Best Japan eSIMs in 2025

Last Updated on July 5, 2025 by Alexx

Want to find the best eSIM for Japan? From affordable 20-50GB plans that will suit most travellers to cheap low data packages under $6 or up to 200GB, 300GB or even 1TB for heavy data users, I compared 150+ options to find the best Japan eSIMs for tourists.

Planning a trip to Japan and overwhelmed by the countless options all claiming to save you hundreds of dollars on roaming fees? I don’t blame you.

The truth is that not all eSIMs are created equal. Some providers (the ones with the biggest marketing budgets unfortunately) charge $4.50 for 1GB while others offer 300GB for $65, so it takes a bit of research to sift through the options and weed out the overpriced tourist traps.

And that’s exactly what I’m here for.

After using eSIMs in more than 30 countries, testing a handful of eSIMs from different providers on different networks during my recent solo trip to Japan, and spending far too many hours researching 150+ data packages available in Japan from 30+ eSIM retailers, I’ve pulled together this ultra-comprehensive Japan eSIM guide to help you make the right choice for your trip.

Here’s what I’m going to share with you:

• The best Japan eSIMs for 9 different travel styles and trip lengths
• Which providers to avoid
• Transparent price comparisons from 40+ providers
• Detailed product breakdowns with info on speed, network, hotspotting and fair use policies
• Helpful troubleshooting tips if your Japan eSIM has issues

Unlike most ‘best eSIM’ guides that just rehash the same expensive options and pass them off as affordable, I’ve done the legwork to find trusted wholesale providers and lesser-known but reputable companies that offer genuine value for money.

My recommendations start at $0.60-$0.80 per GB for mid-data plans that will suit most travellers, plus cheap and cheerful low data options from $1.50, huge 1TB data packages for heavy users and unlimited plans for consistent use of 2-5GB per day. All prices are in USD to keep it easy to compare, but some providers use different currencies as their base so exact eSIM costs may vary slightly based on exchange rate.

Let’s get into it!

Quick summary: The best & worst Japan eSIMs for travellers

The best Japan eSIMs

I’ve done looooads of research so you don’t have to, and if you’re looking for a quick answer for which eSIM to buy then here are the best options on the market.

Note: All prices are in USD.

• Best Japan eSIM for most travellers: 20GB for $13.99 with MobiMatter
• Best Japan eSIM for most high data users: 50GB for $29.99 with MobiMatter
• Best Japan eSIM for unlimited data (moderate use): 30 days for $39 with Voye
• Best Japan eSIM for unlimited data (heavy use): 30 days for $49.88 with Supera Link
• Best Japan eSIM for low data users: 3GB for $3.60 with SIMOVO
• Best Japan eSIM for ultra-high data users: 300GB for $65 with Roamify
• Best Japan eSIM for most long trips: 60GB over 90 days for $45.99 with MobiMatter
• Best Japan eSIM for long trips for heavy data users: Depends on the length of trip, I’ve listed a few different options below
• Best eSIM for Japan, China & South Korea: 35GB for $24.99 with MobiMatter

The most expensive eSIMs for Japan

And just so you know which ones to not waste your money on, these are the most expensive Japan eSIM options when you compare price per GB or price per day.

• Nomad: 1GB for $6, 5GB for $11, 20GB for $25
• Airalo: 1GB for $4.50, 5GB for $11.50, 20GB for $26
• Saily: 1GB for $3.99, 5GB for $10.99, 20GB for $24.99
• Ubigi: 10GB for $17, 20GB for $31, 50GB for $59
• YeSIM: 5GB for $14.40, 10GB for $20.40, 20GB for $28.80
• Holafly (500MB per day limit for hotspotting and throttling after daily fair use limit which isn’t specified): 10 days for $36.90, 20 days for $61.90, 30 days for $74.90

What is a Japan eSIM?

An eSIM is a must-have if you’re travelling to Japan, it gives you easy and affordable access to data as soon as you touch down without having to swap out your physical SIM card or pay through the roof for expensive roaming costs.

Essentially it’s a digital SIM card that’s built into your phone as a permanent embedded chip, and you can install multiple eSIM profiles onto the chip without having to change it physically. When you buy an eSIM and install it onto your phone, you’re giving your phone instructions to connect to local Japanese networks.

While using your Japan eSIM for data, you can keep your physical home SIM switched on to still receive calls and texts to your usual number. Too easy!

Not all phones are compatible with eSIMs though, most phones released in the past few years will be able to use eSIMs but if your phone is older or if it’s locked to your home carrier then pocket WiFi is your best bet instead.

Best eSIMs for Japan

I’ve researched and compared more than 150 different eSIM options from over 30 providers to find the best Japan eSIMs for different types of travellers.

Rather than ranking them by cheapest price, or by data usage, or by whatever affiliate programme pays the highest commission (which is what most eSIM guides do 🙃), I’ve organised these by use case and clearly listed their per GB price so you can easily compare and pick the one that best suits your upcoming trip.

Whether you’re after a cheap and cheerful option for a short trip, or you want loads of data for all day research without worrying about running out, or you’re combining Japan with South Korea and China too, here are the Japan eSIMs that are actually worth your money.

20GB is more than enough data for typical travellers spending up to a month in Japan, it’ll cover your public transport navigation, translating menus and signs, researching the best ramen spots on the go and constantly Googling questions like “what trains can I eat on in Japan?”. (By the way, the answer is any train with a tray table in front of you!).

Notably it is a 4G/LTE eSIM, not compatible with 5G networks, however in Japan the 5G network can be really inconsistent (especially outside of the cities) and their 4G/LTE speeds are more than sufficient for general data usage while you’re exploring. Many phones will have a setting that automatically switches to 4G/LTE when 5G isn’t offering any benefit in terms of speed or connectivity, and you’ll find that in Japan even if you have a 5G eSIM your phone will connect to 4G/LTE instead. All this to say that I wouldn’t pay extra for a 5G eSIM in Japan because those speeds aren’t guaranteed anyway.

Pros of the MobiMatter 20GB eSIM

• 40-50% cheaper than 20GB options from the major eSIM brands
• Perfect data amount for most 2-4 week trips
• No limit on hotspotting
• No daily data limits or throttling
• Connects to the NTT Docomo network which has the most extensive coverage throughout the country
• Easy to buy, install and track your usage on the MobiMatter app
• Trusted and established eSIM retailer with loads of reviews on Trustpilot, and I’ve used them in more than 20 countries with no issues
• Extra cashback with the code FINDINGALEXX

Cons of the MobiMatter 20GB eSIM

• Might not be enough data for heavy data users or digital nomads, if that’s you then scroll down to see their 50GB option (even better value!)
• 4G/LTE maximum speed, not really a problem for most data usage while you’re travelling though and many 5G eSIMs in Japan will use 4G/LTE a lot of the time anyway as it’s more stable

Buy your 20GB MobiMatter Japan eSIM >>

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Pros of the MobiMatter 50GB eSIM

• Same eSIM as the 20GB above so same pros (NTT Docomo network, trusted company, etc.)
• Unbeatable value at $0.60/GB, around half the per GB price of the big players’ best value options
• Plenty of data for 99% of travellers
• No need to stress about connecting to WiFi at restaurants, on trains or in shops
• Extra cashback with my code FINDINGALEXX

Cons of the MobiMatter 50GB eSIM

• Higher upfront cost vs. smaller data packages if you’re not sure you’ll need a whole 50GB
• Not 5G compatible
• Might not be enough for ultra-high data users (I’ve got an option for you soon though!)

