Signing up for a SIM in Japan can feel like a paperwork test nobody prepared you for. You may have heard that you need a residence card, a Japanese credit card or a phone that can scan a chip, and it is hard to tell what is true for your situation. This guide explains which documents matter, when they matter, and what a residence card NFC check actually asks you to do.
Why some SIM plans need ID and others do not
Not every SIM in Japan asks for the same paperwork. The biggest difference is whether the plan gives you a phone number that can make and receive calls. Plans with a callable Japanese number, starting with 090, 080 or 070, go through identity verification before the line is activated. Data-only plans and plans that include SMS but no callable number sit in a different category, so the requirements are not the same.
The reason the number matters so much is practical. A callable Japanese number is usually needed to open a bank account, apply for jobs, sign a rental contract and register at many offices. Because that number becomes part of your official life in Japan, the provider has to confirm who you are before it is switched on.
Travel eSIMs work differently again. A travel eSIM for Japan or other Asian destinations needs no documents at all. You buy it online, receive a QR code and install it on a compatible phone. That makes it a useful option for short stays, and for the first days after you land, before your paperwork is ready.
The three things you usually need for a plan with a phone number
For a plan with a callable number, verification usually comes down to three things. The first is a valid residence card. This is the card issued to medium and long term residents, and it is the main document providers use to confirm your identity and status in Japan. A passport on its own is generally not what they look for when setting up this type of line.
The second is your current address in Japan. Many newcomers are surprised by this, because they assume any address will do. The address you give should be the one you currently live at, and it should match what is registered on your residence card. If you have just moved, update your address at your local ward or city office before you start the SIM application, so the details line up.
The third is a payment method in your own name. This is where many people worry, because they have heard that a Japanese credit card is mandatory. With shibaSIM it is not. Staff confirm a payment method that works for you in chat before you pay anything, so you do not have to guess or risk a failed payment. Staff also explain every step of the verification before you send anything, and any minimum term or cancellation fee is confirmed clearly before sign-up is finished.
How the residence card NFC check works
Your residence card contains an IC chip, a small electronic chip that stores your card details. Some providers ask you to read this chip with your smartphone using NFC, the same short range wireless technology used for contactless payments. Your phone acts as the reader, and the provider can confirm that the card is genuine and that the details match what you entered.
In practice, the check is a guided process on your phone. You open the verification screen, follow the instructions on screen, and hold your residence card flat against the back of the phone until the read is complete. With shibaSIM, if the provider requires an NFC chip check, staff tell you in advance so it does not come as a surprise halfway through, and they guide you step by step during the process.
Tip: Before you start an NFC check, take your phone out of a thick case, place the residence card on a flat surface and lay the phone on top of it. Keep both still until the screen confirms the read. Moving the card around too quickly is a common reason a scan fails.
What happens if your phone cannot read the chip
Not every phone reads every card on the first try. The NFC antenna sits in a different place depending on the model, some phones have NFC switched off in settings, and some older phones simply cannot handle this type of chip. A failed read does not mean your card is invalid or that your application is rejected.
If the scan keeps failing, first check that NFC is turned on in your phone settings, then try slowly moving the card to a different spot on the back of the phone. If it still does not work, tell the support team. shibaSIM staff have a fallback if your phone cannot read the chip, so you are not stuck just because of your device.
Support is handled by real people, from 8:00 to 22:00 Japan time, by WhatsApp or by email at [email protected], in English. If you get stuck during the check in the evening, it helps to start the process earlier in the day so someone can walk you through it while support is open.
Keeping your existing Japanese number with MNP
If you already have a Japanese mobile number and want to keep it, the process is called MNP, or mobile number portability. You need an MNP transfer code from your current carrier. You request this code from the carrier you are leaving, then provide it when you sign up for the new plan.
The order of steps matters. Do not cancel your old contract first. If you cancel before the transfer is done, the number is lost and cannot be moved. Keep the old line active, get the transfer code, and let the switch to the new plan close the old contract as part of the move.
Identity verification still applies when you transfer a number, because the new plan comes with a callable number. Have your residence card, current address and payment method ready at the same time as your transfer code, so the process can run in one go.
Just arrived and no residence card yet?
A common situation is landing in Japan with everything except the paperwork. Your residence card may not be in your hands yet, or you have not registered an address. In that case, a plan with a callable number is not possible straight away, because verification depends on those details.
You can still get online from day one. A travel eSIM for Japan needs no documents and runs alongside your home SIM, so you can keep your own number for messages from home. It works on iPhone XR/XS and later and on most higher end Android phones from 2019. After payment, the QR code is normally delivered within 30 minutes during support hours. As a rough estimate, basic use needs about 1GB per day, which helps you choose a plan size.
Once your residence card and address are ready, you can move to a monthly plan. If you mainly need data for study, a data-only option may be enough. If you need SMS for app verification, choose a plan that explicitly includes it. If you need a real number for a bank, job or apartment, choose the plan with a Japanese phone number and go through verification then.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a SIM in Japan with only my passport?
For a plan with a callable Japanese number, you will usually need a valid residence card, not just a passport. If you are visiting or have just arrived, a travel eSIM needs no documents and can cover you until your card is ready. You can then switch to a resident plan.
Do I need a Japanese credit card or bank account?
No Japanese credit card is required for shibaSIM resident plans. Staff confirm a payment method that works for you in chat before you pay anything. The payment method should be in your own name, which is part of the verification for plans with a callable number.
Does every SIM provider ask for an NFC chip scan?
No. Only some providers require the IC chip of the residence card to be read with NFC. If it is required for your plan, shibaSIM staff tell you in advance, guide you through it and have a fallback if your phone cannot read the chip.
Will I receive SMS codes on any plan?
SMS is only available on plans that explicitly include it, such as the Work plan and the Japanese phone number plan. Even then, delivery of verification codes depends on the app and the sender, so it is not guaranteed for every service. Data-only plans work with internet apps but cannot receive SMS.
The takeaway
The documents you need depend mostly on one question: do you need a Japanese number that can make and receive calls? If you do, prepare a valid residence card, your current address and a payment method in your own name, and expect a possible NFC chip check that staff will explain before you start. If you do not, or if your card is not ready yet, a data plan or a travel eSIM can keep you connected in the meantime. To compare the Student, Work and Japanese phone number plans and see current prices, visit the page on SIM and eSIM plans for living in Japan.
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