Voice-Enabled SIM Cards! Complete Guide to Selection, Purchase, and Recommended Plans

What is a Voice-Enabled SIM Card?

A voice-enabled SIM card is a SIM card that provides not only internet connectivity (data communication) but also the ability to make and receive phone calls and send/receive SMS (Short Message Service) messages.

When used in Japan, these SIM cards are assigned Japanese phone numbers beginning with 070, 080, or 090, making them useful for various scenarios including contacting hotels and tourist facilities, ordering taxis, making restaurant reservations, and more.

Types of SIM Cards

Voice-enabled SIM cards are the most feature-rich option among these types.

Benefits of Voice-Enabled SIM Cards

Voice-enabled SIM cards offer numerous advantages for foreign visitors to Japan.

Here are the main benefits:

Access to a Japanese Phone Number

Having a Japanese phone number during your stay provides several advantages:

• Smooth phone reservations at hotels and restaurants
• Ability to receive calls from domestic contacts at standard local rates
• Access to taxi dispatch services and other apps requiring phone numbers
• Ability to complete procedures requiring phone numbers, such as opening Japanese bank accounts

Peace of Mind in Emergencies

With a voice-enabled SIM card, you can immediately make phone calls in emergency situations.

These cards support Japan's emergency numbers (110 for police, 119 for ambulance/fire department), providing invaluable peace of mind in critical situations.

Access to Apps Requiring Japanese Phone Numbers

Voice-enabled SIM cards enable you to use various apps and services that require Japanese phone number authentication:

• PayPay (QR code payment)
• Mobile Suica (electronic transit IC card)
• Uber Eats (food delivery)
• Wolt (food delivery)
• Mercari (marketplace app)
• Yahoo! Japan (various services)
• ePlus (ticket booking)

These services can make your stay in Japan significantly more convenient and comfortable.

PayPay and other cashless payment services are particularly useful tools for smooth shopping experiences in Japan.

No VoIP Call Limitations

With data-only SIM cards, voice calls must be made through VoIP (Voice over IP) services like LINE calls or WhatsApp calls. However, these services require both parties to use the same app and cannot place calls to regular phone numbers.

Voice-enabled SIM cards allow unrestricted calling to regular phone numbers without these limitations.

Japan's Voice-Enabled SIM Card Regulations

Japan has legal regulations regarding the acquisition of voice-enabled SIM cards.

These measures are designed to prevent fraudulent use and affect how foreign visitors obtain voice-enabled SIM cards.

Requirements for Voice-Enabled SIM Card Acquisition

Japanese law requires identity verification to obtain voice-enabled SIM cards.

For example, certain carriers like Mobal provide voice-enabled SIM cards to foreign visitors using identity documents such as passports.

Physical SIM vs. eSIM Differences

Voice-enabled SIM cards come in two types: physical SIM cards and eSIM (embedded SIM).

eSIM is a convenient option that eliminates the need for physical SIM card insertion, allowing easy setup through QR code scanning on compatible devices.

However, not all devices support eSIM, so you must verify your smartphone's eSIM compatibility before purchase.

Differences from Data-Only SIM Cards

Most SIM cards offered to tourists in Japan are data-only SIM cards.

Here's a comparison of the main differences between voice-enabled SIM and data-only SIM cards:

While data-only SIM cards can make calls through apps like LINE or WhatsApp (VoIP calls), both parties must use the same app.

Additionally, there's the significant disadvantage of being unable to call emergency numbers like 110 or 119 in emergencies.

Many foreign visitors choose data-only SIM cards for cost reasons, but the benefits of voice-enabled SIM cards become more significant for longer stays or business purposes.

Recommended Voice-Enabled SIM Cards

The recommended voice-enabled SIM is GTN Prepaid SIM.

It features easy application with just a passport and large data capacity plans.

GTN Prepaid SIM

GTN Prepaid SIM is a data-only/voice+data prepaid SIM available from 7 days minimum to 90 days maximum.

It can be applied for with just a passport, features 5G/LTE network and 8-language customer support, with limitations including speed reduction after usage and no extension capability, making it suitable for short to medium-term visitors.

This gives you a comprehensive understanding of the top 3 voice-enabled SIM cards for foreign visitors to Japan. Choose the optimal option based on your travel purpose, stay duration, and required data volume.

How to Purchase Voice-Enabled SIM Cards

There are several ways for foreign visitors to obtain voice-enabled SIM cards. Let's examine each method in detail.

Online Order Before Travel

The most reliable method is to order a voice-enabled SIM card online before traveling to Japan.

Advantages

• Ready to use immediately upon arrival in Japan
• Avoids risk of popular plans being out of stock
• Often offers delivery options to your home or accommodation

Purchase at Japanese Airports

Major Japanese airports have counters and vending machines selling SIM cards.

