g., LINE or similar apps, you can do that, but you would need to return to Japan to get new SMS verification codes.

• Mobal physical SIM version can be used for long-term use with in-person identity verification, but cannot be used outside of Japan. Personal use for over 1 year in this mode.
• HanaCell is run by the same company that runs Mobal, and is specifically not for residents of Japan, but does give you a phone number that works in Japan. It is very cheap to maintain long term (maybe $8/mo).

Certain services, like Yahoo! Japan, PayPay, e-plus, pia, Lawson Ticket., require you to have a phone number to create an account and verify your identity¹⁾. This is an anti-scalper / anti-fraud measure. Some Japanese services only send SMS verification codes. Sometimes, you just want to call restaurants to make reservations in Japanese.

Sakura Mobile and Mobal base offerings support MNP in and out. This is not using the one-stop flow. You need an MNP reservation with at least 8 days left usually.

HanaCell doesn’t support MNP, and Mobal’s cheaper voice offering doesn’t either.

If you have new providers, please submit them to me at [email protected]. I will publish your provider information. I only accept submissions for providers that provide voice and SMS services to non-residents. Ideal new providers also support this outside of Japan.