Landing at Narita and need mobile data right away? You can buy a Narita Airport SIM card at counters and vending machines in Terminals 1, 2, and 3 (JAL ABC, AnyFone, Rakuten Mobile, or SoftBank). Another option is to set up a Japan eSIM like Ohayu.com online before the flight and connect after you land using airport Wi-Fi.
In this guide, I will show you where exactly the airport counters are, what SIM and eSIM card types they sell, and how high the prices are.
Benefits of buying a Japan SIM card at the airport
The main reason is simple: you get online right after arrival. That is useful for maps, train apps, hotel messages, and contact with family or friends.
It can also save time. Narita has several landside counters and machines, so you do not need to leave the airport and search for a mobile shop in the city. Staff at the service desks can usually explain the options, and some counters can help with setup. They might install the card for you as well.
SIM card prices at Narita airport are the same as in the city – 3,000 to 10,000 yen for a 5 GB plan ($10-$30). For comparison, the tourist Ohayu eSIM costs around $10.49 per 5 GB.
eSIM for Japan
An eSIM is a digital SIM built into a compatible phone. You buy the plan online, install it by scanning a QR code or using one-click in-app install, and activate it when you land in Narita. For many travelers, that is the easiest option because there is no physical SIM card to pick up, swap, or lose. You go online soon after landing.
How eSIM works
- Buy an eSIM online and open it in your iOS or Android app.
- Scan the QR code on your phone or use one-click installation.
- Set the travel eSIM as your mobile data line, and turn the data roaming for the eSIM line on when you arrive in Japan.
If your phone supports eSIM, this is usually a faster option. You can check by dialing *#06# – this is not a call, just a safe device command that shows your phone information. If the EID appears on screen, your device supports eSIM.
Where to buy a Narita Airport SIM card
Narita has mobile counters in all three terminals, but not every brand is present everywhere. Most counters are in public areas before the security check, while some GPA vending machines in Terminal 2 are before customs. Terminal 1 has the widest choice.
JAL ABC
It is an affiliate of Japan Airlines (JAL). JAL ABC is one of the best-known airport providers. They provide luggage delivery and mobile/data services. At Narita, it also sells SIM cards, eSIMs, and other travel tech products.
The company has 6 locations in Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2). If you arrive in T1, you’ll find four counters on 1F and departure counters on 4F arrivals areas before the security check. Meanwhile, in T2, two booths are on the 1st and 3rd floors (1F and 3F).
Tourists arriving at T3 will need to walk to T2 to find the branch, as there is no JAL ABC location in Terminal 3.
- Hours: 06:30- one hour after the last international flight arrives
- Tel: +81 120-086-072
XCom Global
XCom Global is a Wi-Fi and phone rental provider. They have three stores in Narita. In T1, they are located on 1F and 4F of the Central Building. For people arriving at T2, there is a spot on the B1F (basement 1st floor) – it is the floor right below the ground level.
You can call XCom Global if you have questions:
- 07:00-21:00
- +81 120-800-540
J WiFi & Mobile
J WiFi & Mobile is another airport option for SIM cards, mobile phone rentals, and pocket Wi-Fi. Its counters are spread across all Narita terminals. It provides traveler-oriented services, mostly focused on Wi-Fi and smartphone rentals. Their six booths (often combined with XCom Global) are in all three terminals.
You will find them in T1 in the North Wing and the South Wing on 4F, as well as in the Central Building on 1F. In T2, they are on 1F and 3F. And in T3, it is on 1F near the bus stop. All these locations are found before you go through the security check.
J WIFi contact details:
- 7:00-21:00 (or 6:00-20:30 in T3)
- +81 3-5396-3174
TelecomSquare
Service centers labeled TelecomSquare are present at all major Japanese international airports. TelecomSquare mainly sells travel connectivity products such as Wi-Fi rental and SIM services. At Narita, it has counters in Terminal 1 Central Building 1F, Terminal 1 South Wing 4F, Terminal 2 B1F, and Terminal 2 3F.
They have four counters at Narita Airport. Two are in T1 (1F, Central Building, and 4F, South Wing). And two are in T2 (3F and B1F). All of these spots are located before the security check.
TelecomSquare’s opening hours and phone numbers:
- 07:00-21:00
- +81 3-3239-2333, +81 800-123-6334
AnyFone Japan
AnyFone JAPAN sells prepaid SIM cards, eSIMs, and rental devices for travelers. At Narita, it has store counters in Terminal 1 Central Building 1F and Terminal 2 Main Building 1F. The company also operates 24/7 eSIM and Wi-Fi kiosks in both terminals.
This is a brand of GSM Rentafone. It offers services for travelers, specifically for phone and Wi-Fi rentals, as well as cell packages.
You will find them in T1, located in the Central Building on 1F, before the security screening. Another store is in T2 on 1F, right next to the central entrance of the Arrivals floor. The staffed counters on 1F are open 07:00 – 21:00. If you arrive late, the 24-hour kiosks can be useful, but they are more self-service.
Contact AnyFone to get more information.
- 07:00-21:00
- +81 70-1536-8201, +81 80-4586-4680
Softbank Global Rental
SoftBank Global Rental has service counters in Terminal 1, Central Building 1F, and Terminal 2 Main Building 1F. It focuses on rentals and prepaid travel products.
SoftBank is a familiar local network name, but at the airport, you are buying a tourist product rather than a regular local subscription.