Buy your 50GB MobiMatter Japan eSIM >>

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Voye’s eSIMs have a daily limit of 2GB high speed data, so if you hit that ceiling then you’ll be stuck with super slow speeds for basic use like maps until the day rolls over. You can hotspot the eSIM too, just be sure to keep total usage under that 2GB daily limit to avoid being relegated to the early 2000s. If 2GB per day isn’t enough then the next option will suit you better!

Pros of Voye’s unlimited eSIMs

• Best price per day for any unlimited eSIM of the same duration
• Choose from 3, 7, 10, 15, 20 or 30 days
• No need to worry about running out of data mid-trip
• 2GB daily allowance is enough for constant mapping, travel research, Spotify while you’re out and about, etc.
• Hotspot capability for sharing with other devices
• 5G compatible but their customer service team said they’d recommend switching to 4G/LTE in Japan for more stable connectivity

Cons of Voye’s unlimited eSIMs

• 2GB daily limit might not suit digital nomads or if you expect to have extra high data days (like long travel days or if you’re staying somewhere rural without WiFi)
• Total cost is more expensive than the high data MobiMatter options (e.g. $23 for 15 days of 2GB per day vs. $13.99 for 20GB total, or $39 for 30 days of 2GB per day vs. $29.99 for 50GB)

Buy your Voye unlimited Japan eSIM >>

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5. Best Japan eSIM for unlimited data (heavy use): 30 days for $49.88 with Supera Link

• Price & validity: 15 days for $28.04 or 30 days for $49.88
• Price per day: $1.87 or $1.66 respectively
• Fair use policy: 5GB high speed per day, then unlimited low speed data for basic functions
• Networks: KDDI/SoftBank
• Speed: 4G/LTE/5G
• Hotspot: Yes but 2GB/day limit

If you’re a digital nomad, content creator or are a Netflix-on-the-train kind of traveller (hi, me too) then Supera Link’s unlimited eSIM with 5GB of high speed data per day is the holy grail.

The 30 day option works out as only $1.66 per day for enough data to pretty much do whatever you want without worrying about hitting the fair use limit. Google Maps all day every day, binge some shows while you’re travelling the country on a bullet train, back up your photos on the go, and if you manage to hit 5GB then it’ll let you use basic functions at a slow speed and roll back to full speed at midnight. There is a 2GB per day limit on the hotspot though!

It’s significantly better value than other month-long 5GB/day unlimited plans like Saily ($2.40 per day), ByteSIM ($2.50 per day) and even Maya ($1.98 per day). Just note that 30 days is the longest Supera Link option, so if you’re travelling for longer then Maya’s extended plans might work out cheaper overall.

Pros of Supera Link’s unlimited eSIMs

• Best price per day for a 5GB/day eSIM 30 days or less
• Choose from 1-5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20 or 30 days
• Generous 5GB allowance is enough daily data for most travellers
• Hotspotting is allowed up to 2GB per day
• Under $50 for up to 150GB of data in one month is seriously good value

Cons of Supera Link’s unlimited eSIMs

• Only worth it if you’re consistently hitting 2GB but not going over 5GB per day. If your usage is inconsistent then a fixed data SIM might work out cheaper.
• 30 days is the longest plan, for longer trips the 90 day Maya 5GB/day eSIM works out better than repurchasing Supera Link’s one ($1.57 per day vs. $1.66 per day)
• 2GB daily limit on hotspotting might not suit someone wanting to use data on their laptop

Buy your Supera Link unlimited Japan eSIM >>

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6. Best Japan eSIM for ultra-high data users: 300GB for $65 with Roamify

• Price & data: 300GB for $65 or 1TB for $70
• Price per GB: $0.22 (300GB), $0.07 (1TB)
• Validity: 30 days
• Hotspot: Yes
• Networks: Docomo, IIJ, KDDI
• Speed: 4G/LTE/5G

If you are chronically online or if you’re working while in Japan and you need unfettered access to the internet, Roamify has ridiculously high data packages of 300GB or 1TB for 30 days, working out to just $0.22/GB or $0.07/GB respectively. Insaaaane.

There’s no daily limit, no fair use policy, no throttling, and you can hotspot to other devices with no restrictions. The upfront price is pretty high for a 30 day eSIM though, so they’re only worth it if you’ll definitely use more than 120GB in the month or if you need something without a daily limit.

I want to make it clear that I haven’t tested this eSIM myself, I haven’t used Roamify before and I am ever so slightly wary about these packages because they’re exponentially better than anything else on the market, which makes me question their legitimacy. In saying that they do have a 4.5 rating on Trustpilot from 130+ reviews and their website doesn’t have any red flags jumping out at me, so maybe they truly are a fantastic deal that no competitor can match!

Pros of Roamify’s Japan eSIMs

• Unbeatable value if you’re using 120GB+ in a month
• No daily limits or throttling
• Hotspotting allowed without restrictions
• Enough data for remote workers, content creators and binge-watchers

Cons of Roamify’s Japan eSIMs

• Only valid for 30 days so won’t work for longer trips
• Not cost-effective if you end up using less than 120GB
• Higher upfront price than any other recommendation on this list
• Not a well known brand and not a huge number of reviews, plus no reviews that I can see specifically for the 300GB/1TB Japan eSIMs

Buy your Japan eSIM from Roamify >>

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Pros of the 60GB 90 day MobiMatter eSIM

• Excellent value at $0.77/GB for stays of up to three months
• No need to worry about your 30 day eSIM abruptly ending while you’re out and about with no data to purchase another one
• No risk of wasting unused data every 30 days
• Reliable NTT Docomo 4G network, hotspotting allowed, no throttling, no daily limit
• Extra cashback with code FINDINGALEXX

Cons of the 60GB 90 day MobiMatter eSIM

• Higher upfront cost than the monthly options
• 60GB might not be enough for heavy data users over three months

Buy your 60GB 90 day Mobimatter Japan eSIM >>

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8. Best Japan eSIM for long trips for heavy data users: It depends on the length of the trip!

This one is tricky because it entirely depends on how long you’re travelling for and how much data you expect to use in total and/or each day. Let me give you some example scenarios and what eSIM is best for each one.

Best eSIM for a two month Japan trip

If you’re a consistently high data user that stays below 5GB per day, your best option is to get two 30-day Supera Link eSIMs back to back. Total cost is $99.76 which is just $1.66 per day for up to 5GB of high speed data every day.

