Verdict
I haven’t personally used this provider. Below is the public picture, sourced from Mobal’s plans pages and terms.
Mobal is the right pick if you want a Japan-specialist on KDDI with the broadest plan grid in this comparison and don’t mind paying a small charity-funded premium. Buy if you want a 50 GB plan on a single carrier, a Japanese phone number on a separate Voice eSIM, or you actively want your spend to fund charity. Skip if you’re looking for the cheapest 5 GB plan or you need NTT Docomo coverage for deep rural Japan.
What you actually get
Mobal’s Japan eSIMs connect to KDDI. The data-only travel eSIMs come in three durations (8, 16, 31 days) with fixed-GB tiers (10 GB / 30 GB / 50 GB depending on duration) plus a 16-day unlimited option with a 15 GB hotspot data cap. 5G is supported on the unlimited tier; 4G/LTE on the fixed tiers. Hotspot and tethering are allowed within plan allowances.
A separate Voice eSIM product line includes a real Japanese phone number with SMS, monthly-billed plans from 1 GB to 50 GB. Voice eSIMs require KYC under Japanese law and are delivered via a physical access code (free pickup in Japan or international mail). Data-only eSIMs are fully digital, no KYC.
Mobal’s parent company (Mobell Communications) is structured so the majority of profits fund charity work in Malawi and beyond.
Plans and pricing
Last verified May 2026. Prices in USD are rough conversions from Mobal’s JPY-native pricing at typical 2026 exchange rates.
| Plan | Duration | Price (USD) | Price (JPY) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 GB | 8 days | ~$21.00 | ¥3,080 | KDDI |
| 30 GB | 8 days | ~$23.50 | ¥3,520 | KDDI |
| 10 GB | 16 days | ~$25.00 | ¥3,696 | KDDI |
| 50 GB | 16 days | ~$28.00 | ¥4,136 | KDDI |
| 10 GB | 31 days | ~$32.00 | ¥4,760 | KDDI |
| 50 GB | 31 days | ~$35.50 | ¥5,280 | KDDI |
| Unlimited (5G) | 16 days | ~$49.50 | ¥7,400 | KDDI |
The 16-day and 31-day duration tiers are the most distinctive — most global apps offer 7-day and 30-day, leaving a gap for travelers on 2-week trips.
Throttling and Fair Usage Policy
Mobal’s fixed-data plans do not throttle within their allowance — when the GB cap is reached, the plan stops. The 16-day unlimited tier carries a 15 GB hotspot data cap (after which hotspot is disabled for the rest of the plan duration); the underlying data connection itself remains unlimited.
What public reviews and policy pages say
Public reviews of Mobal for Japan consistently flag four things: the breadth of plan tiers (especially 8-day and 16-day durations), the KDDI network being a step above SoftBank-only providers for rural coverage, the Voice eSIM with real Japanese phone number for travelers who need one, and the charity-owned model. The recurring caveat is pricing — Mobal sits in the mid-tier rather than competing on lowest price, which is by design.
How to buy and activate Mobal
- Visit Mobal’s Japan eSIMs page (no app required).
- Pick a duration (8, 16, or 31 days) and tier (10 GB / 30 GB / 50 GB / 16-day unlimited).
- Pay online (cards, common payment methods).
- Receive the eSIM activation details by email — typically within minutes for data-only plans.
- Install via your phone’s eSIM settings (scan QR code or enter activation code).
- Set the Mobal eSIM as your Cellular Data line; keep your home SIM active for calls and SMS.
- On arrival in Japan, toggle Data Roaming on for the Mobal line.
If you bought a Voice eSIM with a Japanese phone number, the activation flow uses a physical access code mailed to your address (or pickup in Japan) due to Japanese KYC law.
Who should pick Mobal
- 2-week traveler — Mobal’s 16-day duration tiers fit naturally; most competitors charge for 30 days even if you’re there 14.
- Anyone who needs a real Japanese phone number — Mobal’s Voice eSIM is the cleanest international-friendly path to one.
- Heavy fixed-data user who wants 50 GB at full speed on a Japan-specialist provider, with KDDI’s all-round coverage.
- Anyone who values the charity-funded model as a tiebreaker over a global eSIM marketplace.
Who should skip Mobal
- Lowest-price hunter — Nomad and Saily fixed 5 GB plans are cheaper if budget is the priority.
- Deep rural Japan or Hokkaido traveler — KDDI is solid but not as wide-rural as NTT Docomo. Travelsim Asia or Ubigi are better picks.
- Anyone who wants to avoid yet another provider’s account — Mobal’s checkout and account flow is closer to a Japanese telco’s than a global app’s.
Frequently asked questions
What network does Mobal use in Japan?
Mobal’s Japan eSIMs connect to KDDI. KDDI gives you strong all-rounder coverage — solid in cities, reliable in most rural areas, with 5G in the metro regions. It’s not as wide-rural as NTT Docomo, but it’s a step beyond SoftBank-only providers in Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps.
What plan tiers does Mobal offer?
Mobal’s data-only Japan eSIMs come in 8-day, 16-day, and 31-day durations, each with 10 GB or 50 GB fixed-data tiers, plus a 16-day unlimited tier. This is the widest plan grid in this comparison — most competitors offer one or two plan-shapes per duration.
Does Mobal offer a Japanese phone number?
Yes. Mobal sells separate Voice eSIMs that include a real Japanese phone number with SMS support, billed monthly. These plans require ID verification (KYC) under Japanese law and are delivered via a physical access code (free pickup in Japan or international mail). Mobal’s data-only travel eSIMs do not require KYC.
Do data-only Mobal eSIMs require KYC?
No. Mobal’s data-only Japan eSIMs (10 GB / 30 GB / 50 GB fixed and the unlimited tier) are delivered digitally and do not require ID verification. KYC is only required for the Voice eSIM tier with a Japanese phone number, which Japanese law mandates.
What’s the deal with Mobal being charity-owned?
Mobal’s parent company (Mobell Communications) is structured so that the majority of profits go to charity, primarily supporting community projects in Malawi. Practically, this means you’re paying a slight premium versus the cheapest global eSIMs in exchange for the charity model — Mobal’s pricing is mid-tier, not budget.