You are finally planning the trip to Japan that you’ve always wanted, but there are a lot of things to do first to ensure it is as smooth as possible. A very important one is making sure you stay connected during your trip and an eSIM may be exactly what you need.
Don’t worry if you haven’t heard of eSIMs before. This article will explain everything you need to know about this technology and all the options you can choose from before going to Japan.
Image by Vecteezy, Pexels, Klipartz.
What is an eSIM and how does it work?
If you have a working phone you surely are familiar with a regular physical SIM. These little cards have been in use since the first mobile phone in the 90s, but eSIMs are more recent. It stands for embedded SIM, which means that it does not require a physical card to be put into your device to be used. It can be activated remotely to let you connect and switch between mobile networks and plans.
You Might Also Like: What Is An eSIM Card And How Do They Work?
How is an eSIM different from a physical SIM card?
You can either use a prepaid physical SIM or an eSIM during your travel to Japan, so, what are the differences?
With a simple table is easier to see each category, that way you can make an informed choice of what truly adapts to your personal needs.
| Feature | eSIM | Prepaid SIM Card |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | Quick and easy, just scan a QR code | You must go to a store, buy the card, and insert it |
| Multiple Plans | Perfect if you travel a lot since you can change plans easily | One card only supports one plan, so it’s best for long stays |
| Internet for Setup | Requires Wi-Fi to activate | No need for internet to activate |
| Availability | It can be purchased online before travel | Widely available in Japan |
| Compatibility | Only works on eSIM-compatible phones | Works on any unlocked phone |
| Acquisition | Easy to find in the internet | You need to find a physical shop |
| Environmental Impact | More eco-friendly, no plastic waste | Less eco-friendly due to plastic use |
You can also check this article from our blog for a more in-depth analysis of the advantages of each type of SIM before you make your decision.
Does everyone use eSIM now?
Not everyone, but since its introduction in 2016 the eSIM has been growing in popularity. More and more people are choosing this option and nowadays most smartphones support eSIMs. On top of that, there are many eSIM providers to choose from depending on your necessities and preferences.
Why Choose an eSIM for Traveling in Japan?
Save on Roaming Costs
If you travel abroad without getting a local eSIM you’ll probably be charged a really big bill by the time you’re back home. Traditional roaming with major telecom companies, like Verizon’s pay-as-you-go plan, can cost up to $2.05 per MB. Even if you are a light data user and just need to search for a location or send an email or two, you’ll still be charged over $150 a month!
You can learn more about this issue in our article about roaming plans.
Instead, get an eSIM with access to Japanese data plans. This way you’ll be paying only the local rate instead of international rip-offs. For example, while a normal roaming plan might cost you more than $300 per month, with an eSIM you can spend as little as $1.48. That’s a 90% in savings!
Instant Set Up
You don’t even have to step out of the plane to set up your eSIM. You can do it even before you travel to Japan. With a regular SIM, you need to find a store that sells them and then install it into your phone. Getting an eSIM also means you don’t have the hassle of installing a physical card in your phone, with the risk of losing or damaging either your own SIM or the new one.
How to activate your eSIM in 3 steps:
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Pick a plan: Check the providers and read carefully all the data plans they offer. Keep in mind your usual use of data and your travel needs.
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Scan & Install: After the purchase you’ll get a QR code, you just need to scan it with your phone. That’s pretty much it.
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Connect & Go: Congratulations, you just got your eSIM installed. It should work the moment you activate your data.
One eSIM Multiple Countries
Japan is a great place to visit, there’s no doubt there. But maybe you want to make a little detour. Maybe you don’t have a flight that takes you straight to Japan and want to take the opportunity to visit other countries. Many eSIMs work in more than one country, so you don’t have to keep buying multiple ones.