If your data use is high but inconsistent, like if you generally hover between 2-4GB per day but don’t want to have your speeds restricted if you need more than 5GB, GlobalYO’s the best two month option without a daily limit. Their 200GB eSIM for $109.99 has a hefty upfront price but it’s valid for 60 days and works out as $1.83 per day without the risk of throttling.

Best eSIM for a three month Japan trip

Maya’s 90 day 5GB/day eSIM comes out on top for the best three month option, it lasts the whole time so you don’t have to renew and it comes to $141.29 total or $1.57 per day for 5GB of high speed data daily.

To avoid the risk of throttling after 5GB you’ll need to get two or three eSIMs to cover the three month period, because none of the 90 day options without limits offer decent value for money.

If you need a huge data allowance then three of Roamify’s 30 day 300GB eSIMs come to $195 total (or upgrade to 1TB for only $5 extra per month), which is unbeatable in terms of price per GB.

If that’s out of your budget then your best bet is to combine GlobalYO’s 60 day 200GB ($0.55/GB) with one or two Mobimatter 30 day 50GB eSIMs ($0.60/GB). This combo gives you 250GB for $139.98 or 300GB for $169.97 without any daily limits.

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9. Best eSIM for Japan, China & South Korea: 35GB for $24.99 or 60GB for $57.99 with MobiMatter

• Price & data: 35GB over 30 days for $24.99, 60GB over 90 days for $57.99
• Price per GB: $0.71 and $0.97 respectively
• Coverage: Japan, China & South Korea
• Networks: SoftBank and KDDI in Japan
• Speed: 4G/LTE/5G
• Hotspot: Yes
• Get extra cashback with promocode FINDINGALEXX

If your time in Japan is part of a bigger Asia trip, this MobiMatter eSIM covers Japan, South Korea and China seamlessly without having to change eSIMs each time you land somewhere new.

The 30 day 35GB option is fantastic value for a multi-country trip at only $0.71/GB, while the 90 day option is priced higher per GB at $0.97 but again offers flexibility to use data at your own pace while exploring East Asia.

This eSIM is a different product to the Japan-only MobiMatter ones I’ve already mentioned, it can connect to 5G networks in all three countries. That won’t make a huge difference in Japan as I’ve explained above but South Korea and China’s 5G networks are world-class so you definitely want a 5G eSIM for them.

Pros of the Japan/South Korea/China MobiMatter eSIM

• Much cheaper than all other East Asia regional eSIMs
• Seamless connectivity across three countries without needing a new eSIM when you cross a border or hit the 30 day mark
• 5G speeds where available
• Various data allowances (12GB, 25GB, 30GB, 35GB and 60GB) and validity lengths (30 days and 90 days) to choose from
• Hotspotting allowed, no daily limits or throttling
• Extra cashback with code FINDINGALEXX
• The 35GB eSIM for $0.71/GB is actually a great option for Japan alone too if you expect to use more than 20GB but don’t need as much as 50GB

Cons of the Japan/South Korea/China MobiMatter eSIM

• The 90 day option isn’t great value compared to individual plans for each country so whether it’s worth it would really depend on how long you spend in each. Getting one 20GB 30 day eSIM per country works out to be cheaper (about $43) if you’re splitting your time evenly, but six weeks in Japan, five weeks in China and a couple of weeks in South Korea might make the multi-country eSIM worth it.
• Doesn’t include any other Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam or Singapore. If you’re spending time in Southeast Asia then it’s much better value to get a Southeast Asia regional eSIM to cover those places, the Asia-wide eSIMs that cover the whole continent are too expensive.

Buy your Japan/South Korea/China MobiMatter eSIM >>

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Good value Japan eSIMs I haven’t recommended (and why)

I do want to note that out of the 150+ eSIMs I compared from 40+ suppliers, there were three options with a lower price per GB than the 50GB MobiMatter eSIM ($0.60/GB), but I haven’t listed them in my recommendations because each of the companies had some red flags.

If you’re willing to take the risk then these are the absolute cheapest Japan eSIMs available:

• LinkeSIM has 20GB for $9.30 ($0.47/GB) but there are typos all over the website which is never a good sign and only 75 reviews on Trustpilot
• Always Mobile has 20GB for $10.75 ($0.54/GB) but they have a super basic website, no reviews on Trustpilot and barely any social media presence
• Nesa has 20GB for $11 ($0.55/GB) but only 8 reviews on Trustpilot and also minimal social media presence

If you do try any of these and they work fine then please let me know in the comments!

An overview of Japan eSIM providers & their options

Finding the right Japan eSIM for your trip can be a bit overwhelming with dozens of providers all claiming to offer the best deals. And the water is even more muddied by the countless Japan eSIM round ups that all list the big brands as the ‘best’ options, despite them being amongst the most expensive ones out there.

If I see one more blog post that calls Saily or Airalo “affordable” 🫠🫠

I’ve poured hours into researching and spreadsheeting the eSIM options from all the major providers plus all the small ones I could find too, so I could share the actual best options for you. But I’m not just going to tell you which ones to buy without showing you how I came to those conclusions!

These are all the providers I researched for this Japan eSIM guide, plus their key pricing and features so you can clearly see how they stack up against each other.

A quick note: Obviously pricing can change without notice, these prices are valid as of 1 July 2025 and I aim to update my eSIM guides at least every six months. Some package options and prices might change so click through and check the final price before making your decision.

MobiMatter

MobiMatter is one of the eSIM marketplaces I consistently recommend after using them in 20+ countries around the world. They’re almost always on the podium for price per GB, and they’ve been the cheapest option in more countries I’ve visited than any other provider.

They’re a wholesale eSIM retailer that gives travellers access to local network eSIMs that often aren’t available elsewhere, and that are generally wayyy more affordable than tourist-targeted eSIMs.

Their best value Japan eSIMs are from IIJ and use the extensive and reliable 4G NTT Docomo network, but if you reeeally want 5G access (which is patchy in Japan) or if you’re also visiting China and South Korea, they’ve got TSimTech eSIMs at a slightly higher price point but with those added benefits.

💰 You can get extra cashback with your first MobiMatter eSIM with the code FINDINGALEXX.

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

MobiMatter’s best Japan-only eSIMs (4G/LTE):

• 50GB for $29.99 ($0.60/GB)
• 20GB for $13.99 ($0.70/GB)
• 60GB for $45.99 ($0.77/GB, 90 days)
• 10GB for $7.99 ($0.80/GB)

MobiMatter’s best Japan-only eSIMs (5G):

• 30GB for $21.99 ($0.73/GB)
• 20GB for $15.49 ($0.77/GB)
• 10GB for $7.99 ($0.80/GB)

MobiMatter’s best East Asia eSIMs (Japan, China & South Korea, 5G):

• 35GB for $24.99 ($0.71/GB)
• 25GB for $19.99 ($0.80/GB)
• 12GB for $10.99 ($0.92/GB)
• 60GB for $57.99 ($0.97/GB, 90 days)

See all of MobiMatter’s Japan eSIMs here >>

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SIMOVO

SIMOVO is a new player in the eSIM market so you probably haven’t heard of them, but they’re backed by Planet Telecom, an established UK telecommunications company with 25 years in the industry.

