The Best eSIMs for Visiting Japan — Tested and Compared

The eSIM market has really exploded in recent years. With so many options out there, it can be hard to pick the best eSIM for your trip to Japan. That’s why we’ve done the legwork for you. Whatever type of trip you are planning, here are some of our picks for Japan eSIM packages, tested and compared. Plus, we’ve got some nice discount codes you can use.

Japan eSIMs tested and compared

Provider	Avg Speed ▼ /▲ Mbps	Packages	Highlights we like	Where to buy
	192.19 ▼ 24.6 ▲ (5G where available)	3-30 days 1GB-Unlimited	25GB / 30 days USD $32. Fast 5G. 10% discount code — TOKYOCHEAPO.	View offer
	295.67 ▼ 30.1 ▲ (5G where available)	5-30 days 1GB–Unlimited	20GB / 30 days USD $21.24. Includes Virtual Location + Ad Blocker. Click here for a 15% discount.	View offer
	165.37 ▼ 12.9 ▲ (5G where available)	1-day–monthly 0.5GB-Unlimited	Best value for heavy data usage: Unlimited / 3 days USD $10.50. Japanese phone number available. All profits go to charity.	View offer
	226.75 ▼ 38.9 ▲ (5G where available)	1-30 days 0.5GB-Unlimited	Plans from just USD $1.20. Use our 10% Tokyo Cheapo discount.	View offer
	299.31 ▼ 45.9 ▲ (5G where available)	1-day–monthly 1GB-Unlimited	Unlimited USD $12.50–$150. Easy top-ups. See options.	View offer
	304.31 ▼ 43.4 ▲ (5G where available)	4–30 days Unlimited	Unlimited data / 7 days USD $19. Special 10% discount for readers with code CHEAPO10.	View offer
	225.66 ▼ 72.1▲ (5G where available)	3-30 days 1GB–Unlimited	20GB / 30 days USD $26. Special 10% discount for our readers.	View offer
	325.02 ▼ 41.7 ▲ (5G where available)	3-31 days 10GB-Unlimited	3 days with 2GB per day for USD $6.99. Unlimited 5G data without speed cap – USD $49.99 for 15 days.	View offer

Note: The speeds in the table are historical averages based on multiple tests conducted between October 2025 and March 2026. If you’re curious, here’s how we tested the Japan eSIMs.

What exactly is an eSIM?

It’s a virtual SIM that you can download and install onto your phone directly — no need to deal with fiddly physical SIM cards anymore. Most phones released since 2019 (aside from low-end models) can use an eSIM, with Apple’s US iPhone 14, 15, 16 and 17 being eSIM-only.

eSIMs are convenient when you want to change your carrier, such as when abroad, as you can connect to a new provider in seconds without removing your existing physical SIM card.

Japan eSIMs for tourists and short-term visitors

Here’s an overview of some of the Japan eSIM options for your trip. This is not an exhaustive list; just an introduction to some of the main — and in our opinion, best — players in the market.

Best eSIMs for short trips to Japan

These are the providers with a big range of shorter plans:

Ubigi: One SIM for all destinations (including Japan)

Special offer: Use discount code TOKYOCHEAPO for 10% off.

Ubigi is a global eSIM provider offering eSIMs for over 200 destinations. Having quickly become a popular name in the Japanese eSIM market, they have data plans to cover most needs, from economical 3-day plans to monthly unlimited data plans.

You can also keep the same single eSIM installed on your phone to use for multiple trips and multiple countries, which is convenient if you’re travelling around.

Installation

Ordering from Ubigi is simple. Once we paid, a QR code was emailed to us in seconds; one quick scan, and we were ready to go. You can also purchase, install, and manage your eSIM and data through their app if you prefer.

Ubigi can connect to both KDDI and Docomo networks, whichever is most reliable based on your location, which means great 4G and 5G connectivity across Japan.

Fun fact: The company behind Ubigi is Transatel, which is actually owned by NTT.