Picture by Aleksandar Pasaric on Pexels
Sustainable Choice
Single-use plastic is a big problem today, and unfortunately, physical SIMs are made of hard plastic that is difficult to dispose of properly. Every year over a billion plastic SIM cards are manufactured. Can you imagine? And, of course, with a physical SIM, you’ll have a plastic card you probably won’t use ever again after your trip to Japan.
If you want to preserve Japan’s natural and calm beauty and help reduce waste globally, try the eco-friendly eSIM.
Stay Connected even in Remote Areas
Japan may not be as huge as other countries, but having good coverage is essential for a relaxed experience. A good provider will help you easily keep your 4G/5G coverage in every place you travel to. This is essential to help you navigate the country and translate from English to Japanese anything you need to read or say.
How to Choose the Best eSIM for Japan
Now that you know all the advantages that an eSIM has, it’s time to evaluate your personal needs and learn about the options you have for providers.
Network Coverage
Japan is a relatively small country with a great network system, so most eSIMs offer full coverage. Choose a provider that uses a strong local network like NTT Docomo, SoftBank, or KDDI.
- Pro tip: If you plan to hike or travel to more rural locations you might want to have a backup option like pocket WiFi.
How Much Data Do You Need?
If you tend to use your smartphone occasionally for quick searches, a plan of 1GB-3GB for a week should be enough.
If you need to be connected to social media, and keep up with your followers, family, and friends, 5GB-10GB for two weeks is best for you.
Are you working on the go and need to be connected 24/7? Then you need a stronger plan. Look for an unlimited data plan, or something like 20GB+ for a month.
- Pro tip: If you’re afraid you’re gonna run off data choose a provider that lets you recharge your eSIM without having to buy a new one.
Your Trip Duration
For short trips (1-7 days), a weekly plan with 1GB per day should be enough.
If you’re staying longer, such as 2 weeks to a month, consider an unlimited data plan or a package with 10-20GB, depending on your usage.
For frequent travelers, consider a multi-country eSIM and make sure you can recharge your data plans.
Do You Need Calls and Texts, or Just Data?
Most eSIM plans are data-only, but you can still call and receive messages with apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, or Skype. Some eSIM providers offer plans that give you a local number, if you prefer this option check out those providers’ plans.
Do You Need to Share Your Data?
If you need to share your data with your laptop or another phone, choose an eSIM that allows tethering (hotspot sharing) since not all eSIMs do. This is especially useful if you’re working remotely or traveling in a group.
Pricing
Prices vary a lot based on data amount, provider, and coverage. You first need to examine your other needs before making a decision. In general options like Mobal offer great prices with good coverage for the short term, while other providers are a bit more expensive but have great unlimited data plans, and offer multi-country eSIMs like Flexiroam.
What’s the cost per gigabyte: are you overpaying?
Confused by different plan prices? Here’s a hack: calculate the cost per gigabyte (GB). Divide the total plan price by the total GBs offered. This reveals the true cost of data, so you won’t be tricked by flashy ads or brands claiming to be the cheapest!
Let’s break it down, if Plan A offers 25 GB for $17 and Plan B offers 15 GB for $11. You might think Plan B is cheaper. But only when doing the math you can know with certainty that Plan A is more cost-effective. Plan A costs $0.68 for every GB of data while Plan B $0.73 per every GB. So, be smart, crunch the numbers, and choose the best eSIM for a connected and enjoyable Japanese adventure.
Best eSIM Providers for Japan in 2025
Yoho Mobile
Many eSIM providers compete in the Japanese market, and everyone brings something valuable to the table. Among them, Yoho Mobile’s eSIM offers interesting budget-friendly data plans for travelers and nomads. With Yoho, you’ll have plenty of options depending on how much data you need and the length of your stay. Compared to other providers, its prices are competitive and particularly useful for short-term travelers. Their plan offers 500MB of data per day for five days which costs only $3.78. If you want to save your hard-earned money and get a good deal don’t miss the discounts and promo codes.
