Although traveling to Japan has become easier recently, the truth is that getting around the country can be a real challenge if you don’t speak the language. The big cities like Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka are better prepared for tourists, but there are many other places of interest such as temples, palaces or natural parks where translated information is largely unavailable. In these cases internet becomes an essential tool, and although there are different ways to have internet on our smartphones when we travel, at Passporter we always recommend eSIM cards in Japan.
In this post we will tell you what is the best eSIM to travel to Japan and how you can connect to the Internet instantly without paying excessive bills like with roaming, or endangering your data on public Wi-Fi networks. Currently there is a wide variety of eSIM with different features such as speed, data limit, customer support, price or duration of the plans, so we have compared the main brands such as Holafly, Airalo or Simoptions, among others, and we share their advantages and disadvantages to help you make the decision. We can already tell you that the eSIM cards with unlimited data like those from Holafly are a safe bet with no extra charges and 24/7 customer support
Do you want to know more about eSIM cards? Well, read on and we’ll tell you all about it.
Comparison of eSIMs for a trip to Japan
When comparing different eSIM brands we must take into account all the features that will determine if the card fits the needs of our trip. That’s why we prepared this summary table with all the essential information about Holafly, Airalo, Maya Mobile, Simoptions and Ubigi to help you choose. We’ll go into more detail on each eSIM brand later on so you won’t be missing any of the information.
| Brand | Plan duration | Data sharing | Unlimited data | App | GB per plan | Support | Price | Trustpilot | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly | 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days | No | Yes | Yes | Unlimited data on all plans | In English and other languages, direct chat and WhatsApp | 19€ -99€ | 4,6 | 4,3 |
| Airalo | 7, 15 and 30 days | Yes | No | Yes | 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB and 20GB | In English, via a bot | 4,5$ – 26$ | 3,9 | 3,8 |
| Maya Mobile | 30 days | Yes | Yes, only 5Mbps per day | Yes | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, unlimited | In English, via a bot | 9€ – 123€ | 4,4 | 3,2 |
| Simoptions | 8, 15 and 30 days | No | No | No | 5GB, 8 GB, 10GB, 20GB | In English via chat | 17,9$ – 39,9$ | 3,5 | 3 |
| eSIM Japan | 3, 5, 7, 12, 15 and 30 days | Yes | Yes, maximum 500Mb per day | No | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB and Unlimited | In English via chat | 7,99$ – 22,99$ | 0 | 3,4 |
1. Holafly, eSIM for Japan with Unlimited Data and customer support in English
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and by country. Holafly’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They offer a wide variety of eSIM cards with different price points and contract durations. They have eSIM cards for 160 destinations. All of its eSIM plans for Japan have unlimited data. 24/7 technical support in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, and Japanese. Very flexible pricing. Payment can be made in euros, dollars and Mexican pesos. Flexible duration of data plans: 5, 10, 15, 15, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days. It has an App where you can check the consumption and the remaining days of the contract. |
| Inconveniences | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. They are one of the most expensive options on the market, but it’s worth it because you don’t run out of data and don’t have to recharge. Holafly’s eSIM card for Japan does not allow data sharing. Installation cannot be done through their App. |
Holafly is the best option to buy eSIM cards for Japan as all its plans have unlimited data for all those who want to travel without worrying about running out of internet. In addition, the brand offers a 24-hour customer service in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese that responds in less than a minute by chat or WhatsApp, and is currently the best customer rated company on Trustpilot with a score of 4.6.
On the website of Holafly you can find 7 unlimited data plans ranging from 19€ to 99€ depending on the duration of the contract, which can be 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days. It is perfect for long stays, as well as for digital nomads, students abroad or express trips.
| Data plan | Price in Euros | Price in Dollars | Price in Mexican Pesos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days – unlimited data | 19€ | 19$ | $339 |
| 10 days – unlimited data | 34€ | 34$ | $699 |
| 15 days – unlimited data | 47€ | 47$ | $899 |
| 20 days – unlimited data | 57€ | 54$ | $1199 |
| 30 days – unlimited data | 69€ | 69$ | $1399 |
| 60 days – unlimited data | 87€ | 87$ | $1699 |
| 90 days – unlimited data | 99€ | 99$ | $1999 |
There are two options to install the Holafly eSIM. One is scanning the QR code that you will receive by email once you have completed the purchase. And the other is the manual installation that you can do without a computer, simply typing a code in the settings of your mobile. This code will be sent to your email and you can also consult it in the Holafly App, which is very convenient to control the duration of the data plan.