Performance

We tried the 15-day, 3GB Ubigi eSIM in our last few tests. In our testing, we experienced average speeds of 192Mbps, and web pages loaded in a flash. YouTube playback was smooth with no buffering, and our video calls were lag-free. They weren’t the fastest in our most recent tests, but Ubigi’s ease of use and decent speeds still make it a very strong contender at this price point.

World eSIM: Affordable short-stay options

World eSIM is brought to you by the company behind the well-known travel Wi-Fi brand NINJA Wifi.

World eSIM provides three different types of packages — unlimited, fixed, and daily data plans. Unlimited plans range from 5–30 days, daily data plans are 1–30 days, and fixed data plans range from 500MB to 20GB.

Their eSIMs ranked around the middle of the pack in our speed tests, and their plans are affordable per gigabyte.

Installation

Getting our eSIM was straightforward. After signing up on the World eSIM website, we paid and received a QR code instantly in our email. A quick scan, and we were ready to go.

Performance

Download speeds have averaged 226Mbps in recent months, and streaming is, notably, always smooth. During our tests, we found that this was one of the best eSIMs for video calling.

Overall, it’s a solid choice and maintains a good 5G connection in the inner city.

ESIMJAPAN.com: Consistently fast speeds

ESIMJAPAN.com consistently has some of the best plans for travelers to Japan.

Their plans are split into three types: Unlimited data 3–30 days, 5G Unlimited Max 3–31 days, and 10GB, 20-day plans.

The unlimited data 3–30 day plans have 1GB of data per day and 2GB per day options, and you can select from nine different trip lengths.

Installation

When we ordered the 5G Unlimited Max Data eSIM, a QR code arrived in our inbox straight away. From purchase to use, it took less than 15 minutes in total.

The plan begins when you scan the code and install the eSIM, and as mentioned, it’s easy to find a plan that works for the length of your trip.

Performance

ESIMJAPAN connects to Japan’s KDDI au network with an average download speed of 325Mbps, the highest in our most recent rounds of tests. Websites loaded in a flash, and video calling and streaming were smooth, with no lag. The 5G connection is consistently reliable in inner-city Tokyo.

Note: If you are in Hong Kong or Taiwan, you’ll need to use real-name registration. Otherwise, no signup is required.

Best eSIMs for long trips to Japan

When you want a big range of options for 30-day eSIMs and bigger data caps, consider the following:

Mobal eSIMs: Big data limits and voice + data plans

Mobal’s Unlimited 5G eSIMS come in a wide range of validity options, ranging from 1 to 31 days of what we call “truly unlimited” data. These are our top picks from their range.

The 5G eSIMs operate on the au network, one of Japan’s big three, ensuring reliable access to fast data in most parts of the country. You’ll also have the option to tether and use a hotspot, with hotspot caps varying based on your plan length.

Otherwise, short-term data-only plans come in 8-, 16-, and 31-day durations, with data limits ranging from 10GB to 50GB. Voice and data SIMs are also available, including a 30-day, 10GB option, monthly plans ranging from 1GB to 50GB, and a Voice Lite plan with 500MB of data per month.

Installation

Activating the data SIMs takes about 5 minutes. After purchase, we received an email and logged in to activate our eSIM. A few minutes later, we received another email with a link to their setup website, where we scanned our installation QR code.

Performance

In terms of performance, Mobal has averaged download speeds of around 165Mbps since we started testing their 5G sims in January 2026 (just after they became available; prior to that it was just 4G). We tested the 5G Unlimited 3-day plan in our most recent rounds of testing.

Websites loaded quickly, and video calling was smooth. Overall, it’s a solid, reliable eSIM, from a company that donates their profits to charity.

Mobal long-term voice + data eSIM for Japan

As we mentioned, there is a voice + data eSIM available. This has an initial fee of roughly USD $25. When you activate your eSIM, you’ll select a monthly plan, ranging from 1GB/month for $10.40 to 50GB/month for around $33.

