Looking to buy a physical SIM card in Osaka? The most convenient place to buy one is at the Yodobashi Camera Umeda Store, which is right next to JR Osaka Station. Here are all the details.
SIM cards on sale at Yodobashi Camera Umeda Store © Chris RowthornThe Takeaway
- The best place to buy a prepaid data-only SIM card in Osaka is at the Yodobashi Camera Umeda Store, which is right outside JR Osaka Station.
- The Yodobashi Camera Original SIM cards are the easiest to set up and start at ¥3410 for 5GB/31 days.
- If you want, they offer an in-store installation and set-up service.
- You can also purchase a SIM card online and pick it up on arrival at Kansai International Airport.
- See below for all details.
The Details
- Wifi is very common in Japan. But you’ll need a SIM card to be online everywhere you go. Luckily, you can buy a data-only SIM card in Japan.
- Rather than going to a shop when you arrive in Japan, you can also purchase a SIM card online and pick it up on arrival at Kansai International Airport.
Osaka Holiday Essentials
- Where To Stay In Osaka: See our guide to the best areas and the best hotels to stay in Osaka.
- Things To Do In Osaka: Check this overview of Osaka activities with links to all the key information.
- Flights To Osaka: Find the cheapest flights to Osaka and flight times from scores of airlines with Skyscanner.
- Osaka Packing List: Don’t forget to take any of the essentials with our comprehensive Packing List For Japan.
- Travel Insurance: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Claim online anywhere in the world.
What You’ll Need To Buy A SIM Card In Japan
First, you’ll need an unlocked smartphone or device to use a prepaid SIM. You should be able to configure the APN settings yourself.
Yodobashi Camera Umeda Store © Chris Rowthorn
Where To Buy Prepaid SIM Cards In Osaka
You can buy data-only SIM cards at Yodobashi Camera shops, which can be found in most major Japanese cities. Osaka has several branches of Yodobashi Camera. The main branch is the Yodobashi Camera Umeda Store, which is just outside the north/central gate of JR Osaka Station, and also a short walk west of Hankyu Umeda Station.
The prepaid data-only SIM cards are on sale on the 1st floor, very close to the exit from Yodobashi into the adjoining Uniqlo store.
SIM cards near exit to Uniqlo © Chris Rowthorn
There’s usually someone around who can speak English to help you (but you don’t really need help – the packages display the price, the volume of data and the usable period in English). Here’s what the rack of SIM cards for tourists presently looks like:
Rack of SIM cards © Chris Rowthorn
I recommend buying one of the Yodobashi Camera Original SIM cards. I recently bought one and installed it myself and it worked perfectly. There was no registration procedure. Another brand I tested didn’t work at all, so be careful. Also, be very leery of any SIM that advertises “unlimited data”: in theory, they may be unlimited, but you’ll find that after you use a few gig of data, the speed will throttle back and it will be useless. If you need help installing and/or configuring your SIM, do NOT open the package and walk to the nearby service counter (pictured below) where they will install it for ¥5500.
Yodobashi Umeda service counter © Chris Rowthorn
You can also purchase a data-only SIM card online and simply collect it on arrival at Kansai Airport from a dedicated booth where the staff will set up the SIM for you.
For More Details
For a high-level overview of the issues involved with cell phone rental, SIM cards and pocket wifis in Japan, see my Internet In Japan For Tourists: Wifi, Pocket Wifi, SIM Cards, Rental Phones etc page on my other website InsideKyoto.com.
Disclaimer
The situation with SIM cards, cell phone rentals and wifi in Japan is changing fast. The situation could change by the time you read this. We’ll try to keep this page updated, but always do your own research to make sure you get the best deal.
Where Are These Places Located?
- Open the Osaka map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Osaka Vacation Checklist
- ESSENTIALS – For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Osaka guide
- HOTELS – Check Osaka accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- WHERE TO STAY – Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Osaka
- BULLET TRAIN – You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Osaka, Osaka to Kyoto and Osaka to Tokyo
- SIM CARDS – You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo’s Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- PACKING LIST – View my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- FLIGHTS – Compare flight prices and timings to find the best Japan flight deals
- JAPAN RAIL PASS – If you’re visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it’s worth it for you
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- WANT HELP? – Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
