When choosing a mobile carrier in Okinawa, there are a variety of options available. However, NTT Docomo’s online-only plan, ahamo, offers one of the best balances in terms of price and data allowance.
With other appealing carriers such as povo, Y!mobile, Rakuten Mobile, and UQ mobile available, what makes ahamo worth choosing?
In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at ahamo’s advantages through direct comparisons and real-world examples.
Author: Shimu-sa
Currently using both ahamo and povo
Been using ahamo for 2 years and 7 months
※ The speeds shown in this article are based on measurements taken at the time. Actual speeds may vary depending on conditions and time of day. These are individual test results and do not guarantee actual speeds.
※ Prices are accurate as of November 9, 2024.
- 1｜What Makes ahamo So Attractive?
- 2｜Comparison with Other Carriers (povo, Y!mobile, Rakuten Mobile, UQ Mobile)
- 2-1｜Comparing with povo (au Line)
- 2-2｜Comparing with Rakuten Mobile
- 2-3｜Comparing with Y!mobile
- 2-4｜Comparing with UQ Mobile
- 3｜Why Choose ahamo in Okinawa?
- 4｜Conclusion: 30GB + 5-Min Free Calls for ¥2,970 Makes ahamo an Excellent Choice in Okinawa
1｜What Makes ahamo So Attractive?
1-1 Simple, Easy-to-Understand Pricing
ahamo’s biggest appeal is its straightforward plan: 2,970 yen per month (tax included) for 30GB of data.
According to a study by MM Research Institute, the average monthly data usage in Japan is 11GB, making ahamo’s 30GB plan more than sufficient for most users.
Other notable features:
- Free domestic calls up to 5 minutes
- 30GB of standard data
- Optional upgrades: 80GB additional data, unlimited calling, etc.
Because the fee is fixed, it’s ideal for users who want to avoid unexpected charges.
1-2 Reliable Docomo Network
Some areas in Okinawa may experience unstable connections. Since ahamo uses the NTT Docomo network, it offers consistent coverage across Okinawa.
According to the official ahamo site:
You can use the service in the same 5G/4G (LTE) areas as Docomo.
However, based on our tests, some northern regions of Okinawa’s main island showed slower speeds and smaller 5G coverage areas.
Examples:
- Naha City: Average download speed: 96 Mbps
- Onna Village: Average download speed: 10.15 Mbps
Still, even Onna Village’s speed meets YouTube’s HD requirements (5 Mbps for 1080p, 20 Mbps for 4K).
📌 Check these articles for detailed test results:
2｜Comparison with Other Carriers (povo, Y!mobile, Rakuten Mobile, UQ Mobile)
We compared ahamo with other major low-cost carriers:
| Feature | ahamo | povo | Rakuten Mobile | Y!mobile | UQ Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Price | 30GB: ¥2,970 | Base: ¥0 + Top-ups | 1GB–Unlimited: ¥1,078–¥3,278 | 4–30GB: ¥2,365–¥5,115 | 4–33GB: ¥2,365–¥3,278 |
| Data Capacity | 30GB (110GB optional) | Flexible top-ups (1GB–360GB) | Unlimited | Up to 30GB | Up to 33GB |
| Calls | 5-min free | 22 yen/30 sec (or optional add-ons) | Free via Rakuten Link | Optional unlimited | Optional unlimited |
| Throttled Speed | 1 Mbps | 128 kbps | None | 300 kbps–1 Mbps | 300 kbps–1 Mbps |
📌 Note: Some plans offer significant discounts when bundled with home internet or special credit cards.
2-1｜Comparing with povo (au Line)
povo Pros:
- Base cost ¥0; only pay when you use data
- Flexible top-ups: short-term (e.g. 3 hours for ¥180) and long-term options
- Special campaigns with convenience stores and restaurants
povo Cons:
- Manual top-ups required to avoid slow speeds (128 kbps)
- If you don’t top up for over 180 days, your line may be deactivated
ahamo Pros over povo:
- Automatically includes 30GB each month
- No need to worry about topping up
- No risk of losing your phone number
- Better throttled speed (1 Mbps)
📌 My suggestion: Use ahamo as your primary SIM, povo as backup.
Dual SIM is available on iPhone XS and newer.
📌 Check Okinawa speed test:
povo Network Speed Test in 8 Locations
2-2｜Comparing with Rakuten Mobile
Rakuten Mobile Pros:
- Unlimited data for ¥3,278/month
- Pay less if you use less data
- Rakuten points: up to 5x points on Rakuten Ichiba purchases
- In-store support available
Cons:
- You must use the Rakuten Link app for free calls
- If you call via regular dialer, it costs 22 yen per 30 seconds
- Not voice assistant-friendly (e.g., “Hey Siri” calls cost money if not careful)
ahamo Advantages:
- Free calls (up to 5 min) without an app
- Better overseas data (30GB vs Rakuten’s 2GB)
- More convenient for frequent phone users
📌 Switching from ahamo to Rakuten Mobile – Step-by-step Guide
2-3｜Comparing with Y!mobile
Y!mobile Pros:
- SoftBank network
- Large family & home internet discounts (e.g., 30GB for ¥3,278 with discounts)
- LYP Premium access included
Cons:
- Regular pricing is higher than ahamo without discounts
- Discounts require home internet setup
ahamo Advantages:
- No need for home internet bundling
- 5-min free calls included
- Flat rate of ¥2,970/month
- International data usage (30GB) included
2-4｜Comparing with UQ Mobile
UQ Mobile Pros:
- Flexible plans: 4GB to 33GB
- Discounts with home internet and au PAY card
- Unused data rolls over
- Standard 10-min call plan on some tiers
- Economy mode available
Cons:
- Without discounts, most plans are pricier than ahamo
- 5-min call limit on ahamo is shorter
ahamo Advantages:
- Cheaper than UQ without discounts
- 30GB + 5-min call standard
- Upgradeable to 110GB
- 30GB usable overseas
3｜Why Choose ahamo in Okinawa?
3-1 Faster Speeds at Certain Times
According to Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Okinawa has a high concentration of au users. During peak times like lunch breaks, Docomo lines (used by ahamo) often perform better.
Real Data:
In some areas, ahamo was more than twice as fast as povo (au line).
📌 Real-time conditions may vary. All speed data shown were collected by the author.
3-2 Most People Pay More Than ¥2,970
According to the 2023 Communications Usage Trend Survey, 59.1% of Okinawa residents using major carriers paid more than ¥3,000/month.
If you use less than 30GB/month, switching to ahamo is a great way to save money.
4｜Conclusion: 30GB + 5-Min Free Calls for ¥2,970 Makes ahamo an Excellent Choice in Okinawa
In summary, ahamo offers:
- A simple, affordable plan
- Stable Docomo network
- 30GB of data
- 5-minute free calls
- Usable overseas without extra charges
Other carriers also have strengths, especially if you can take advantage of bundling discounts. But if you prefer a simple, no-fuss plan with great cost performance, ahamo is the best option for most people in Okinawa.
✅ Check official sites for details:
- ahamo Official Website
- povo Official Website
- Rakuten Mobile Official Website
- Y!mobile Official Website
- UQ Mobile Official Website
Let me know if you’d like this in a downloadable file format (PDF, Word, etc.) or need it adjusted for SEO/affiliate blog use.
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