UQ mobile Plans Explained in English: Prices, Pros, and Cons

UQ mobile is a Japanese mobile phone service run by UQ Communications, a group company of au, one of Japan's three major mobile carriers. UQ mobile is known for strong coverage and reliable speeds.

If you have tried to read UQ mobile's official website and felt confused, you are not alone. Most of the site is only in Japanese, and the contract details can feel overwhelming. This guide is here to explain UQ mobile in clear English. You will learn how its plans work, what to check before signing up, and the main pros and cons so you can decide if UQ mobile fits your needs.

Let's get started.

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UQ mobile Plan Overview

UQ mobile currently offers two main smartphone plans: Komi-Komi Plan Value and Toku-Toku Plan 2. Each plan is designed around different data usage patterns rather than a large number of overlapping options, which we will go over in the next section.

Komi-Komi Plan Value: A Fixed Monthly Bundle

UQ mobile describes the Komi-Komi Plan Value as a flat monthly plan that combines data, voice calls, and a Ponta Pass in one package.

The plan includes 35 GB of data per month, with unused data carrying over to the following month. After the main allowance is used, speeds are reduced to up to 1 Mbps. If total monthly usage exceeds 50 GB, speeds may be further limited to 128 kbps until the end of that billing cycle.

The standard monthly fee is 3,680 yen (3,828 yen incl. tax).

Komi-Komi Plan Value includes Unlimited Talk Light, which covers domestic calls up to 10 minutes per call. Calls longer than that are charged at 22 yen per 30 seconds. This setup mainly benefits users who make short calls and want to avoid tracking separate call charges.

Toku-Toku Plan 2: Variable Pricing Based on Usage

Toku-Toku Plan 2 is structured around data usage levels. It allows up to 30 GB of data per month, with carryover, but offers its lowest price only if usage stays within 5 GB.

The base monthly fee is 3,680 yen (4,048 yen incl. tax).

Once the included data is used, speeds are limited to up to 1 Mbps. If total monthly usage exceeds 40 GB, speeds may be restricted further to 128 kbps until the end of the month.

Voice calls are charged at 22 yen per 30 seconds unless a call option is added. There is also a discount for customers aged 60 or over, which reduces the monthly fee by 1,100 yen. This discount mainly benefits light data users in that age group.

Extra Data and Call Options

Both plans support Additional Data Option II, which adds 5 GB per month for 550 yen. Unused data from this option carries over. For new subscribers, there is a campaign that waives this fee for the first 7 months.

For users on the Toku-Toku Plan 2 who want more predictable call charges, UQ mobile provides the following options:

• Call Pack 60: 660 yen/month for up to 2,640 yen worth of domestic calls (about 60 minutes).
• Unlimited Talk Light: 880 yen/month for domestic calls up to 10 minutes per call.
• 24/7 Unlimited Talk: 1,980 yen/month for unlimited domestic calls to standard numbers.

Data usage follows a set order: carried-over data is used first, followed by the current month's allowance (including any added data), and then any separately purchased data packs. Remaining basic data can carry over to the next month, but expires after that month.

Advantages of Using UQ mobile

Some users choose UQ mobile for a few practical reasons related to pricing, flexibility, and access to physical shops.

The main points often mentioned are:

• Fees that follow a clear structure
• Monthly data carryover
• In-person support at physical shops

Below is a closer look at each point.

a) The Fees Are Simple and Easy to Follow

Mobile phone plans in Japan often rely on multiple conditions that affect the final monthly bill. These can include usage thresholds, bundled service discounts, or payment method requirements, making it hard to predict costs at a glance.

With UQ mobile, pricing is based on a small number of standard plans with fixed base fees.

*Tax included.
*Lower monthly fees may apply with au-related discounts.

b) Data Can Be Carried Over to the Next Month

UQ mobile allows unused monthly data to carry over to the following month.

Carried-over data is used first and is valid for one additional month. This setup helps users avoid losing unused data when monthly usage changes.

c) Customer Support at UQ mobile Shops

UQ mobile allows sign-up both online and in person. In-store support is available at:

• UQ Spot (official UQ mobile shops)
• au Shop locations (availability varies)
• Mobile phone counters inside electronics stores and supermarkets

There are more than 2,700 locations across Japan, so many users can find a shop nearby,

Note: Customers who are not comfortable using Japanese often bring a friend or family member to help with explanations during sign-up.

Disadvantages of Using UQ mobile

Like most mobile services in Japan, UQ mobile also has limitations. These points are commonly mentioned by users and are worth understanding before signing up.

The main drawbacks are:

• No English-language support
• Contract cancellation requires a phone call
• Network performance can vary by location

Each point is explained below.

a) No English Support

UQ mobile does not provide customer support in English.