While they don’t have extensive user reviews yet (they only just launched), their low end Japan eSIMs are genuinely the cheapest options available for light data users.

I generally avoid recommending new companies without a proven track record, but SIMOVO’s parent company credentials and budget-friendly pricing for low data options make them worth mentioning. Their larger data packages aren’t as competitive, but the 1GB, 3GB and 5GB ones are much cheaper than Airalo, Saily, Nomad and the other big guys.

💰 Save 10% on SIMOVO eSIMs with promocode ALEXX10

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

SIMOVO’s best Japan eSIMs:

• 1GB for $1.50 ($1.50/GB, 7 days)
• 3GB for $3.60 ($1.20/GB, 15 days)
• 5GB for $5.70 ($1.14/GB)
• 10GB for $9.75 ($0.98/GB)
• 20GB for $17.10 ($0.86/GB)
• 50GB for $58.35 ($1.17/GB, 180 days)

See all of SIMOVO’s Japan eSIMs here >>

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Voye

Voye’s fixed data plans for Japan aren’t particularly competitive, but their unlimited Japan eSIMs offer the best value daily rates for unlimited plans.

They do have a fair use policy of 2GB per day before throttling kicks in (after this you can use low data apps like maps but it’ll be painfully slow until it resets the following day) but most unlimited plans have this hidden in their terms and conditions, so I like that they make this very clear.

Voye’s best unlimited Japan eSIM options:

• 30 days for $39 ($1.30/day)
• 20 days for $29 ($1.45/day)
• 15 days for $23 ($1.53/day)
• 10 days for $17 ($1.70/day)
• 7 days for $13 ($1.86/day)
• 3 days for $6 ($2.00/day)

Buy your Voye Japan eSIM here >>

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Ubigi

Ubigi is mentioned a lot in Japan eSIM Reddit threads, their prices are definitely at the higher end of the spectrum but they do offer 5G compatibility which many of their competitors do not. As I’ve said a hundred times though, 5G coverage in Japan is patchy and 4G/LTE networks are stable with sufficient speeds for most travellers, so weigh up the benefit vs. cost.

Also this is totally unrelated to their eSIM values or performance but their website hurts my eyes 😵‍💫

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

Ubigi’s Japan eSIM options:

• 1GB for $3.50 (3 days, $3.50/GB)
• 10GB for $17 ($1.70/GB)
• 20GB for $31 ($1.55/GB)
• 50GB for $59 ($1.18/GB)
• 7 days’ unlimited for $26 ($3.71/day)
• 30 days’ unlimited for $69 ($2.30/day)

See all Ubigi Japan eSIMs here >>

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Airalo

I reckon Airalo probably has the biggest marketing budget in the eSIM industry (maybe shared with Holafly), which explains why they’re mentioned in practically every Japan travel blog and YouTube video.

Unfortunately for trusting travellers, their Japan eSIMs (actually all their eSIMs haha) are significantly overpriced compared to alternatives which offer the exact same benefits and service, if not better. You’re just paying a premium for their slick marketing and influencer campaigns.

I will give credit where it’s due though, their app and website are both very user-friendly so if you’re an eSIM first-timer or if you’re purchasing for family members who aren’t so tech-savvy, the higher price point miiiight be worth it for the smooth purchase, installation and usage tracking process.

💰 Save $3USD on Airalo eSIMs with the promocode ALEXX0231

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

Airalo’s Japan eSIM options:

• 1GB for $4.50 (7 days, $4.50/GB)
• 2GB for $6.50 (15 days, $3.25/GB)
• 3GB for $8.50 ($2.83/GB)
• 5GB for $11.50 ($2.30/GB)
• 10GB for $18 ($1.80/GB)
• 20GB for $26 ($1.30/GB)

See all Airalo Japan eSIMs here >>

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Holafly

Holafly is leading unlimited eSIM brand globally, with extensive marketing campaigns and creator partnerships that have made them a household name amongst travellers.

Their Japan eSIM gives you unlimited data for the number of days you choose (1-90) at 3G/4G/5G speeds, but it doesn’t specify what networks it uses. You can hotspot to other devices but only up to 500MB per day, and Holafly themselves don’t throttle your speed if you use too much data in a day, but they say that local carriers may apply a fair use policy and slow you down once you hit an unspecified data threshold.

Again, credit where credit is due, Holafly’s user experience is brilliant and they have the best eSIM installation guides for different devices, but $2.50 per day for a month with limitations on hotspotting and an unclear fair use policy is just wild. Better to go with a 50GB MobiMatter 30 day eSIM for less than half that price!

Holafly does have a brand new unlimited global plan that’s actually fantastic for long-term travellers (it even got a spot on my best global eSIMs round up!), but the Japan eSIM and other destination-specific ones aren’t worth it.

💰 If you’re gonna splurge on Holafly then you can save 5% with promocode FINDINGALEXX

Holafly’s Japan eSIM options:

• 5 days for $20.90 ($4.18/day)
• 10 days for $36.90 ($3.69/day)
• 20 days for $61.90 ($3.10/day)
• 30 days for $74.90 ($2.50/day)
• 60 days for $106.90 ($1.78/day)
• 90 days for $139.90 ($1.55/day)

See all Holafly Japan eSIMs here >>

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Klook

Klook is a reseller offering a range of Japan eSIM options from different providers, so your experience will totally depend on the specific eSIM you choose.

I use Klook a lot in Asia to book organised activities, guided tours and entry tickets, but their eSIMs are pretty average in terms of value.

The main benefit of using Klook is the variety of the plans on offer, you can customise an eSIM to perfectly suit your trip and data needs. Their options range from 1-50GB fixed data with validity periods of 1-30 days, or you can choose a data per day plan with 500MB, 1GB, 2GB or unlimited data each day. Each eSIM listing clearly states whether hotspotting is allowed, which network/s they use and whether they’re 5G-compatible.

💰 You can save 10% off your first Klook booking with the promocode FINDINGALEXXKLOOK, I wouldn’t recommend using this on an eSIM but keep it mind for booking any other Japan activities!

Klook’s best value Japan eSIM options:

• 15 days’ unlimited for $25.05 ($1.67/day)
• 20GB for $34.69 (30 days, $1.73/GB)
• The rest of Klook’s Japan eSIM options are worse value than these two

See all Klook Japan eSIMs here >>

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Saily

Saily are owned by the same company as NordVPN, so they’re a trusted travel connectivity brand with round-the-clock customer service and pretty smooth user experience. They’re another one with a biiiig marketing budget though and their prices are pretty high when you compare them with the lesser-known alternatives.

In Japan their fixed data plans aren’t impressive, just a bit cheaper than Airalo. Their unlimited data plans are a lot better than Holafly’s, they’re slightly cheaper and they allow a hefty 5GB per day of high speed data with no hotspotting restrictions, but Maya and Supera Link offer the same for a lower price.

