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Whether you’re a tourist or a business traveler, staying connected during your trip is crucial. Unlike local SIM cards, eSIM providers offer convenient and cheap Internet in Japan. With this technology, you can buy and use the Japanese Internet the moment you arrive in the country. Avoid roaming costs and pay as if you were a local cell data user. What else to ask for?
In this guide, see companies that offer the best eSIM for Japan. You’ll explore the comparison of prices, coverage, data volume, and special offers for travelers. Comparing Yesim, Airalo, Saily, and Instabridge, choose eSIM cards for Japan according to your needs.
Yesim: Versatile Plans for Everyone
Yesim is a well-known provider with prepaid and unlimited connection plans. Choose the number of days, the amount of data, and any needed features. Traveling with a family, use an unlimited hotspot, and share the Internet with each other. See how this provider showed itself in Japan.
Coverage
In Japan, Yesim works with the largest mobile operator – KDDI. This provider offers 4g/5g/LTE and 3G connection speeds Yesim itself claims to be available in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Yokohama, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Kyoto, Kobe, Kawanakajima, Saitama, and other cities in Japan.
Pricing and Plans
Yesim offers two plan formats – pre-paid and unlimited Internet. Each offers a different number of days/data volumes. For one-day trip, consider the $11 unlimited Internet plan. And if you need little data, choose the 7-day plan for $14.30 – each GB here costs $4.77
As always, long-term plans are the most beneficial. Buying 20 GB for 30 days, you pay only $2.75 per GB.
Special Features: From Activation to Hotspot
There are two ways to activate an eSIM plan – do it manually via settings or use the Yesim application. In the app, you can also manage data usage and purchase new plans if needed. Apart from excellent coverage and pricing, Yesim has two special features. First, you can use the hotspot without limits and share any data amount. Secondly, the plan itself expires only in 365 days. If your trip is postponed, simply activate the plan later. All the plans you purchase are stored in your account.
Don’t forget about regular discounts and offers. To do this, track the news on the official Yesim website. Here, you’ll find actual pricing as well.
Customer Reviews
In 2024, customers haven’t reviewed Yesim’s connection in Japan specifically. However, general reviews are positive, and users thank the provider for a stable connection in many world regions. Additionally, Yesim is famous as an excellent provider in Asian countries – it’s the best eSIM for Japan and Korea, as well as China.
Airalo: Cost-Effective Connection
Airalo is popular as a cost-effective traveler’s choice. This provider doesn’t offer the best possible quality, yet the connection is more than enough for routine tasks.
Coverage
Unlike Yesim, Airalo cooperates with two local networks – KDDI and Sofbank. Theoretically, this approach provides better Internet quality. Depending on where you are, Airalo will automatically turn on the best provider.
Pricing and Plans
Choose among 6 pre-paid plans:
- 7 days: 1 GB for $4.50;
- 15 days: 2 GB for $6.50;
- 30 days: 3 GB for $8.50, 5 GB for $11.50, 10 GB for $18.00, and 20 GB for $26.00.
Within the largest 20-GB plan, you pay only $1.3 per 1 GB. Unlimited Internet is not available.
Special Features: Top-Up and Internet Sharing
In Airalo, you are not limited to prepaid plans. If you run out of data during the trip, simply top it up. You can buy additional GB within the application. The app will also notify you before there’s no Internet left.
Activate your Japan plan through the app as well. Simply buy the plan, scan the QR code, and wait until Airalo does everything automatically. Just like Yesim, the company doesn’t limit you to hotspot volume. Share any amount of data with your friends and family. The company also offers regular discounts – check’s Airalo website to see what’s available at the moment.
Customer Reviews
Reviews about Airalo in Japan are mostly positive. Users describe it as the best eSIM app for Japan. Yet, there were cases when customers could not connect to the local Internet.
Saily: A Cheap Alternative
Saily is a part of the well-known Nord VPN. The company created an eSIM company for cheap and easy-to-use connections abroad.
Coverage
Saily doesn’t share information about its provider in Japan. Yet, the company claims to use the best possible networks in your location.
Pricing and Plans
Saily offers prepaid plans with a certain data volume. Choose depending on your needs:
- 1 GB for $3.99 (7 days only);
- 3 GB for $6.99;
- 5 GB for $9.99;
- 10 GB for $15.99
- 20 GB for $22.99
Sure, the 20 GB plan is the most beneficial – each GB costs only $1.1 Among listed companies, this one offers the cheapest price in Japan. Also, each plan except for the first one is active for 30 days. This is superb for people who don’t spend much data. Buy 3 GB and feel free to use it within 30 days.
Special Features: Easy Installation
Customers commonly mention Saily’s user-friendly activation. Download the application from the App Store or Google Play, and Saily will do everything automatically. You won’t need to change the smartphone settings or enter plan details manually.