After testing Holafly’s eSIM cards, we can say that they are one of the most expensive options on the market, but that in the end they are profitable since all their plans have unlimited data and you will not need to recharge at any time during your trip. Here we leave you this ranking where we evaluate from 1 to 5 all the features of Holafly’s eSIM cards for Japan based on our experience.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 4,8 | 3,5 | 3,5 | 4,8 | 3,5 | 4,5 | 4,3 |
In this post you can read about our experience with Holafly eSIM cards and some users’ opinions: Our review of Holafly eSIM: is it worth it?
2. Airalo, the cheapest eSIM brand for traveling to Japan
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Airalo eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. It is one of the cheapest brands in the market. They offer a wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 190 countries. Their eSIM card allows you to share data with other devices. They allow you to recharge the eSIM. They have an App and you can buy and install the eSIM from it. |
| Inconveniences | Gigabytes are limited to 20GB or less and do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes of 1GB and 5 GB. Their eSIM cards do not include calls and sms. Their services and technical support is exclusively in English and takes a long time to respond. |
This company, founded in Singapore in 2019 by Turkish entrepreneurs Abraham Burak and Ahmet Bahadir Özdemir, was one of the first to offer these services, and has a wide coverage of countries where they offer eSIM cards.
Airalo’s eSIM card data plans for Japan have a duration of 7, 15 and 30 days, and prices range from $4.5 to $26. Airalo is characterized as one of the cheapest brands on the market, however, its technical serviceleaves much to be desired and takes a long time to respond. In addition, their data plans have very limited gigabytes and you will most likely run out of data in the middle of the trip and have to recharge. This means that in the end the costs will increase and the what seemed cheap will be expensive in the end.
| Data plan | Price in U.S. Dollars |
|---|---|
| 7 days – 1 GB | 4,5$ |
| 15 days – 2 GB | 6,5$ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 8,5$ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 11,5$ |
| 30 days – 10 GB | 18$ |
| 30 days – 20 GB | 26$ |
Although Airalo is cheap and offers a wide variety of eSIM cards whose spending can be controlled through its App, the truth is that it is not one of the best options because of what we have commented above about its technical service, as can be seen on Trustpilot in the user comments and ratings. Airalo has one of the lowest scores with 3.7. Here you can find the ranking for each aspect of Airalo and in this post you can also read about our opinion of the brand: Our review of Airalo eSIM: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 4,5 | 3 | 3,8 |
3. eSIM Japan, the trusted local brand in Japan
| Advantages | It offers data packages for all of Japan or by city. eSIM Japan’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. Your eSIM card allows you to share data with other devices. Allows you to recharge your eSIM. Allows data sharing. They offer unlimited data. They offer a lot of flexibility in all their plans in terms of gigabytes: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB and 10GB. |
| Inconveniences | Unlimited data plans only include 500Mb per day, after which the speed drops. Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. Their services and technical support is exclusively in English and takes a long time to respond. |
This brand is very interesting as it offers data plans for the whole country and also by city, so that if we are going to stay in a specific place, the eSIM card will connect to the best networks in the area. The cities included in the plans offered by eSIM Japan are Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Sapporo, Hiroshima, Yokohama, Fukuoka and Nagoya.
On their website you can find four plans of 3GB, 5GB, 10GB and unlimited data. The unlimited data plan only offers 500Mb per day, which means that once you have spent it the browsing speed will be drastically reduced. The duration of the plans ranges from 7 to 20 days. The unlimited data plan can be for 3, 5, 7 or 12 days. The price of the service ranges from €12 to €15.
| Data plan | Price in U.S. Dollars |
|---|---|
| 7 days – 1 GB | 7, 99$ |
| 15 days – 2 GB | 11, 99$ |
| 20 days – 3 GB | 18,9$ |
| 3 days – unlimited data | 8,99$ |
| 5 days – unlimited data | 11,99$ |
| 7 days – unlimited data | 15,99$ |
| 12 days – unlimited data | 22,99$ |
The online store offers a 24/7 customer service but only in English and by email. The installation is done through a QR code that will arrive in the mail after the purchase. You should also know that their eSIM data cards allow you to recharge and share data, but do not include calls and SMS.
Here we leave you this ranking where we evaluate from 1 to 5 all features of eSIM cards from eSIM Japan based on our experience.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4,5 | 3,5 | 3,5 | 0 | 4,5 | 4 | 3,5 | 4,3 |
4. SimOptions y their marketplace
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. SimOptions eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. They have eSIM cards for 160 countries. |
| Inconveniences | Gigabytes are limited to 8GB or less and do not have unlimited data cards. The features of eSIMs for the same country vary according to the brand contracted. None of their eSIM cards allow recharging data. Technical support depends on each brand and a good customer service cannot be guaranteed. Neither calls nor sms are included. The speed depends on each brand of eSIM card. There is no App to control data consumption. |
SimOptions is an eSIM card marketplace where local mobile carriers in each country sell their eSIM cards. The brand, with offices in Paris, Thailand and Hong Kong, offers data plans for eSIM cards in more than 160 countries and also have regional and global plans.
