SoftBank review
Updated September 28, 2026 · NomadCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
SoftBank's travel SIM is a local Japan plan sold by the carrier itself at ¥1,650, so it suits a short trip that stays in the country. It is a single-market buy with 5G and top-ups missing and help limited to a help centre.
Key facts
- Best for
- A short trip inside Japan where buying from the local carrier is the point.
- Price from
- ¥1,650↗
- Countries covered
- 1↗
- Unlimited data
- No↗
- 5G
- No↗
- Networks
- SoftBank↗
- Top-ups
- No↗
- Seller type
- Carrier↗
- Legal entity
- SoftBank Corp.↗
- Headquarters
- Japan↗
- Founded
- 1986↗
- Support channels
- Help-centre↗
- Region
- Local
- Features
- Carrier plan
- Audience
- Short trips
- Official website
- softbank.jp
Facts checked September 26, 2026, 3 sources
Pros and cons
Pros
- A carrier plan from SoftBank Corp., the operator behind the network, rather than a third-party seller.
- Built for short trips, so the plan matches a quick holiday rather than a long stay.
- An established operator, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Japan.
Cons
- Coverage is 1, so the SIM is dead the moment you fly somewhere else.
- On countries covered it ranks 257 of 303, among the narrowest reach on the site.
- The ¥1,650 start ranks 208 of 313 on price, so entry cost is mid-table rather than a bargain.
Who it suits
- Travellers on a short Japan trip who want the local operator's own network.
- Anyone whose itinerary stays inside a single market and prefers buying from the carrier.
Who should look elsewhere
- Multi-country trips: Zwitchy covers 200 against SoftBank's 1.
- Price-first shoppers: eSIMGo.is starts at $0.99 against SoftBank's ¥1,650.
- Long stays that need more data: the plan is built for a short trip, so weigh Zwitchy instead.
Who runs it
SoftBank Corp. is the legal entity behind the plan, and its headquarters are in Japan. It was founded in 1986, so the company selling the SIM is the operator rather than a reseller. Support runs through help centre, which is the only channel listed for the brand.
How SoftBank compares
8.7 vs 9.3
8.7 vs 9.3
8.7 vs 8.5
8.7 vs 9.3
8.7 vs 9.5
8.7 vs 8.0
8.7 vs 9.2
8.7 vs 9.0
8.7 vs 8.9
8.7 vs 9.5
8.7 vs 8.5
8.7 vs 9.3
8.7 vs 8.9
8.7 vs 8.8
8.7 vs 9.2- 8.7 vs 9.6
- 8.7 vs 9.5
8.7 vs 9.5
8.7 vs 9.3
8.7 vs 9.3
8.7 vs 9.2
8.7 vs 9.2- 8.7 vs 9.2
8.7 vs 9.1- 8.7 vs 9.1
- 8.7 vs 9.1
8.7 vs 9.0
8.7 vs 8.8- 8.7 vs 8.7
8.7 vs 8.6
8.7 vs 8.6
Where SoftBank is available
- Available
- Japan
Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What does the SoftBank travel SIM cost?+
Plans start at ¥1,650. You are buying from SoftBank Corp. as a carrier, so the price comes from the operator rather than a travel reseller or marketplace. Compare that with eSIMGo.is at $0.99 if the entry price is what decides it.
Does the SoftBank travel SIM include 5G?+
5G is not included, so the plan is not aimed at buyers shopping for a 5G eSIM. It runs on the SoftBank network, which is enough for maps and browsing on a short trip. Anyone who treats 5G as a requirement should check alternatives before buying.
How do I get help if the SIM does not work?+
Support runs on help centre, which is the only channel listed. The company behind the plan is SoftBank Corp., founded in 1986 and headquartered in Japan, so questions go to the operator that runs the network. Have your purchase details ready before you ask.
Is the SoftBank plan sold by a carrier or a reseller?+
It is sold by a carrier, so the operator is the seller and there is no marketplace in between. The plan itself is a carrier plan, sold on SoftBank's own network. For a price comparison, eSIMGo.is starts at $0.99 and SimToIsrael at $25.
Who does the SoftBank travel SIM suit?+
It is aimed at short trips, and the plan is built for a local stay rather than a multi-country route. Travellers landing in Japan for a holiday and staying put are the core audience. Anyone with several countries on the itinerary should look at Zwitchy, which covers 200 countries.
Sources
- softbank.jp/corp/aboutus/profile checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Founded, Headquarters, Legal entity
“Date of establishment: December 9, 1986”
- softbank.jp/en/mobile checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Support channels
“If you have any questions, please contact our customer support. We provide support in English”
- softbank.jp/en/mobile/special/prepaid-sim-for-travel/en checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Audience, Countries covered, Features, 5G, Networks, Price from, Region, Seller type, Top-ups, Unlimited data
“Period of validity is 31 days including date of purchase”
Compiled from 3 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Price per GB from, Hotspot sharing.
Related by the facts
SoftBank
A short trip inside Japan where buying from the local carrier is the point.