There is no minimum contract period or cancellation fees, making it a practical choice for both travelers and residents. You get a real Japanese phone number with this eSIM.

Their eSIM also offers overseas roaming which is handy for things like buying concert tickets or booking a trip to the Ghibli Museum before you get here. You can also enter Pokemon TCG lotteries, or receive a one time password for Japanese apps and services while out of the country.

Important: Due to regulations in Japan, the voice + data eSIM cannot be emailed to customers; your access code will need to be posted to your residence overseas or otherwise picked up in person in Japan.

You must apply in advance, upload an ID document, and wait for a delivery. Once you get your package in the mail, you need to activate your Mobal eSIM on the Mobal website.

You’ll enter a 32-digit EID, then wait for Mobal to activate your eSIM and provision your new Japanese phone number. Technical support is available via email and a web form, though most questions can usually be solved by having a peek at Mobal’s FAQ page.

Saily: Excellent value for 20GB, 30 days

Special offer: Order through our link for 15% off. The discount is automatically applied at checkout.

Saily offers straightforward fixed-data eSIM plans in 7- and 30-day options, as well as flexible 5 to 30-day unlimited plans.

The 7-day option offers 1GB of data, while the 30-day options range from 3 to 20GB. Price-wise, the 20GB Saily eSIM for Japan can’t really be beaten.

Saily comes from the well-established tech company NordVPN, and uses the UK network 1GLOBAL. Their website says they connect to local networks, and in our Japan eSIM tests, we’ve found that it’s usually au, which offers a reliable connection.

The Saily eSIMs also come with a few free extras:

• Virtual location feature — very similar to a VPN, change your “virtual location” to another country (over 30 countries available)
• An ad blocker — save on bandwidth by not loading ads
• Web protection feature — to reduce malicious websites and trackers

Saily also recently released their Ultra Plan, a premium unlimited plan for frequent travelers. The package offers 30 GB of high-speed data per month, then unlimited data at 1 Mbps for USD $59.99 per month. It also comes with a bunch of extras like Nord VPN and other security features, airport lounge access, fast-track airport service, cashback offers, and priority support. It works in 113 destinations globally, including Japan. Check their website for more info.

Pro tip: Saily now also offers an In-Flight Data package on selected international flights. Before boarding, just open the app and tap “add data”. In the data options, select “In-Flight” and bam, you’ll have access to the internet once your plane has reached cruising altitude. This package is available for supported airlines and aircraft, including select Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, and Malaysia Airlines planes. Check our write-up for more details and a list of supported flights.

Installation

Our Saily eSIM was ready for download instantly, and activation was foolproof with their dedicated Android/iOS app, which walks you through the setup process.

Performance

In terms of speed, Saily performed well with a strong 5G signal at most of our testing locations; video streaming and calls were flawless, and we got an average of 295.67Mbps download speeds across our recent tests.

Airalo: Reliable connectivity across Japan and Asia

Special offer: Order through our link and get 10% off. The discount is automatically applied at checkout.

If your priority is staying connected no matter where you are in Japan, Airalo is one of the best options. Airalo eSIMs connect to both KDDI au and SoftBank, two of Japan’s major carriers, offering dependable data on the go.

Their Standard eSIMs have 3, 7, 15, and 30-day packages. The 3-day package is the bare minimum, with 1GB or 3GB of data. The 15-day and 30-day plans offer 5, 10, or 20GB increments. Their newer Unlimited eSIMs come in 3- to 30-day options.

Both their Standard and Unlimited packages also offer Asia region or Global eSIM options.

Installation

Getting the Airalo eSIM took no time at all. We created an account and purchased a Standard 3GB, 3-day eSIM. After paying, we were soon taken to a page with our eSIM QR code waiting for us. We were 100% good to go within 15 minutes. Airalo also has an app you can use to purchase and manage your eSIM.

