Japan roaming rates: How much does your carrier charge?

Depending on your mobile provider, plan, and whether you use roaming passes, streaming a single Instagram Reel from Japan could cost you anywhere between $5 and $1,000+ USD. That means not understanding Japan roaming rates can quickly cost you a small fortune during your trip.

This article will help you be smart about roaming in Japan by breaking down international roaming rates from major carriers, comparing data roaming costs, and exploring other options like eSIMs, local SIM cards, and pocket WiFi. 

Avoid excessive roaming fees

Don't get caught out by data roaming charges in Japan. Use local networks at local rates.

Buy an eSIM for Japan

Roaming in Japan explained

Roaming is the service that allows you to use your mobile phone for calls, texts, and internet access while traveling outside your home network’s coverage area. With the right plan, roaming in Japan can be convenient and affordable, even for data-heavy users. Whether you need cellular data, voice calls, or unlimited texting, it’s possible to stay connected without breaking the bank.

Travelers have three main options for data roaming:

• Roaming passes: Daily or multi-day travel plans that use your domestic allowances. Great for short trips but can get costly with extended use.
• Data add-ons: Extra mobile data purchased for international use. Cheaper than passes but often more limited.
• Pay-as-you-go: Charges based on usage, but costs can soar to $2.05 per MB, meaning just an hour of streaming could cost hundreds.

Choosing the right option is key to managing roaming charges and avoiding surprises on your phone bill.

Will my phone work in Japan?

Yes, most modern smartphones will work in Japan, but compatibility depends on several factors. To ensure your phone can connect to Japanese networks, check the following:

1. Network compatibility: Ensure your phone supports Japan’s 4G LTE and 5G frequency bands, to make sure your phone can work in Japan.
2. Unlocked phone: Check if your phone is unlocked; locked phones may not accept local SIM cards or eSIMs.
3. Roaming options: Confirm your carrier supports data roaming in Japan and check their rates.
4. Settings: Enable data roaming in your settings and confirm if features like tethering or hotspots are available.

If your phone doesn’t tick all these boxes, alternatives such as eSIMs, pocket WiFi, or local SIM cards can help in some cases.

Japan roaming rates for the United States

Major carriers like T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T offer plans tailored for international travelers, making it easier and more affordable to monitor data roaming charges.

T-Mobile

Many travelers ask, ‘Can I use T-Mobile in Japan?’ If you’re already their customer, T-Mobile roaming in Japan might even be included in your usual plan. Here is how it works:

• Magenta and Magenta Max Plans:
  These plans include data roaming at no additional cost in Japan, but speeds are limited to 128 kbps. This is fine for basic tasks like emails and messaging only.
  
• International Passes:
  For more high-speed data, you can purchase:
  • 1-Day Pass: $5 for 512 MB and unlimited calls.
  • 10-Day Pass: $35 for 5 GB and unlimited calls.
  • 30-Day Pass: $50 for 15 GB and unlimited calls.

Verizon

Verizon customers can stay connected in Japan using the TravelPass or pay-as-you-go rates. Here are the Verizon roaming Japan charges you can expect.

• TravelPass:
  For $10 per day, Verizon TravelPass Japan allows you to use your domestic data, calls, and texting allowances in Japan. This travel plan is ideal for short trips, as you’re only charged on the days you use your phone in Japan.
  
• Pay-as-you-go rates:
  Without TravelPass, Verizon’s data roaming charges are significantly higher:
  • Data: $2.05 per MB
  • Voice calls: $1.79 per minute
  • Text messages: $0.50 per message sent, free for incoming

AT&T

AT&T roaming in Japan is best through the International Day Pass, with pay-as-you-go rates as a backup for those not on a plan.

• International Day Pass:
  For $10 per day, AT&T lets you use your domestic plan’s mobile data, voice calls, and unlimited texting while in Japan. Additional lines on the same account can use the pass for $5 daily.
  
• Pay-as-you-go rates:
  Without the International Day Pass, the following charges apply:
  • Data: $2.05 per MB
  • Voice calls: $3.00 per minute
  • Text messages: $0.50 per message sent, $1.30 per picture or video message sent
  • Picture or video messages: $1.30 each

Japan roaming rates for the United Kingdom

Travelers from the UK have several options for data roaming in Japan, depending on their carrier. Providers like Vodafone, O2, and Three offer roaming passes and add-ons.

