International Roaming

AT&T in Japan roaming: Plans, pricing, and alternatives

Explore the different AT&T in Japan roaming plans, with pricing, benefits, and activation processes. Plus, find out how to save money with a travel eSIM

AT&T offers different roaming plans when traveling in over 210 destinations, including Japan. But how much does it cost to use AT&T in Japan?

If you’re traveling from the US, this guide will explain everything related to AT&T in Japan roaming, including pricing, activation, and the benefits of each plan. Plus, learn how a travel eSIM can help you reduce roaming costs.

In this article

Can I use AT&T in Japan?

Yes, AT&T roaming works in Japan. Currently, AT&T offers two roaming options for its US customers:

International Day Pass
Travel Add-On
Pay-Per-Use

Disclaimer: The data in this blog is accurate as of August 1, 2025, and is subject to change.

AT&T in Japan: Roaming charges explained

When using AT&T in Japan, you can pay for a Day Pass, Travel Add-On, or rely on the pay-per-use rates. Let’s explore how much these cost and what they include.

International Day Pass

If you’re using any AT&T postpaid wireless plans, you can unlock your local allowance by paying $12/day while in Japan.

Day passes are valid for 24 hours. If you activate it at 9:00 AM, you’ll be charged $12 at 9:00 AM the following day, not earlier.

Travel Add-On

With the Travel Add-On, you can access unlimited text, talk, and 5GB of data for $35 for seven days.

This plan is activated via a text message received upon landing. Call 611 to activate it, or do it manually through att.com/myprepaid.

Pay-Per-Use

If you’re not using a plan eligible for AT&T International Day Pass or a Travel Add-On, you are subject to pay-per-use rates for AT&T roaming in Japan. Here’s how much you’ll pay for using AT&T roaming in Japan at pay-per-use rates:

Call: $3/ minute
Text: $1.30/text
Data: $2.05/MB

How to activate AT&T service in Japan?

To use AT&T in Japan, first, you must ensure your phone has data roaming turned on. That way, you’ll connect as soon as you get coverage in Japan.

Here’s how to activate AT&T in Japan based on your plan:

International Day Pass: When you text, call, or use mobile data in Japan, the day pass will start working. The plan will automatically restart every 24 hours when using these services.
Travel Add-On: This option is available for prepaid users. Upon landing, it can be activated by calling, via text, or manually on the website.
Pay-Per-Use: Turn on data roaming on your phone, and you’ll be charged for any services you use while in Japan.

How to reduce charges for AT&T international roaming in Japan?

Thanks to the available roaming plans, using AT&T is affordable in Japan if you keep track of your phone use. However, pay-per-use roaming charges can build up quickly, especially when using heavy data-usage apps.

Here are some tips for reducing roaming charges with AT&T in Japan.

Try purchasing a travel pass: Whether using prepaid or postpaid plans, make sure you buy your available travel pass to avoid pay-per-use fees..
Turn off data roaming: If data roaming is turned on, the International Day Pass refreshes automatically. To avoid extra expenses, turn it off before the 24-hour expiration.
Travel with an eSIM: If you’re not a postpaid user, roaming is a bit more expensive, yet affordable. However, with an eSIM, you can save extra money while still getting high-quality connectivity in Japan.

Holafly eSIM for Japan: Stay connected without roaming charges

AT&T in Japan works in multiple ways, and these are affordable. However, because of the limitations, such as having a postpaid plan or getting just 5GB of data, it might not be enough for those remote workers or travelers using apps like Instagram.

Instead, you can use the Holafly eSIM for Japan, which gives you unlimited data, 500 MB of data tethering daily, 24/7 customer support, and 5G data speeds.

Compared to AT&T, the Holafly eSIM costs $29.90/week, or $4.27/day, which is less than using travel passes.

However, if you need a more complete plan with unlimited tethering, using Holafly Plans is your best call. For $64.90, you get unlimited data and unlimited tethering, plus 5G data speeds, and coverage in over 170 destinations without additional charges!

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Julio Osuna

English Content Writer

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.

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