Once you need a virtual SIM card, check if your device is compatible. For this, visit the official website of Saily and check if your phone is on the list. Additionally to a low price, Saily offers a $3 coupon for inviting new friends in the app.
Customer Reviews
Unfortunately, many customers complain about poor Internet in Japan. Currently, the company fixes the issues.
Instabridge: Security and Data Saving
Instabridge gained its popularity as a versatile service for travelers. It offers an application with the world Wi-Fi map, a data-saving browser, and even a special GPS. eSIM services are also available.
Coverage
Instabridge connects its users to Softbank and NTT Docomo networks in Japan. Both offer 5G speed.
Plans and Pricing
There are 4 available plans, all with limited data. The duration, however, is confusing:
- 7 days: 20 GB for $24 or 1 GB for $4;
- 15 days: 3 GB for $7.5
- 30 days: 10 GB for $16.
The top-up function is available. So, if you run out of Internet, simply top up your account in the application.
Special Features: Pay-As-You-Go Tool
Activate an eSIM within your Instabridge application. You can also buy new plans or top your account up here.
Apart from traditional features, Instabridge offers an interesting format. Make a deposit in your account, and Insatebdige will automatically connect you to the Internet in part of the world. The price per 1 GB differs depending on the destination, so Instabridge calculates it manually. Japan is a part of the program, so consider this option as well. Download the app and activate your plan through the official Instabridge website.
Customer Reviews
According to users, the 5G connection is perfect. Yet, if you have any problems, connecting with the support team is complicated.
eSIM in Japan Comparison: Choose Your Provider
| The company | Yesim | Airalo | Saily | Instabridge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage in Japan | KDDI, 5G is supported. | Softbank and KDDI (only 4G) | No information about providers and speed | Softbank and NTT Docomo (5G is supported) |
| Pricing | From $2.75 to $4.77 per 1 GB | From $1.3 to $4.50 per 1 GB | From $1.1 to $3.99 per 1 GB | From $1.2 to $4 per 1 GB |
| Unlimited Internet | Available (from $11 to $2 per day) | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Advantages | Unlimited hotspot;unlimited Internet;postponed activation;versatile plans. | cost-effective provider;an easy activation. | The cheapest provider in Japan;the easiest activation. | Top-up available;data-saving features. |
| Disadvantages | Limited Internet is expensive;no top-up. | Poor connection according to reviews;no unlimited Internet plans. | No unlimited Internet | The 20 GB plan is active only for 7 days;Customer support is slow. |
What Else to Consider: Practical Tips
Choose the company depending on what you need. Some offer a better connection, while others are better in terms of pricing. Choosing the best one is impossible, so select what you really need during the trip:
- Coverage. Are you planning to climb mountains and explore the ancient sacred places? In this case, prioritize high-quality coverage and Japan eSIM card for tourist. Ensure the Internet is available everywhere, not only in Tokyo and Kyoto.
- Pricing. In terms of local Internet, Japan is relatively cheap. And yet, some eSIM providers are more expensive than others. If you need an average connection and don’t seek unlimited Internet, choose cheap offers.
- Plans. For long-term travelers, 90- or 60-day plans are the best. Within long-lasting tariffs, the price per day is cheaper. At the same time, don’t overpay. If your trip lasts a few days, there is no need for 30-day tariffs. Actually, this is another reason to prioritize eSIM instead of traditional cards – they are not limited to monthly plans.
Finally, explore the special features. You may need a hotspot to share the Internet with your family. In this case, select Yesim with its unlimited Internet sharing. If you want to save data, select Instabridge and download its data-saving browser.
Final Thoughts
In 2024, every traveler can find a suitable eSIM plan. Companies adapt to different needs and develop more and more user-friendly plans. Plus, the quality of connection is rising. Be sure to choose a provider with the best conditions in Japan. Prioritize your needs and see what providers suit them best.
There are dozens of offers on the market. Yet, Yesim, Saily, Instabridge, and Airalo prove themselves to be the best eSIMs for Japan. All of them offer excellent coverage and fair pricing. As for plans and special features, choose depending on your priorities.
Check out this guide to see the pros and cons of each provider. Consider such aspects as your journey’s duration, data volume you need, pricing, and discounts at the moment. Plus, compare the key advantages and disadvantages in the final comparison spreadsheet.
As for 2024, Saily offers the cheapest plans in Japan. Yet, it is also a matter of Internet format. If you need a cost-effective unlimited Internet, consider Yesim instead. Among pre-paid plans, Saily is the cheapest.
The process is the same in every country. Simply purchase an eSIM plan online and activate it before arrival. For this, follow your provider’s instructions. In Japan, there are no specific procedures and rules.
According to customer reviews, Yesim offers the best coverage in all parts of Japan. Thus, this provider is the best. Among large cities like Tokyo, Airalo also proves itself as a reliable provider. In the list of eSIM companies, each uses the best local network and cell towers. This way, you stay connected anywhere in Japan.
