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Quick answer
The best value per GB for Japan is aloSIM: 50 GB for 10 days costs $27.50 ($0.55 per GB). For unlimited data, Voye Global is cheapest at $1.93 a day (30 days for $58.00), with 3 GB a day at full speed. The cheapest plan of all is aloSIM’s 1 GB for 1 day at $3.50. We compared 319 plans from 7 providers, with prices checked on each provider’s site by 20 October 2026.
Best Japan eSIM picks right now
Cheapest plan
aloSIM
1 GB, 1 day
$3.50
The lowest price of any plan here, across the 7 providers we compared.
View planBest value per GB
aloSIM
50 GB, 10 days
$27.50
Works out at $0.55 per GB, the lowest per-GB price among the 6 providers we compared (plans of 3 GB or more).
View planCheapest unlimited
Voye Global
Unlimited, 3 GB/day full speed, 30 days
$58.00
The lowest daily price for unlimited data on trips of 5 days or more: $1.93 a day. Full speed for the first 3 GB each day.
View planPicked automatically from prices on each provider’s own site, checked between 19 Oct 2026 and 20 Oct 2026. Pages read: aloSIM, Voye Global.
Find your Japan eSIM
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Japan eSIM plans compared
Plans in every size, from 1 GB to unlimited, with up to two providers per size so you can compare them. In each size, plans that last a week or more come first, then the lowest price per GB (per day for unlimited plans). Labels mark the plans named in the quick answer. Use the finder above to see every plan for your trip length.
| Provider | Data | Valid for | Price | Per GB / day | Hotspot | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aloSIM Cheapest plan KDDI Corporation | 1 GB | 1 day | $3.50 | $3.50/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Saily KDDI, SoftBank | 1 GB | 7 days | $3.99 | $3.99/GB | Yes | View plan |
| Jetpac Global KDDI Corporation, Rakuten | 3 GB | 7 days | $7.00 | $2.33/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Nomad eSIM KDDI au 4G, SoftBank 4G | 3 GB | 30 days | $7.00 | $2.33/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Jetpac Global KDDI Corporation, Rakuten | 5 GB | 7 days | $8.00 | $1.60/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Voye Global NTT DOCOMO, Inc., KDDI Corporation | 5 GB | 7 days | $8.00 $7.60 with code ESIM4U | $1.60/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Voye Global NTT DOCOMO, Inc., KDDI Corporation | 8 GB | 15 days | $12.00 $11.40 with code ESIM4U | $1.50/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Jetpac Global KDDI Corporation, Rakuten | 10 GB | 7 days | $13.00 | $1.30/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Jetpac Global KDDI Corporation, Rakuten | 15 GB | 7 days | $16.00 | $1.07/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Voye Global NTT DOCOMO, Inc., KDDI Corporation | 15 GB | 30 days | $16.00 $15.20 with code ESIM4U | $1.07/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| aloSIM Best value per GB KDDI Corporation | 50 GB | 10 days | $27.50 | $0.55/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Nomad eSIM KDDI au 4G | 50 GB | 30 days | $35.00 | $0.70/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Voye Global Cheapest unlimited NTT DOCOMO, Inc., KDDI Corporation | Unlimited, 3 GB/day full speed | 30 days | $58.00 $55.10 with code ESIM4U | $1.93/day | Not stated | View plan |
| Jetpac Global KDDI Corporation, Rakuten | Unlimitedthen 1 Mbps | 30 days | $65.99 | $2.20/day | Not stated | View plan |
| Airalo Softbank 5G, KDDI 5G | Unlimited | 30 days | $69.00 | $2.30/day | Not stated | View plan |
Prices from each provider’s own site, checked between 18 Oct 2026 and 20 Oct 2026. Pages read: aloSIM, Saily, Jetpac Global, Nomad eSIM, Voye Global, Airalo. Providers can change prices at any time. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Mobile networks in Japan
Japan has four mobile networks: NTT Docomo, KDDI (au), SoftBank and Rakuten Mobile. Travel eSIMs don’t sell their own network; they connect you to one or two of these. Here is what each provider lists on its Japan plans:
| Provider | Local networks it uses |
|---|---|
| Airalo | Softbank 5G, KDDI 5G |
| aloSIM | KDDI Corporation |
| Holafly | KDDI, SoftBank |
| Jetpac Global | KDDI Corporation, Rakuten |
| Nomad eSIM | KDDI au 4G, SoftBank 4G |
| Saily | KDDI, SoftBank |
| Voye Global | NTT DOCOMO, Inc., KDDI Corporation |
As listed on each provider’s plan pages, shown by network brand name. Networks can change, so check before you buy.