Vodafone

Vodafone UK places Japan in Zone D, meaning roaming fees vary depending on your plan. Some Xtra Plans include international coverage, while others require a daily fee or an add-on.

Roaming on monthly plans:

• Xtra Plans with worldwide roaming (83 destinations): Japan is included, and you can use your UK allowance at no extra cost
• Plans without inclusive worldwide roaming:
  • £7.39 per day to use your UK allowance in Japan

Pay-as-you-go 

In this case, you’ll need to purchase a roaming extra to use your plan abroad:

• 8-Day Around the World Extra: £17 (includes 2GB, 100 minutes, 100 texts)
• 15-Day Around the World Extra: £27 (includes 4GB, 200 minutes, 200 texts)

O2

O2 UK includes Japan under the O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Ultimate, which means some plans provide international usage at no extra cost, while others require a daily fee or a data roaming bundle.

Roaming on monthly plans

• O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Ultimate (available on Ultimate Plans):
  • Japan is included, allowing you to use your UK plan without extra charges
  • Includes unlimited calls, messaging, and internet access
    
• O2 Travel Bolt On (for plans without Inclusive Zone Ultimate):
  • £7 per day for unlimited calls, messaging, and internet use
  • Charged only on the days your plan is active abroad
    
• Standard Pay Monthly Rates (if no Bolt On is added):
  • Calls: £3 per minute (both making and receiving).
  • Messaging: £1 per message
  • Data: Available only with a data roaming bundle:
    • 100MB – £18
    • 500MB – £26
    • 1GB – £45

Pay-as-you-go roaming

• O2 Travel Bolt On for Pay As You Go:
  • £1.99 per day (available in selected destinations)
    
• Standard Pay-As-You-Go Rates (if no Bolt On is added):
  • Calls: £2 per minute
  • Messaging: £0.50 per message
  • Data: £7.20 per MB

Three

Three UK offers different options for using your phone in Japan, depending on your plan. Japan falls under Go Roam Around the World Extra, meaning certain plans include international usage, while others require a Daily Pass or additional charges.

Roaming on monthly plans

• Go Roam Around the World Extra (included in some plans):
  • Japan is covered, allowing you to use your UK allowance at no extra cost, subject to a fair use policy of 12GB per month
  • Available for Three Your Way Plans with Daily Go Roam Passes
    
• Daily Go Roam Pass (for plans without inclusive roaming):
  • Cost: £7 per day
  • Allows full use of UK plan allowances
  • Must be used within the minimum term of the plan
    
• Standard rates (if no pass is purchased):
  • Calls: £3 per minute (both making and receiving).
  • Messaging: £1 per message.
  • Data: Available only with a data roaming bundle.

Pay-as-you-go roaming

Standard Pay-as-you-go rates:

• Calls: £2 per minute.
• Messaging: £0.50 per message.
• Data: £7.20 per MB.

Japan roaming rates for Australia

Optus, Telstra, and Vodafone Australia offer different services to their users to avoid roaming charges. 

Telstra

Telstra offers International Day Passes and Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) rates for customers traveling to Japan. The Day Pass is the most affordable option, providing a daily allowance, while PAYG can lead to significantly higher costs.

International Day Pass:

• Costs $10 AUD per day for unlimited calls, texts, and 2 GB of data.
• If you exceed the daily limit, additional data is automatically added in 2 GB blocks for $10 AUD, valid for 31 days.

This option is automatically enabled on Telstra plans and only activates when used in Japan.

Pay-as-you-go roaming

PAYG is only available for non-Upfront Plans and is not recommended due to high costs.

• Data: $3 AUD per MB
• Calls: $3 AUD per minute
• Messaging: $0.75 AUD per message

Pre-Paid International Roaming Packs

For travelers using Telstra’s Pre-Paid, Japan is included in 38 eligible countries where these packs apply:

Optus

Optus provides multiple roaming options for travelers visiting Japan, including Daily Roaming, a $10 Roaming Pass, and Prepaid International Roaming Packs.

Postpaid roaming options

• Optus Daily Roaming: Costs $5 AUD per day and includes 5GB of internet, unlimited calls, and messaging. If you exceed 5GB, another 5GB is automatically added for $5 AUD. Available on Choice Plus, Optus Plus Family, and Optus Plus Promo plans.
  
