Japan eSIM guide: local networks, airport SIM costs & setup

Why roaming and airport SIMs cost more in Japan

Japan sits in the rest-of-world roaming zone for European and US carriers, and pocket Wi-Fi routers require airport pickup, daily charging and return drop-off.

At Tokyo Haneda (HND), Narita (NRT) and Osaka Kansai (KIX), physical tourist SIMs and pocket Wi-Fi counters cost 25 € to 55 € and require queuing after immigration.

With a prepaid Japan eSIM from 5.49 € incl. VAT (custom & group plans — price negotiable), you receive the QR code and iPhone direct-install link right after payment.

Local networks, 4G/5G speed & coverage in Japan

High-speed 5G and 4G LTE across Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Sapporo, Okinawa and Shinkansen bullet train corridors.

Our Japan plans connect to NTT docomo · Rakuten Mobile · KDDI/au · SoftBank with 5G / 4G LTE speeds where available. Personal hotspot (tethering) is enabled so you can share data with a laptop or a travel companion’s phone.

• Partner networks: NTT docomo · Rakuten Mobile · KDDI/au · SoftBank (5G / 4G LTE)
• Main arrival airports covered: HND, NRT, KIX, FUK, CTS
• Hotspot / tethering included at no extra cost
• Top up more data onto the same eSIM anytime via My eSIM

How much data do you need for Japan?

For a 1-to-2-week trip, 3 GB (15 days, from 5.49 € incl. VAT; custom & group plans — price negotiable) covers daily Google Maps navigation, ride-hailing apps, restaurant lookups, boarding passes and WhatsApp calls.

If you work remotely, upload travel videos or share a hotspot between two phones, pick the 10 GB plan (30 days, from 11.99 € incl. VAT; custom & group plans — price negotiable).

• Google Maps + transit + ride apps: ~150 MB per day
• WhatsApp messages, voice notes & 20 min voice calls: ~80 MB per day
• Social media browsing & photo uploads: ~300–500 MB per day

4-step setup on iPhone and Android before you fly

Check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM by dialling *#06# — if an EID number appears on screen, your phone has an eSIM chip.

Install the profile over home Wi-Fi the day before departure. Keep the travel eSIM line switched off until you land, then enable it for Mobile Data with Data Roaming turned on for the travel eSIM (and Data Roaming turned off on your home SIM).