Japan Made Easy: The Best eSIM Options for Stress-Free Travel
In 2019, eSIM adoption in Japan jumped 169% as more travelers opted to use eSIM for their trips. eSIM, which stands for embedded SIM, is a software-based digital SIM card embedded directly into a device. Unlike physical SIM cards, eSIM does not require a SIM tray and can be easily set up and changed through an app.
For travelers, eSIM offers greater convenience and flexibility. Instead of juggling multiple physical SIM cards, you can digitally switch between plans and networks. eSIM enables you to access local data services and avoid roaming fees when traveling abroad. Whether sightseeing in Tokyo or hiking Mount Fuji, eSIM keeps you connected.
With eSIM, gone are the days of visiting carrier shops and inserting SIM cards in a new country. You can now easily activate a local data plan through an app before you arrive. Enjoy the travel benefits of eSIM as more regions and devices adopt this innovative technology.
Benefits of Using eSIM for Travel
eSIM technology provides several key benefits for travelers visiting Japan. An eSIM allows you to digitally switch between cellular plans from different providers. This makes it easy to find the best local rate and avoid expensive roaming charges from your home provider.
Some of the major benefits of using an eSIM for travel in Japan include:
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The convenience of switching plans easily – With an eSIM, you can switch between cellular plans with a few taps on your phone. There is no need to obtain multiple physical SIM cards or go to shops to swap them out. You have the flexibility to change providers as needed.
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Avoid roaming charges – Roaming fees from your home provider can be very costly when traveling internationally. With an eSIM, you can switch to a local Japanese SIM plan and avoid expensive roaming charges. This allows you to stay connected affordably.
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Stay connected anytime – Having cell phone service is crucial when traveling in a foreign country. An eSIM makes it easy to activate a local data plan upon arrival, so you can use maps and translation apps, contact emergency services if needed, and stay in touch with your contacts. You don’t have to worry about being disconnected.
An eSIM offers convenience, flexibility, and cost savings. With an eSIM, you can have cellular connectivity anytime at local rates. For travelers, it’s an essential technology for staying connected on the go when visiting Japan.
Top eSIM Providers for Japan
There are a few top eSIM providers worth considering for travel to Japan. These providers offer strong network coverage, competitive pricing, and good customer service.
BNESIM – BNESIM’s prepaid eSIM data plans for Japan range from 1GB for 7 days for €4.18 to 10GB for 30 days for €28.50. These competitively priced options offer exceptional value for short-term travelers to Japan. BNESIM’s eSIM plans provide seamless connectivity and flexibility, allowing you to enjoy budget-friendly plans, reliable coverage, and effortless switching between carriers.
BNESIM’s Japan eSIM service utilizes the networks of NTT DOCOMO, KDDI, and SoftBank, three of the most extensive mobile networks in Japan. This ensures that you have dependable coverage throughout the country, including in rural areas. Additionally, BNESIM’s plans are compatible with a broad range of devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Android phones.
Airalo – Airalo’s prepaid eSIM data plans for Japan range from 1GB for 7 days for €4.21 to 10GB for 30 days for €24.34. These competitive prices offer exceptional value for short-term travelers to Japan. Airalo’s eSIM plans provide seamless connectivity and versatility, allowing you to enjoy economical plans, dependable coverage, and effortless switching between carriers.
Airalo’s Japan eSIM service leverages the networks of KDDI and SoftBank, two of the most expansive mobile networks in Japan. This ensures that you have reliable coverage throughout the country, including in rural areas. Additionally, Airalo’s plans are compatible with a vast array of devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Android phones.
Nomad – Nomad provides prepaid eSIM data plans in Japan that range from 1GB for 7 days for €10.11 to 10GB for 30 days for €40.43. These prices are competitive and offer excellent value for money for short-term travelers to Japan. Nomad’s eSIM plans offer seamless connectivity and flexibility, allowing you to enjoy affordable plans, reliable coverage, and effortless switching between carriers.
Nomad’s Japan eSIM service utilizes the networks of KDDI and SoftBank, two of the most extensive mobile networks in Japan. This ensures that you have reliable coverage throughout the country, including in rural areas. Additionally, Nomad’s plans are compatible with a diverse range of devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Android phones.
Pricing and Plans
When it comes to eSIM pricing for Japan, there are a few main options to consider:
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Prepaid data packages – These allow you to pay upfront for a set amount of data that expires after a certain period. Packages are available in various sizes, like 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, etc. Prices range from about 15-30 EUR for 1GB.
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Monthly data plans – For longer trips, you can purchase a monthly plan with a recurring data allowance. For example, 5GB of data over 30 days may cost around 25 EUR. Some providers offer unlimited data monthly plans starting around 50 EUR.
