Which eSIM to choose for traveling to Japan in 2025? Here is our comparison of the best offers to stay connected at a low price, from your arrival in Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka. Discover our tested selection, with promo codes, data plans and practical advice.
Japan is a fascinating destination, between the historic temples of Kyoto, the bustling neighborhoods of Tokyo, the snow-capped mountains of Hokkaido or the beaches of Okinawa. To enjoy your stay without constraints, having a good connection upon landing is essential. A Japan eSIM allows you to stay connected immediately and avoid expensive roaming.
Best eSIM Plans for Japan
We have analyzed offers from several international providers to select the most suitable plans for different uses. The plans below represent the best options for a large majority of travelers. The rest of the offers will be displayed in the Japan eSIM comparator below.
| Plan | Duration | Data | Indicative Price | Recommended Use | View Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo – 1 GB | 7 days | 1 GB | around 4.5–5 USD | Short stay, messaging and light navigation | View Offer |
| Airalo – 3 GB | 30 days | 3 GB | around 12–14 USD | Standard stay, social networks and GPS | View Offer |
| Airalo – 5 GB | 30 days | 5 GB | around 18–20 USD | Two-week stay, regular use | View Offer |
| Gigsky – 5 GB | 30 days | 5 GB | variable price | Long stay, good flexibility | View Offer |
| Yesim – 10 GB | 30 days | 10 GB | around 25–30 EUR | Remote work, light streaming, heavy usage | View Offer |
These plans rely on the best-covered Japanese local networks, including NTT Docomo, SoftBank and au (KDDI). Other available plans will be automatically displayed in the products section of the page.
Why Choose an eSIM for Japan
Choosing an eSIM for your trip to Japan offers many advantages over a physical SIM card or traditional roaming:
- Connection available immediately upon landing, as soon as you turn on your phone.
- No need to look for a physical operator store at the airport or in the city.
- Rates often much lower than international roaming offered by European operators.
- Total flexibility: multiple durations and data volumes to choose from.
- Simple activation via QR code, without changing SIM card.
- Possibility to keep your main number for calls and SMS, while using the eSIM for data.
Most Japan eSIMs are data-only plans. You continue to use your usual applications (WhatsApp, Instagram, Google Maps, etc.) without worrying about additional costs.
Network Coverage in Japan
International eSIMs connect to Japanese mobile networks. Here are the main operators and their strengths:
NTT Docomo
- Very extensive national coverage, including in rural and mountainous areas.
- Excellent 4G and 5G speeds, the country's most performant network.
- Ideal for travelers who need a reliable connection everywhere (road trip, digital nomads).
SoftBank
- Very good performance in major cities: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Yokohama.
- Correct coverage in most tourist areas.
- Good compromise for urban stays or short to medium duration trips.
au (KDDI)
- Major player in the Japanese market, generally correct coverage.
- Sometimes less performant than NTT Docomo in some rural areas.
- Less often used by international eSIMs, but present on some plans.
In most cases, you don't have to manually select the operator: your phone automatically connects to the most performant available partner network.
Which eSIM Plan to Choose According to Your Type of Trip
The best plan depends mainly on two criteria: the duration of your stay and your data consumption.
Short Stay in Tokyo (extended weekend)
- Profile: urban visitor, 3 to 5 days, occasional use of Google Maps, social networks, messaging.
- Recommendation: Airalo 1 GB for 7 days.
- Advantages: very reasonable price and sufficient volume for light navigation.
One Week to Ten Days Trip
- Profile: couple, friends or family, visits to several cities (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka).
- Recommendation: Airalo 3 GB for 30 days.
- Advantages: comfortable margin for online searches, photos sent via messaging and social networks.
Road Trip (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kyushu)
- Profile: traveling travelers, several cities and regions on the program.
- Recommendation: Airalo 5 GB for 30 days or Gigsky 5 GB for 30 days.
- Advantages: solid coverage via the best local networks, interesting data volume for trips, GPS navigation and online reservations.
Remote Work or Long Duration Stay
- Profile: digital nomad, freelancer, remote work for a few weeks.
- Recommendation: Yesim 10 GB for 30 days.
- Advantages: data volume suitable for occasional video conferencing, online work and more intensive use than a simple tourist trip.
If you travel as a family or group, it is often more interesting for each person to have their own eSIM, rather than constantly sharing a single access point.
Promo Codes eSIM for Japan
Take advantage of our exclusive promo codes to save on your Japan eSIM. These partner offers are regularly verified and updated to guarantee you the best prices.
Activation of Your Japan eSIM
Activating an eSIM is simple and requires no particular technical skills. The process is similar for most providers.
- Choose the Japan eSIM plan from the comparator.
- Buy the plan directly online from the selected provider.
- You receive a QR code by email or in the provider's application.
- On your smartphone, go to settings to add an eSIM plan.
- Scan the QR code, then follow the on-screen instructions.
- Select the eSIM as mobile data line and enable cellular data.
On iPhone for example, this is done via Settings > Cellular Data > Add eSIM Plan. On Android, the wording may vary slightly by brand, but the principle remains the same.
Activation usually takes a few minutes, and you can install the eSIM before your departure to be connected as soon as you arrive at the airport in Japan.
Regulation and Phone Usage in Japan
Japan has relatively simple regulations for travelers:
- Short and medium duration travelers (tourists) can use their phone and eSIM without particular formalities.
- For a classic tourist trip of a few days or weeks, no specific regulation poses a problem.
- International eSIMs are designed for temporary use and do not require additional administrative procedures for a standard tourist stay.
FAQ eSIM Japan
Does the eSIM work throughout the country?
Yes. Japan eSIM plans connect to the main local networks (NTT Docomo, SoftBank, au), which allows extensive coverage in the country, including most tourist areas and even some rural areas.
Can I use WhatsApp in Japan?
Yes. WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger and other messaging applications work normally in Japan, for messages as well as voice or video calls.
Are there Japan eSIM offers with unlimited data?
Most international providers offer plans with a defined data volume (1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, etc.). Some plans may include a form of quasi-unlimited with speed reduction beyond a certain threshold, but it is especially the high volumes that are most interesting for travelers.
Can I share my connection with other devices?
Yes, on most smartphones, connection sharing (tethering) is possible with Japan eSIMs, provided that the provider does not restrict this functionality. It's very practical for connecting a laptop or a loved one's tablet.
Are local Japanese eSIMs more advantageous than international eSIMs?
Local eSIMs offered directly by NTT Docomo, SoftBank or au can offer large data volumes for an attractive price, but they often require more steps (registration, physical store, sometimes interface only in Japanese). International eSIMs have the advantage of simplicity: online purchase, fast activation and interface available in several languages.
Conclusion
For the majority of travelers, the best Japan eSIM choices are:
- Airalo 3 or 5 GB for an excellent balance between price, data volume and duration.
- Yesim 10 GB for intensive users or remote work.
- Airalo 1 GB for short stays or people who use little mobile data.
Thanks to the eSIM, you can enjoy your trip to Japan while staying connected everywhere, without surprises on your bill and without wasting time at the airport. Compare the available offers and choose the plan best suited to your way of traveling.
