Sakura Mobile or Mobal: what changes the decision?
This comparison covers monthly Voice + Data plans for people moving to Japan. It is a two-provider comparison, not a ranking of every Japanese carrier. The 5GB monthly and setup prices were rechecked on 17 October 2026. Document and payment guidance was checked on 9 September; monitored source sections were compared again on 13 September. Editorial revision: 17 October 2026.
Choose a route before comparing the bill
If you are applying before you fly, start with the receipt route. If you are already in Japan, start with the documents and payment method you hold now. A small saving is useful only when you can collect and activate the service in time.
| Your situation | What to do next |
|---|---|
| Applying before entering Japan | Read the overseas collection route for the exact product. Ordering and activation are separate steps. |
| Already in Japan, using a passport | Compare passport-based pickup routes before paying. Do not assume an eSIM arrives by email. |
| You have accepted Japanese address documents | Check resident application routes as well; your options may be broader. |
| You need to pay cash | Check the cash route and the upfront deposit before comparing monthly prices. |
Read the passport and address-document guide or plan your arrival-day connection.
A 5GB example, with setup costs included
Both examples include a Japanese voice number and 5GB of monthly data. The subtotal adds one full monthly charge to the setup price. It is not a quote for your arrival month or a fixed 30-day package.
| Cost item, tax included | Sakura Mobile | Mobal physical Voice + Data SIM |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan, 5GB | ¥3,278 | ¥3,190 |
| One-time setup / SIM | ¥5,500 | ¥4,950 standard price |
| Setup + one full monthly charge | ¥8,778 | ¥8,140 |
| Discount included in this example | None | None; the earlier ¥4,455 SIM offer was no longer shown on 17 October 2026. |
The standard-price difference in this example is ¥638. The monthly difference is only ¥88. A collection route you can actually use may matter more than that saving.
The subtotal excludes calls, SMS, delivery, deposits and any end-of-contract charges. Mobal describes first-month prorating, so your actual first bill can differ. Promotions can change. Use your dates in the provider's checkout before deciding.
Sources: Sakura's monthly price list and Mobal's physical SIM plans. The Mobal figures above are not eSIM prices.
How long will you keep the plan?
The setup fee matters most on a short stay. Using the standard prices above, setup plus two full monthly 5GB charges comes to ¥12,056 for Sakura and ¥11,330 for Mobal's physical SIM. The difference is ¥726 before calls, SMS and other excluded charges.
These are budgeting examples, not first-bill quotes. Calendar billing, a partial arrival month and your actual end date can change the amount payable. If you are arriving near the end of a month, use your exact dates in the provider's current billing explanation before treating a monthly plan as a 30-day package.
Cash payment needs a separate budget
Sakura's Smart Pit payment for monthly Voice + Data requires a ¥20,000 deposit in addition to registration fees. Its payment guide says the deposit is applied to the last two bills when the contract ends. It is money committed upfront, not simply another ¥20,000 service fee. Do not add it to a lifetime cost and then count the same bills again. Payment terms.
When this shortlist is too narrow
If you already have residence documents and an eligible credit card, include domestic resident plans in your search. IIJmio's guide for people from abroad distinguishes voice service from prepaid data and explains application requirements. We have not priced its plans against these two providers here, so this page cannot establish Japan's cheapest option.
If your school or employer arranges service, compare that offer first. If you only need maps and messaging, check roaming or a data-only product rather than paying for a number you do not need.
What to settle before ordering
Choose the document and collection route first, then budget for the dates you will actually use it. If cash is your only payment option, the upfront amount may settle the decision before the monthly price does. If arrival-night activation is uncertain, keep data access and the voice number on separate timelines.
Next: make an arrival-day plan or revisit the document route if your eligibility is not settled.
These are ordinary source links, not affiliate links. We have not used or tested these services. Source record.