Carrier Review
LINEMO Review: Is It the Best Budget SIM for Foreigners?
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If you only read this part
LINEMO is our pick for most foreign residents who already have a Japanese payment method. It's the most English-friendly online sign-up among the budget brands, runs on SoftBank's strong urban network, and bills through PayPay. Plans run roughly ¥990 (3GB) to ¥2,970 (30GB with calls).
It's not for everyone: it needs a Japanese card (no foreign cards), post-sale support is mostly Japanese, and rural coverage trails docomo-based options. But for a city-dwelling resident who wants a cheap, predictable plan, it's hard to beat.
Section 01
What LINEMO is.
LINEMO is SoftBank's online-only budget brand. There are no physical stores — everything happens through the website and app — which is exactly why it's cheaper than a traditional SoftBank plan, and also why its online flow is more polished and more navigable in English than most competitors.
For a foreigner in Japan, that combination matters. You get SoftBank-grade network quality without SoftBank pricing, and the sign-up doesn't assume you can read dense Japanese contract pages. The trade-off for the low price is that support after you've signed up is largely self-service and largely Japanese.
For the latest plan and campaign details, see the official LINEMO site.
Section 02
The plans and pricing.
LINEMO's lineup is simple, which is part of the appeal. Prices include tax and are current as of June 2026 — confirm on LINEMO's official site, as plan names and prices change.
| Plan | Data | Calls | Price/month | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smaller plan | 3GB | Pay per call | ¥990 | Light users, Wi-Fi-heavy lives |
| Mid plan | 10GB | Pay per call | ¥2,090 | Moderate data, some streaming |
| Larger plan | 30GB | 5-min calls free | ¥2,970 | Heavier users who also call |
| Tax included. Verified June 2026. Confirm current plans on LINEMO's official site. | ||||
The standout is the ¥990 entry point — genuinely cheap for a major-network plan — and the ¥2,970 top plan that bundles 30GB with 5-minute free calls, which covers the way most people actually use a phone.
Section 03
What's good.
- The most English-friendly budget sign-upAmong LINEMO, povo, and ahamo, LINEMO's online flow is the easiest to complete without fluent Japanese. For many foreigners this alone is the deciding factor.
- SoftBank's networkExcellent coverage and speed in cities and most populated areas. You're on a major network, not a budget MVNO riding someone else's capacity.
- PayPay integrationBilling ties into PayPay, Japan's dominant QR-payment app. If you already use PayPay for konbini runs and splitting bills, your phone bill lives in the same ecosystem.
- Fixed, predictable pricingYou know exactly what you'll pay each month. No usage-based surprises, no complex discount conditions to maintain.
- eSIM and fast activationeSIM is supported, with activation usually completing within a couple of hours of sign-up.
Section 04
What's not.
- Needs a Japanese payment methodNo reliable support for foreign credit cards. If you don't have Japanese banking yet, you'll need a bridge — see our no-credit-card guide.
- Support is mostly JapaneseThe sign-up is English-friendly, but ongoing customer support largely isn't. For post-sale issues you may need help reading Japanese.
- Weaker in deep rural areasSoftBank is strong in cities but thinner in remote regions. If you live or travel rurally, docomo-based alternatives or ahamo may serve you better.
- No physical storesEverything is online. If you prefer in-person help to set things up, that's not LINEMO's model.
The Verdict
Who should get LINEMO.
Honest disclosure: we may earn a commission if you sign up through the links here. We recommend LINEMO because it's the plan we'd point a friend to, not because of the commission rate.
The sweet spot
¥990 → ¥2,970
A city-dwelling foreign resident who already has a Japanese bank account or credit card, wants a cheap and predictable monthly bill, and values an English-friendly sign-up. For that person — which is a lot of people — LINEMO is one of the strongest budget options in Japan.
Look elsewhere if
Three cases.
You don't have a Japanese card yet (start with Mobal), you live deep in rural Japan (consider docomo-based options), or you're a heavy data user who'd benefit from Rakuten's unlimited tier.
Section 05
How to sign up.
The process mirrors any domestic carrier: have your residence card and a Japanese payment method ready, go to LINEMO's English sign-up page, choose your plan, pick eSIM or physical SIM, run identity verification (eKYC), and pay. eSIM activation usually completes within a couple of hours. For the full walkthrough that applies across carriers, see our main guide to getting a SIM in Japan, and to bring your existing number, our MNP guide.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is LINEMO good for foreigners in Japan?
For many foreign residents, yes. LINEMO has the most English-friendly online sign-up among the major budget carriers, runs on SoftBank's strong urban network, and integrates with PayPay. The main requirements are a residence card and a Japanese payment method — it doesn't accept foreign credit cards, so it suits residents who already have Japanese banking.
How much does LINEMO cost?
LINEMO's plans are roughly ¥990/month for the smaller 3GB tier, ¥2,090 for 10GB, and ¥2,970 for the 30GB plan that includes 5-minute free calls. All prices include tax. Pricing and plan names change periodically, so confirm on LINEMO's official site before signing up.
Does LINEMO have English support?
LINEMO's online sign-up is the most English-friendly of the major budget brands, which is why it's a common recommendation for foreigners. Post-sale customer support, however, is largely in Japanese, so for ongoing help you may need a translator or a Japanese-reading friend.
What network does LINEMO use?
LINEMO runs on SoftBank's network — it's SoftBank's online-only budget brand. Coverage is excellent in cities and good in most populated areas. In deep rural regions, docomo-based options like ahamo can be more reliable.
Can I use LINEMO without a Japanese credit card?
Generally no. Like other domestic budget carriers, LINEMO expects a Japanese payment method and doesn't reliably accept foreign-issued cards. If you don't have Japanese banking yet, see our guide to SIMs without a Japanese credit card; once you do, LINEMO becomes a strong, cheaper option.
Is LINEMO better than Rakuten Mobile?
It depends on your usage. LINEMO offers fixed, predictable pricing on SoftBank's reliable urban network. Rakuten Mobile's price scales with data and tops out at unlimited, which can be cheaper for heavy users but relies on Rakuten's own coverage. See our Rakuten Mobile review for the comparison.