They also have a unique focus on security, like an in-built ad blocker, web protection and the option to change your virtual location, so if those are important to you then the higher price might be worth it. Probs not though!

💰 You can save 5% on your Saily eSIM with promocode FINDINGALEXX5

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

Saily’s Japan eSIM options:

• 1GB for $3.99 (7 days, $3.99/GB)
• 3GB for $7.99 ($2.67/GB)
• 5GB for $10.99 ($2.20/GB)
• 10GB for $17.99 ($1.80/GB)
• 20GB for $24.99 ($1.25/GB)
• 10 days’ unlimited for $35.99 ($3.60/day)
• 30 days’ unlimited for $71.99 ($2.40/day)

See all Saily Japan eSIMs here >>

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Nomad

Nomad is kind of known as a backpacker-friendly eSIM option in Southeast Asia, but their Japan eSIMs don’t offer the same value for money. Their 1GB plan is literally the most expensive 1GB Japan eSIM out of all the ones on my spreadsheet, and their 7 day plan with 3GB daily is also horrendous at $9 per day!

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

Nomad’s Japan eSIM options:

• 1GB for $6 (7 days, $6/GB)
• 5GB for $11 ($2.20/GB)
• 10GB for $17 ($1.70/GB)
• 20GB for $25 ($1.25/GB)
• 50GB for $57 ($1.14/GB)
• 7 days of 500MB/day for $11 ($1.57/day)
• 7 days of 3GB/day for $63 ($9/day)

Please for the love of travel don’t buy a Nomad Japan eSIM but you can see the options here >>

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Maya

Maya’s fixed data plans are too expensive (the best option is 20GB for $26.09 so $1.30/GB), but they have a cool build-your-own unlimited plan tool which gives really decent value for money for high data users.

You choose your start date (your eSIM validity starts on this date so make sure you get it right), choose your duration (5-180 days) and opt for 3GB per day or 5GB per day.

Maya’s Japan eSIM options:

• 3GB/day for 15 days for $35.09 ($2.34/day)
• 3GB/day for 30 days for $44.09 ($1.47/day)
• 3GB/day for 90 days for $106.19 ($1.18/day)
• 5GB/day for 15 days for $46.79 ($3.12/day)
• 5GB/day for 30 days for $59.39 ($1.98/day)
• 5GB/day for 90 days for $141.29 ($1.57/day)

See all Maya Japan eSIMs here >>

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GlobalYO

GlobalYO’s website looks like it’s trying way too hard to appeal to the next generation of young travellers, but their 200GB SIM is one of the highest data options available.

The upfront price is a lotttttt but the per GB price works out to be really decent if you would genuinely use that much data in two months.

GlobalYO’s Japan eSIM options:

• 20GB for $25.99 (30 days, $1.30/GB)
• 50GB for $34.99 (45 days, $0.70/GB)
• 100GB for $75.99 (60 days, $0.76/GB)
• 200GB for $109.99 (60 days, $0.55/GB)

See all GlobalYO Japan eSIMs here >>

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Supera Link

Supera Link’s fixed data plans are also too pricey, but their unlimited data plans are the best value option for heavy data users who want 5GB per day.

They’re 30-50% cheaper than Holafly’s “unlimited” options with a higher daily limit before throttling and higher hotspot limit (2GB per day vs. Holafly’s 500MB), and they also beat out Saily, Maya and ByteSIM’s equivalent plans.

Supera Link’s Japan eSIM options:

• 5GB/day for 15 days for $28.04 ($1.87/day)
• 5GB/day for 30 days for $49.88 ($1.66/day)

See all Supera Link Japan eSIMs here >>

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Roamify

If you’re in the 0.01% of travellers who require upwards of 100GB of mobile data a month, Roamify has got you covered with their crazy 1TB and 300GB plans.

Buttttt these are only valid for 30 days, so if you’re more likely to be in the 50-100GB range then two 50GB MobiMatter eSIMs are better value, or for 100GB+ the Supera Link unlimited plan with 5GB daily usage is your best option.

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

Roamify’s Japan eSIM options:

• 50GB for $35 (30 days, $0.70/GB)
• 300GB for $65 (30 days, $0.22/GB)
• 1TB for $70 (30 days, $0.07/GB)
• 30 days’ unlimited for $55 ($1.83/day)

See Roamify’s Japan eSIMs here >>

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EscapeSIM

These guys actually have some decently priced options, but their horrendous website puts me off. Their Japan page has three different dropdown sections with 7-9 eSIM options under each one: ‘Japan’, ‘Japan Special’ and ‘Japan KDDI’. Surely the first rule of product management is to name your products something meaningful.

All pricing is in AUD by default with no way to change the currency, but this isn’t obvious until you click into each product so many travellers would assume they’re in USD, which makes them look more expensive than they are. Also not good!

Their Japan and Japan Special eSIMs are expensive but their Japan KDDI options are pretty good, not as good as MobiMatter though.

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

EscapeSIM’s Japan eSIM options:

• 50GB for $33.41USD ($0.67/GB)
• 20GB for $16.70USD ($0.84/GB)
• 30GB for $21.94USD ($0.73/GB)

See all EscapeSIM Japan eSIMs here >>

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BillionConnect

BillionConnect has some really decent prices, but I’ve had mixed experiences with their New Zealand eSIM which didn’t allow access to TikTok due to being routed through Hong Kong (but this isn’t clear on the website). I’m not sure if their Japan eSIM would have the same limitations so if TikTok is vital for you I’d recommend checking with their customer service before purchasing.

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

BillionConnect’s Japan eSIM options:

• 20GB for $15.17 ($0.76/GB)
• 30GB for $20.40 ($0.68/GB)
• 3GB/day for 30 days for $42.92 ($1.43/day)

See all BillionConnect Japan eSIMs here >>

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LinkeSIM

LinkeSIM’s options look too good to be true, sooo they probably are.

They don’t have many reviews on Trustpilot and their website has a lot of typos which aren’t great signs. These work out to be cheaper than the MobiMatter ones I crowned as the best value, but I didn’t include them in my recommendations because I’m sceptical about whether they’re legit and I don’t want anyone getting scammed!

If you end up using them and have a good experience then please let me know in the comments.

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

LinkeSIM’s Japan eSIM options:

• 5GB for $3.10 ($0.62/GB)
• 10GB for $5.50 ($0.55/GB)
• 20GB for $9.30 ($0.47/GB)
• 50GB for $32 ($0.64/GB)

See all LinkeSIM Japan eSIMs here >>

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Nesa

Another one that’s not established enough or reviewed enough for me to recommend confidently, but they also have low prices if you’re willing to take the risk.