For Japan you will find 6 plans of 8, 10, 12, 12, 15 and 30 days with 6GB and 8GB data limit. Prices range from $17.9 to $39.9. None of the plans offer calling or the ability to recharge.
The main drawback of Simoptions is that its website is a bit chaotic and the data plans, as they are from different brands, are very disparate and their features vary a lot, not only the price, speed or duration, but also the technical support, the possibility of recharging or sharing data. This will force you to look in detail at each brand and will make it harder for you to make a decision. In the case of Japan, you will see that SimOptions works with its own brand, with Ais, Three HK and Smart Data.
| Data plan | Price in U.S.Dollars |
|---|---|
| 10 days – 6 GB | 17,9$ |
| 12 days – 6 GB | 19,9$ |
| 8 days – 6 GB | 19,9$ |
| 30 days – 4 GB | 24,9$ |
| 30 days – 8 GB | 34,9$ |
| 15 days – 6 GB | 39,9$ |
Our personal experience is that with SimOptions cards you lose a lot of time comparing between one and the other. In addition, the price is high, you can only pay in dollars and they don’t give you the guarantee of a good technical support. Here we rate SimOptions eSIM cards from 1 to 5 and in this post you can read about our opinion and what other customers think about the brand: Our review of Sim Options eSIM: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 3,5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
5. Maya Mobile, 30-day data plans
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continents and countries. Maya Mobile eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with a QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 194 destinations. Data plans limited to 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, which can run out quickly. Flexible pricing. Possibility to share internet. You can configure the auto-recharge after 30 days. Data sharing with other devices. |
| Inconveniences | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. They do not have an App. The unlimited data plan has a 5Mbps limit. Technical support in English via a bot. They only have data plans for 30 days. |
This company offers eSIM cards for 30 days in Japan. In this case, the price of the data packages varies depending on the gigabytes. In total they have 5 packages of 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB and another with unlimited gigabytes. Maya Mobile’s unlimited gigabyte plans are relative as they have a speed limit of 5Mbp, which drops to 1Mbps after 30GB has been used. The price ranges from €9 to €123.
Like Holafly, Maya Mobile is characterized by the speed and simplicity of its contracting and installation process, which is also done with a QR code that you receive via email. In addition, they have a 100% refund policy of the purchase in case the data does not work, which is not common because they have a minimum of two data providers in each country where they offer their services.
| Data plan | Price in Euros |
|---|---|
| 30 days – 1 GB | 9€ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 23€ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 30€ |
| 30 days – 10 GB | 49€ |
| 30 days – unlimited data* | 123€ |
In the case of Maya Mobile we consider it a disadvantage their plans being very inflexible and only having a duration of 30 days. In Trustpilot you can see that the brand has an average score of 4.4, but there are hardly any comments. Here the table with the score for each of the features of their eSIM cards.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4,5 | 4,5 | 3 | 3,2 |
Conclusion: what is the best eSIM for Japan
In this post we have seen that there are many important factors to take into account when comparing eSIM cards since, for each type of travel you will have different connection needs. That is why we prepared this section where we share our experience on which eSIM card is best for Japan and for each situation.
When we travel we don’t want to run out of data in the middle of our vacation, so eSIM cards with unlimited data are the best option if we want to travel without worry. In this case, the only brand that offers real unlimited eSIM data plans is Holafly. The eSIM Japan brand also has plans with unlimited data on their website, but if you read the fine print you will see that per day you can only use 500Mb, after that the speed will be greatly reduced. With some companies like Airalo you can recharge the eSIM already installed through their website or App, but the best thing is not having to pay again if you run out of data. Also, remember that if necessary you will have to recharge the eSIM before the contracted plan runs out.
If in the end you opt for an eSIM with limited data, we leave you this table that will help you to make the estimate of the gigabytes you will need based on your usual consumption.
| Plataform | Gigabyte consumption per hour |
| 0,12GB – 0,18 GB | |
| 0,12GB – 0,18 GB | |
| 0,06 GB | |
| Tiktok | 0,18 GB – 0,8 GB |
| Netflix | 0,3GB – 7GB |
| Youtube | 0,14GB – 1,7 GB |
| Amazon Prime | 0,8GB – 6GB |
The installation process of eSIM cards is always simple and fast, but it is true that there are some companies that make it even easier. The first thing is to check if your mobile is compatible with the eSIM of the brand. You can check this information on the website of each provider.