The sign-up process, plan changes, and contract details are handled through the user portal ("My Page"), which is available only in Japanese. Phone support and in-store assistance are also conducted in Japanese.

UQ mobile does publish a small number of English pages, but these are limited in scope and may not reflect the latest plan details or procedures. For most account-related tasks, Japanese ability is required.

b) Cancellation Timing and Billing Rules Are Strict

UQ mobile allows contract cancellation through several channels, including the online My Page portal, in-store at supported shops, or by phone. However, the cancellation rules themselves are fairly strict.

When you cancel, your service does not end immediately. In most cases, the contract remains active until the end of the billing month, and you are charged for the full month even if you cancel early. Daily prorating is not applied.

There are also fixed deadlines. If you submit a cancellation request after the monthly cutoff date, the contract may continue into the following month, resulting in an extra month of charges. This is in addition to a 1,100 yen cancellation fee if you cancel within one year.

c) Lower Prices Often Depend on au-Related Discounts

Many of UQ mobile's advertised monthly prices assume that certain discounts are applied.

In practice, this usually means having one or both of the following:

• A qualifying home internet service under the au group
• Payment set up with an au PAY Card

If these conditions are not met, the monthly fee remains at the standard base price, which can be noticeably higher than the discounted amount shown in plan examples.

For people who are new to Japan, do not have home internet yet, or do not have a Japanese credit card yet, these discounts may not be realistic options.

Who UQ mobile Is a Good Fit For

Based on its current plans and policies, UQ mobile tends to work best for people who fall into all or most of the following groups:

• People who want a reasonably priced plan on a major carrier's network
• People who are comfortable handling contracts and support in Japanese
• People who prefer having the option to visit a physical shop

Its plans are usually cheaper than those of the main carriers, especially for users who qualify for au-related discounts.

At the same time, English support is not available, and most procedures are handled in Japanese. This means UQ mobile is generally a better match for people who already live in Japan and feel comfortable managing phone services on their own.

The availability of in-store support is another reason some users choose UQ mobile. If you prefer face-to-face help rather than online-only sign-up, this can be reassuring.

Comparison With Other Carriers

UQ mobile is often positioned as a lower-cost option compared with Japan's major carriers, while still using a large national network. This makes it appealing to users who want stable service without paying full carrier prices.

However, if English support is a priority, Sakura Mobile is often easier to use. Sakura Mobile runs on the docomo network, which offers broad coverage across Japan, including rural areas. Plans are designed for non-Japanese speakers, with full English support for sign-up, billing, and customer service.

A more detailed comparison of plans and features is explained below.

Looking for Other Options?

If you want to understand how other Japanese carriers structure their plans, these guides may help:

• Guide to docomo Phone Plans
• Guide to ahamo Phone Plans

How to Register With UQ mobile

You can apply for UQ mobile either in person at a supported shop or through the official website. Below is a simple overview of the online application process.

First, visit the UQ mobile website. At the top of the page, look for the Online Shop (オンラインショップ) tab. It is the blue tab near the right side of the navigation menu. Click this to enter the online store

Once you are on the Online Shop page, scroll down to see the available options. These usually include:

• SIM card
• eSIM
• SIM card + smartphone

Select the option that matches what you want to purchase.

After choosing your product, click the Apply (お申し込み) button. This will take you to the application flow, wher eyou follow the on-screen steps to enter your personal details, choose a plan, and complete identity verification.

All steps in the online process are handled in Japanese. You will need to read and agree to the contract terms, upload the required documents, and complete payment setup in Japanese as well.

Frequently Asked Questions About UQ mobile

If You Need English Support With Your Phone Service

If handling contracts, support calls, and account management in Japanese feels stressful, Sakura Mobile is often an easier option.

Sakura Mobile is designed specifically for international residents and visitors in Japan. All support is provided in clear English, from sign-up to daily use.

Sakura Mobile Long-Term SIM Plan Features

• 5 GB Voice + Data plans starting from 3,278 yen/month (incl. tax)
• Multiple data size options available
• Uses the docomo network for the widest coverage across Japan
• Full English support, available 7 days a week
• Online ordering with SIM card delivery or eSIM setup
• Includes a Japanese phone number

Founded in 2014, Sakura Mobile has supported more than 400,000 international users living in or visiting Japan. Instead of unlimited data, it offers clear data plans with fixed monthly pricing, which users find easier to manage.

Sakura Mobile operates as an MVNO on the docomo network, which is known for strong nationwide coverage, including rural areas.

For full details, you can check the Voice + Data Plans page here.

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