Last Updated: November 20, 2023

4 Best eSIMs For Japan (Choose The Right One For You)

Looking for an eSIM for your trip to Japan, but you’re not sure what the best option is? This detailed guide covers all the best eSim options for Japan!


At A Glance: Best eSim Providers in Japan


You can learn more about the best eSim providers for Asia and check out the offers from local mobile operators. I’ve also included a couple of options for physical Japan SIM cards for those who aren’t strictly looking for an eSIM and are open to other options as long as you have a good mobile data plan in Japan.

ESIM Product Comparison


Our Favorite

Airalo

Airalo is an excellent international eSIM provider that offers six different data plans for Japan. These range from

The 20 GB data plan is valid for an entire month, and it’s an excellent option if you’re planning a longer trip to Japan. If you use all your data, you can easily just top up the plan and continue browsing the Internet.

Airalo Japan eSim

 

It’s worth noting that 5 GB/30 days for $11.5 are excellent value for money; they’re significantly cheaper than most of their Europe plans, at least the plans with a large allowance of mobile data. The weekly and bi-weekly plans are priced in the same range as Airalo’s plans for most European countries.

An Airalo eSIM will allow you to browse the Internet on Japan’s KDDI and Softbank networks. Softbank is considered the second-best network operator in Japan, so you’re getting a good deal for very little money. KDDI, however, is seen as the least reliable operator.

Pros

  • Affordable prices
  • Lots of packages
  • Good customer service

Cons

  • No big packages
  • No unlimited data
See Prices on Airalo

Unlimited Data

Holafly

If you want to have unlimited data while you’re traveling in Japan, Holafly is the best eSIM provider for you. They only have unlimited data plans for Japan, which include:

A Holafly eSIM is a good option for heavy users who anticipate using a lot of data while staying in Japan. However, it is important to note that you are not able to create a hotspot with a Holafly eSIM so that you can have an Internet connection only on one device.

Holafly’s eSIM data plans allow you to browse the Internet on the NTT Docomo network, which is considered the best network provider in Japan. They have by far the widest coverage in the country, so this is a great option for people who are planning to travel to different regions and remote areas in Japan.

Pros

  • Unlimited data plans
  • Affordable for heavy data

Cons

  • No small data plans
See Prices on Holafly

Nomad

Nomad has quite a few eSIM data plans for Japan, which range from a 1 GB package that’s valid for five days, to a 100 GB plan you can use for two months. Almost all of their Japan eSIM data plans provide users with access to the Softbank network, which is one of the top providers in the country.

Nomad Japan eSim

There are also two eSIM plans that give you access to the Truphone network, but it’s worth noting that these are significantly more expensive than the Softbank plans, and generally not worth it. The great thing about Nomad’s plans is that you have an option for trips of different lengths, so there will be an ideal plan for you whether you’re traveling for five days or more than a month.

The data plans from Nomad are in a similar price range as the ones from Airalo, and this provider is worth considering for shorter trips. But if you want a bigger data allowance, Airalo offers a much better value for money than Nomad.

Pros

  • Mostly 30 days access
  • 20 GB plans available

Cons

  • No 5G access yet
  • More expensive
See Prices on Nomad

SimOptions

SimOptions is a well-known eSIM provider that offers both its own eSim, as well as the most popular options from other providers. Travelers who plan to visit multiple countries in Asia should consider the SimOptions eSIM, simply because it offers mobile data access in multiple Asian countries, as well as the United States.

SimOptions Japan eSim

In terms of value for money, this isn’t the best option you can purchase if you disregard the fact that it offers regional coverage. The eSIM is priced at around $18 for 6 GB of data valid for 10 days. But if you keep purchasing top-ups, the eSIM will remain valid for an entire year, so it’s a good option if you have plans to travel to other countries.

The SimOptions eSIM provides access to the Softbank network while in Japan.

Pros

  • Text & Calls included
  • 20 GB of data
  • Great combo package for travel

Cons

  • Not the cheapest per GB
See Prices on SimOptions

Ubigi

Ubigi is a popular eSIM provider with many regional and individual-country plans for Japan. Whether you need mobile data for a day or for an entire year, this provider has several great options you can choose from.

Perhaps the best data plan for Japan from Ubigi is the 5 GB monthly plan. It’s only $10, and you can keep renewing the plan for as long as you like. If you’re going to stay in Japan for a few months, this is definitely one of the best plans you should consider.