You won’t have problems getting connected in Japan, since Yoho Mobile has partnerships with over 30 carriers globally, ensuring stable 4G LTE and 5G connection wherever you need it. Even if you have to share your data with friends, their eSIMs support hotspots. If you have any doubts you can always reach them through their 24/7 customer service, available via e-mail and WhatsApp.
Overall, Yoho Mobile is your best option, with great pricing and flexibility, reliable connection, and good customer support. You can learn more about Yoho Mobile’s customizable plans and advantages in this article.
Image by Vecteezy
Ubigi
Ubigi offers a good variety of data plans. From daily plans, perfect for travelers who just be there a few days, to long-term plans if you’re going to stay for a few months. You can easily top up your data plan through the app but they do not offer unlimited data plans.
The pricing is competitive compared to other providers, with options like 1GB for 30 days at $4, 10GB for $17, and 50GB for $69, and the coverage is excellent. They use NTT Docomo’s network, which covers the majority of the territory of Japan and has reliable 4G/5G speed. It also supports tethering.
A notable drawback is that with Ubigi, you do need to install their app to access the eSIM, which some travelers find inconvenient. On top of that, their customer support, while in English, is only available via email, which makes the overall response time slower and more tedious compared to providers offering live chat support.
Mobal
Mobal offers good eSIM plans for Japan, with plans for 8, 16, and 31 days. Prices are competitive and cheaper than other companies, with the bigger plan of 50GB for 31 days costing around $33. It is less economical for short-term users, since a single GB for only 7 days costs $4. The coverage is good in all of Japan, since they use the reliable service of SoftBank, with its 4G LTE network. Another downfall is that you can only activate your data plan while in Japan, unlike other eSIM providers that allow activation before arrival.
Mobal eSIMs support hotspots, so you can share your data with other devices during your trip. Custom service is one of their strengths, offering both e-mail and call customer service in English. If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your eSIM service you can get a full refund without too much problem.
Sakura Mobile
Sakura Mobile offers great coverage across the country and a good variety of plans. It supports hotspots so you can share the connection between friends. However, pricing can be a bit higher than other providers with similar plans. For 5 days expect to pay around $24, and for the 90-day plan it will be a whopping $166. Also, their unlimited data plans come with a Fair Usage Policy (FUP), which may limit speeds after using 3GB of data.
A great aspect of this provider is their customer service, offering support all 365 days of the year, fully in English. So it’s extremely convenient for travelers who can get the help they need instantly.
Flexiroam
Flexiroam may be a bit expensive compared to other providers, but it offers good flexibility with the data amount and plan duration. To have a general idea of pricing, a single GB for 7 days starts at $8, and a plan for 20GB costs $52. They have good coverage, working in over 130 countries, including Japan, of course. Although it also supports hotspots, which is a great option for families or groups, some users have had issues with slow connections or throttling in Japan.
It functions via an app, and although is easy to recharge your data plans. But don’t worry, the customer service operates 24/7 via e-mail and chat.
How to Buy & Activate an eSIM for Japan
Step 1: Choose the eSIM provider
Do your own research and investigate carefully all the available eSIM providers in Japan and choose the one that’s right for your needs and means.
Step 2: Purchase your eSIM
After you’ve found a reliable provider, for instance, Yoho Mobile, go to their website or download their app. Once there just follow these steps to purchase your eSIM:
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Choose “Japan” as your travel destination, but remember, if you’re planning on a multi-country trip, choose a plan that covers all of them.
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Select your plan with all your requirements of data and duration.
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Choose a payment method.
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If it applies, it’s time to use any promo counts of discounts you can. If you choose Yoho Mobile you can use our promo code YOHO12 to get a 12% discount on your purchase.
Step 3: Receive and scan the QR code
After you’ve completed the purchase, you’ll receive an e-mail with your QR code and the corresponding instructions to activate your eSIM. Generally, they will be as follows:
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Make sure you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network
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Go to Settings and then Mobile Data, you should find an option called “Add eSIM”. Some devices have a slightly different name, but it shouldn’t be a problem to find.