Performance

When it came to 5G connections, Airalo was less consistent in our recent tests, but it didn’t seem to affect its speeds. Our testing had a decent average download speed of 225Mbps. Websites loaded almost instantly, and YouTube videos didn’t stop to buffer once. Even our awkward video calls didn’t make this eSIM break a sweat.

Sim Local: Fast downloads and big daily caps

Get a 10% discount with the code CHEAPO10.

Sim Local has a range of 5G-compatible unlimited-data eSIM plans running on the au network. Their affordable packages range from 4 to 30 days and come with a 10GB daily data cap. All of their eSIMs come with hotspot functionality and, if you happen to use up your 10GB of daily data, they offer emergency 1GB extensions.

Installation

In our experience, Sim Local’s installation is always quick and easy, and you can download and install your eSIM via app or QR code. You may need to change your APN settings, but they send clear and simple instructions via email.

Performance

Over the last several months, we’ve been testing the Japan Unlimited eSIMs, which run on the au network. They’ve consistently performed near the top of the pack in our speed tests, with an average download speed of 304 Mbps and broad 5G connectivity.

Best eSIM for families and groups

For sharing data with your Japan travel squad:

Flexiroam Japan eSIM: Great for groups

Fixed-data plans range from 3-day to 30-day options of 1–10GB data limits. Flexiroam’s unlimited plans are staggered from 5 days up to 30 days, with a 3GB per day cap.

The Japan eSIMs connect to the strongest signal from available operators, and their fixed-data plans offer the option to distribute data to friends and family, and also roll your data over to additional plans.

Installation

You’ll need to create an account to purchase and install your eSIM, and their website interface has changed a bit in recent years. While it’s not a requirement, we found it was easiest to buy through the Flexiroam app.

If you’re on the website, you choose your trip destination, and you’ll be presented with the available options. From there, select the plan you want, and they’ll send you a verification email. After that, you enter your personal information and payment details.

You’ll receive a QR code and instructions via email to set up your eSIM. You can install your eSIM using the QR code or through the app. Depending on your phone, you may need to update the APN settings for the eSIM to work. As per the website, the eSIM can take around 15 minutes to connect to a local network for the first time after installation.

Performance

Flexiroam’s website says that its eSIMs automatically connect to the strongest signal from the available local operators. While its website doesn’t transparently list its partner networks in Japan, we were able to manually connect to two of Japan’s major network operators (NTT Docomo and SoftBank) during our tests.

In terms of speed, Flexiroam ranked around the middle. If you’re travelling with a group and you’d like extra data or connectivity options, you could also consider renting a portable Wi-Fi router to share.

Best Japan eSIM for flexible plans

When you want lots of options for days, data, and top-ups:

Sakura Mobile: Trusted local Japan provider

An established SIM and Wi-Fi provider popular with both short and long-term visitors to Japan, Sakura Mobile also has eSIMs.

A big selling point of Sakura’s Travel eSIMs is their flexibility. Short-term eSIMs are available from 1 day all the way up to 90 days with a combination of unlimited and fixed-data options.

If you’re looking for a semi-permanent option, Sakura offers long-term data-only and voice + data eSIMs ranging from 5GB to 100GB per month.

Installation

We tested the 5G, 4-day, Unlimited-data eSIM and found that their truly unlimited, 5G-compatible eSIMs are quite a bit pricier than their competitors’. The QR code and instructions were emailed to us and the user interface was a little clunky, but the eSIM was set up in under 15 minutes. We didn’t need to activate roaming to use it.

Performance

In terms of performance, Sakura Mobile’s download speeds have averaged around 299Mbps, which was near the top of the pack of our most recent tests. We maintained a strong 5G connection, and video playback and calling were smooth, leaving us more than satisfied with the overall performance.

Japan eSIMs with unlimited data

All of the providers we’ve listed offer unlimited data plans, but many of these unlimited plans come with daily data limits.

