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Best eSIM for Japan in 2024
Looking for the best eSIM for Japan in 2024? Here's everything you need to know about the available alternatives in the market!
If you want to have internet connection when traveling to Japan, an eSIM might be your best option. That said, choosing an eSIM provider isn’t an easy task, and there are plenty of options to choose from. We’ll make it easier for you by taking a closer look at some of the best eSIMs for traveling to Japan in 2024.
Digital SIM card for Japan
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+1M
Unlimited data
Limitless data plans in more than 170 destinations
With Holafly, you save +30% compared to roaming fees
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Do eSIM cards work in Japan?
Yes, eSIM cards do work in Japan. Companies such as NTT Docomo, Rakuten Mobile, KDDI, and SoftBank support eSIMs in the country and collaborate with eSIM service providers to ensure a steady internet connection for all customers. The Holafly eSIM for Japan works with the AU by KDDI mobile networks.
Why should I get an eSIM for Japan?
When using an eSIM, you can forget about having to deal with roaming services in Japan. With an eSIM, you can choose a plan that suits your needs, and it will usually be cheaper than international roaming charges. For example, Holafly gives unlimited data with all of its packages for Japan.
The only downside comes with compatibility. You need an eSIM-compatible device to use eSIM technology. That said, most new cell phones offer eSIM functionality nowadays. There are no other cons we could mention regarding this service.
As for the pros, it’s super easy to get cellular internet in Japan with an eSIM. The whole process takes only a few minutes, and you can do it from anywhere in the world, as eSIMs don’t require you to have a physical SIM card with you.
Some eSIM companies provide unlimited data, 24/7 customer support, immediate delivery, and an easy activation process that only requires an internet connection.
Which is the best eSIM for Japan?
Before we dive deeper into what each provider has to offer, let’s take a quick look at where they stand in terms of some of the main features of an eSIM.
| eSIM features | Holafly | Flexiroam | YeSIM | GigSky | Sakura Mobile | Mobal |
| Do they charge for the eSIM? | No | No | No | No | No | Yes, on the +90 days eSIMs. No extra charges for the rest of eSIMs. |
| Customizable plans | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Top-Up | No. (Data top-ups are not required because all plans include unlimited data) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Unlimited data | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No |
If you are interested in data plans with coverage in multiple countries, Holafly offers a regional Asian eSIM plan with coverage in Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Laos, and South Korea eSIMs, with the same quality as local plans.
1. Holafly eSIM: Japan Unlimited Data
Holafly is one of the best options for getting an eSIM card when traveling in Japan. The company offers local, regional, and global plans, including unlimited data and high-quality service while abroad. You can buy an eSIM from the company through its official website or mobile app.
The Holafly eSIM plan for Japan offers different data packages, ranging from US$6 for 1 day to $139 for 90 days with unlimited data. If you need more than 1 eSIM, you can get as many as you like with Holafly.
Holafly has other features that make it one of the best eSIM options for Japan. Here are some features worth mentioning:
- Android and iOS apps to manage and purchase eSIMs.
- 24/7 customer support in multiple languages.
- Hotspot: enjoy 500 MB per day to share with others.
- Easy activation and purchase process.
- Super-flexible refund policy.
- Unlimited data plans for Japan and other destinations as with the eSIM for Cambodia.
- Multiple payment methods.
The only real downside with Holafly is that it doesn’t offer phone call or SMS messaging functionality. But with most calls and messages being sent via the internet nowadays, it’s hardly an issue. Especially considering that there’s no data limit on any of their plans for Japan.
2. Flexiroam
Flexiroam offers a solid eSIM option for those traveling to Japan. Founded more than 10 years ago, the company has earned a good reputation with its customers.
The company offers eSIM plans in over 170 destinations worldwide, including Japan. You can purchase the service through its website or mobile app, which is available on iOS and Android.
You can choose between fixed and unlimited data options. The fixed plans start at $4 for 5 days and 1 GB of data and go up to $26 for 30 days and 20 GB of data. The unlimited data plans range from $19 for 5 days to $64 for 30 days.
Like Holafly, Flexiroam also offers global and regional plans, as well as 24/7 customer support for its users. However, it doesn’t offer phone call or SMS messaging functionality with its eSIMs.
They also have a FlexiShare feature, which allows you to share data with another device. However, that device needs to have an active Japanese eSIM, so it’s only useful if you and your travel buddy both have limited data plans and one of you runs out of data.
Check out our FlexiRoam review for an in-depth look at what the service offers both inside and outside Japan.
3. YeSIM
YeSIM is yet another fairly popular eSIM option for Japan. It offers a wide selection of plans, including unlimited and limited data plans. That said, its plans are significantly more expensive than either of the two options mentioned above.
Their unlimited data plans start at $11 for a 1-day plan and go up to $86.90 for 30 days. The limited plans start at $14.30, which gets you 3 GB of data for 7 days, and go up to $55 for 20 GB of data across 30 days.
The company does have dedicated apps for iOS and Android where you can buy your eSIM data plan and monitor data usage comfortably. It also provides 24/7 customer support and a vast knowledge base for its users.
If you’re interested in learning more about YeSIM and its services, check out our detailed YeSIM review.
