When choosing an eSIM for travel to Japan, temporary return home, business trips, or studying abroad, many may wonder, "How much does an eSIM with a phone number cost?" and "How much more expensive is it compared to a data-only eSIM?"
The cost of an eSIM with a phone number varies depending on the type of phone number, voice calls, SMS, data capacity, usage period, and whether identity verification is required.
There are various types of plans, including those that only use a phone number and SMS, plans that allow voice calls and data communication, prepaid plans for short-term use, and monthly plans that renew every month.
Additionally, the displayed price may not include call charges or SMS sending fees.
Even if the base price is low, the final payment amount can be high when including initial costs, call charges, additional data, and renewal fees.
In this article, we will clearly explain the price range for eSIMs with phone numbers, the differences between data-only, SMS-compatible, and voice call plans, additional fees to check before purchasing, and how to choose the right plan for your needs.
Price Range for eSIMs with Phone Numbers
The cost of eSIMs with phone numbers varies significantly depending on whether they are for short-term travel or long-term contracts.
A general price guideline is as follows:
| Type of Plan | Price Guideline | Main Features |
|---|---|---|
| Data-only eSIM | Hundreds to thousands of yen | Data communication only |
| Phone number & SMS focused | About 1,000 yen per month | Phone number, SMS receiving and sending |
| Voice call & low data | About 1,500 to 3,500 yen per month | Japanese number, calls, SMS, low data |
| Voice call & medium data | About 3,000 to 5,000 yen per month | Calls, SMS, about 5 to 30GB |
| Short-term traveler plan with number | Thousands to over 10,000 yen | Short-term use, phone number, calls or SMS |
The above is a guideline for comparing prices.
Actual prices will vary based on the usage period, data capacity, identity verification, type of number, and call conditions.
Please check the latest prices on the product page at the time of purchase.
Data-only eSIMs are the Cheapest
If you do not need a phone number, voice calls, or SMS, data-only eSIMs are relatively inexpensive.
With a data-only eSIM, you can use services such as:
- Google Maps
- Transit navigation
- Translation apps
- LINE
- SNS
- Video streaming
- Tethering
You cannot make or receive regular calls or SMS, but you can use app calls like LINE and WhatsApp.
If your focus is on data communication during a short trip to Japan, please check the Japan eSIM product and pricing plans.
Pricing for Phone Number & SMS Compatible Plans
Plans that focus on using phone numbers and SMS tend to be more expensive than data-only eSIMs.
Depending on the plan, the following features may be included:
- Japanese phone number
- SMS receiving
- SMS sending
- Small amount of data communication
- Voice calls
However, even if a phone number is included, it may not support regular voice calls.
If you only need SMS, you may be able to reduce costs by choosing a plan focused on phone numbers and SMS instead of a voice call plan.
Pricing for Voice Call Compatible eSIMs
With a voice call compatible eSIM with a phone number, you can make and receive calls to mobile and landline phones within Japan.
The price is mainly determined by the following factors:
- Data capacity
- Presence of free calls
- Call charges
- SMS functionality
- Contract period
- Identity verification method
- Whether a Japanese address is required
Even with voice call plans, call charges may not be included in the monthly fee.
For those who use the phone frequently, please check not only the monthly fee but also the free call time and per-minute call charges.
Comparing Call & SMS Compatible Plans
| Comparison Item | Data-only | SMS Compatible | Voice & SMS Compatible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Communication | Supported | Sometimes supported | Supported |
| Phone Number | Generally not available | Available | Available |
| Voice Calls | Not supported | Sometimes not supported | Supported |
| Voice Incoming Calls | Not supported | Depends on the product | Supported |
| SMS Receiving | Not supported | Supported | Sometimes supported |
| SMS Sending | Not supported | Depends on the product | Depends on the product |
| Price | Relatively cheap | Moderate | Relatively expensive |
| Identity Verification | Often not required | Sometimes required | Sometimes required |
Differences Between Short-term Plans and Monthly Plans
Short-term Plans
Short-term plans are for use only during a specified period, such as for travel or temporary return home.