Of the ones we’ve covered, Mobal, ESIMJAPAN, and Sakura have plans they describe as truly unlimited or without daily data limits. The others either don’t mention limits, or list specific daily caps or Fair Usage Policy (FUP) warnings.

Globally, eSIM companies are increasingly offering different types of unlimited plans for heavy data users, such as business travelers and remote workers. For a breakdown of some of the unlimited Japan eSIM providers out there, see our dedicated comparison of Japan eSIMs with unlimited and nearly unlimited data.

Japan eSIM FAQs

How much data do I need?

Average users in their home country will use around 5GB per week. When you’re at home, though, you’re probably connected to Wi-Fi for most of the day. When traveling in Japan, chances are you’re connected to Wi-Fi a lot less. You’re relying on data for things like maps and translation, browsing for things to do and places to go.

500MB – 1GB per day might be enough if you’re just using your data for things like maps and instant messaging while you’re out. But if you’re on your phone during a long Shinkansen trip, using data for work, tethering, or spending a lot of time on social media, you might want to consider the eSIMs with bigger data packages.

If you’re worried about going over your daily data limits, consider downloading offline maps and saving most of your heavy data usage for when you’re on Wi-Fi. Also, consider setting a data warning on your phone. Alternatively, consider plans that offer data top-ups.

Is my phone eSIM compatible?

This is important to check before handing over your money! While most (but not all) phones made in the last few years will be eSIM compatible, not all phones will be unlocked. If you purchased your phone outright, chances are it’s unlocked. If, on the other hand, your phone came under a contract with a network provider, it’s likely that your phone will be locked by that provider.

Checking whether your phone is unlocked is pretty quick and easy. If you discover that your phone is locked, check with your service provider to see if it’s possible to unlock it before buying an eSIM. Alternatively, if you’re traveling with family or a small group, consider renting a pocket Wi-Fi device to share.

What’s the best eSIM for skiing or snowboarding in Japan?

Two things to consider when on a ski trip in Japan are connectivity and the ability to make emergency calls.

If you’re heading to Nagano, Hokkaido, or Niseko, then you’re going to want a service that has reliable connectivity in remote areas.

NTT Docomo is regarded as the best provider in regional areas because of its overall network coverage — so an eSIM that connects to Docomo’s network would be a good choice when heading to the snow.

Also, you might need to make emergency voice calls, so look for a provider that offers a combined voice + data package, like Mobal.

Note: If you’re in an emergency in Japan, the number to dial is 119.

What’s a Fair Usage Policy?

This is probably something you’ll see a lot while researching eSIMs, and it’s worth noting, especially if you’re looking at unlimited data options. Many “unlimited data” plans are actually capped at around 2 to 5GB per day, with speeds throttled after you hit the daily limit.

In slightly rarer cases, providers will offer “truly unlimited” plans with no apparent daily data limits. However, remember that these may ultimately be bound by Japan’s nationwide Fair Usage Policy (FUP). Japan’s FUP basically says that to provide equal internet access to all network users, everyone should use the internet reasonably.

If a user is deemed to be using excessive data, networks may implement the FUP and throttle their internet speeds. This means that although you might have purchased a truly unlimited data plan, be careful of using much more than 2 or 3GB per day, as there’s a chance that your speeds will slow to a grinding halt until at least the next day.

Which network offers the best coverage in Japan?

In general, NTT Docomo is said to have the most infrastructure nationally. Still, there isn’t a clear objective winner regarding overall quality between the three biggest players, Docomo, au, and SoftBank.

A recent study awarded Docomo the best in general availability, but au and Softbank both lead in 5G coverage. Similarly, although Docomo is said to have the largest network, it also has the biggest user base. This means that it may be slower in crowded areas, but may perform better in more rural areas.

Which Japan eSIM is the fastest?

