I Used Only 0.15GB in a Month: Comparing Mobile Phone Plans in Japan

For years, I paid my mobile phone bill in Japan without thinking too much about whether my plan actually matched the way I used my phone.

I currently use Docomo MAX, which gives me access to unlimited data at higher usage levels. I liked the convenience of not having to worry about running out of data, so I simply kept the plan.

Then one day, I opened My docomo and checked my mobile data usage for the previous month.

The number on the screen was:

0.15GB.

I stared at it for a moment because I had expected it to be much higher.

Once I thought about my daily routine, however, the reason became obvious.

At home, I am almost always connected to Wi-Fi. When I am outside, I rarely watch Netflix, YouTube, dramas, or other videos on my phone.

What I use most often is an e-book app.

I usually download books while connected to Wi-Fi, so reading them later uses little or no mobile data.

I use my phone regularly, but that does not necessarily mean I use much mobile data.

Seeing that number made me ask a very simple question:

Why am I paying for so much data when I use so little?

That was when I started comparing mobile phone plans in Japan differently.

Instead of asking which carrier offered the most data, I started asking how much data I actually needed.

Check Your Data Usage Before Comparing Phone Plans

If you are trying to reduce your mobile phone bill in Japan, checking your actual data usage is a good place to start.

Do not assume that frequent phone use automatically means high mobile data use.

Someone who watches videos during a long train commute may need a large data allowance. Someone who spends most of the day on Wi-Fi may need surprisingly little.

Your habits matter more than the size of the data allowance advertised by the carrier.

If possible, check several months rather than relying on only one.

My own result was enough to make me question whether an unlimited plan suited me, but I would still want to see whether my usage changes during travel, holidays, or months when I spend more time away from home.

That gives a much clearer starting point before comparing carriers.

How ahamo, povo, and LINEMO Fit Into Japan’s Mobile Market

The names of Japan’s mobile services can be confusing when you first start comparing them.

The basic relationship is:

  • ahamo is offered by NTT Docomo

  • povo is provided by KDDI and uses the au network

  • LINEMO is provided by SoftBank and uses the SoftBank network

These services are designed mainly around online applications and account management.

That was an important difference for me to understand.

At first, I wondered whether ahamo’s lower monthly price meant that the signal would somehow be weaker than regular Docomo service.

But ahamo uses Docomo’s network.

Similarly, povo uses the au network, and LINEMO uses SoftBank’s network.

The bigger difference for many customers is how the service is managed.

If you are comfortable applying online, changing settings through an app, and solving many problems yourself, these types of plans can be attractive.

If you regularly depend on staff at a physical carrier shop, however, that difference is worth considering before switching.

Why ahamo Caught My Attention

Since I already use Docomo, ahamo was naturally the first alternative I looked at seriously.

As of August 2026, ahamo includes 30GB for ¥2,970 per month. An additional large-data option increases the total allowance to 110GB for ¥4,950 per month. The standard plan also includes domestic calls of up to five minutes per call, subject to the service conditions.

Thirty gigabytes would already be far more than I normally use.

So why does ahamo still interest me?

Mostly because changing within the Docomo group feels less intimidating than immediately moving to a completely different carrier.

However, I would not switch based on the monthly fee alone.

Before changing, I would want to check whether I use any services connected to my current Docomo contract, such as carrier email, calling options, family-related discounts, or other bundled services.

A cheaper monthly plan is only useful if it still gives you the services you actually need.

povo Takes a Different Approach

povo2.0 works differently from a traditional fixed monthly plan.

Its basic plan has no monthly base fee, and users purchase data or calling options called toppings through the app when they need them. The available toppings and prices can change over time.

I find that idea interesting because my mobile data needs are so small.

For someone who spends most of the time on Wi-Fi, paying for a large fixed data allowance every month may not always feel necessary.

On the other hand, the topping system requires you to understand how the service works and manage your usage through the app.

Some people may enjoy that flexibility.

Others may prefer a fixed monthly plan that requires less thought.

For me, ease of use matters almost as much as price.

LINEMO Offers Lower-Data Options

LINEMO is another option for people who do not need a very large amount of mobile data.