• Optus Roaming Pass: Costs $10 AUD per day and provides 1GB of internet, unlimited calls, and messaging. It activates automatically when using a service in Japan and applies to selected postpaid mobile plans.
  
• Standard PAYG rates: The prices are $1.00 AUD per MB, $1.50 AUD per minute for calls, $0.50 AUD per message, and $1.00 AUD per MB for MMS.

Prepaid roaming options

Optus provides Prepaid Roaming Add-ons for Flex Plus prepaid users:

Vodafone Australia

Vodafone Australia provides $5 Roaming for postpaid users and Prepaid Roaming Add-ons for prepaid customers traveling to Japan.

Postpaid roaming options

$5 Roaming is one of the best Vodafone Japan roaming options :

• It costs $5 AUD daily and allows you to use your plan’s included internet, calls, and messaging in Japan. Once your plan’s data is used up, additional 1GB is added for $5 AUD.
• Available for up to 90 days per calendar year on eligible Vodafone Infinite, Plus, and Infinite Data Plans.
• Ultra+ Plan users get unlimited use, but exceeding 30GB of Hotspot data will incur a $5 charge per extra 1GB.

Prepaid roaming options

Vodafone offers Prepaid Roaming Add-ons that include internet, calls, and messaging.

Prepaid users that don’t get add-ons pay the PAYG rates:

• Internet: $1 AUD per MB
• Calls: $1 AUD per minute
• Messaging: $0.75 AUD per message

Best ways to avoid Japan roaming rates

If your carrier’s options don’t suit your needs or you want to avoid high fees, there are other reliable ways to get online during your time in Japan. These include eSIMs, pocket WiFi, and local SIMs — each with its own benefits. Of course, there are always free WiFi hotspots, but those are unreliable and often not very secure.

eSIMs

An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a data plan for your international travels without needing a physical card. These are perfect for travelers looking for a quick setup and the best plan for using their phone abroad. It’s only a matter of choosing the best eSIM for Japan.

• eSIMs can be activated instantly after purchase, even before you arrive in Japan.
• They often come with unlimited or high-cap plans, making them ideal for longer trips.
• Holafly is a popular choice for travelers, offering plans tailored to international trips with easy activation.

Pocket WiFi

Pocket WiFi is a portable hotspot that allows you to connect multiple devices to the local network and use it to access the internet in Japan.

• These gadgets are great for groups or families since everyone can share the same connection with tethering usage.
• You can rent a pocket WiFi for Japan online or at major airports in Japan, with options to return them at the end of your trip.
• Unlike eSIMs, pocket WiFi requires charging and carrying another gadget with you at all times.

Local SIM cards

For those needing a local phone number as well as mobile internet in Japan, a physical SIM card is a practical option.

• Local SIMs for Japan are available at convenience stores, electronics shops, and airports.
• Many come with preloaded plans that offer affordable internet use for a set number of days.
• Be sure your phone is unlocked to use a local SIM, as locked phones won’t be able to connect to the local network.

The best way to avoid roaming fees in Japan: Holafly eSIM

Looking for the simplest and most cost-effective way to stay online in Japan? The Holafly eSIM for Japan is an excellent option for avoiding traditional fees and enjoying uninterrupted internet access throughout your trip. Here are some of the benefits of the Holafly eSIM with unlimited data.

• Instant activation—no need for a regular SIM card or waiting in lines.
• Unlimited data plans tailored to your travel duration.
• No contracts or additional fees, providing a clear and predictable cost.
• Easy setup via QR code in advance or after arrival.
• Compatible with most smartphones that support eSIM functionality.
• Great coverage using the best Japanese network available at all times

With Holafly, you can enjoy your trip to Japan without worrying about roaming charges or limited internet access.

Avoid excessive roaming fees

Don't get caught out by data roaming charges in Japan. Use local networks at local rates.

Buy an eSIM for Japan

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Katarina M Arsic

Senior Writer

With a background in English literature and a focus on storytelling, I’ve turned my interests in travel and technology into a career helping others stay connected abroad. Originally from Serbia, I work remotely with my husband, experiencing local cultures firsthand and bringing that perspective to my writing for Holafly. Fun fact: before focusing on content creation, I was a professional volleyball player.

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