Getting an internet connection when traveling abroad is one of the first things you will worry about when making travel plans. Nowadays, there are various ways you can get an internet connection. Some options are free but not so convenient while other options may be really convenient while also being expensive.

One of the most recent ways of getting a good internet connection is to use an eSIM service. In this article, I will introduce to you our picks for the 6 best eSIMs for travelers in Japan. Hopefully, this will help you to consider getting one of these on your next trip to Japan.

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.

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What is eSIM?

Before going right into the list of the best eSIM services, some of you might be thinking “what is eSIM?” and that would be a fair thing to ask since this is a relatively new thing that’s becoming more talked about.

The word eSIM stands for “Embedded SIM”. This has been a thing since 2016 and most mobile phones nowadays will have this feature. The eSIM replaces the need for a physical SIM card. Compared to the traditional SIM card, it is cheaper since it doesn’t require a physical card and is easier to install; you only need to scan a QR code or install an app on your mobile phone.

Although this technology has been available for a few years, it didn’t catch that much attention until Apple announced that iPhone 14 will go completely eSIM. This means if there are companies that haven’t supported eSIM, they are also going to start supporting it. eSIM is going to replace the regular SIM. Although for the foreseeable future, providers will still provide physical SIM cards, the eSIM will definitely become the standard.

Ok, now that we know what eSIM is, let me introduce to you 5 of the best eSIM services in Japan.

*Note: As I previously mentioned, most mobile phones nowadays will be compatible with eSIM. But still, be sure to check first before making any purchases.

The following chart shows some of the long-term plans that each service offers. As you can see, all the plans for each service are slightly different because all services offer different plans (what’s comparable on this chart is pretty much only the price per GB).

(*Rate calculations: $1 = 130 yen)

1. Japan Wireless

The first eSIM service on our list is Japan Wireless. The good thing about This service is not only that they provide the most affordable prices when it comes to $ per GB, but also the wide variety of package options that they offer. First, you can choose between 2GB/day, 1GB/day, or 500MB/day. After that, you can choose the number of days that you want (ranging from 1 day up to 30 days).

Purchase and installation are simple and easy to understand; just check out the official page for more details. The following are just some of the options from which you can choose for your reference.

Japan Wireless’ lineup:

▶︎Click here for more details about Japan Wireless eSIM data plans!

2. Ubigi

Next on our list, we have Ubigi. Ubigi offers eSIM data plans for more than 190 destinations. There are 8 different plans for Japan alone for both short-term and long-term travelers. All plans are prepaid and setup is done easily by downloading an app.

Ubigi’s lineup:

▶︎Click here for more details about Ubigi eSIM data plans!

3. SimOptions

SimOptions is another website that offers SIM cards and eSIM data services for over 200 countries. They offer 24/7 customer service as well as claiming to have the best eSIM prices. In the case of eSIM for Japan, they offer 6 different plans. The plans are from different providers, so the prices might be not constant. You can check the details at their website.

SimOptions lineup:

▶︎Click here for more details about SimOptions eSIM data plans!

4. Maya Mobile

Maya Mobile is another good option for you to get eSIM plans for your trip to Japan. installation is simple; you just need to read a QR code to activate your plan. They offer 5 plans for Japan as well as one plan for 14 countries that include Japan.

Maya Mobile lineup:

▶︎Click here for more details about Maya Mobile eSIM data plans!

5. Nomad

Nomad is the fourth eSIM data-providing website on this list. They have seven different plans from which you can choose when going to Japan. They also have regional plans for those who are planning on traveling to various countries in a span of a month. The plans shown are from different providers, so the prices might be not constant. You can check the details at their website.

Nomad lineup:

▶︎Click here for more details about Nomad eSIM data plans!

6. DHA Mobile

Lastly, we have DHA Mobile which also offers eSIM data services for various needs. They offer plans that are for more days compared to the other services as well as unlimited data plans.

DHA Mobile lineup:

(*Rate calculations: $1 = 130 yen)

▶︎Click here for more details about DHA Mobile eSIM 180-day plans!

▶︎Click here for more details about DHA Mobile eSIM Unlimited data plans!

SIM vs eSIM

If you’re traveling abroad and need internet connectivity, a regular SIM is a physical card you insert into your device. It’s tied to a specific carrier and phone number. In contrast, an eSIM is a digital version that’s already built into some devices. With an eSIM, you can switch carriers remotely without changing physical cards, making it more convenient when traveling as you can easily switch to a local carrier in the country you’re visiting without the hassle of finding and inserting a new SIM card.

For more information about the difference between these two, check out the following article!

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As you can see, although there are many services that offer eSIM data plans, many of these offer different types of plans that will suit different types of needs. I hope you were able to find a service that will suit your needs.

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For more information about the internet in Japan or other traveling tips, be sure to check our other articles down below.

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