Best eSIM for Japan 2026: 5 providers compared
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Roaming in Japan is expensive on many mobile plans – a travel eSIM, by contrast, takes five minutes to install. We have analysed the current prices, networks and plans of the five main providers for you (as of October 2026) and tell you honestly which provider suits which kind of trip.
Contents
Comparison table
Japan eSIMs compared side by side (as of October 2026, all prices in USD)
| Provider | Best offer | Unlimited | Network | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ubigi | 10 GB / 30 days – $16.50 | 8 days $25 · 15 days $39 · 30 days $65 | docomo + KDDI/au, 5G, tethering allowed | Rural trips, 5G, hotspot |
| Airalo | 10 GB / 30 days $18 · 20 GB / 30 days $25 | 7 days $26.50 · 30 days $69 | SoftBank + KDDI/au, 5G | Standard city trip |
| Saily | 10 GB / 30 days $17.99 · 20 GB / 30 days $24.99 | 7 days $26.99 · 15 days $48.99 · 30 days $71.99 | KDDI/au + SoftBank, 5G in major cities | Unlimited with 5 GB of high-speed data per day |
| Nomad | 50 GB / 30 days – $35 (lowest price per GB) | 7 days $25 · 14 days $41 · 21 days $49 | KDDI/au + SoftBank | Short trips, heavy users |
| Holafly | 3 days $11.90 · 5 days $20.50 · 7 days $27.50 | 10 days $36.50 · 15 days $50.50 · 30 days $73.90 | KDDI/au + SoftBank, hotspot max. 1 GB/day | Anyone who only wants unlimited data |
- Offer:
- 10 GB / 30 days – $16.50
- Unlimited:
- 8 days $25 · 15 days $39 · 30 days $65
- Network:
- docomo + KDDI/au, 5G, tethering allowed
- Best for:
- Rural trips, 5G, hotspot
- Offer:
- 10 GB / 30 days $18 · 20 GB / 30 days $25
- Unlimited:
- 7 days $26.50 · 30 days $69
- Network:
- SoftBank + KDDI/au, 5G
- Best for:
- Standard city trip
- Offer:
- 10 GB / 30 days $17.99 · 20 GB / 30 days $24.99
- Unlimited:
- 7 days $26.99 · 15 days $48.99 · 30 days $71.99
- Network:
- KDDI/au + SoftBank, 5G in major cities
- Best for:
- Unlimited with 5 GB of high-speed data per day
- Offer:
- 50 GB / 30 days – $35 (lowest price per GB)
- Unlimited:
- 7 days $25 · 14 days $41 · 21 days $49
- Network:
- KDDI/au + SoftBank
- Best for:
- Short trips, heavy users
- Offer:
- 3 days $11.90 · 5 days $20.50 · 7 days $27.50
- Unlimited:
- 10 days $36.50 · 15 days $50.50 · 30 days $73.90
- Network:
- KDDI/au + SoftBank, hotspot max. 1 GB/day
- Best for:
- Anyone who only wants unlimited data
Airalo: good-value data packs, unlimited plans now only mid-table
Airalo's unlimited plans for Japan currently cost $26.50 for 7 days and $69 for 30 days; after 3 GB per day, Airalo throttles the speed to 1 Mbit/s. According to a provider comparison by Japan Wireless, Airalo put the prices of these plans up considerably in 2026. They are no longer a bargain: Nomad (7 days $25) and Ubigi (30 days $65) are cheaper.
The classic data packs, on the other hand, remain good value: 10 GB for 30 days costs $18, 20 GB for 30 days $25. In our analysis, though, Airalo is no longer the outright best-value winner – Saily is level at $24.99 for 20 GB, while Nomad currently charges $23 for 20 GB (promotional price, normally $26) and, with 50 GB for $35, has the lowest price per GB in this comparison.
Heading for the countryside? Go for the docomo network
Outside the big cities, mobile coverage in Japan depends heavily on the network. Traditionally, docomo has had the best coverage in rural and mountainous regions – an Opensignal analysis from May 2025 put docomo at least joint top in rural areas on every metric it examined.
Of the five providers in this comparison, only Ubigi runs on the docomo network (and on that of KDDI/au as well). Airalo, Saily, Holafly and Nomad say they use SoftBank and KDDI/au – no problem in Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka, but coverage can get patchier in the Japanese Alps or rural Hokkaido.
Tip: the code HERMESINVEST gets you 5% off Holafly (last checked on 16 July 2026). More in our discount code guide (→ Holafly discount code 2026: save 5% with HERMESINVEST).
Our recommendation by type of trip
- Classic Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka route (1–2 weeks)Airalo with 10 GB ($18) or 20 GB ($25). Practically level on price with Saily and Nomad, with a reliable network (SoftBank and KDDI/au) on the main routes.
- Rural regions, or if you need 5G or a hotspotUbigi. The only provider in this comparison on the docomo network, plus 5G and hotspot use allowed.
- Unlimited data as cheaply as possibleNomad (7 days $25, 21 days $49) or Ubigi (8 days $25, 15 days $39, 30 days $65) – depending on how many days you are travelling. Saily costs a little more (7 days $26.99) but gives you 5 GB of high-speed data per day rather than the 2 GB you get with Nomad.
What to watch out for
- Fair-use throttling on unlimited plans: almost all providers slow you down after a fixed amount of data. According to the providers, the threshold is 2 GB per day with Nomad, 3 GB with Airalo and 5 GB with Saily; Ubigi allows 5 GB per day (8 days) or a total of 30 GB (15 days) or 60 GB (30 days). After that, your connection is considerably slower. Holafly does not state a fixed threshold but reserves the right to throttle temporarily.
- Tethering / personal hotspot is possible with all five, according to the providers, but not always without limits: Holafly allows only 1 GB of hotspot data per day, and with Airalo hotspot use counts towards the daily high-speed allowance. If you want to keep your laptop online too, choose a data pack with a fixed allowance or a generous daily allowance (Ubigi, Saily).
- Ideally, install the eSIM before you fly: according to the providers, with all five the validity period only starts once the eSIM connects to a network in Japan. Just don't buy too early – with Nomad, the plan starts automatically no later than 60 days after purchase.
- Dual SIM keeps your home number active – WhatsApp and bank codes sent by text message carry on working.
FAQ
Will a travel eSIM work in my iPhone?
Yes, with an iPhone XS (2018) or newer, as long as your device is not locked to a network. With Android it depends on the model – it is worth checking the provider's compatibility list before you buy.
Will I get a Japanese number?
No. The providers compared here offer data-only eSIMs – no Japanese phone number. For calls, use WhatsApp, FaceTime or similar. Saily sells a US number with a bundle of minutes as an optional extra, but that is not a Japanese number.
How many GB do I need for 10 days in Japan?
As a rough guide, 1–2 GB per day covers Google Maps, translation apps, messaging and regular photo uploads. Allow more if you plan to stream video.
For the classic city tour, Airalo is our best-value pick. The link below takes you straight to the provider.
Go to AiraloPrices in USD, as of October 2026 – subject to change.
Ali Cetinkaya is a business IT specialist with more than 15 years of experience in IT and online marketing. For DealsScout he evaluates plans, tools and deals – honestly, transparently and without jargon.