ESIMJAPAN.com has averaged the highest in our speed tests since late 2025, followed by Sim Local and Sakura. The 5G-compatible ESIMJAPAN, Sim Local, and Sakura SIMs we tested all run on the local KDDI au networks. Sim Local and Sakura also have plans that run on Docomo networks.

Is 5G available in Japan?

Yes, 5G is available in Japan, but not all providers offer eSIM plans that have 5G connectivity. Of the plans that do offer 5G, you’ll only connect to 5G in the areas where it’s available, such as major metropolitan areas.

How easy is it to switch between eSIM plans during a trip?

If you have multiple eSIMs already installed, switching between different SIMs is quick and easy. If you’d prefer to keep things simple, some eSIM providers offer regional SIMs that cover multiple countries, such as Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, on one SIM.

Which is better for your Japan trip: An eSIM or a physical SIM card?

Even with more providers arriving on the scene, the options with physical SIMs are still superior to what you can get with eSIMs. For example, only one of the tourist eSIMs listed here includes a Japanese phone number with calling ability (that’s Mobal).

If you’d like something a little more inconvenient but with better options, check out our guide to prepaid SIM cards for travel to Japan. We also recommend taking a look at mobile Wi-Fi rental for Japan to compare connectivity options.

What’s the difference between international roaming eSIMs and local eSIMs?

Essentially, there are two types of eSIMs — eSIMs provided by foreign companies that roam to the local network, and eSIMs that are native to the country you’re in. Many companies that offer Japanese eSIMs are the former, essentially foreign eSIMs with agreements with local carriers like Docomo or KDDI that allow them to connect to their networks.

In terms of coverage, there aren’t any major differences — foreign eSIMs will be roaming to the same networks that local providers use. There are some potential downsides to foreign eSIMs, though, including battery drainage caused by roaming and slower speeds caused by latency. In most cases, these issues won’t be entirely noticeable, but they may be things to consider when choosing your eSIM.

What are the cheapest Japanese eSIMS?

We love a good deal and a fellow bargain hunter, that’s why we’ve put together this list of our favorite Japan eSIMs for USD $10 or less.

How we test our eSIMs

We regularly test the providers listed above and report the average speeds over time based on all the tests. To perform the tests, we purchase an eSIM from each provider — the same as any customer would — and use the Ookla speed testing app. This app does a standard test to measure upload, download, and latency.

Speed results can vary based on several factors, so to get fair and realistic test results, we do the following:

• For each round of testing, we do tests from 3-5 different locations around Tokyo
• At each location, we perform the test twice for each provider
• We do a round of tests every 2-3 months, and keep a historic average of the results from each provider
• We also do some random spot testing for general usage, e.g., doom scrolling social media, making short video calls to look for lag, etc.

If there are some anomalous results, we may retest the eSIMs on the following day. For example, on our very first round of testing, Mobal and Sakura Mobile experienced severe throttling on the initial test day. This was because we’d burnt through the daily allowance when figuring out how to do the tests! We could repeat the tests the next day when the allowance had reset.

We admit that our testing method isn’t perfect, but it does give us a good idea of the different eSIMs’ performance. We excluded some eSIMs from the article where we had concerns about the ordering process, performance, or pricing.

A word on speed tests: We strongly recommend not running random speed tests with your eSIM, as they BURN through data. A single test could use 300MB or more!

How to scan a QR code with only one screen

While we say “just scan” the QR code for the eSIM, you might be thinking, “how do I scan a QR code if I only have my phone and no second screen. Luckily, this is super easy on the newest iOS and Android devices.

On iOS, take a screenshot including the QR code, then long-tap the QR code in the picture to open the link. On Android devices, activate Google Lens and tap on the QR code to get the link — no need to take a screenshot.

While we do our best to ensure everything is correct, information is subject to change. Prices are approximate. This post was first published in October 2020, and is updated regularly. Last updated by Patrick Balfe, the Cheapo travel eSIM and Wi-Fi expert, on March 12, 2026.