As of August 2026, the LINEMO Best Plan costs ¥990 per month for up to 3GB and ¥2,090 for usage above 3GB and up to 10GB. A separate LINEMO Best Plan V provides 30GB for ¥2,970 per month and includes a five-minute domestic calling benefit under its conditions.

Because LINEMO uses the SoftBank network, switching from Docomo would mean changing carrier networks.

If I were considering it seriously, I would look at more than the monthly fee.

I would also want to check coverage in the places I regularly visit, any services I might lose when leaving Docomo, and whether I am comfortable handling the account mainly online.

Rakuten Mobile Works Differently Again

Rakuten Mobile is another major option in Japan.

Its Rakuten SAIKYO Plan changes the monthly charge depending on how much data you use, with lower charges at lower usage levels and unlimited data available at the highest tier.

That type of pricing can be useful for someone whose data usage changes significantly from one month to another.

Rakuten Link also offers domestic calling benefits when used according to the service conditions, although some numbers are excluded. 

If I were seriously considering Rakuten Mobile, I would check coverage around the places that matter most to me.

A nationwide coverage figure is less useful to me than knowing whether my phone works well around my home, the places I shop, the roads or train routes I regularly use, and other locations where I spend time.

Low-Cost SIMs May Also Be Worth Checking

Japan also has many MVNO services, often described as kakuyasu SIM, or low-cost SIM plans.

Providers such as IIJmio, mineo, and Japan Communications SIM are examples of this category.

For people who consistently use only a small amount of mobile data, an MVNO may be another option worth comparing.

However, I would not choose one based only on the lowest advertised monthly price.

Calling options, customer support, eSIM availability, fees, network performance, and other conditions vary by provider.

That is why I no longer ask:

“What is the cheapest mobile plan in Japan?”

A more useful question for me is:

“What plan gives me what I actually need without making me pay for services I barely use?”

What I Would Check Before Changing My Phone Plan

Comparing data allowances made me realize that the number of gigabytes is only one part of the decision.

Before changing my plan, I would check:

  • Mobile data usage over several months

  • How often I make regular phone calls

  • Whether I use carrier email

  • Whether I need voicemail or call forwarding

  • Family or home internet discounts linked to my current contract

  • Coverage in the places I regularly use my phone

  • Whether I want access to in-store support

  • Whether my phone is compatible with the new service

  • Any fees, conditions, or services affected by changing plans

For foreign residents, available language support may also matter.

The cheapest plan on paper may not feel like the best choice if applying for it, managing the account, or getting help becomes difficult.

Sometimes paying slightly more for a service you can use comfortably is reasonable.

The Biggest Lesson Was Not About Any Carrier

After looking at Docomo, ahamo, povo, LINEMO, Rakuten Mobile, and low-cost SIM options, the most useful thing I learned was surprisingly simple.

Check your actual usage first.

I had been thinking about mobile plans backwards.

Because I had a plan with plenty of data, I assumed that having plenty of data was useful.

What I should have done was look at my own habits first.

I use my phone every day, but I am usually connected to Wi-Fi at home.

I download my e-books before leaving the house.

I rarely stream video while I am outside.

Those habits explain why my mobile data use can be extremely low even though my phone is an important part of my daily life.

I have not changed my plan yet.

Before I do, I want to check several months of usage and make sure I understand which Docomo services or discounts could be affected.

But seeing 0.15GB on the screen completely changed the way I think about my phone bill.

If you live in Japan and feel that you may be paying too much for your mobile plan, you do not necessarily need to begin by comparing every carrier.

Open your carrier app or account page and check how much mobile data you actually use.

The answer may make choosing your next plan much easier.

It certainly changed the way I look at mine.

Sources and Notes

Plan details were checked in August 2026. Mobile plans, prices, data allowances, calling benefits, discounts, and other conditions can change, so check the latest information before applying or switching.

NTT Docomo — Docomo MAX

ahamo — Plans and Data 

povo2.0 — Plan and Topping Information 

LINEMO — Plans

Rakuten Mobile — Rakuten SAIKYO Plan

Location: 千葉県成田市

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