SoftBank Hikari English Guide: Plans, Prices, and Why the Language Barrier Matters

SoftBank Hikari is one of Japan's fastest home internet options—but everything is in Japanese. If you're an English speaker looking at fiber internet in Japan, here's what you need to know about SoftBank Hikari costs, signup, contracts, and why the language barrier could be a deal breaker.

TL;DR

SoftBank Hikari offers fast fiber internet (up to 10 Gbps) starting at 4,180 yen/month on the NTT FLET'S Hikari network. The catch: everything is in Japanese—website, signup, support, and billing. There is no English option. Contracts lock you in for 2 years. If you want the same NTT speeds with full English support, no long-term contract, and foreign credit card payments, Sakura Mobile Fiber Internet starts at 6,480 yen/month.

Related Article

Want to compare more providers? Check out our full guide: Top 7 Home Internet Providers in Japan with English Support

What is SoftBank Hikari?

SoftBank Hikari at a Glance

All prices include tax.

Good to Know: What Is FLET'S Hikari?

FLET'S Hikari is a fiber-optic network built and maintained by NTT, Japan's largest telecom provider. Many internet companies—including SoftBank Hikari—run their services on this NTT network. Your contract is with SoftBank, but the actual cables and infrastructure belong to NTT.

SoftBank Hikari Cost Breakdown

Your monthly price depends on two things: your housing type and your plan speed.

WiFi on the 1 Gbps plans: WiFi is not included. You have three options: (1) rent SoftBank's branded router (513 yen/month) and their WiFi add-on (1,089 yen/month) for a total of 1,602 yen/month; (2) rent only the branded router and connect your own WiFi router to it; or (3) get the "option pack," which bundles the router, WiFi add-on, and a phone service for just 550 yen/month—but you need to sign up for SoftBank's phone bundle discount to qualify. Most SoftBank and Y!mobile phone subscribers go with option 3.

WiFi on the Gbps plan: A home gateway router rental (550 yen/month) is required. It has built-in WiFi, so you don't need any extra equipment or add-ons.

Installation: 4,620–31,680 yen depending on whether a technician needs to visit your home. Extra charges apply for evenings, weekends, and holidays—check SoftBank's FAQ for details.

A note on housing type: You don't get to pick this yourself. SoftBank decides based on your building's existing fiber wiring. Even if you live in an apartment, you could end up on the more expensive House plan if your building doesn't have the right setup. SoftBank will let you know after you apply.

Phone bundle discount: Already on a SoftBank or Y!mobile phone plan? You may qualify for the "Ouchiwari Hikari Set" discount—up to 1,100 yen off per line for SoftBank users, or up to 1,650 yen off per line for Y!mobile users. A designated options package starting at 550 yen/month is required.

Payment: You can pay by credit, bank debit, or combined billing with your SoftBank or Y!mobile phone plan. However, foreign-issued credit cards may not be accepted.

Three Big Pain Points for Non-Japanese Speakers

Before you commit, here are three friction points that catch many English speakers off guard:

Limited English Support

SoftBank Hikari has an English website, but most of the details you'd actually need—plan breakdowns, contract terms, troubleshooting guides—are only in Japanese. Phone and chat support are also Japanese only. So while you can get a general overview in English, the moment you need specifics, you're on your own with a translation app.

Complex Contract Terms

The 2-year auto-renewal, cancellation windows, and fee structures are hard enough to follow in English. In Japanese, they're even trickier. Missing your free cancellation window by a month means paying a penalty.

Rigid 2-Year Minimum

If your plans in Japan change—a job transfer, end of studies, or early move—you're still locked in. Canceling outside the renewal window costs one month's base rate.

If any of these sound familiar, compare your options before committing.

Coverage and Performance

SoftBank Hikari's 1 Gbps plan covers over 90% of Japan through the NTT FLET'S Hikari network. The 10 Gbps plan is available in select areas across all 47 prefectures (check the NTT East or NTT West website for your address).

What Users Report

✓ Fast Speeds

Real-world averages sit around 491 Mbps download and 404 Mbps upload, based on user-reported data from minsoku.net (3-month average as of March 2026). Many users report smooth 4K streaming and gaming.

✖ Poor Customer Service

Long hold times are a common complaint—one user posted a screenshot of a 2-hour wait before being disconnected. Billing confusion and language barriers make support calls even harder.

If speeds feel slow, try a wired Ethernet connection before blaming the provider. Your WiFi band (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz) and router placement make a big difference too.

Both SoftBank and Sakura Mobile run on the same NTT network, so speeds are comparable. The real differences are in language support, contract flexibility, and how easy the signup process is. If English support and no long-term contracts matter to you, it's worth adding Sakura Mobile to your shortlist.

How to Apply for SoftBank Hikari

The entire signup process is in Japanese. Here's what you'll need:

• A Residence Card (zairyu card) or proof of Japanese nationality
• A residential address in Japan
• A Japanese bank account or credit card (foreign cards may not work)
• A Japanese phone number

SoftBank's official pages are Japanese only—use Google Translate or ask a Japanese-speaking friend to help you navigate.

📅 Timeline

Setup can take over a month depending on installation conditions, technician availability, and building approval. SoftBank offers a free WiFi device loaner while you wait—ask about it when you apply.

If dealing with Japanese paperwork feels overwhelming, Sakura Mobile lets you complete the entire process in English.

How to Cancel SoftBank Hikari

Free Cancellation Window

You can cancel without a fee during a 3-month window: the month your contract expires, plus the next two months.

Cancellation Fee (Outside the Window)

• Standard cancellation fee: One month's base rate.
• • Apartment: 4,180 yen
  • House: 5,720 yen
  • 10 Gbps: 6,380 yen
• Older contracts (pre-July 2022): Fees ranging from 10,450 to 16,500 yen.

What to Return

Return all rented equipment before the deadline. Small accessories like cables are usually waived, but missing the return deadline means a penalty charge. Check the SoftBank website for return instructions.

Returning equipment alone does not cancel your contract—you must complete the cancellation separately by phone or through My SoftBank.

Is SoftBank Hikari Right for You?

SoftBank Hikari makes sense if you:

• Read and speak Japanese comfortably
• Plan to stay in the same home for 2+ years
• Already have a SoftBank or Y!mobile phone and want the bundle discount

An alternative might be better if you:

• Prefer to handle everything in English
• Are in Japan short-term or unsure how long you'll stay
• Want to pay with a foreign credit card

Here's a quick side-by-side:

Both services run on the same NTT network, so speeds are comparable. The real difference is the experience: language, flexibility, support.

Why Choose Sakura Fiber Internet?

• Same NTT network as SoftBank Hikari—fast and reliable
• No lock-in: cancel anytime after the first month
• Full English support from signup to troubleshooting
• We handle the hard parts: installation, building approval, and tech coordination
• Pay your way: foreign credit cards and convenience store payments accepted

Plans start at 6,480 yen/month. If you want English support from start to finish—application, billing, and tech help—Sakura Mobile is built for you.

Can't get fiber? Sakura Mobile Home WiFi has you covered. Whether you're in an apartment, a dorm, or a building that doesn't support fiber installation, Home WiFi gets you online—no complicated setup, no long wait.

FAQ

Want to compare more options? Check out our full guide: Top 7 Home Internet Providers in Japan With English Support