4. GigSky
GigSky is yet another provider to offer unlimited data and data plans for Japan, as well as bundle plans for Asia Pacific and its entire global network. That said, the number of plans is fairly limited and you don’t have nearly as much flexibility with your choices as you do with Holafly.
Unlimited plans only come in two options — 7 days for $28.99 or 15 days for $50.99. Staying over for more than 15 days? Well, you’ll either have to buy more than one unlimited data plan or choose their 30-day plan, which offers 10 GB for $17.99.
Other limited plans also include 1 GB of data for 7 days at $5.99 and 5 GB of data for 30 days at $11.49. And that’s pretty much it, there are no other options to choose from. Their website, as well as apps for iOS and Android, seem easy to use and the reviews on their coverage are generally positive.
That said, GigSky doesn’t have 24/7 customer support, so if something doesn’t work as its supposed to, you might have to wait a while before getting help. Definitely not ideal when you want to enjoy every second of your holiday.
5. Sakura Mobile
The first local provider on the list, Sakura Mobile deals only with connectivity in Japan, but they definitely have a lot of options to offer. On top of offering multiple eSIM options, the company also offers physical SIM cards as well as pocket WiFi to keep you connected while in Japan.
Their service is split into two main categories — travel and long-term, both of which include SIM cards, eSIM cards, and pocket WiFi. Travel plans keep you covered for up to 90 days. If your stay is longer than that, you might want to look into long-term options.
Since we’ve only been looking at travel eSIM plans so far, we’ll be doing the same with Sakura Mobile. First things first — all pricing is only displayed in Japanese Yen, so the amount you’re charged may differ slightly depending on the exchange rate on any given day.
Their unlimited data plans range from 4,500 JPY (~$28) for 8 days all the way up to 24,000 JPY (~$149) for 90 days.
Unfortunately, finding the pricing for their limited data plans isn’t as straightforward. You’ll have to visit their website and enter the exact dates of your stay. Depending on the dates, Sakura Mobile will offer you several options that they have available for your stay, the pricing for which may vary for users depending on the length of stay and the time of visit.
One thing that’s important to note about Sakura Mobile is they charge a VAT tax on all orders, which increases the cost by an extra 10%.
You can pay for your order via PayPal, a credit card, or a debit card. But you can only shop on their website since they don’t have an app, which can sometimes be a bit inconvenient.
When it comes to customer support, they provide it 7 days a week but don’t say anything about operating 24/7. Considering that they don’t have a live chat option, you might experience longer waiting times to get support compared to providers like Holafly, which has a 24/7 live chat function.
6. Mobal
Mobal is yet another Japanese-only provider on this list that offers both short-term and long-term plans for staying connected while in Japan. In addition to data plans, they can also provide cell phone numbers for call and messaging functionality for an extra charge. These include both eSIMs and physical SIMs.
One thing to note about Mobal is that they don’t charge the extra VAT fee, which makes it cheaper than Sakura Mobile but still not as cheap as other alternatives, such as Holafly. Their limited data plans start at 2,340 JPY (~$14.50) for 8 days and 3 GB of data and go up to 8,000 JPY (~$50) for 31 days and 100 GB of data.
If you need unlimited data, you’re out of luck, as Mobal doesn’t offer any unlimited data plans to its customers. It also doesn’t offer live-chat customer support and doesn’t have dedicated apps, so you might experience delays if you need help, and you’ll have to stick to their website to buy your eSIM card and track data usage.
In conclusion: which option is the best eSIM for Japan?
The best eSIM option may depend on your personal needs. However, you probably want to enjoy your holiday in peace, and choosing a provider with unlimited data plans, dedicated apps, and 24/7 customer support is the best way to do just that.
Let’s take a final look at some of the main features you want to consider when choosing an eSIM before you make your decision.
Which one offers more mobile data?
Holafly offers unlimited data regardless of the data packages travelers get. Several other alternatives offer unlimited data, but they tend to be more expensive, which makes Holafly the best option if you need unlimited data.
What is the most recommended eSIM?
According to multiple Reddit reviews, Holafly is the best eSIM option in Japan. Different users have previously used the service and prefer using Holafly over other options in the market.
Which operators support the eSIM in Japan?
At this given moment, all cellular carriers in Japan support eSIMs. Some of the previously mentioned eSIM companies work with these carriers to offer a better service to travelers.
Currently, Rakuten, Y! Mobile, au by KDDI, and NTT DomCo are all cellular carriers with eSIMs available.
FAQ about eSIM in Japan
Based on several experiences, Airalo eSIM is not a good option for traveling in Japan. Various travelers from Reddit have reported poor connection, bad data speeds, and even low response times from Airalo customer support. You can read more about the Airalo eSIM in Japan on this Reddit thread.
Yes. Japan Wireless is commonly used by travelers in Japan, and the company is legit to use, even though is not the best option in terms of prices/mobile data.
In 2024, eSIM is one of the best options for travelers to have an internet connection in Japan. If you have an eSIM-compatible device, this is the best option for you to take with an eSIM for Japan. If you have a SIM-only device, then your option is the traditional SIM card, but we highly recommend the eSIM for travelers.
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I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
