Japan has excellent 4G/5G coverage across all major cities and most rural areas. An eSIM is the fastest way to get connected the moment you land at Narita or Haneda.
Updated March 2026
Moshi Moshi — 3 GB
Airalo offers the best value for Japan with reliable speeds on the Docomo and SoftBank networks. Their 3 GB plan covers most travellers for a week-long trip, and you can top up instantly if needed.
Get this dealSide-by-side comparison of the best eSIM deals for Japan. Sorted by price.
| Provider | Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Price/GB | Network | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Deal Airalo | Moshi Moshi 3GB | 3 GB | 30 days | £4.50 | £1.50 | Docomo / SoftBank | View |
| Airalo | Moshi Moshi 10GB | 10 GB | 30 days | £11.00 | £1.10 | Docomo / SoftBank | View |
| Holafly | Japan Unlimited | Unlimited | 7 days | £19.00 | N/A | SoftBank | View |
| Saily | Japan 5GB | 5 GB | 14 days | £7.99 | £1.60 | Docomo | View |
| Ubigi | Japan 3GB | 3 GB | 30 days | £9.00 | £3.00 | SoftBank | View |
| MobiMatter | Japan 5GB | 5 GB | 14 days | £8.50 | £1.70 | Docomo | View |
Common questions about using an eSIM in Japan.
Airalo currently offers the cheapest eSIM for Japan, starting at just £4.50 for 3 GB with 30-day validity. This works out to about £1.50 per GB, making it the best value option for most travellers.
Yes, eSIMs in Japan typically use the Docomo or SoftBank networks, which provide excellent coverage across the country, including rural areas and most of the Japanese countryside. You may experience slower speeds in very remote mountainous regions.
Absolutely. Google Maps works perfectly with an eSIM data connection in Japan. We recommend downloading offline maps for your areas of travel as a backup, but live navigation with an eSIM works very well.
For a typical week-long trip to Japan, 3-5 GB is usually sufficient for maps, messaging, social media and light browsing. If you plan to stream video or make lots of video calls, consider a 10 GB plan or an unlimited option from Holafly.
For most travellers, an eSIM has replaced pocket Wi-Fi devices entirely. eSIMs are cheaper, more convenient (no pickup/return), and offer similar speeds. The only reason to consider pocket Wi-Fi is if you are travelling in a group and need to share one connection across many devices.
Yes. Most modern phones support dual SIM, meaning you can keep your regular SIM active for calls and texts while using the eSIM for data. This way you will not miss any important messages from home.
You can purchase and install your eSIM before you leave home. Simply buy a plan from your chosen provider, scan the QR code to install the eSIM profile, and activate it when you land in Japan. The whole process takes about 5 minutes.