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

Nesa’s Japan eSIM options:

• 5GB for $4.65 ($0.93/GB)
• 10GB for $7.15 ($0.72/GB)
• 20GB for $11 ($0.55/GB)
• 50GB for $22 (30 days, $0.44/GB)
• 50GB for $36 (180 days, $0.72/GB)

See all Nesa Japan eSIMs here >>

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SimOptions

SimOptions is a wholesale eSIM marketplace with a range of Japan eSIMs, but they’re all pretty middle-of-the-road in terms of pricing. The site also has some red flags like a random number of 5* reviews for every individual eSIM, but when you try to click on them to read more it takes you to the reviews for the overall website, not the specific eSIM.

SimOptions’ best Japan eSIMs:

• 5GB for $7.90 (7 days, $1.58/GB)
• 10GB for $9.90 (15 days, $0.99/GB)
• 20GB for $19.90 (25 days, $1/GB)
• 30GB for $24.90 (25 days, $0.83/GB)

See all SimOptions Japan eSIMs here >>

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iRoamly

iRoamly offers genuinely unlimited data with no daily limits and no throttling, using KDDI and Softbank’s 4G/5G networks, with customisation options to ensure you’re not wasting money on days or data you won’t use.

Their price per day for the unlimited plans are mid-range, but for actually unlimited data usage they might be a good option for digital nomads or creators who want to be able to back up photos on the go.

Their unlimited plans are from 1-20, 25 or 30 days and they have fixed data or data per day plans too.

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

iRoamly’s best Japan eSIMs:

• 15 days’ unlimited for $37 ($2.46/day)
• 30 days’ unlimited for $75 ($2.50/day)
• 20GB for $17.50 ($0.88/GB)
• 50GB for $37 ($0.74/GB)

See all iRoamly Japan eSIMs here >>

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ByteSIM

ByteSIM has two different Japan eSIMs on offer, one has 4G/LTE/5G dual network coverage (KDDI and Softbank) and their Ultra Unlimited Japan eSIM is KDDI-only and claims to have truly unlimited high-speed data, though hotspot allowance depends on the eSIM duration (e.g. 6GB hotspot for a 7 day eSIM, 30GB for 31 days).

Their dual-network eSIMs aren’t good value (incl. the unlimited, data per day and fixed data plans), the Ultra Unlimited one is expensive vs. other unlimited options, especially considering the hotspot limit, but if you need top speed mobile data that won’t run out or slow down then the money might be worth it.

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

ByteSIM’s best Japan eSIMs:

• 50GB total for $48.90 ($0.98/GB)
• 5GB/day for 30 days for $74.90 ($2.50/day)
• 15 days’ unlimited data for $49.90, dual network ($3.32/day)
• 30 days’ unlimited data for $74.90, dual network ($2.50/day)
• 15 days’ truly unlimited high speed data for $55.90, KDDI 5G ($3.72/day)
• 31 days’ truly unlimited high speed data for $79.90, KDDI 5G ($2.58/day)

See all ByteSIM Japan eSIMs here >>

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ZenSIM

Super cool branding, but their Japan eSIM prices don’t stand out compared to other providers on this list.

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

ZenSIM’s best Japan eSIMs:

• 10GB for $18 ($1.80/GB)
• 20GB for $30 ($1.50/GB)
• 30 days’ unlimited for $66 ($2.20/day)

See all ZenSIM Japan eSIMs here >>

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Sim Local

Sim Local are the UK & Europe’s leading travel SIM retailer, with physical stalls at airports as well as a huge range of eSIMs available on their website.

They actually nabbed the top spot for value in my best UK eSIMs round up as well as my best global eSIMs round up, but their Japan eSIMs unfortunately don’t offer the same competitive pricing.

💰 You can save 5% on all Sim Local eSIMs with the promocode ALEXX5

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

Sim Local’s best Japan eSIMs:

• 20GB for $27.75 ($1.39/GB)
• 10 days’ unlimited for $26 ($2.60/day)
• 15 days’ unlimited for $39 ($2.60/day)

See all Sim Local Japan eSIMs here >>

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Firsty

Firsty is a global eSIM start up that’s totally different from any other eSIM on the market, thanks to their unique pause feature which lets you stop and restart your plan as needed.

They have a free plan with ads for low speed data, a budget-friendly Comfort plan and high speed ‘First Class’ plan which is the only one worth considering, with 5GB daily data with hotspotting allowed.

Prices vary by region and Japan is in the cheapest tier, you get better value the more days you buy with the maximum of 30 days coming to €75 or €2.50 per day ($2.94USD at the time of writing). Japan is on the same tier as China, Singapore, Thailand, the UK, most of the EU, Australia and New Zealand too, so while the daily price is higher than Japan-only 5GB/day plans like Supera Link or Maya, having the flexibility to turn the data on or off as you need it could make it worthwhile for multi-country trips.

See Firsty’s Japan eSIM options here >>

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Always

Always Mobile is basically a clone of Nesa, offering the exact same packages +/- $0.10-$0.15 for each one. Their website is super basic and their customer service is only available EST with a contact form on their website (no email, no live chat), so despite their very low prices, I wouldn’t recommend them and I didn’t consider them when ranking the best value picks.

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

Always Mobile’s Japan eSIM options:

• 5GB for $4.75 ($0.95/GB)
• 10GB for $7 ($0.70/GB)
• 20GB for $10.75 ($0.54/GB)
• 50GB for $21.50 ($0.43/GB)
• 50GB for $35.25 (180 days, $0.71/GB)

See Always Mobile’s Japan eSIMs here >>

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Orange

Orange offers excellent value high data eSIMs for the UK and Europe, but their Japan options are a lot more expensive per GB than other providers.

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

Orange’s Japan eSIM options:

• 20GB for $33.99 ($1.70/GB)
• 50GB for $55.99 ($1.12/GB)

See Orange’s Japan eSIMs here >>

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WiFiCandy

I trialled a WiFiCandy Japan eSIM on my last Japan trip, and while the speed was totally fine, unfortunately the hotspot didn’t work despite the website saying that that eSIM did have hotspotting capability.

I checked with their customer service, they confirmed that the Japan eSIM doesn’t support hotspotting due to local network restrictions and they said they’d get that info updated on their website, but it’s now more than a month later and the website still says hotspotting is supported, so I wouldn’t recommend them.

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

WiFiCandy’s Japan eSIM options:

• 10GB for $21.22 ($2.12/GB)
• 20GB for $31.71 ($1.59/GB)
• 50GB for $76.62 ($1.53/GB)

See WiFiCandy’s Japan eSIMs here >>

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YeSIM

Another mid-range option with no clear info on fair use policy or hotspotting limits.

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

Yesim’s Japan eSIM options:

• 5GB for $14.40 ($2.88/GB)
• 10GB for $20.40 ($2.04/GB)
• 20GB for $28.80 ($1.44/GB)
• 15 days’ unlimited for $42.60 ($2.84/day)
• 30 days’ unlimited for $70.80 ($2.36/day)

See YeSIM’s Japan eSIMs here >>

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Roamless

Roamless has two products: RoamlessFix is their fixed data plan option, RoamlessFlex is their unique pay-as-you-go option where you load your Roamless wallet with credit (it doesn’t expire) and you can use data all over the world based on a transparent per GB rate.

