一部アフィリエイトプログラムによる収益を得ています。
Tourist SIM and eSIM Providers Compared
| Provider | Type | Japanese network | Japanese phone number | Unlimited data option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | eSIM | SoftBank, plus a second partner | No | Yes |
| Ubigi | eSIM | See Ubigi's coverage page | No | Yes |
| Sakura Mobile | eSIM | au (5G plan), docomo (4G plan) | No | Yes |
| Mobal | eSIM or SIM card | docomo (voice and data) | Yes, with voice and data plans | Depends on the plan |
| Japan Wireless | eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi | See Japan Wireless's site | No | Yes |
All five providers sell online in English and support customers in English. Plans and prices change often, so check each provider's current offer before you buy.
The Main Providers for Visitors
Airalo
An eSIM-only provider for travellers with plans for most countries. Its Japan eSIMs run on SoftBank and include unlimited plans from 11.50 USD for 3 days to 69 USD for 30 days (prices on Airalo's site on 8 October 2026). Best for short trips and travellers who already use Airalo elsewhere. Read our full Airalo review.
Ubigi
A global eSIM provider owned by Transatel, part of the NTT Group, with Japan plans ranging from small fixed-data packages to unlimited data, and Asia-wide plans for trips through several countries. Plans can start on arrival rather than on purchase. Best for travellers combining Japan with other Asian countries.
Sakura Mobile
A Japanese company focused on foreign visitors and residents, with English support. It sells two tourist eSIMs: a 5G truly unlimited plan on au's network, with no daily cap, and a 4G unlimited plan on docomo's network that gives 3 GB of full-speed data a day, then slows to 200 kbps until the next day. Both are data-only. Read our Sakura Mobile review.
Mobal
One of the few tourist providers whose voice and data plans include a Japanese phone number (070, 080 or 090) on docomo's network, useful for booking restaurants or receiving SMS verification codes. Voice plans require identity verification; data-only eSIMs are sent by email with no ID. Mobal offers delivery or collection in Japan for SIM cards. Read our Mobal review, or see Mobal's current Japan plans.
Japan Wireless
Best known for pocket Wi-Fi rental, Japan Wireless also sells eSIMs for Japan, with English support. Its routers suit families and groups who want to share one connection between several devices. Read our Japan Wireless review, or see Japan Wireless's current offers.
eSIM or Physical SIM Card?
Both do the same job: an eSIM is downloaded to your phone, a SIM card is inserted into it. For most travellers an eSIM is now the easier choice:
- you buy and install it before you leave, so it works on landing;
- there is no card to collect at the airport or hotel, and none to lose;
- your home SIM stays in the phone, so you can still receive calls and texts on your usual number over Wi-Fi.
A physical SIM card is the answer only if your phone does not support eSIM.
Your phone must support eSIM and be unlocked. Most recent iPhones, Google Pixels and Samsung Galaxy phones support eSIM, but not every model sold in every country does: see our list of eSIM-compatible phones. A phone bought outright is usually unlocked; one bought on contract may be locked to its carrier, which can unlock it before your trip.
How Much Data Do You Need in Japan?
Maps, translation apps and messaging use relatively little: 500 MB to 1 GB a day covers most sightseeing days, especially if your hotel has Wi-Fi. Choose an unlimited plan if you will stream video, work remotely, share your connection with a laptop, or would rather not count.
To use less data, download offline maps of the cities you visit before you leave, and keep video and large uploads for Wi-Fi.
Pocket Wi-Fi, Japanese Carriers and Free Wi-Fi
Pocket Wi-Fi rental
A pocket Wi-Fi router connects several phones, tablets and laptops at once, which makes it cost-effective for a family or group travelling together. The trade-offs: the router has to be collected and returned, charged every day, and carried by whoever the group is following.
Why not docomo, au or SoftBank?
Japan's main carriers, and budget brands such as Rakuten Mobile, LINEMO or GTN Mobile, sign up customers with a residence card, which visitors on a tourist stay do not have. Their plans are built for residents; see our guide to SIM cards for residents.
Free public Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available in many stations, convenience stores and cafés, but it often requires registration, can be slow, and drops as soon as you walk away. It is a useful backup, not a replacement for a data plan.