The usage period is set for each product, such as 7 days, 15 days, or 30 days.
The characteristics of short-term plans are as follows:
- Often do not require cancellation procedures
- Automatically become unusable when the usage period ends
- May have a higher daily rate than long-term contracts
- May not allow extension of the phone number
- May have support available for travelers
Monthly Plans
Monthly plans are for continuous use for study, work, or long-term stays.
While it is easier to keep monthly fees low compared to short-term plans, there may be procedures for contracts and cancellations.
- Easy to continue with the same phone number
- Many options for data capacity
- May allow additional call options
- May require initial costs or administrative fees
- May require identity verification or address registration
Which is More Cost-effective: Short-term or Monthly?
| Comparison Item | Short-term Plan | Monthly Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended Usage Period | About a few days to 1 month | More than a few months |
| Contract Procedures | Relatively simple | May have many confirmation items |
| Cancellation Procedures | Often not required | May be required |
| Continuing with the Same Number | May be difficult | Easy to continue |
| Monthly Fee | May be relatively high | May be relatively low |
| Identity Verification | Depends on the product | Often required |
For trips lasting 1 to 2 weeks, a short-term plan is advisable, while for study or stays lasting several months or more, comparing monthly plans is recommended.
Main Costs Associated with eSIMs with Phone Numbers
In addition to the plan fee, there may be additional costs associated with eSIMs with phone numbers.
| Cost | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly/Plan Fee | Basic fee for using phone numbers and data capacity |
| Initial Costs | Administrative fees required at the time of contract or activation |
| Voice Call Charges | Charges incurred based on call duration |
| SMS Sending Fees | Charges incurred for each SMS sent |
| Additional Data Charges | Charging fees when data capacity is exhausted |
| International Call Charges | Charges for calls made to overseas phone numbers |
| Number Maintenance & Renewal Fees | Fees for continuing with the same phone number |
| Reissue Fee | Fees required for reissuing an eSIM |
Be Cautious of Initial Costs
Even if the monthly fee seems low, there may be initial costs of several thousand yen required at the time of contract.
If you are only using it for a short period, the proportion of initial costs can be significant.
For example, compare not just the monthly fee but the total amount including:
- Plan fee
- Initial costs
- Identity verification and delivery costs
- Estimated call charges
- SMS sending fees
- Additional data charges
Are Call Charges Applicable for Outgoing Calls?
Even with voice call compatible plans, there may be call charges for domestic outgoing calls.
Call charges mainly come in the following forms:
- Pay-as-you-go based on call duration
- Free calls for a certain duration
- Free for a certain duration per call
- Domestic call flat-rate options
- Discounts via dedicated apps
If you are making a short call to a hotel or restaurant, pay-as-you-go may be less burdensome.
For work or long-term stays where you use the phone frequently, consider plans with free calls or flat-rate options.
Are Incoming Call Charges Applicable?
When using a Japanese phone number within Japan, there are plans that offer free incoming calls.
However, this is not guaranteed for all products.
Additionally, if you use a Japanese phone number with an eSIM overseas, there may be incoming call charges for international roaming.
Before purchasing, please check the charges for domestic and international incoming calls separately.
SMS Receiving & Sending Charges
Receiving SMS may be free, but sending SMS may incur charges.
Also, the charges for domestic SMS and international SMS may differ.
The items to check are as follows:
- Domestic SMS receiving charges
- Domestic SMS sending charges
- Whether international SMS can be received
- International SMS sending charges
- Receiving SMS from short numbers
- Support for authentication SMS
If you only need to receive an SMS authentication code, you may be able to use a plan that only supports SMS receiving.
However, this does not guarantee that all services will be able to authenticate.
Can You Authenticate via SMS with eSIMs with Phone Numbers?
