B-mobile Japan, just B-mobile and not to be confused with Bmobile in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, or Trinidad & Tobago, is an NTT DoCoMo MVNO.
It is one of the MVNOs offering SIM cards to tourists.
The NTT DoCoMo network, which B-mobile uses, uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: N/A – shut down in 2012 (yes, about a decade ago)
- 3G: 800 MHz & 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28), 800 MHz (Band 19 – not the usual Band 20), 1500 MHz (Band 11), 1800 MHz (Band 3), 2100 MHz (Band 1) & 3500 MHz (Band 42)
- 5G NR: 3500 MHz (n78) & 3700 MHz (n77) – not for Bmobile customers… yet
- VoLTE: Yes, but you cannot make calls as a Bmobile customer
- VoWiFi: Yes, but you cannot make calls as a Bmobile customer
This is what you will learn about B-mobile:
* Coverage
* How to Get a B-mobile SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – B-mobile Japan
B-mobile is an NTT DoCoMo MVNO, meaning B-mobile uses the NTT DoCoMo MVNO network and does not have its own mobile infrastructure.
NTT DoCoMo has the best coverage in Japan (although all Japanese mobile operators have BASICALLY perfect nationwide coverage).
With B-mobile, you do not get full access to the NTT DoCoMo network, but it is still extensive.
Below on the left, you have NTT DoCoMo's coverage and a coverage map for another NTT DoCoMo MVNO on the right produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – B-mobile Japan
You can get a B-mobile SIM card for 1980 JPY or 2970 JPY from resellers, such as AEON, Bic Camera, Yamada Denki & Yodobashi Central. They can also be delivered to various airports, including the Tokyo ones, and post offices for 370 JPY. Delivery to your accommodation will cost 520 JPY.
The following two B-mobile SIM cards are available:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 JPY | 5 GB | 10 days |
| 2970 JPY | 7 GB | 21 days |
Delivery to any prefecture and airport will take one business day (you can place your order at least one week before arrival so that it will be waiting for you at the airport's post office).
Delivery to your accommodation, hotels, or private addresses in Hokkaido, Kagoshima & Okinawa will take two business days – even longer for remote islands (up to six business days).
B-mobile SIM card can be delivered to the following international airports:
- Chitose – New Chitose Airport (CTS)
- Chubu/Tokoname (Aichi) – Nagoya/Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO)
- Kagoshima – Kagoshima Airport (KOJ)
- Tokyo – Tokyo-Haneda International Airport (HND)
- Tokyo – Tokyo-Narita International Airport (NRT)
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
It is possible to get a B-mobile eSIM for the same price as a regular SIM card.
Somehow, you will not receive your eSIM immediately after placing your order.
Instead, it can take up to 24 hours before you receive the activation details.
Moreover, B-mobile eSIMs are only available online – not from the resellers mentioned above.
Note that the Japanese mobile operators require your identification (passport) for eSIMs and physical SIM cards.
You may want to get a travel eSIM for Japan, which can be cheaper than getting a SIM card from B-mobile Japan (in some cases).
Especially when getting an eSIM covering popular Asian destinations if you do not stay in just Japan or a global eSIM valid for up to a year if you want one eSIM to work practically worldwide.
My Japan eSIM buying guide analyzes various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.
Here is a quick introduction to them:
- Airalo: Moshi Moshi (Japan only), Asialink &Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + call and text feature) – use code NEWTOAIRALO15 (15% off – first-time users only) or AIRALOESIM10 (10% off)
- Alosim: Japan – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
- Holafly: Japan – these eSIMs have unlimited data – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ (5% off – no limits)
- Nomad: Japan, APAC (up to 20 countries) & Global (up to 139 countries) – use code ADU123 (3 USD off – first-time users only)
For more information, such as the prices and data allowances, check out my Japan eSIM buying guide.
Note that NTT DoCoMo, the network Bmobile uses, offers VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G)) and VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi).
But as you can only get data-only SIM cards in Japan, the features will not be available to you 😓.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Bmobile Japan
You can top-up your Bmobile SIM card online – the same page can be used for checking your balance.
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Bmobile Japan
Bmobile has one data-featured prepaid plan with no apparent name.
For 500 JPY, you get 1 GB of data (without 5G NR access) until midnight.
However, each plan extends the validity of your SIM card by another day.
Suppose your SIM card has expired, and you still want to use it.
In that case, you can purchase the plan within two days of expiry (any later, and it will stay deactivated permanently).
APN/Internet Settings – Bmobile Japan
- Name: b-mobile
- APN: bmobile.ne.jp
- Username: bmobile@4g
- Password: bmobile
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.