Mobal vs Sakura Mobile: Which Japan SIM Should You Choose?

If you need a Japanese phone number for calls and texts, Mobal is the only one of the two that offers a real voice line. If you just need data and want the option to rent a pocket WiFi router instead of a SIM, Sakura Mobile covers more ground. Here’s how they actually compare.

Quick comparison

Sakura Mobile’s pocket WiFi and travel SIM pricing above is confirmed directly from their site for 4- and 7-day trips. Longer or shorter stays use a date-based calculator rather than a fixed price list, so confirm the exact rate for your specific travel dates before booking.

Mobal: go here if you need a real phone number

Need someone to be able to call you? Mobal is one of the few providers in this space selling a genuine voice SIM/eSIM with a Japanese phone number, on top of the usual data-only tourist plans. That’s what you want if you’re expecting SMS verification codes from Japanese services, need to make local calls, or have to give out a callback number for a restaurant reservation.

It’s a great fit if you’re billing in JPY and want to avoid FX conversion surprises, too. Where it falls short: if you’re a pure data user with no need for a phone number, the data-only tourist eSIM tiers are competitive but not the cheapest on the market.

Sakura Mobile: pick your format, pick your length of stay

Sakura Mobile’s real strength is flexibility. Physical SIM, eSIM, or pocket WiFi router — take your pick, and rent anywhere from a few days up to 93 days as a traveler (longer if you switch to their monthly resident plans). The pocket WiFi lineup in particular rewards longer trips: discounts climb to roughly 75% off the base daily rate at 90 days.

It shines for groups sharing a single pocket WiFi connection instead of buying multiple SIMs, and for longer trips where that discount curve really kicks in. The catch: outside the common 4- and 7-day durations, their travel SIM/eSIM pricing tool is date-driven rather than a static price list, so it’s not the provider to pick if you want to glance at one number for an unusual trip length and be done with it.

Which one fits your trip?

Making local calls or expecting SMS codes? Mobal’s voice SIM/eSIM is really your only option here. Traveling with two or more people sharing one connection? Sakura Mobile’s pocket WiFi is probably your best bet. And if you’re solo or a couple who just needs data, either works fine — it comes down to comparing the exact dates on Sakura Mobile’s calculator against Mobal’s fixed tourist eSIM tiers.

Perfect for your trip type:

• ✓ Solo travelers: see our Tokyo 7-day solo guide
• ✓ Families: see our Tokyo-Osaka family guide
• ✓ Groups of 6+: see our Osaka group guide
• ✓ Business travelers: see our Tokyo business trip guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a voice plan, or is data-only enough?+

Most travelers only need data for maps, translation apps, and messaging over Wi-Fi-based apps like LINE or WhatsApp. You only need a voice plan if you expect to receive SMS verification codes from Japanese services or make local phone calls.

Can one pocket WiFi router cover a whole group?+

Yes — a single pocket WiFi router typically supports 5 or more connected devices, which is why groups often rent one router instead of a SIM for each person.

Do Mobal and Sakura Mobile work outside major cities?+

Both run on major Japanese carrier networks with wide nationwide coverage, though very rural mountain areas can still have dead zones regardless of provider.