Their fixed data plans are nothing special, but the Flex option is a gamechanger for frequent travellers who change countries constantly or if you just need emergency data. You can also use your credit to make in-app phone calls to local numbers.

The price/GB is much higher than dedicated Japan eSIMs but as a solo female traveller Roamless is now part of my travel essentials, I always have a little bit of credit in my Roamless wallet so if I’m ever caught somewhere without data (if an eSIM runs out or I forget to buy one before I cross a border) I can get online to buy one then and there.

Roamless’ Japan eSIM options:

• 10GB for $14.95 (30 days, $1.50/GB)
• 20GB for $25.95 (30 days, $1.30/GB)
• Pay-as-you-go at $2.45/GB (credit never expires)

See Roamless’ Japan eSIMs here >>

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Simify

Simify have fixed data plans (on NTT Docomo’s 4G network) and unlimited data plans (Softbank 4G/5G), their pricing isn’t great but they do have higher data allowances and longer duration eSIMs than most other providers.

Their unlimited plans are competitively priced at first glance, their website mentions a fair use policy but doesn’t specify the threshold so I asked their live chat, and you only get 1.5GB of high speed data each day before your speed drops. This makes them not worth considering vs. Voye, Supera Link or Maya.

Simify’s Japan eSIM options:

• 20GB for $45 (30 days, $2.25/GB)
• 60GB for $99 (60 days, $1.65/GB)
• 100GB for $144 (90 days, $1.44/GB)
• 30 days’ unlimited for $63 ($2.10/day)
• 60 days’ unlimited for $108 ($1.80/day)
• 90 days’ unlimited for $144 ($1.60/day)

See Simify’s Japan eSIMs here >>

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Japan Wireless

Japan Wireless is a local Japanese eSIM provider offering unlimited plans for 4G or 5G, plus fixed data options. You can customise your plan to the exact number of days and amount of data you need, but prices are poor value vs. the recommended options.

Note: All eSIMs are 30 days unless specified otherwise.

Japan Wireless’ eSIM options:

• 10GB for $15.70 (15 days, $1.57/GB)
• 20GB for $35.99 (30 days, $1.80/GB)
• 50GB for $55.90 (30 days, $1.12/GB)
• 14 days’ unlimited 4G for $49 ($3.50/day)
• 30 days’ unlimited 4G for $72 ($2.40/day)
• 14 days’ unlimited 5G for $59 ($4.21/day)
• 30 days’ unlimited 5G for $79 ($2.63/day)

See Japan Wireless’ eSIMs here >>

Comparison of Japan eSIMs for different travel styles

If you’re overwhelmed with that much info and just scrolled right down to here (I don’t blame you), here are my top picks and absolutely-nots for different types of travellers.

Typical travellers (10-50GB per month)

Top picks:

• I personally use MobiMatter’s 50GB eSIMs ($29.99, $0.60/GB) during my Japan trips, it’s the best value option from a trusted and reputable provider.
• MobiMatter’s 35GB ($24.99, $0.71/GB), 20GB ($13.99, $0.70/GB) and 10GB ($7.99, $0.80/GB) options are also all top of their class.
• GlobalYO’s 50GB eSIM gives you 45 days instead of 30 for $34.99 ($0.70/GB), perfect if you’re staying a little longer than a month and don’t want the hassle of mid-trip top ups.
• Voye’s unlimited plans offer solid value at $23 for 15 days or $39 for 30 days, but they only allow 2GB of high speed data per day before speed is restricted so you need to keep an eye on your usage.

Avoid:

• The big name brands like Airalo, Nomad, Ubigi, Holafly and Saily. Their prices are consistently and significantly worse value than the eSIMs above ($1.18-$1.30/GB for their absolute best value options).

Light data users (under 10GB per month)

Top picks:

• SIMOVO has unbeatable small plans, 5GB for $5.70 ($1.14/GB), 3GB for $3.60 ($1.20/GB) and 1GB for $1.50.
• MobiMatter also offers good value with 5GB for $5.99 ($1.20/GB).

Avoid:

• Low data plans from Nomad (1GB for $6), Airalo (1GB for $4.50), Saily (1GB for $3.99) and Ubigi (1GB for $3.50).

Heavy data users (50GB+ per month)

Top picks:

• MobiMatter combo: Get two 50GB eSIMs back to back for $59.98 ($0.60/GB) or use a 50GB first and 20GB to cover the rest of your trip, total cost $43.98 ($0.63/GB).
• Roamify: 30 day eSIM with 300GB for $65 ($0.22/GB) with no throttling caps or hotspotting limitations, ideal for digital nomads. You can even go up to 1TB for $5 extra!
• GlobalYO has a 200GB 60 day eSIM for $109.99 ($0.55/GB), a great pick for longer trips.
• Supera Link unlimited: 30 days with 5GB per day of high speed data is just $49.88 ($1.66/day). Hotspotting is capped at 2GB per day.
• Maya unlimited: Another unlimited eSIM with 5GB high speed data before speed is restriced. Not as good value for 30 days vs. Supera Link (Maya is $59.39, $1.98/day), but their 90 day option is the best value for a long stay($141.29 total, $1.57/day)

Avoid:

• Unlimited plans with unclear fair use policies or throttling after 2GB or less (e.g. Holafly, Simify, Japan Wireless, YeSIM and ZenSIM)

Pros & cons of getting an eSIM for Japan

If you’re wondering whether an eSIM is the right choice for your upcoming trip to Japan, here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide.

✅ Pros of getting an eSIM in Japan

• Instant set up: No need to piss around at the Narita SIM card stalls or vending machines, install your eSIM before you go and you can activate it as soon as you land.
• Keep your normal number: Use your eSIM for data but leave your regular SIM switched on to receive important calls or texts.
• Cheaper than local SIMs at the airport: eSIMs aren’t always cheaper than all local SIMs, but on my most recent Japan trip I checked all the SIM card options at the airport and they were at least twice as expensive as the options I’ve recommended above.

• No need to carry anything extra or return anything: Pocket WiFi used to be the go-to connectivity device in Japan, offering good value access to local networks, but with the growth of eSIMs it’s now unnecessary to charge and carry around yet another device while you’re exploring, and you don’t need to worry about getting to the airport early to return it afterwards.
• So much cheaper than most international roaming plans: International roaming is often super expensive or has very little data via your home carrier, e.g. Verizon charges $12 a day for their Travel Pass, Three UK charges £84 for a 14 day Japan roaming pass, Spark NZ is $30NZD for 14 days but only gives 2GB of data in total 🙃 WILD.

❌ Cons of eSIMs in Japan

• Not all phones are compatible: Most modern phones have eSIM capability but if your phone is a few years old or if it’s locked to your home provider then you won’t be able to use an eSIM, get a pocket WiFi instead.
• No local phone number: Pretty much all Japan eSIMs are data-only, so you can’t make local calls without paying roaming charges from your normal provider.
• Unclear fair use policies and unstable speeds: I’ve tried to make this eSIM guide as comprehensive as possible by including the networks, speeds and fair use policies for each option, but this information isn’t always clear or readily available. Do your due diligence before purchasing anything.