Tip: A plan that lists two networks can switch to the other one when the first is weak, which helps in the countryside and on long train rides.
How much data do you need in Japan?
Maps, train apps, translation and messaging use little data. Video, social media feeds and sharing your connection with a laptop use the most. As a rough guide, a light user with Wi-Fi at the hotel needs about 2 GB a week and a daily social media user about 6 GB a week. For a number based on your own apps and trip length, use our data usage calculator.
Unlimited eSIM for Japan: what you really get
Most “unlimited” plans give you a daily amount at full speed, then slow down until the next day. Here is what each provider states for its Japan unlimited plans.
| Provider | Full speed per day | After that |
|---|---|---|
| Voye Global | 3 GB (or 5 GB on the higher plan) | Slower speed, resets daily |
| Airalo | 3 GB | 1 Mbps |
| Nomad | 2 GB | 1 Mbps |
| Jetpac | 3 GB every 24 hours | Up to 1 Mbps |
| Saily | 5 GB | Up to 1 Mbps |
| Holafly | No daily amount stated | Not stated |
| aloSIM | Not stated | Not stated |
Source: each provider’s Japan plan details, recorded from their own sites and checked 18–20 October 2026. The plans table above shows the current price of each plan.
Calls, SMS and WhatsApp
Most travel eSIM plans for Japan are data-only, so they don’t include a local phone number for normal calls. WhatsApp and FaceTime keep working on your usual number over the eSIM’s data. Keep your home SIM switched on for texts such as bank codes.
Using a Japan eSIM as a hotspot
Most plans let you share data with a laptop or tablet, but limits differ. Holafly allows up to 1 GB of sharing a day, Saily lists hotspot as allowed and Jetpac states hotspot sharing with no data limit. The plans table shows the hotspot rule for each plan when the provider states it.
Travelling on from Japan?
If your trip also covers South Korea, China or other countries in Asia, a regional plan can be cheaper than buying one eSIM per country. Search your route in the eSIM finder, or browse all destinations.
Setting up your eSIM
- Check that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked.
- Install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi, a day or two before you fly.
- When you land, turn on the travel eSIM for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it.
An unused plan doesn’t wait forever. Here is how long each provider gives you to start it:
| Provider | Time to start an unused plan |
|---|---|
| Saily | 180 days, then it starts by itself |
| Jetpac | 3 months from purchase |
| Nomad | 60 days, then it starts by itself |
| GoMoWorld | Valid until you activate it |
Sources: each provider’s own site, checked 20 October 2026.
Step-by-step help: how to install an eSIM on iPhone.
Refunds and if your eSIM doesn’t connect
Holafly lets you request a refund for up to 6 months, including when your trip is cancelled. GoMoWorld gives a refund if you can’t activate your plan. Most other providers don’t state their rule on their destination pages, so check their terms before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
No. If your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked, you can install a travel eSIM before you leave and use it as soon as you land.
Most travel eSIM plans for Japan are data-only, so they don’t include a Japanese phone number for normal calls. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or another calling app over your data instead. Your home SIM can stay switched on for texts such as bank codes.
Not always. Many unlimited plans slow down after a daily amount at full speed, and some limit how much you can share through a hotspot. Our plans table shows the daily full-speed amount and the hotspot rule for each plan when the provider states them.
A day or two before you fly, while you’re on Wi-Fi. Many plans only start counting days when the eSIM first connects at your destination, but check the provider’s terms before you install.
It depends on your route. A regional plan saves you buying one eSIM per country, but it is not always cheaper for Japan alone. If your trip includes South Korea, China or Southeast Asia, compare a regional plan in the eSIM finder against separate country plans.
Japan travel guides
Our Japan travel guides are coming soon.
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Joseph Larkin is the founder and editor of eSIM Mentor. He compares travel eSIM plans and checks every price on the provider's own website before it goes on the site, and every coupon is tried at checkout before it is listed. His aim is simple, honest advice that helps travelers pick the right plan and avoid roaming bills.