The purchase of the eSIM for Japan can be done through the web in the case of some brands such as Holafly, eSIM Japan or Simoptions, or through the app such as Airalo. Holafly’s website and Airalo’s are very intuitive and easy to use, while SimOptions’ is quite complicated to understand and you will have to read a lot and compare different really disparate brands. The eSIM Japan website is also not one of the easiest. Also, all the information is in English.
The only brand that allows you to do the installation through the App is Airalo, and in the case of Holafly, from the App you can get the code to install the eSIM manually without using a computer. You can also do the installation by scanning a QR code that you will receive in the mail as soon as you have completed the purchase with Holafly, Airalo, Simoptions or eSIM Japan.
On the other hand, it is very important to consider the technical service to help you in the installation process and solve any doubt or problem. Most brands such as Maya Mobile or Airalo have a chat bot that takes a long time to respond and only does so in English. In the case of Simoptions, technical support will depend on the brand of eSIM card you have chosen. In this aspect Holafly’s technical support is the best as it responds in less than 1 minute in Spanish, English, German, French and Japanese through the web chat or by WhatsApp, which opens automatically once the purchase is completed to guide you through the installation process.
Many times when we travel we want toshare data with other devices and only some providers like Airal, eSIM Japan and some Simoptions brands make it possible. However, you have to keep in mind that when you share data the gigabytes of your plan will be used up much sooner.
But one of the most important aspects is price. The cheapest brands are Airalo and Maya Mobile, however, their data plans are very limited and you’re likely to run out and have to pay again with the top-up. That’s why it’s sometimes advisable to pay a little more and get a unlimited data eSIM card like Holafly to get peace of mind and never have to recharge again.
All in all, Holafly eSIM cards are the best choice for travel to Japanfor their unlimited data and multilingual technical support that responds in less than a minute.With Holafly you’ll never run out of data on your trip.
Other options to have internet in Japan
The eSIM cards are undoubtedly the best option to have internet in Japan for the comfort, tranquility and security they offer, however, there are other options to consider as we tell you below.
| Convenience | Immediate delivery and activation upon purchase. Purchase prior to travel. Easy installation; unlike SIM cards, there is no need to remove the original card. You’ll be connected as soon as you land, no need to find a store first. You’ll find tailor-made plans to suit the duration and needs of your trip. No need to rely on batteries, as with Pocket wifi. You won’t have to carry an extra device during your trip, like the Pocket Wifi. |
| Peace of mind | You will have 24/7 technical support in English, unlike with a SIM or Pocket Wifi. You will not have to worry about forgetting or losing any device other than your cell phone. |
| Security | You will avoid using public wifi networks vulnerable to hacking. You will avoid entering personal data in endless forms to get Wifi. No need to open or manipulate your mobile phone like with SIM cards. |
1. Buying SIM cards in Japan
You can choose to buy SIM cards at stores such as NTT DoCoMo, KDDI or SoftBank. At the country’s international airports you will find mobile operator counters and vending machines where you can buy them. There is also the option of buying SIM cards online and waiting for them to arrive at home. They usually take between 2 and 3 business days.
As with eSIM cards, SIM card plans vary depending on the duration, gigabytes and price, which ranges from €7 to €80. It is therefore recommended to compare several brands in order to choose the plan that suits us best.
Although it may seem simple, the truth is that this method has some drawbacks.
| Advantages | There are a variety of brands and data plans to choose from. Installation is fast. They can be purchased online or in physical stores. You can make calls and send messages with a local number. |
| Inconveniences | It always replaces your regular SIM, which can be lost or damaged. The cell phone must be opened and handled during the installation process. You have to travel to buy it or wait for the card to be delivered. When the contract of your travel SIM expires, it must be replaced by another one. You will not be able to keep your regular phone number. |
2. Rent a Pocket Wifi in Japan
Pocket Wifi are wireless routers that allow you to connect to the internet anywhere.
| Advantages | Can be used by several devices at the same time. You can choose the gigabyte package that suits you best. No need to install anything on our cell phones. |
| Inconveniences | It is one of the most expensive options. There are few brands to choose from. Contracts are usually of long duration. In addition to the data plan, you have to pay for rental, insurance and shipping costs. The battery lasts 6 hours maximum. If you use it with more people you have to be in the same room. You have to carry it with you wherever you go and you run the risk of losing it. |
This system has a few drawbacks, but if you decide to go for it, here are the names of some shops where you can get one:
- Japan Wireless offers unlimited data from five days onwards. Delivery times vary depending on where you are in Japan, as well as what you’re willing to pay for immediacy. Pricing starts at €4 per day for contracts longer than 28 days.