How to use your Japan eSIM

Getting your Japan eSIM up and running is straightforward once you know the steps. Here’s all you need to know to get connected as soon as you land.

Make sure your phone is compatible

Before spending money on an eSIM, double check that your device supports eSIM technology and that it’s unlocked so you can connect to other carriers.

Most iPhones from 2018 onwards and mot recent Android flagship phones are compatible, but there are some notable exceptions like US-version Samsung S20 and S21 Series and most phones from Mainland China and some from Hong Kong/Macao.

Holafly keeps their list of eSIM-supported phones up to date, you can check it here.

Purchase & install your eSIM

1. Choose your eSIM from the recommendations above
2. Complete the purchase on the provider’s website or app
3. Install the eSIM using the QR code or activation details that were emailed to you.
4. Label your eSIM to something descriptive like “Japan MobiMatter” so your eSIM list doesn’t get all messed up with silly default labels like “Travel” and “Business”.
5. Keep your home SIM as the default SIM for calls and texts so you can still receive messages.
6. Turn your home SIM’s data roaming OFF when you’re on the plane, this way you won’t accidentally use it to connect to local networks when you land and get stung with a nasty roaming fee

Important: Most eSIMs start their validity period from when they first connect to a local network in the destination, but some begin as soon as you install the eSIM so check this first and then don’t install it until the day you want to start the plan.

Activate your eSIM

Once you’re in Japan, you can activate your eSIM and connect to mobile data.

1. Go to your phone’s mobile data settings
2. Find your Japan eSIM and turn it on
3. Make sure your Japan eSIM is the selected source for mobile data
4. Make sure your home SIM is the selected SIM for calls and texts (if you want to still receive these)
5. Turn on data roaming for your Japan eSIM
6. Double check that data roaming is turned off for your home SIM
7. Restart your phone, it might take a minute or two to connect for the first time

Your provider will have more detailed instructions in the activation email or on their website if you need it.

Troubleshooting your eSIM

eSIMs are just like any technology, they can be fiddly but are usually fixed with a simple ‘turn it off and back on again’ strategy. Here are some potential issues and fixes for your Japan eSIM.

No connection after activation:

• Restart your phone and wait 2-3 minutes
• Check you’ve selected the eSIM for mobile data
• Ensure data roaming is on for the eSIM and off for your home SIM
• If you’re at the airport, wait until you get to the main arrivals hall before stressing because tarmacs often have limited signal

Suddenly no connection or slow connection after it was working fine:

• Check your eSIM provider’s app to make sure you haven’t run out of data
• Restart your phone
• Make sure you haven’t exceeded any fair use policies, if you have then you’ll be stuck on slow internet until the next day
• Try manually selecting a network by going to mobile data settings, finding the eSIM, going into network selection, switching off ‘automatic’ and waiting for 20-30 seconds for the networks to show up manually. Select a network and wait another 20-30 seconds to see if it connects.
• If you’ve bought a 5G eSIM and it’s running slowly on a 5G network, switch off 5G and see if 4G is better (4G in Japan has much more coverage and is more stable).

Japan eSIM FAQs

Final thoughts on Japan eSIMs

We’re in the golden age of global connectivity, and mobile data for travellers has never been this cheap or convenient. With the tap of a few buttons you can get access to high speed data all over Japan for as little as $13.99 for 20GB, $29.99 for 50GB or $70 for a whopping 1TB. Wild!

But as I said at the start, not all eSIMs are created equal.

There are too many big-name brands out there that suck unsuspecting tourists into their overpriced packages, charging anything from $26 for 20GB to $6 for just 1GB, or as much as $2.50 per day for ‘unlimited’ eSIMs that in reality have pretty average daily limits and hotspot restrictions.

So what are the key takeaways? Stick to wholesale providers like MobiMatter for the best value, check the fine print for clarity on fair use policies for unlimited plans to avoid getting stuck with slower speeds, and if you’re going to go with the major eSIM companies like Holafly, Airalo or Saily, you’re paying a serious premium for a smooth user experience and a lot of marketing.

Have I missed any Japan eSIM providers or do you have any feedback on any of the ones I’ve mentioned? Let me know in the comments!

Planning the rest of your Japan trip? Check out my complete solo travel guide to Japan for everything from budget hacks to suggested itineraries to safety tips, plus my honest review of the One Life Adventures Japan tour if you’re considering joining a group.

MORE ESIM GUIDES:

• The best global eSIMs
• The best UK eSIMs

MORE MONEY-SAVING TRAVEL TIPS:

• How to find cheap flights
• How to use Skyscanner Everywhere to get the best flight deals
• How to find cheap accommodation
• The incognito mode myth (and what to do instead)
• What to know before buying travel insurance
• Must-haves for every solo female traveller

MY GO-TO TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES

Flights ✈️ I use Skyscanner to find the best flights for my trip and then I’ll always book direct with the airline to protect myself from having to deal with dodgy third parties if anything goes wrong.

Trains 🚂 If I’m travelling through Europe, I try to travel by train wherever possible! For an extended trip (2+ weeks) I’ll calculate if a Eurail Pass is worth it, or I’ll book point-to-point tickets through RailEurope or the local train operator.

Accommodation 🛎️ I book almost all of my accommodation through booking.com, they have a user-friendly website + app and many of their options are free cancellation, easily cancelled with a simple click of a button.

Activities 🗽I use GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator to look for activities in the places I visit, or I just Google ‘things to do in [city]’! P.S. If you book anything on Klook you can use the promocode FINDINGALEXXKLOOK to get 10% off

Travel cards 💳 I’m a Wise gal through and through, they’ve been my chosen travel card for more than five years now. You can easily top up your card from your bank account or through Apple Pay, convert your money to local currency, and spend money with minimal fees and the best exchange rates around.

Travel insurance 🩺 I use Cover-More NZ travel insurance for my own trips, I have a comprehensive policy and I’ve only had good experiences with them. Cover-More also has an Australian company, but if you’re from elsewhere then two popular insurance options for global travellers are SafetyWing (cheaper policy, lower coverage) and World Nomads (more expensive but significantly better coverage).

Luggage 💼 I travel with Samsonite Cosmolite suitcases, one 75cm check in bag and a 55cm carry on bag, and I absolutely adore them and will never travel with anything else! They are SUPER lightweight (2.8kg and 1.9kg respectively) so I have much more space for my actual stuff.

Camera gear 📸 I use a iPhone 15 Pro Max for phone photos/videos, and my camera kit includes a Lumix S9 (incredible lightweight full-frame camera, a game changer for travel creators!) with a 20-60mm lens, a Lumix G9 with an 8-18mm and 12-60mm lens, a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and a GoPro Hero 10. I do all my writing and editing on my ASUS Zenbook 14, it’s lightweight but powerful enough for photo editing and intense blogging sessions.