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Scan the QR code you receive in the confirmation e-mail.
Step 4: Install and activate the eSIM on your phone
Then you just have to follow the instructions shown on-screen. Depending on your provider the process may be a bit different. Some eSIMs activate automatically without any hassle, for others, you might have to manually select them as your primary data plan. If you choose an eSIM with a specific date for activation, then you’ll have to wait until that date to start using your data plan.
Step 5: Troubleshoot common setup issues
Some common problems you might have with your eSIM and how to fix them:
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QR Code not scanning: Check your internet connection and try cleaning your camera. If this still doesn’t work, you can manually enter the activation details the provider sent you.
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No Network or No Signal: Make sure you’re not in airplane mode and manually select a carrier in your network settings, also check if the eSIM plan is active.
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Existing SIM Conflicts: If you have both a physical SIM and an eSIM you might have some connectivity issues. Set the eSIM as your primary data and disable the roaming of the physical SIM.
Other Aspects to Consider Before Buying an eSIM for Japan
eSIM-compatibility check
If you have an older phone maybe it’s not compatible with an eSIM. If you want to know for sure before you spend any money, check this list we have prepared all compatible models.
Fair Use Policies (FUP) & Unlimited Data Plans
Read carefully all the small print of the data plan you buy. If you choose an unlimited data plan make sure you know about the hidden data limits that they usually have.
Also, if you buy an eSIM that works for multiple countries make sure you investigate the country-specific fair use policies, since you might find that some countries have stricter data limits than others.
Is an eSIM Worth It in Japan?
Yes. There’s absolutely no doubt that an eSIM is a solid option to keep you connected during your trip to Japan. It will save you a lot of money in roaming fees and a lot of work. Is really easy to buy and install, you have many options for providers with a great range in price and advantages, so you can tailor your eSIM to your exact needs, and it’s even better for the environment.
FAQs About Using an eSIM in Japan
How much data do I need for my trip to Japan?
It depends entirely on your needs. If you’re a lighter user a plan from 1-3GB might be enough. If you plan to go to Japan while you keep working remotely you’ll need a stronger plan, either an unlimited data plan or something like 20-50GB a month.
Can I use multiple eSIMs on the same phone?
There shouldn’t be a problem with having multiple SIMs in the same phone. Just check the characteristics of your model, but most let you store more than one SIM and you can easily switch from one to another.
What happens if I run out of data?
If the data plan you buy ends up not being enough there’s usually a simple way to just add more GB. Either through the provider’s app or their website. It shouldn’t take more than a few seconds. Here’s a quick guide on how to recharge your Yoho Moible eSIM.
Can I make calls and send texts with a Japan eSIM?
Most eSIMs’ plans are data-only. This means you can’t use regular text or calls, but you are still able to use apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, or Skype to chat and talk. If you prefer, you can choose an eSIM that provides you with a local number and call minutes. You can learn more about it in this article
What is the best eSIM for Japan?
Choosing the best provider is not a matter of right and wrong, each provider has its own strong aspects and disadvantages. The choice is entirely made based on each customer’s needs and preferences. If you’re looking for flexibility while keeping an affordable price Yoho Mobile is the best eSIM provider to consider.
Is using an eSIM for Japan easy?
Setting up the eSIM is indeed easy! You can have the QR code in your hands seconds after you purchase the plan. Activating it on your phone takes minutes, and that’s it, you’re connected! Definitely a stress-free way to stay connected while traveling.
When to set up an eSIM for Japan?
Yoho Mobile recommends buying the eSIM the day before your trip or when you arrive at your destination. Also, an internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) is required to activate it.
Should data roaming be activated?
Yes, enabling data roaming allows your eSIM to connect to the internet. But with Yoho Mobile eSIM you won’t incur any additional fees.