Best eSIMs for Japan, compared
Draft. This page is not public yet.
A travel eSIM gives your phone mobile data in Japan without a physical SIM card. You buy it online, install it with a QR code or an app, and it connects when you land. This page compares the Japan plans of six providers, with prices and limits taken from each provider's own page.
Quick answer
- Fixed data for about a week: Ubigi 10 GB for 7 days costs US$14 and Airalo 10 GB for 7 days costs US$17.00.
- Unlimited for about a week: Ubigi US$25 for 8 days, Airalo US$26.50, Saily US$26.99 and Holafly US$27.50 for 7 days. All of them slow down after a daily or total amount, or under a fair-use rule; see the Data column.
- Sharing data with a laptop or a travel partner: Ubigi says data sharing is allowed. Holafly limits it to 1 GB a day. Sakura Mobile's unlimited plan caps it by length (6 GB for 7 days).
Comparison
US-dollar prices are as shown on each provider's page with US dollars selected; they can differ by country. Prices say "incl. tax" only where the page says so. Prices change; check the provider's page before you buy.
| Provider | Plan | Network | Data | Days | Price | Hotspot | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ubigi | Japan 10GB | KDDI or NTT Docomo, 4G/5G | 10 GB | 7 | US$14 | Allowed | 2026-10-03 |
| Airalo | Moshi Moshi 10 GB | SoftBank and KDDI, 5G | 10 GB | 7 | US$17.00 | Allowed if phone and network support it (help page) | 2026-10-03 |
| Airalo | Moshi Moshi 20 GB | SoftBank and KDDI, 5G | 20 GB | 15 | US$24.00 | Allowed if phone and network support it (help page) | 2026-10-03 |
| Saily | Japan 10 GB | KDDI and SoftBank, 4G/5G | 10 GB | 30 | US$17.99 | Not stated | 2026-10-03 |
| Sakura Mobile | 3GB/day data eSIM | docomo, 5G | 3 GB a day, then 200 kbps | 7 | ¥4,620 (incl. tax) | Allowed | 2026-10-03 |
| IIJ | Japan Travel SIM/Digital (eSIM) 10GB | docomo, 4G | 10 GB | 30 | ¥3,280 (price IIJ announced in Nov 2025; shops set the final price) | Not stated | 2026-10-03 |
| Ubigi | Japan Unlimited | KDDI or NTT Docomo, 4G/5G | Unlimited; 2 Mbps after 5 GB a day | 8 | US$25 | Allowed | 2026-10-03 |
| Airalo | Moshi Moshi Unlimited | SoftBank and KDDI, 5G | Unlimited; 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day | 7 | US$26.50 | Allowed if phone and network support it (help page) | 2026-10-03 |
| Saily | Japan Unlimited | KDDI and SoftBank, 4G/5G | Unlimited; up to 1 Mbps after 5 GB a day | 7 | US$26.99 | Not stated | 2026-10-03 |
| Holafly | eSIM for Japan | KDDI / SoftBank, 4G/5G | Unlimited; speed may be cut for up to a day under fair use (no threshold stated) | 7 | US$27.50 | 1 GB a day | 2026-10-03 |
| Sakura Mobile | Unlimited data eSIM | au (KDDI), 5G | Unlimited | 7 | ¥5,775 (incl. tax) | Up to 6 GB | 2026-10-03 |
| Ubigi | Japan Unlimited | KDDI or NTT Docomo, 4G/5G | Unlimited; 2 Mbps after 30 GB in total | 15 | US$39 | Allowed | 2026-10-03 |
| Airalo | Moshi Moshi Unlimited | SoftBank and KDDI, 5G | Unlimited; 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day | 15 | US$48.00 | Allowed if phone and network support it (help page) | 2026-10-03 |
| Saily | Japan Unlimited | KDDI and SoftBank, 4G/5G | Unlimited; up to 1 Mbps after 5 GB a day | 15 | US$48.99 | Not stated | 2026-10-03 |
| Holafly | eSIM for Japan | KDDI / SoftBank, 4G/5G | Unlimited; speed may be cut for up to a day under fair use (no threshold stated) | 15 | US$50.50 | 1 GB a day | 2026-10-03 |
| Sakura Mobile | Unlimited data eSIM | au (KDDI), 5G | Unlimited | 15 | ¥9,680 (incl. tax) | Up to 15 GB | 2026-10-03 |
How to choose
Unlimited or fixed data?
"Unlimited" plans keep you connected, but each provider slows you down at some point:
- Airalo: 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day.
- Saily: up to 1 Mbps after 5 GB a day.
- Ubigi: 2 Mbps after 5 GB a day on the 8-day plan, or after 30 GB in total on the 15-day plan.
- Holafly: speed may be reduced for up to one day under a fair-use policy; the page gives no amount.
- Sakura Mobile: no limit stated for the unlimited plan; its cheaper 3 GB-a-day plan drops to 200 kbps after 3 GB.
A fixed-data plan is cheaper if you mainly use maps, messaging and browsing. Airalo and Ubigi let you add data later if you run out.
When does the plan start?
- Airalo: when the eSIM first connects to a network in Japan, so you can install it at home.
- Ubigi: automatically on arrival; the plan must start within 6 months.
- Saily: automatically on arrival; plans have a 180-day activation period.
- Holafly: when you arrive and turn on the eSIM.
- Sakura Mobile: its page says both "once you arrive" (FAQ) and "on the day you install" (setup steps), so ask before installing early.
Will it work on my phone?
Your phone must support eSIM and be unlocked (not tied to one carrier). Airalo, Ubigi, Saily, Holafly and Sakura Mobile have a compatibility list or check on their pages. These plans are data only, with no phone number included. Saily sells a US phone number separately for calls and texts.
Our test
To be written: install, activation and speed results measured in Japan.
FAQ
Can I install the eSIM before I fly?
Yes for Airalo, Ubigi, Saily and Holafly: their pages say the plan starts on arrival. For Sakura Mobile, check first (see above).
Can I buy an eSIM after I arrive in Japan?
Yes. Airalo, Ubigi, Saily, Holafly and Sakura Mobile sell online, so you need Wi-Fi (for example at the airport) to buy and install the eSIM. IIJ's Japan Travel SIM eSIM is sold at Lawson, FamilyMart and Ministop convenience stores instead: you get a code in the store, register online and download the eSIM.
Which network is best in Japan?
Japan has four mobile networks: docomo, au (KDDI), SoftBank and Rakuten. The plans here use KDDI/au, SoftBank or docomo. We have not measured coverage or speed ourselves yet.
Do the prices include tax?
Sakura Mobile shows prices with tax included, and the table uses those. IIJ marks its announced price as not subject to consumption tax. We found no tax note on the Japan pages of Airalo, Ubigi, Saily or Holafly.
Prices and details checked on 2026-10-03.