Japan draws over 25 million foreign visitors annually, making it one of the world’s leading tourist destinations. Those millions of visitors need internet access while they stay in Japan, and an eSIM provides that. You no longer need to get to Japan before registering an eSIM that gives data access. Instead, you can buy and activate the eSIM in your home country. Once you get to Japan, turn on the eSIM profile to get internet access.
We tested different eSIM providers to curate the best ones you can use in Japan. This guide will help foreign visitors make a smart decision and get stellar internet access in Japan.
The best eSIM for Japan in 2024 in full:
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Best eSIM overall
Airalo is the world’s leading eSIM marketplace, offering packages in virtually all countries. It offers a Moshi Moshi data package that gives speedy internet access in Japan. You can choose from various plans, including $4.50 for 1 GB for 7 days, $6.50 for 2 GB for 15 days, $8.50 for 3 GB for 30 days, $11.50 for 5 GB for 30 days, $18 for 10 GB for 30 days, and $26 for 20 GB for 30 days.
Airalo’s Japan plans are pretty affordable compared to its offerings for other countries. For instance, its Bali package costs $40 for 20 GB for 30 days, compared to $26 for Japan.
Another option is Airalo’s Asialink package, which provides data access in Japan and 17 other Asian countries (China, Hong Kong, India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam). Airalo offers 50 GB and 100 GB Asialink plans, unlike the Japan-only plan, which is capped at 20 GB.
Asialink plans are more expensive than the Japan-only plans, e.g., $20 for 5 GB for 30 days for the former, compared to $11.50 for the latter. However, a higher cost is expected, given the broader coverage.
Airalo has no unlimited data option, unlike some eSIM providers. However, its excellent speed and network coverage make up for this drawback.
Best eSIM for user-friendliness
Jetpac offers coverage in 50+ countries, including Japan. You can choose from various plans, including $4 for 1 GB for 4 days, $5 for 3 GB for 7 days, $8.50 for 5 GB for 30 days, $16 for 10 GB for 30 days, $22 for 15 GB for 30 days, $25 for 20 GB for 30 days, $35 for 30 GB for 30 days, and $60 for 40 GB for 30 days.
Jetpac works with KDDI, Japan’s second-largest mobile carrier, to deliver robust internet service in this country. It offers a broad range of reasonably priced plans, although it lacks an unlimited plan.
The intuitive Jetpac mobile app allows you to buy and activate an eSIM, monitor and top up your data on the go, and more.
Best eSIM for affordability
Saily is another reliable eSIM provider for Japanese visitors. It offers various plans, including $3.99 for 1 GB for 7 days, $6.99 for 3 GB for 30 days, $9.99 for 5 GB for 30 days, $15.99 for 10 GB for 30 days, and $22.99 for 20 GB for 30 days. Saily’s Japan plans are more affordable than those of most rivals.
This eSIM provider is renowned for its user-friendliness. It offers an intuitive app to monitor usage and buy more data if needed. Purchasing and activating an eSIM is a seamless process using this app.
Saily has only country-specific plans. There’s no regional plan that gives you data access in Japan and other countries simultaneously. There’s also no unlimited data, which is a drawback. Likewise, you must download the Saily iOS or Android app to activate your eSIM, unlike other providers that let you handle it via a website.
Regardless of these drawbacks, Saily stands out for its affordability and user-friendliness. It also provides top-notch customer service.
Best eSIM for unlimited data
Holafly is an eSIM provider that offers unlimited data plans. In fact, Holafly has no capped data plans (it’s all unlimited) or fixed periods (you choose precisely how many days you want). Pricing depends on the number of days you choose, and Holafly is noticeably expensive.
For instance, one day costs $6, 10 days costs $37, 25 days costs $68, 50 days costs $96, and the maximum of 90 days costs $139. Holafly has network-sharing agreements with KDDI and SoftBank Telecom, two major Japanese mobile carriers, to give customers excellent speed and coverage.
Holafly lets you share your data with your smartphone as a hotspot, but it’s capped at 500 MB daily. It doesn’t offer a phone number for calls and SMS, but VoIP apps like WhatsApp and Skype fulfill the same role over the internet. Use code TECHRADAR to get 5% off.
Best eSIM for data plans
Ubigi is a well-known eSIM provider offering services in most countries. It’s a relatively new name in the Japanese market but is nonetheless breaking ground in the country. It offers a range of data plans, including $2.50 for 500 MB for 1 day, $4 for 1 GB for 30 days, $8 for 3 GB for 30 days, $10 for 5 GB for 30 days, $17 for 10 GB for 30 days, $29 for 20 GB for 30 days, $38 for 24 GB for 1 year, $69 for 50 GB for 30 days, and $100 for 60 GB for a year.
We like that Ubigi offers plans valid for up to a year, which is ideal for people who plan to stay in Japan for a long time. Ubigi works with Japanese mobile carrier NTT Docomo to provide robust coverage across Japan. This eSIM provider is actually owned by Transatel, a French subsidiary of NTT Docomo.
All Ubigi plans include a 5G connection if you’re in a Japanese region where that’s supported (the number of supported areas is rapidly increasing as time goes on). Buying and activating your eSIM is easy– you’ll pay online and scan the QR code sent to your email address to kickstart the process.