Ubigi also has the cheapest 1 GB plan for just $4, plus your eSIM will be valid for an entire month, as opposed to just a few days.

Pros

  • Good for lots of countries
  • Good for longer stays

Cons

  • Not the cheapest
See Prices on Ubigi

Maya Mobile

Maya Mobile is a popular international eSIM provider with five different eSIM plans for Japan. These range from a 1 GB plan to a plan without a data limit, and the great thing is that you can create a hotspot and share the data on all of their plans.

Maya Mobile Japan eSim

The downside of Maya Mobile is that they’re more expensive than all the other providers. Their 1 GB plan is $10, so they’re twice as expensive as Airalo, Ubigi, and the other providers. Also, Maya Mobile grants you Internet access on the KDDI network and that’s not great because they are considered the least reliable network provider in Japan.

However, if you need unlimited data in Japan and you want to be able to share that data with other devices or people, you can get in only from Maya Mobile, for $129.

See Prices on Maya Mobile

Benefits of Getting an eSIM in Japan

The main advantage of getting an eSIM for Japan is that you can use the Internet on your phone, without having to connect to any free WiFi hotspots in the country. Although Japan has a good amount of free WiFi coverage, many hotspots will require you to input personal information, including your phone number, without any explanation as to how the collected data is to be used.

If you’re reluctant to provide these operators with your personal information, an eSim with mobile data is just what you need. Alternatively, you can pick up a local sim card for tourists, and reap all the benefits of the free Internet without giving your personal data to anyone.

Another advantage of using an eSim in Japan is that you can install it on your phone without having to take out your original sim card, so you can still receive all your texts and calls on it. And you don’t have to pay any data roaming charges, which are often a lot more expensive than a simple eSim.

Local Mobile Operators Offering eSIMs in Japan

Softbank offers prepaid SIM card data plans, and you can choose whether you want an eSIM or a physical SIM card. Their plan includes 1 GB of data that’s valid for a month, but it costs 1,650 yen or some $12. Considering that you can get the same data plan for less money from other providers, I don’t think this is a great deal for tourists in Japan.

And that’s it for local mobile operators that offer eSIMs for tourists in Japan. The other two major operators don’t offer a prepaid eSim data plan for travelers, but they do have physical sim cards for tourists. This might just be the best value for money if you’re fine getting a physical sim card since you can get unlimited data for a week for just some $15.

Devices Compatible with eSIM

eSim Phones

ESIM-compatible devices include all iPhone devices released in 2018 later, Samsung phones from Galaxy S20 onward, and second-generation Google Pixel (and newer) smartphones. There are other Android devices that are compatible with eSims, and the easiest way to check whether your phone supports this technology is to dial *#06#.

Pressing call will pull up a list of unique identifying numbers for your phone. Look for an EID number – if you see one, it means that your cell phone is compatible with eSIMs. If you can’t see an EID number, you should double-check if you have the option to add an eSIM in the phone settings, but the lack of this identifier usually means that your smartphone is not eSim compatible.

Data Needed When Traveling to Japan

Unsure which eSIM data plan to purchase because you don’t know how much data you need for your trip to Japan? You can quickly figure that out by considering how long you’ll stay in the country and your data usage habits. Also, consider whether you will have WiFi access in your accommodation.

If you’re staying in the country for one or two weeks and mostly want mobile data access to check directions on maps, emails, news, and social media, you can get by with 1-5 GB of data, depending on how often you connect to the Internet.

On the other hand, travelers who will stay in the country longer should look at data plans with at least 10 GB of data. Unlimited data is a good option for heavy users who don’t have WiFi in their accommodation, but you have to keep in mind that you could be able to use the Internet only on the device on which the eSim is installed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an eSIM in Japan?

Yes, you can get an eSIM in Japan. You can either purchase one online from an international eSim provider or in a physical store

How can I buy an eSIM in Japan?

You can buy an eSIM in Japan from Softbank, one of the country’s top three network providers. You can also purchase an eSIM online from one of the international providers, and this is usually the best value for money.

How much does an eSIM cost in Japan?

Softbank’s prepaid eSIM for tourists costs approximately $12 for 1GB of data. The eSIM is valid for a month, and it is possible to top up the data if you spend it all.

How do I activate my eSIM in Japan?

To activate your eSIM in Japan should be enough to turn on mobile data and start browsing the Internet. That is if you’ve already added the eSIM to your cell phone by scanning a QR code or manually through the smartphone’s network settings.