Why an eSIM is Essential in Japan
No Free EU Roaming
Japan is not a member of the European Union. No free roaming applies. French carriers typically charge $5-10 per MB in Japan, which can quickly generate bills of several hundred euros for just a few days of travel.
eSIM: The Economical Solution
- Massive savings: $5.50 for 1 GB vs $5,000 in roaming
- Install before departure: activate from your home WiFi
- Automatic activation: connection upon landing in Japan
- Keep your home SIM: for calls and texts
Network Coverage in Japan
Japan has exceptional 4G/5G coverage (99.9%), even in the most remote rural areas, thanks to three major carriers:
| Carrier |
Coverage |
5G |
Used by |
| NTT Docomo |
99.9% |
Yes |
Airalo, Ubigi |
| SoftBank |
99.5% |
Yes |
Holafly, GoMoWorld |
| KDDI/au |
99.3% |
Yes |
Saily |
Coverage by Destination
- Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka: perfect 4G/5G, very high speeds
- Hiroshima, Fukuoka: excellent urban coverage
- Hokkaido (Sapporo, ski areas): excellent even in mountains
- Okinawa: same coverage as mainland, perfect on beaches
- Rural areas (Japanese Alps, countryside): excellent coverage thanks to massive operator investment
How to Install Your Japan eSIM
- Purchase your plan (QR code received by email in 2 min)
- Install 24-48h before departure from your home WiFi
- Activate upon arrival in Japan (timer starts automatically)
- Keep your home SIM for calls and texts
Compatibility: iPhone XS+, Samsung S20+, Pixel 3+, Xiaomi 12+, OnePlus 8+
Best Japan eSIM 2026
<BlogSummaryTable
title="Top 5 Japan eSIM 2026"
countryCode="JP"
countrySlug="japan"
plans={[
{
rank: 1,
providerId: "airalo",
data: "10 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$14",
highlight: "Global leader + NTT Docomo network",
promoCode: "ESIMP15",
},
{
rank: 2,
providerId: "holafly",
data: "Unlimited",
duration: "15 days",
price: "$47",
highlight: "Unlimited data + hotspot",
},
{
rank: 3,
providerId: "gomoworld",
data: "10 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$16",
highlight: "SoftBank network (99.5% coverage)",
promoCode: "ESIMP",
},
{
rank: 4,
providerId: "saily",
data: "3 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$9.80",
highlight: "NordVPN included",
promoCode: "ESIMP",
},
{
rank: 5,
providerId: "ubigi",
data: "10 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$17.50",
highlight: "Premium NTT Docomo network",
},
]}
/>
Why These Providers?
- Airalo: global leader (8M+ users), NTT Docomo network (99.9%), code ESIMP15 (-15%)
- Holafly: unlimited + hotspot, ideal for families and heavy users
- GoMoWorld: reliable SoftBank network, code ESIMP (-10%)
- Saily: built-in NordVPN for secure public WiFi
- Ubigi: premium NTT Docomo network, excellent service quality
Conclusion
For all travelers to Japan, an eSIM is essential: no free EU roaming, prohibitive roaming fees ($5-10/MB).
Our recommendation: Airalo 10 GB at $14 with code ESIMP15 offers the best value on the NTT Docomo network (Japanese leader).
For heavy users: Holafly unlimited eliminates any overage stress.
Japan eSIM FAQ