Best eSIM for speed
World eSIM is a global eSIM provider that offers both capped and unlimited data plans. The unlimited plan costs $30 for 5 days, $39 for 7 days, $49 for 10 days, and $66 for 15 days. The capped plans include $4 for 500 MB for 3 days, $6 for 1 GB for 3 days, $9 for 1 GB for 5 days, $11 for 500 MB for 10 days, $30 for 3 GB for 10 days, $19 for 10 GB for 30 days, $30 for 20 GB for 30 days, and more.
As expected, the unlimited plans are costly, while the capped plans are reasonably priced. World eSIM works with SoftBank Telecom as its Japanese network provider, giving users robust coverage.
You can buy and activate your World eSIM online without formal documentation. After activating it, you can download the World eSIM iOS or Android app to manage your eSIM from anywhere. We like that this provider offers unlimited and capped plans so you can choose the one that suits you best.
World eSIM gave us faster download and upload speeds during our test than other eSIM providers in this guide. It’s the best for video calling and streaming.
Best eSIMs for international travel FAQs
What is an eSIM?
eSIM means embedded SIM. As the name implies, it is a type of SIM embedded directly in a smartphone, instead of the typical SIM embedded in plastic and inserted in smartphones.
An eSIM comprises software installed on a chip embedded into the smartphone. You can’t physically remove the eSIM. Instead, you can reprogram it with new information to add or delete a network profile.
eSIMs are becoming more popular because of their convenience. They eliminate the need to swap SIM cards when switching to another network. Instead, everything works via software configurations, so you can add or remove network profiles without touching any physical component.
A single eSIM can hold up to eight network profiles, but you’ll hardly see a smartphone with eight physical SIM slots. Though less than a decade old, annual sales of eSIM-enabled devices are in the hundreds of millions and are projected to surpass 2 billion by 2025. With this trajectory, most devices could become eSIM-compatible within a few decades.
Why do I need an eSIM for Japan?
An eSIM makes it easy to retain internet access when visiting Japan. There’s no need to wait until you land in Japan for a physical SIM to last throughout your stay. Instead, you can buy and activate an eSIM in your home country. When you get to Japan, simply turn on the eSIM profile to get data access.
The eSIM providers mentioned in this guide have agreements with Japanese telecom firms like NTT Docomo and SoftBank Telecom. When you buy an eSIM and visit Japan, you’ll tap into the same telecoms infrastructure that locals use.
How to check if your smartphone is eSIM-compatible
Most new smartphones are eSIM-compatible. Some use both eSIMs and physical SIMs, while some have ditched the physical SIM slot and only work with eSIMs. With the current eSIM adoption trajectory, most smartphones could work only with eSIMs in a few decades.
You can check your device’s eSIM compatibility by following the below steps:
For iPhones
- Open the Settings app and click Cellular.
- Look for the Add eSIM button. If you see this button, your iPhone supports eSIMs. If you don’t see this button, your iPhone doesn’t support eSIMs.
For Android phones
- Open the Settings app.
- Select About Phone.
- Look for SIM Status or a similar option.
- Check for any mention of eSIM or Embedded SIM. If you see it, your Android device supports eSIMs. Otherwise, the device likely doesn’t work with eSIMs.
You can also check your smartphone manufacturer’s website for technical specifications. eSIM compatibility will likely be mentioned in your smartphone’s specifications document.
Considerations for choosing an eSIM provider
1. Cost
Cost is the first consideration when looking for an eSIM package. You should compare prices from different eSIM providers to get a fair deal. For instance, if you want a 20 GB plan, World eSIM offers it for $30 and Saily for $23. The latter is better if cost is your primary concern.
However, cost shouldn’t be the only concern. You should weigh pricing against factors like validity, coverage, speed, and customer service.
Unlimited data plans are costlier than capped data plans. The higher the data allocation and validity period, the more you should expect to pay.
2. Coverage
You need an eSIM provider with robust coverage across Japan. Fortunately, all eSIM providers on this list have reliable coverage, although you might be unable to access 5G outside urban centers. You'll enjoy the fastest connection possible in touristy regions like Tokyo and Osaka.
3. Validity
How long is your data plan valid for? Most eSIM providers limit their plans to 30 days, after which you must renew even if your data isn’t exhausted. However, a few, like Sakura and Holafly, offer up to 90 days, and you can choose the exact number of days your data plan remains valid.
4. Data allocation
Your browsing habits determine the data plan you’ll choose from an eSIM provider. 5 GB to 20 GB is enough for the average foreign visitor. However, an unlimited plan is your best bet if you plan to download or stream lots of content. Holafly, World eSIM, and Sakura Mobile offer unlimited data plans with fast speeds.
5. Customer service
An ideal eSIM provider should offer excellent customer service. If things go wrong, you should be able to contact its support team via email, live chat, or telephone. It’s not just about having a support team; it’s about having skilled and experienced staff willing to resolve customers’ issues.
You can check user reviews of your desired eSIM provider to see if there are noticeable complaints regarding customer service.
