Description
Japan is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many UK travellers, whether it is cherry blossom season in Kyoto, neon nights in Tokyo, the bullet train to Osaka and Hiroshima, or skiing in Hokkaido. Getting around depends heavily on your phone: train route planners, translation, restaurant bookings and maps for streets that rarely have names.
A travel eSIM gives you data without pocket Wi-Fi rental or a SIM pick-up at the airport. It is added beside your UK SIM, so your UK number stays in the phone for bank codes and calls, while the eSIM looks after the rest.
Choose your Japan data plan
There are 17 plans for Japan. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 500MB – 7 days | £1.50 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £3.00 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £4.68 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £4.88 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £6.00 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £8.25 |
| Unlimited – 3 days | £8.62 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £11.61 |
| Unlimited – 5 days | £12.75 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £13.50 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £18.75 |
| Unlimited – 7 days | £19.88 |
| Unlimited – 10 days | £25.88 |
| Unlimited – 15 days | £36.00 |
| Unlimited – 30 days | £51.75 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £149.40 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £291.32 |
- Stopover in Tokyo: 500MB for 7 days or 1GB for 1 day covers maps and messages on a short stay.
- Two-week rail tour: Unlimited for 15 days or 10GB for 30 days covers route planners, translation and photo sharing.
- Ski trip to Hokkaido: Unlimited for 7 days or 5GB for 30 days suits resort apps, weather and group chats.
- Long stay or study: 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days lasts for a term or a season.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Japan.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Download a SIM instead.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in Japan
Flights from the UK arrive at Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita, with connections to Osaka Kansai, Sapporo and other cities. Data is useful for train route apps, which help you find the right platform and transfer, camera translation for menus and signs, restaurant queues and booking apps, and maps in cities where addresses work by block rather than street.
Coverage is generally good in cities and along rail lines, though signal can be weaker in mountain areas, rural parts of Hokkaido and on hiking trails such as the Kumano Kodo.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Japan and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- Data only: the eSIM has no Japanese phone number, so use messaging apps for calls. Some restaurant booking sites ask for a local number, so your hotel may need to book for you.
- Unlimited plans: a fair-use policy can apply. Ask us if you expect very heavy use.
Questions
Do I still need pocket Wi-Fi?
Not usually. The eSIM gives your own phone data, so you do not need to carry and charge a separate device. Each person in a group needs their own eSIM.
Will it work on the bullet train?
It works where there is signal, and most main lines are well covered. Expect short drops in long tunnels.
When should I buy my Japan eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
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