Comparison
Mobal vs Sakura: Which Is Better for Foreigners?
Sponsored / Contains affiliate links
If you only read this part
Both are foreigner-focused SIMs with full English support. Pick Mobal if you don't have a Japanese card (it takes foreign cards, PayPal, and konbini cash) or want the easiest path to a Japanese phone number from ¥990/month — it runs on SoftBank.
Pick Sakura Mobile if you'll be in rural Japan, because it runs on docomo's network, which has the widest coverage. Both let you sign up before arrival. Once you have Japanese banking, a domestic plan like LINEMO is cheaper than either.
Section 01
Why these two get compared.
Mobal and Sakura Mobile occupy the same niche: SIMs made specifically for foreigners in Japan, with English sign-up, English support, and acceptance of foreign payment methods. When the big domestic carriers reject your overseas card, these are the two names that come up most. The question is rarely "are they good" — it's "which one fits my situation."
They differ in ways that actually matter depending on who you are: which network they use, how flexible their payment is, and how they handle phone numbers. Let's put them side by side.
Section 02
Side by side.
| Factor | Mobal | Sakura Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Network | SoftBank strong in cities | docomo widest rural coverage |
| Foreign card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal / Alipay | Yes | Card only |
| Konbini cash | Yes | No |
| Phone number | From ¥990/mo | Voice plans |
| English support | Full | Full |
| Pre-arrival / pickup | Ship worldwide + pickup | Yes |
| Action | Mobal | Sakura |
| Verified June 2026. Confirm current plans and payment options on each provider's site. | ||
Section 03
Where Mobal wins.
Payment flexibility. Mobal is the more forgiving of the two if you don't have a Japanese card. It accepts foreign credit cards, PayPal, Alipay, and has offered convenience-store cash payment — so you can get a real Japanese phone number with no Japanese bank account at all.
Getting a phone number cheaply. Mobal's Voice Lite plan starts around ¥990/month for a real 070/080/090 number with free incoming calls — one of the cheapest ways for a foreigner to get a Japanese number, useful for bank accounts, leases, and app verification codes.
Buying before you arrive. Mobal ships worldwide for free and holds SIMs for airport pickup, so you can have a number ready the moment you land.
Section 04
Where Sakura Mobile wins.
Rural coverage. The big one. Sakura Mobile runs on docomo's network, which has the widest coverage in Japan. If you live outside the major cities, or travel to the mountains, Hokkaido, or remote areas often, docomo's reach is a meaningful, practical advantage over SoftBank.
Straightforward plans on a top network. Sakura Mobile keeps its SIM and eSIM plans simple, with clear data and voice pricing on docomo's reliable network — appealing if you want predictability and coverage over payment gymnastics.
Built end-to-end for non-Japanese speakers. Like Mobal, the whole experience is in English, from sign-up to support.
Section 05
The honest recommendation.
Choose Mobal if: you don't have a Japanese credit card, you want the cheapest easy path to a Japanese phone number, you'll mostly be in cities, or you want to pay by PayPal or convenience-store cash.
Choose Sakura Mobile if: you'll spend significant time in rural Japan and want docomo's coverage, you have a foreign card to pay with, and you prefer simple, predictable plans on the country's widest network.
Remember the bigger picture: both cost more than domestic carriers. They're the right answer for your first weeks or months, or if you lack Japanese banking. Once you have a Japanese card, compare against LINEMO and Rakuten Mobile — switching with an MNP transfer keeps your number and usually lowers your bill.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What's the main difference between Mobal and Sakura Mobile?
Both are built for foreigners with full English support, but they differ on payment flexibility and network. Mobal accepts foreign cards, PayPal, and convenience-store cash, runs on SoftBank, and is known for easy phone-number plans without a Japanese bank account. Sakura Mobile runs on docomo (strong rural coverage) and accepts foreign credit cards, with a focus on straightforward data and voice plans.
Which is cheaper, Mobal or Sakura Mobile?
It depends on the plan. Mobal's Voice Lite phone-number plan starts around ¥990/month, which is very low for a real Japanese number. Sakura Mobile's monthly SIM pricing is competitive for data-focused use. Because both change pricing and run promotions, compare the specific plan you need on each provider's official site before deciding.
Do both give me a real Japanese phone number?
Yes, both can. Mobal is particularly known for easy phone-number plans (070/080/090) with free incoming calls. Sakura Mobile also offers voice plans with a Japanese number. If a phone number is your priority — for bank accounts, leases, or app verification — both work, with Mobal often the simpler path if you lack a Japanese card.
Which network does each use?
Mobal runs on SoftBank's network, which is excellent in cities. Sakura Mobile runs on docomo's network, which has the widest rural coverage in Japan. If you live in or travel to rural areas, Sakura Mobile's docomo coverage is the safer pick; in cities, both perform well.
Can I sign up before arriving in Japan?
Yes, both support this. Mobal ships SIMs worldwide for free or holds them for airport pickup, and lets you arrange a number before you arrive. Sakura Mobile also accommodates foreigners arriving in Japan. Having a SIM ready on arrival is a major convenience either way.
Are these cheaper than domestic carriers like LINEMO?
Usually not. Foreigner-focused providers cost more per month than domestic budget carriers because they bundle English support and payment flexibility. The trade-off is access: they accept foreign cards and need no Japanese bank account. Once you have Japanese banking, switching to a domestic plan like LINEMO is typically cheaper.