If you have an eSIM with a phone number that supports SMS receiving, you may be able to receive SMS authentication codes.
However, being able to receive SMS does not mean that it can be used for authentication with all services.
For services such as the following, you may not be able to register short-term or prepaid numbers:
- Banking
- Securities companies
- Credit cards
- Electronic payment services
- Government services
- Services that require a phone number in the user's name
If you are purchasing for the purpose of SMS authentication, please check not only the SMS functionality of the eSIM but also the conditions of the services you plan to use.
Don't Choose a Plan Based Solely on Price
Even if an eSIM with a phone number is cheap, if it does not include the necessary features, you will have to purchase a different plan.
When comparing prices, please check the following features:
- Will a Japanese phone number be assigned?
- Is it a 070, 080, or 090 number, or a 050 number?
- Does it support outgoing voice calls?
- Does it support incoming voice calls?
- Does it support SMS receiving?
- Does it support SMS sending?
- Is data communication included?
- Is identity verification required?
- Can the number be continued?
Choosing a Plan Based on Data Capacity
| Usage Style | Data Capacity Guideline | Main Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Phone & SMS focused | About 1 to 3GB | SMS, searching, maps, messaging |
| General travel | About 5 to 10GB | Maps, SNS, photo posting, translation |
| Business trips & study abroad | About 10 to 30GB | Online meetings, SNS, videos |
| Heavy usage | 30GB or more or unlimited | Videos, tethering, remote work |
Generally, the larger the data capacity, the higher the cost.
Choose a capacity that fits your needs without opting for an unnecessarily large plan.
For guidelines on data usage, please refer to Estimated Data Usage.
Recommended Pricing Plans by Purpose
Short-term Travel to Japan
If your focus is on maps, translation, SNS, and LINE, a relatively inexpensive data-only eSIM can suffice.
Only consider a short-term voice call plan if you plan to make regular calls to hotels or restaurants.
Temporary Return Home
For contacting family, government agencies, or hospitals from a Japanese phone number, a plan that supports voice calls and SMS is convenient.
If you are using it for just a few weeks, compare the total amount including initial costs.
Business Trip to Japan
If you need to make calls to clients, tethering, or participate in online meetings, a plan that combines voice calls and medium data is suitable.
Study Abroad or Long-term Stay
If you plan to use it for several months or more, a monthly voice and data plan may be cheaper than a short-term prepaid plan.
Also, check whether you can continue with the same phone number, as well as the renewal and cancellation conditions.
Only Need SMS Authentication
If you do not need voice calls, you may be able to reduce costs by choosing a plan focused on phone numbers and SMS receiving.
However, confirm in advance whether the services you plan to authenticate will accept that number.
Points to Compare When Evaluating eSIM Pricing
- Decide on the usage period
- Confirm whether a phone number is truly necessary
- Check if outgoing and incoming voice calls are needed
- Assess the necessity of SMS receiving and sending
- Determine the required data capacity
- Add up the monthly fee and initial costs
- Check call charges and SMS sending fees
- Review additional data and extension fees
- Confirm identity verification conditions
- Compare support options
Pre-purchase Checklist
- Is the displayed price inclusive of tax?
- Are initial costs required separately?
- Will a Japanese phone number be assigned?
- Does it support outgoing and incoming voice calls?
- What are the call charges?
- Are free calls included?
- Does it support SMS receiving and sending?
- What are the SMS sending charges?
- What is the data capacity and speed limit?
- Does it support tethering?
- Is identity verification required?
- Can the same phone number be extended?
- Are cancellation procedures necessary?
How to Use eSIMs with Phone Numbers at a Lower Cost
Confirm Whether You Really Need a Phone Number
If you can communicate via LINE or WhatsApp, choosing a data-only eSIM can help reduce costs.
Don't Overestimate Data Capacity
If your focus is on maps and messaging, a large capacity plan may not be necessary.