Main Purchase Locations

• Narita International Airport
• Haneda Airport
• Kansai International Airport
• Chubu Centrair International Airport
• Fukuoka Airport

However, most SIM cards sold at airports are data-only SIM cards, with limited voice-enabled SIM options. Additionally, there's a risk of stock shortages during peak travel seasons.

Purchase at Electronics Retailers in Japan

Large electronics retailers also sell SIM cards.

Main Purchase Locations

• Bic Camera
• Yodobashi Camera
• Yamada Denki

Here too, voice-enabled SIM cards for foreign visitors are limited, with primarily data-only SIM cards available.

Prepaid SIM vs. eSIM Differences

eSIM is a convenient service that can be purchased online in advance and set up simply by scanning a QR code.

However, not all devices support eSIM, so you must verify your smartphone's compatibility before purchase.

Voice-Enabled SIM Card Setup

After purchasing a voice-enabled SIM card, the next step is setup.

Setup methods vary by device, but here are the general procedures:

Physical SIM Card Setup Steps

1. Turn off your smartphone
2. Remove the SIM card tray using a SIM pin
3. Remove the old SIM and insert the new SIM card into the tray
4. Replace the SIM card tray
5. Turn on your smartphone
6. Configure APN settings (follow configuration information provided by the carrier)
7. Verify voice call settings (VoLTE settings, etc.)

eSIM Setup Steps

1. Connect to a Wi-Fi network
2. Scan the QR code provided by the carrier or enter the activation code
3. Follow device instructions to download and activate the eSIM
4. Verify APN settings

About APN Settings

APN stands for "Access Point Name" and is a setting required for mobile data communication. Proper APN settings vary by SIM card, so follow your carrier's instructions.

Sample APN Settings (Mobal example)

• Name: Mobal
• APN: dm.jplat.net
• Username: (blank)
• Password: (blank)
• Authentication Type: None

VoLTE Compatibility

To use voice-enabled SIM cards, your device must support VoLTE (Voice over LTE).

VoLTE is technology that enables voice calls over 4G LTE networks.

VoLTE Compatibility Check

For iPhone

Check if "Settings" → "Cellular" → "Cellular Data Options" → "Enable VoLTE" is displayed

For Android

Check if "Settings" → "Network & Internet" → "Mobile Network" → "Advanced" → "VoLTE Calling" is displayed (menu names may vary by device)

Some devices may not support voice calls even when meeting these conditions, so we recommend checking official compatibility information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are common questions and answers about voice-enabled SIM cards from foreign visitors.

Q: Can tourists purchase voice-enabled SIM cards?

A: Yes, you can purchase them. Under the Mobile Phone Fraud Prevention Act, identity verification can be completed by presenting your passport in person. Carriers specializing in foreign visitors provide voice-enabled SIM cards with passport-only verification.

Q: What's the price difference between voice-enabled SIM and data-only SIM?

A: Generally, voice-enabled SIM cards are more expensive than data-only SIM cards. For example, a 7GB plan valid for 30 days typically costs around ¥4,000-5,000 for data-only SIM versus approximately ¥8,000 for voice-enabled SIM. This price difference reflects the phone number assignment and stricter identity verification requirements for voice-enabled SIM cards.

Q: Can iPhones use voice-enabled SIM cards?

A: Yes, iPhones can use voice-enabled SIM cards. However, iPhone 14 and later US models don't have physical SIM slots, so you must choose eSIM instead of physical SIM. Additionally, the device must be "SIM-free" without SIM lock.

Q: Do voice-enabled SIM cards support Japan's emergency calls (110/119)?

A: Yes, legitimate voice-enabled SIM cards support Japan's emergency numbers (110 for police, 119 for ambulance/fire department). This is an important feature that enhances peace of mind during travel.

Q: Can you make calls with data-only SIM cards?

A: Data-only SIM cards cannot make or receive calls to/from regular phone numbers, but they can make internet-based calls (VoIP calls) through apps like LINE, WhatsApp, and Skype. However, both parties must use the same app.

Q: What device requirements are needed for voice-enabled SIM cards?

A: To use voice-enabled SIM cards, your device must meet these requirements:

1. SIM unlocked (SIM-free device)
2. Compatible with the required communication bands (frequency bands)
3. VoLTE (Voice over LTE) support
4. For Android devices: Android 12 or higher

Check each carrier's website for detailed compatibility information.

Conclusion

Voice-enabled SIM cards offer numerous benefits for foreign visitors to Japan as a communication method during their stay. Having a Japanese phone number is useful in various scenarios including hotel reservations, taxi dispatch, and emergency contacts. Additionally, you can access apps and services requiring Japanese phone numbers such as PayPay and Mobile Suica.

However, due to Japanese regulations, acquiring voice-enabled SIM cards requires identity verification.

Some carriers provide voice-enabled SIM cards specifically for foreign visitors, but options are limited.

When choosing a voice-enabled SIM card, consider your stay duration, data usage, required features, and select a plan that suits your needs. Device compatibility is also an important factor.

For comfortable communication during your stay in Japan, consider getting a voice-enabled SIM card.