For additional information:
- 07:00-21:00
- +81 476-33-8531, +81 80-4586-4680
Rakuten Mobile
Rakuten Mobile is one of Japan’s main carriers. At Narita, it has one official counter in Terminal 1 Central Building 4F.
This is the only airport store in this guide that belongs to a major Japanese mobile operator itself. It can be useful if you want to ask directly about Rakuten plans, but it is not the most convenient option for every short trip because the counter is on the 4th floor.
Their only counter is located in T1, specifically on the 4F, before security. This is the same level as the departure lobby, before the security check.
Here are Rakuten Mobile’s contacts if you are going to reserve a Narita Airport SIM card:
- 08:00-20:00
- +81 476-85-6781
GPA Vending Machines
GPA vending machines are the easiest 24-hour option. Narita lists them in all three terminals, including several machines in Terminal 2.
Current Narita Airport listings show 10 GPA SIM card vending machines in total:
- T1: Two on 1F, one on B1F.
- T2: Two on 1F, four on 2F.
- T3: One on 1F.
These machines are self-service. They are useful for late arrivals, but the choice is usually smaller than at counters. Here are key points:
- Self-service: Buy your SIM card without talking to a representative.
- It is 24/7 access: buy a mobile plan at any time.
Narita Airport SIM card provider comparison
| Provider | Location | Operating Hours | Contacts |
| JAL ABC | T1: 1F, 4F T2: 1F, 3F | 06:30- 1 hour after last flight arrives | +81 120-086-072 |
| XCom Global | T1: 1F, 4F T2: B1F | 07:00-21:00 | +81 120-800-540 |
| J WiFi | T1: 1F, 4F T2: 1F, 3F T3: 1F | 07:00-21:00 (06:00-20:30 in T3) | +81 3-5396-3174 |
| Telecom Square | T1: 1F, 4F T2: 3F, B1F | 07:00-21:00 | +81 3-3239-2333 +81 800-123-6334 |
| AnyFone | T1: 1F T2: 1F | 07:00-21:00 | +81 70-1536-8201 +81 80-4586-4680 |
| Softbank Global Rental | T1: 1F T2: 1F | 07:00-21:00 | +81 476-33-8531 +81 80-4586-4680 |
| Rakuten | T1: 4F | 08:00-20:00 | +81 476-85-6781 |
| GPA Vending Machines | T1: 1F, B1F T2: 1F, 2F T3: 1F | 24/7 | – |
Things to know when buying a Narita Airport SIM card
The key things you should consider are:
- Unlocked phone: Your smartphone must be unlocked and support Japanese bands.
- ID: To buy a local physical SIM card, you’ll need to prove your identity with your ID at a counter. Online eSIMs like Ohayu do not need ID verification because they are data-only (no local phone number is attached).
- Payment: Credit cards are widely accepted. Some airport kiosks are card-only, but most vending machines may accept only cash.
- Prices: Airport products are convenient, but online eSIM plans are often cheaper. Published tourist SIM and eSIMs that are sold over the counter at Narita commonly start around ¥3,300 to ¥5,000 for short validity and go up to around ¥9,900 for larger or longer plans ($30). Online eSIMs like Ohayu cost around $10 for a 5GB plan.
- Options: At Narita, you will find physical SIMs, eSIMs, rental Wi-Fi, and some voice-enabled visitor SIM products.
If you need help with installation or want to ask questions, a staffed counter is the safer option. If you just want the fastest purchase, the vending machines or an eSIM are simpler.
SIM vs eSIM: what to choose
At Narita, both options are easy to find. A physical SIM still makes sense if your phone does not support eSIM or if you want help from staff at the counter. An eSIM is usually better if you want to set everything up before the flight and connect right after landing.
Airport counter prices vary by provider, stock, and promotion. The table below uses published example prices from airport sellers and Ohayu’s Japan eSIM page.
| SIM /eSIM | Data | Validity | Price |
| Ohayu Japan eSIM | 3GB | 15 days | $8.49 |
| Ohayu Japan eSIM | 10GB | 30 days | $18.99 |
| JAL ABC eSIM | 4GB/day | 7 days | ~$31.69 |
| JAL ABC unlimited prepaid SIM | Unlimited | 30 days | ~$44.37 |
| SoftBank prepaid SIM | 3GB | 5 days | ~$25.10 |
As you can see, short-term local plans vary a lot by provider. A 7-day plan can cost around ¥2,200-¥5,000 ($31.70), a 30-day plan can cost around ¥3,300-¥7,000+, or even more if it says “unlimited”.
Some “unlimited” packages also have a fair usage policy. It means the speeds can be reduced after a threshold of heavy daily usage or during network congestion. For example, JAL ABC’s 4GB/day eSIM reduces speed to 1Mbps after you reach the daily limit.
Compared with these airport and local-carrier options, Ohayu eSIM might be a cheaper and more convenient fixed-data plan for short trips to Japan. The 3GB / 15-day plan costs $8.49, while the 10GB / 30-day plan costs $18.99. You can install the eSIM before your trip, then turn it on after landing.
In general, local SIM cards are useful if you want counter support or your phone does not support eSIM. An eSIM is usually the better choice if you want a lower price, no airport queue, and mobile data ready soon after arrival.
Conclusion
Wrapping up, we can say that staying connected in Tokyo is simple enough, especially from the arrival hall. As a traveler, you can purchase a Narita Airport SIM card or an eSIM. Your choice depends on your habits – whether you prefer to do things online or over the counter at a physical store.
In the end, the question is whether you want the human touch or prefer the digital ease. Either way, everyone is welcome in Japan.
