Mobal Reviews

Mobal works almost flawlessly, but for travel in rural japan reception is not the best. It’s sad it’s on the Docomo network and not SoftBank. The ESIM pickup was horrible, I arrived in Osaka KIX in the evening, the pickup point had just closed. I had to sleep in the terminal just so I could pick up the e sim in the late morning… and the fact that it is a esim that needs to be physically delivered too… it’s stupid. I know it’s due to regulations but the pickup point should at least be 24 hours at an airport or multiple pickup locations.

Edit: thank you Mobal for your reply on the review but the information you are giving me is incorrect. I have not been in touch with you earlier through email. I stay to my opinion that the delivery of your e-sims are not the best, but otherwise your services are pretty great. Of course it was my choice to sleep in the terminal, but I really needed the esim asap and the most flexible option to me was to wait until the pickup point opened which was a whole nights wait in the terminal. I feel there must be better options or just other pickup point in the city for situations like these where the customer arrives evening time or late nights

Date of experience: April 10, 2024

I used Mobal esim recently. It worked really well, I’m not the most technical person so was worried about the set up but the instructions emailed were very straight forward and I had the sim up and running in no time. Highly recommend

Date of experience: August 24, 2023

I have now used Mobal twice on visits to Japan, once using a physical SIM and once using an eSIM. Both worked well for my purposes, and on both occasions I found the company extremely helpful when I had queries or uncertainties. I definitely recommend them.

Date of experience: March 07, 2024

I inadvertently duplicated my order for a sim card to be used in a forthcoming trip to Japan. Within hours of letting them know I received a reply asking me to cut up one of the sim cards and that a refund was being processed. Sim cards arrived very quickly.

Date of experience: December 22, 2023

Just the fact that they stopped konbini payments in order to make everyone subscribe for their ridiculous debit card is enough for this 1 star.

Edit: me, and I'm sure many other people are put in an enormous and unjustified difficulty because of this. I don't know what to do with your understanding.
You know perfectly that Japan is still a cash society and that it is more difficult for a foreigner to apply for a debit/credit card. Making me receive a call from an associate speaking my language...why? I can perfectly understand English and communicate in this language.
And, moreover, there's nothing to understand. You are just doing a legalized fraud and I will have no choice than closing the contract.

Date of experience: July 25, 2024

My daughter and I have been using the Mobal Japan Unlimited SIM for many of our trips to Japan. It is one of the best and easiest ways for us to get a Japanese Phone number. The other big convenience is that the SIM is shipped FAST (FEDEX) to us in the U.S. before our trip to Japan and we can set it up right before our trip. This way when our airplane lands in Japan, it automatically and instantly connects to the Japan network signal (while we are still in the plane) and the phone is ready to use even while we are taxing on the runway to the airport gate. Network signal is great! I highly recommend this SIM Card. Just follow the setup instructions. The company is helpful and the purchasing procedure and service is easy and excellent! Highly Recommend!

Date of experience: December 19, 2023

Obtaining a SIM and service was quick and very easy. The service is usually reliable, except that it is a bit slow during very busy commuting times or out in some areas of the country side. For the price, that is expected and I cannot complain. I paid double for big company services in the past and I feel that I missed out on such a great service (both customer and cellular) at a great price. Highly recommend. I have been using this service continuously for more than one year and I honestly don't feel the need to change.

Date of experience: May 18, 2023

The SIM card and reception worked flawlessly in 3 different cities in Japan! Better yet was the technical assistance I received for minor questions (I'm the least tech-savvy person on Earth).

Highly recommended!

Date of experience: September 03, 2024

My work project in Japan has been extended and original SIM card I bought on the airport ran out. I am strangled in the middle of rural area where there's no shops where to buy new SIM. That's how Mobal saved me a lot of trouble and stress which I am very grateful for. Hassle-free purchase, prompt and fast delivery and quick and easy set up (on my iPhone I just scanned QR code and off I go)

どうもありがとうございます

Date of experience: December 06, 2023

I've been using SIM cards from Mobal when I visit Japan. They mailed it to me before I left for Japan, which made everything easier, as I didn't have to pick it up in Japan.

It's pretty simple and easy to activate the SIM card. I used the data-only SIM cards, and it worked well as I didn't really need to make local calls.

I've noticed one thing: it seemed to start counting as day one as soon as you activate the card, even if it was later in the day (in Japan). Perhaps I'm mistaken, but it appeared that way to me.

I've just ordered another one for my up coming trip to Japan.

Date of experience: January 12, 2023

While visiting in Japan, I picked up a SIM card from Mobal at Haneda airport. Setting up the SIM card on the work phone I was using was very simple, with it having no major issues throughout my stay :)

Date of experience: July 03, 2023

Because of the original flight cancellation, we ended up picking up our SIM card at a different airport. While I did not hear from any email reply concerning this matter, the Narita airport customer service was wonderful.
Installation was a bit more complicated than we had anticipated but it finally worked. The SIM card has been working well so far.

Date of experience: April 12, 2023

I've been in Japan two weeks and Mobal has been invaluable. I've never used an eSIM before, but it was easy to setup and works great.

Date of experience: October 24, 2024

After making a mistake with my order and requesting a refund, Ben promptly sent me a reply email and was able to give me a full refund. Service is also great and really easy to set up as a foreign resident in Japan!

Date of experience: August 28, 2023

Sadly I can't recommend mobal anymore since they don't sell unlimited data simcards anymore.
I used to tell all my friends about mobal and used it since many years, but now I'm sadly disappointed they decided to take a big step back. We will have to find another website...

Date of experience: February 07, 2024

Mobal has been the easiest company to work with to get a real Japanese phone number as someone who is just starting to learn Japanese.

Date of experience: October 30, 2023

A little late with this review. We used 2 x eSIMs in Japan last December/January. Great service and coverage.

Date of experience: January 04, 2024

I have used Mobal SIM cards, both data and voice+data on two trips to Japan. The process was easy and the service excellent. First time my delivery was late, but with an email I was able to change from home delivery to pick up at Haneda Airport without any dramas. I have just placed an order for a data e-Sim for my next trip.

Date of experience: May 19, 2023

Responsive and personal help when you have a question or two? Check.
Fast and reliable services? Check.
Decent prices and helping the most vulnerable in our society as well? Check.

Check, check and check.

Do note I have not tried their credit card; this review is only about their data/connectivity products.

We were travelling for a month (or a bit more!) from the south of Japan to the very north and the connection was always reliable. We will be using this company again next time we are back in Japan !

Date of experience: February 16, 2023

Mobal customer service has been great, it's just the hassles of our own country's post office that became cumbersome. The post office caught fire recently, so this cannot be avoided. Nonetheless, for future reference if you have philippines customers, philpost doesn't deliver to your doorstep, you need to pick it up from their office once it arrives.

Date of experience: July 18, 2023