How to Buy a SIM Card at Haneda Airport: Prices, Pros & Cons, and Money-Saving Tips

Many foreign travelers using Haneda Airport want to set up their communication environment as soon as they arrive. As a result, many purchase SIM cards from vending machines or stores. Having a stable internet connection during your stay in Japan is very important. While renting a Pocket WiFi is an option, SIM cards are more convenient as they do not need to be returned. Recently, many SIM cards for travelers offer large data plans, making their data capacity and connection quality comparable to Pocket WiFi.
This article explains how to buy a SIM card at Haneda Airport, including price comparisons, advantages, disadvantages, and important points to consider.

How to Buy a SIM Card at Haneda Airport

There are three main ways to buy a SIM card at Haneda Airport:

• Vending Machine Purchase: Available 24/7 and easy to use.
• Store/Counter Purchase: Staff support is available, ideal for those who need help with setup.
• Online Reservation & Pickup at Post Office: The cheapest option, but requires pickup during post office hours.

Buying from a Vending Machine

Haneda Airport has SIM card vending machines on the 3rd floor of Terminal 3 (departure lobby), available 24/7. The biggest advantage of this method is that you can get a SIM card immediately, regardless of the time of arrival. This is especially convenient for travelers arriving late at night or early in the morning.

Purchasing is simple: pay with a credit card and receive the SIM card. However, you need to set it up yourself, so this method may not be suitable for those unfamiliar with smartphone settings. Also, some machines do not accept cash, so it is best to have a credit card ready.

Buying from a Store/Counter

Several stores and counters sell SIM cards at Haneda Airport.

Mobile Center

• Location: Terminal 3, 2nd-floor arrival lobby & 3rd-floor departure lobby
• Hours: 6:30 AM - 11:00 PM
• Multilingual staff available for support

JTB Meeting Counter

• Location: Terminal 3, 2nd-floor arrival lobby
• Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• Online reservations available for smooth pickup

Online Reservation & Pickup at the Post Office

For those looking to save money, purchasing a SIM card online and having it delivered to Haneda Airport’s post office is a good option. This method is ideal for long-term travelers or those who prefer to plan ahead.

Pickup Location: Post office in Terminal 1
Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed on weekends and holidays)

Advantages: Cheaper than airport purchases and offers more plan choices.

Disadvantages: Limited pickup hours, so check the post office’s schedule before arrival.

Purchase Locations and Business Hours

Features of SIM Cards Sold at Haneda Airport

Mainly for Short-Term Stays

Most SIM cards sold at Haneda Airport are designed for travelers staying in Japan for 30 days or less.

More Expensive Than Online Purchases

Buying a SIM card at the airport is more expensive than purchasing online due to airport usage fees and store support costs. If convenience is a priority, buying at the airport is best, but if you want to save money, consider purchasing online and picking it up at the airport.

Increasing Availability of Large Data Plans

Recently, more SIM cards offer large data plans with connection quality similar to Pocket WiFi. If you plan to watch videos or frequently use social media, these large-data plans are a great option.

Immediate Use After Purchase

SIM cards purchased at the airport can often be used immediately by inserting them into your device. Vending machine SIM cards are particularly useful for travelers who need an instant internet connection.

Important Points When Buying a SIM Card

When purchasing a SIM card at Haneda Airport, the following should be noted.

Bring Your Passport

When purchasing at a store, identity verification is required, so bring your passport.

Check If Your Phone is Unlocked

Your smartphone must be SIM-free to use a Japanese prepaid SIM. If it is locked, unlock it in advance.

Check Payment Methods

Stores accept cash and credit cards. Vending machines only accept credit cards.

SIM Card Prices at Haneda Airport

Other plans are available, but most are similar in data capacity. Expect to pay around 6,000 JPY at the airport.

Pros and Cons of Buying a SIM Card at Haneda Airport

Pros

Can Be Purchased Without a Reservation

Even without a prior reservation, you can buy a SIM card immediately after arrival from vending machines or counters. If you suddenly need a means of communication during your trip, you can easily obtain one.

Vending Machines Available 24/7

Even if you arrive late at night or early in the morning, you can purchase a SIM card anytime using a vending machine. This is a significant advantage for travelers who need to use mobile data immediately.

Multilingual Support Available

If you purchase from a store, staff can assist you with the setup. There are also counters with multilingual support in English, Chinese, and other languages, so you can buy with confidence without worrying about language barriers.

Cons

Limited to Plans for Travelers

Most SIM card plans are designed for short-term travelers, making them unsuitable for long-term use.

More Expensive Than Online Purchases

SIM cards sold at the airport are priced higher than those purchased online in advance.

No Support for Vending Machine Purchases

Unlike stores, vending machine purchases do not include staff support. If you are unsure about setting up your SIM card, consider purchasing from a store during business hours.

Important Notes When Purchasing and Setting Up a SIM Card

Check If Your Phone is SIM-Free

Make sure your device is SIM-free or that the SIM lock has been removed beforehand.

Set Up APN

Configure the APN settings provided with your purchased SIM card.
Some SIM cards state that they work without APN settings. However, this may only apply if your smartphone has no APN configured at all.
If you plan to use tethering, you will need to set up the correct APN, so be sure to enter the proper APN settings.

No Refunds After Payment

Once purchased, SIM cards cannot be refunded or exchanged, so check the plan details in advance. If you purchase from a store and the staff is available, they may assist you with SIM card setup. If you are unsure how to set up your SIM card, visit the store during less busy hours. Refunds or exchanges are generally not accepted after purchase, so carefully check the plan details and compatible devices before buying.

Physical SIM Card vs. eSIM

Many people consider purchasing a SIM card at Haneda Airport, but if your current smartphone supports eSIM, buying an eSIM is a better option.

Features of Physical SIM Cards

Physical SIMs can be purchased on the spot from vending machines or stores, but there is a risk of them being sold out, and the prices at the airport are higher.

Features of eSIM

No need to insert a physical SIM card, as it can be purchased and set up online in advance. Since you can complete the setup before arriving, you don't need to search for a SIM card or configure it at the airport. Additionally, the eSIMs we provide offer large data capacities at significantly lower prices compared to other services. They use Japan’s top-quality docomo network, ensuring wide coverage and stable connectivity.

Check whether your smartphone supports Japanese eSIMs on the following page.
How to Quickly Check if Your Smartphone Can Use a Japanese eSIM in 5 Seconds