- Travelers Wifi. In Japan, they offer 500 MB per day. The cost depends on the number of days of rental, as well as the shipping and return options you choose.
3. Search for free Wifi networks in Japan
Japan is a country at the forefront of new technologies, so it’s no surprise that there is free Wi-Fi in many public places such as airports, on Japan Railways trains, on underground lines, on the Narita Express, as well as in various squares and shopping centres.
| Advantages | Can be used by several devices at the same time. You can choose the gigabyte package that suits you best. No need to install anything on our cell phones. |
| Inconveniences | It is one of the most expensive options. There are few brands to choose from. Contracts are usually of long duration. In addition to the data plan, you have to pay for rental, insurance and shipping costs. The battery lasts 6 hours maximum. If you use it with more people you have to be in the same room. You have to carry it with you wherever you go and you run the risk of losing it. |
This option is clearly the cheapest, but also the one that will give you the most headaches. In addition, this is an option that should be used with great caution because public networks are very vulnerable to hacks that put our personal data at risk. It is therefore recommended to use these networks as little as possible, only for quick queries and avoiding procedures that require our personal data.
4. Activate roaming in Japan
Activating roaming in Japan is the most convenient option as you will be able to use the internet on a regular basis without having to buy or install anything. In addition, you will keep your phone number. In Spain there are many operators that offer this service such as Movistar, Vodafone or Orange.
Although it may seem like the best option, it is undoubtedly the most expensive, as rates are around €10 per MB. That’s why it’s recommended to switch off data roaming every time you travel, to avoid surprise bills at the end of the month.
| Advantages | It is free of charge. There is nothing to install on our cell phones. |
| Inconveniences | It is difficult to find free access wifi networks. Public wifi networks are often slow or give connection problems. You often have to fill in forms and share your personal data. Some free wifi networks have limited time. You have to be near the router to connect. These networks are vulnerable to hacking. |
Frequently asked questions about having internet in Japan with an eSIM
Most models from popular brands such as Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Huawei or Google are compatible as long as they are recent models. Several iPads are also supported. However, the best thing to do is to consult the website of each provider, where they will tell you all the compatible models.
eSIM cards allow you to have internet on your cell phone when you travel abroad without having to remove your regular SIM card, as is the case with SIM cards. This is possible thanks to a chip that is incorporated in the latest generation of cell phones.
The purchase of the eSIM data plan can be done through the web or the App of some brands. Choose your destination, the duration and the gigabytes of the data plan and pay securely.
The installation and activation of the eSIM is a really easy procedure that will only take a few minutes.
Once you have verified that your cell phone is compatible with the product and chosen the data plan that best suits your needs, go to the mobile data settings on your smartphone and select “add data plan”. Then the camera will open so you can scan the QR code that you will have received in the mail after the purchase. The installation and activation of your card will then begin.
This process must be carried out with an internet connection, so it is recommended to do it before starting the trip or as soon as you arrive at the hotel.
SIM cards can be purchased in physical shops or online, with delivery times ranging from 48 to 72 hours. There are also companies that offer same-day express delivery.
Most companies offer data capped packages. Holafly, unlike the others, offers a wide range of unlimited data packages.
In order to activate it, you need an internet connection, so it is recommended to activate it before you travel.
Data packages usually last for one to two weeks, however, there are providers such as Holafly that offer more flexible packages between 5 days and 3 months.
Unlimited data plans do not normally allow data sharing, but those plans with a specific number of GBs included do.
Data on unlimited plans is really unlimited. Note in any case that local mobile operators may temporarily reduce speeds if you use apps such as Netflix or YouTube very intensively. These limits are more intended to avoid network saturation by a few users.
Holafly is a Spanish company launched in 2018 that you can trust, it has been tested by over 400,000 customers, travel blogs and Youtubers. Holafly markets eSIMs since 2019.
Holafly has over 10,000 positive experiences posted on Trustpilot, with a rating of “Excellent” and an average score of 4.6.
SIM Options has both positive and negative reviews, and a lower average Trustpilot rating than Holafly at 3.8. SIM Options is a Hong Kong-based company.
Maya is owned by a US company, Maya Virtual Inc. Reviews of Maya on Trustpilot are good, with a 4.5 average rating.
Airalo’s reviews on Truspilot are good, with an average rating of 3.9.
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