eSIM for Japan: how to stay connected in Tokyo, Osaka and beyond

Japan runs on your phone. Train transfers, restaurant queues, translation apps and contactless payments all work best with mobile data, and a travel eSIM is the simplest way to have it from the moment you land at Narita, Haneda or Kansai.

See Japan eSIM plans →

Which networks does a Japan eSIM use?

Our Japan eSIM connects to Japan’s major local networks, such as DOCOMO, KDDI and SoftBank, with 5G where available. The exact network depends on the plan, and each plan page shows it. Coverage is excellent in cities, on the Shinkansen lines and in most tourist areas. Expect weaker signal deep in the mountains and on remote islands.

How much data do you need in Japan?

• Light use (maps, messages, train apps): about 1 GB a week is often enough.
• Typical sightseeing trip: 3–10 GB for one to two weeks covers navigation, social media and photo sharing.
• Heavy use (video calls, streaming, hotspot for a laptop): choose a large plan or unlimited daily data.

There are 46 Japan plans to choose from, from 100 MB to 100 GB, plus unlimited daily data, valid from 1 day up to a year. Short city breaks and long stays are both covered.

eSIM vs pocket Wi-Fi vs a physical SIM

Pocket Wi-Fi is a separate device you collect, charge and return, and it suits groups who share one connection. A physical SIM means a counter at the airport and a fiddly SIM tray. An eSIM is installed before you leave, there’s nothing to carry or return, and your home number stays on your phone for calls and texts.

City tips

• Tokyo: station names and exits matter. A transit-aware map app saves real time at Shinjuku and Shibuya.
• Kyoto: buses get busy, and live arrival times help you plan temple days around them.
• Osaka: data makes it easy to find food in Dotonbori and plan day trips to Nara and Kobe.
• Hokkaido and Okinawa: download offline maps for road trips; rural coverage can thin out.

Travelling on to Korea? The Japan & South Korea eSIM covers both on one plan, and the East & Southeast Asia eSIM adds more of the region.

Which Japan plan should I choose?

Match the plan to the length of your trip and how you use your phone. A few common setups for Japan:

• Weekend in Tokyo: a small fixed plan of 1–3 GB valid for a few days to a week.
• One to two weeks across Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka: 5–10 GB valid 15 days covers most itineraries, including the JR Pass legs.
• A month or more, or remote work: a 20 GB+ plan valid 30 days, or unlimited daily data.

Each plan page shows its data, how many days it lasts and when those days start, so you can compare before you buy. Fixed-data plans suit predictable use. Unlimited daily plans give you a full-speed allowance every day and slow down after it, which suits heavy users who don’t want to count gigabytes.

eSIM vs roaming: is it worth it?

Roaming with your home SIM is convenient but often charged per day or per megabyte, and the bill arrives after the trip. A travel eSIM is a one-time payment for a set allowance, with no contract or auto-renewal. You keep your home number on the same phone for calls and texts, while the eSIM handles data. For most visitors to Japan, that means a lower cost and no surprises.

How to set up your eSIM

1. Check your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked (most iPhones from the XS onwards and recent Pixel and Galaxy phones do).
2. Choose your plan on the Japan eSIM page. We email you a QR code.
3. Open the QR code on another screen or print it. In your phone’s mobile data (or SIM) settings, choose Add eSIM and scan it, ideally over Wi-Fi.
4. Label the new line “Travel”. Keep your home SIM on for calls and texts if you like, with its data roaming off.
5. When you land, set mobile data to the travel line and turn on data roaming for it.

When do the days start? It depends on the plan, and each plan shows it. Some start when the eSIM first connects in the country, others as soon as you install it. If yours starts on install, add it a day or two before you fly.

Japan eSIM FAQ

Do I get a Japanese phone number?

No. It’s a data-only eSIM. Use apps such as WhatsApp or LINE for calls and messages, and keep your home SIM active for texts from your bank.

Can I use it as a hotspot?

That depends on your phone and the plan. Sharing data with a laptop uses it up quickly, so if you plan to, choose a larger or unlimited plan.

Does it work on the Shinkansen?

Mobile coverage along the main Shinkansen lines is generally good, with short drops in tunnels.

When should I install it?

Install it at home over Wi-Fi. If your plan starts counting on installation, do it a day or two before you fly.

Ready for your trip? Choose your Japan eSIM plan and arrive connected.