Include Initial Costs in Your Comparison
For short-term use, initial costs can significantly impact the total amount more than the monthly fee.
Keep Calls Short
With pay-as-you-go plans, make only necessary calls via regular phone and use app calls for longer conversations to keep costs down.
Check Extension Fees in Advance
Sometimes extending is cheaper than additional purchases, while other times a new plan may be more affordable.
Things to Watch Out for with Cheap Plans
- The phone number may be from a country other than Japan
- Voice calls may only be available via a dedicated app
- SMS receiving may not be supported
- SMS authentication may not be guaranteed
- Data capacity may be low
- Speed limits may apply after a certain amount of usage
- Identity verification or initial costs may be charged separately
- No Japanese support may be available
- eSIM may not be reissued
Compare not only prices but also the necessary features and support.
Frequently Asked Questions About eSIM Pricing with Phone Numbers
How much does an eSIM with a phone number cost?
There are plans centered around phone numbers and SMS starting at around 1,000 yen per month, and voice and data plans costing several thousand yen.
The total amount varies based on the usage period, data capacity, and initial costs.
Is it more expensive than a data-only eSIM?
It tends to be more expensive than a data-only eSIM due to the addition of phone number, voice call, and SMS functionalities.
Are call charges included in the monthly fee?
It varies by plan.
Even with voice call plans, outgoing calls may be charged on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Are there charges for incoming calls?
There are plans with free incoming calls within Japan, but this varies by product conditions.
Is SMS receiving free?
There are plans with free receiving, but sending SMS may incur charges.
If it supports SMS, will authentication codes always be received?
It is not guaranteed.
The authentication service may restrict short-term or prepaid numbers.
Are initial costs necessary?
For monthly voice plans, administrative fees or activation costs may be required.
Which is cheaper, short-term plans or monthly plans?
Short-term plans may be cheaper for a few days to a few weeks, while monthly plans may be cheaper for several months or more.
Can the phone number be extended?
It varies by product.
Please confirm whether you can maintain the same phone number after extension.
Can data be added?
There are plans that support additional charges for data.
Please check the additional fees and validity period.
Is identity verification required for eSIMs with phone numbers?
Plans that provide Japanese phone numbers or voice call functionalities may require identity verification.
Is an eSIM with a phone number necessary for travel only?
If your focus is on maps, SNS, translation, and LINE, a data-only eSIM can suffice.
For more information on plans with phone numbers, please check eSIMs with Phone Numbers.
For other inquiries, please refer to Frequently Asked Questions about eSIMs.
Conclusion: Compare Monthly Fees, Call Charges, SMS, and Initial Costs
The pricing for eSIMs with phone numbers varies based on the phone number, voice calls, SMS, data capacity, and usage period.
Plans centered around phone numbers and SMS start at around 1,000 yen per month, while plans that utilize voice calls and data communication are generally a few thousand yen.
However, in addition to the monthly fee, initial costs, call charges, SMS sending fees, and additional data charges may apply.
When comparing plans, please check the following items:
- Will a Japanese phone number be assigned?
- Does it support outgoing and incoming voice calls?
- Does it support SMS receiving and sending?
- What are the monthly or short-term plan fees?
- What are the initial costs?
- What are the domestic and international call charges?
- What are the SMS sending charges?
- What is the data capacity and speed limit?
- What is the validity period of the phone number?
- What are the extension and renewal fees?
If you do not need regular calls or SMS during a short trip to Japan, choosing a data-only eSIM can help reduce costs.
For those who want to make calls to hotels or stores, receive incoming calls, or use SMS, choose an eSIM with a phone number that clearly states the necessary features.
For more information on plans with phone numbers, please check eSIMs with Phone Numbers.
For data communication plans for travel to Japan, please check Japan eSIM product and pricing plans.
For those who want to compare days and data capacity, please refer to Japan eSIM Pricing and Plan Comparison.