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Pay as you go – With this model, you only pay for the exact amount of data used. Rates are usually around 3–8 EUR per GB used. This is a flexible option but can get costly if you use a lot of data.
Some of the top eSIM providers, like Airalo and KnowRoaming, offer all three types of pricing models. When deciding, consider your data needs and length of stay. Pay-as-you-go makes sense for shorter trips, while a monthly plan is better for long stays. Avoid paying for more data than you’ll realistically use.
Here are some indicative prepaid eSIM prices for Japan:
Setting up eSIM
Setting up an eSIM on your phone is easy to do before your trip. Here are the steps:
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Make sure your phone is eSIM-compatible. Most newer phone models, like the iPhone XS or Samsung Galaxy S20, support eSIM. Check your phone specifications to confirm.
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Once you’ve chosen your eSIM provider and plan, you’ll need to download their eSIM app on your phone’s app store. This app allows you to activate your plan and manage your eSIM account.
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Open the eSIM app and follow the prompts to activate your plan. You’ll need the QR code or activation number provided when you purchase your eSIM plan.
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Scan the QR code using your phone’s camera or enter the activation number manually. This links your eSIM plan to your device.
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Once activated, you may need to go into your phone’s network settings to enable the eSIM as an active cellular plan. The eSIM will then work alongside or instead of your regular SIM card.
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You can repeat this process to switch eSIM plans or set up multiple eSIMs for different purposes or destinations.
With just your phone and the eSIM app, you can easily activate cellular service in another country before you travel. Setting up eSIM makes managing international roaming and multiple numbers much more convenient.
Using eSIM in Japan
Japan can be a technologically advanced country, but also has areas where cash and local SIM cards still dominate. An eSIM allows you to bridge both worlds for maximum convenience during your travels.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your eSIM while visiting Japan:
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Use your eSIM for Google or Apple Maps. This will allow you to navigate Tokyo’s winding streets and the train and subway systems in different cities. The mapping apps work well with eSIM data.
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Leverage your eSIM for real-time translation. Apps like Google Translate allow you to point your camera at Japanese text and get an instant translation. This makes ordering food, reading signs, and interacting much easier.
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Access rideshares and food delivery with eSIM. You can use your Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare apps over an eSIM connection. There is no need for rented WiFi or SIM cards. The same goes for food delivery apps like Uber Eats—order food easily with your eSIM.
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Stay connected on trains and subways. Japan’s shinkansen and subway systems sometimes go through tunnels where regular SIM cards lose connections. An eSIM provides constant connectivity across transportation systems.
Having an eSIM set up before arriving in Japan provides maximum flexibility for enjoying both established and modern infrastructure across the country. You avoid roaming charges while getting access to everything Google Play and the App Store have to offer. It’s a reliable way to enhance your travels in tech-forward Japan.
Avoiding Roaming Charges
One of the biggest benefits of using an eSIM for travel in Japan is the ability to avoid costly roaming charges. When you use a regular SIM card from your home carrier, you are subject to expensive roaming fees for calls, texts, and data when outside of your home country.
With an eSIM, you can purchase a local data plan right on your phone before you arrive in Japan. This allows you to use data affordably on local networks without paying exorbitant roaming rates to your domestic carrier. Most eSIM providers offer competitive Japan data packages at a fraction of what your roaming fees would cost.
It’s important to double-check that data roaming is disabled on your home SIM when using a separate eSIM abroad. If your phone accidentally uses data from your domestic SIM while in Japan, you could still incur roaming charges even if you have a local eSIM plan activated. Go into your phone’s network settings before travel and turn off “data roaming” to ensure this doesn’t occur.
Some travelers have reported inadvertent roaming charges despite taking precautions, so it’s wise to monitor your data usage closely when traveling. Occasionally, a phone may latch onto the closest available network, which could default to the home SIM with roaming enabled if the local eSIM loses signal. Check your data usage frequently to confirm it’s coming from the proper eSIM provider. Being vigilant about these settings will help avoid surprise roaming fees.
With a few preventative measures, eSIM is a reliable way to maintain connectivity abroad without incurring expensive roaming charges. The convenience and flexibility of eSIM make it an essential travel technology to stay connected without cost concerns.
eSIM Beyond Japan
The benefits of eSIM extend beyond just travel to Japan. eSIM offers flexibility and convenience for travelers heading to destinations across Asia and worldwide.
With an eSIM, you can have multiple numbers and data plans ready to use as you cross borders. This allows you to avoid roaming fees and always have a local data connection.
Some key benefits of eSIM for other destinations include:
- Access local data rates in 100+ countries. There are no roaming charges or fees.
- Remotely switch between plans and numbers as you travel.
- Use dual SIM capability to have both a local and home country plan.
- Stay connected even when crossing between countries frequently.
- The convenience of not having to obtain a local physical SIM card.
The future is bright for eSIM adoption across the globe. More and more carriers are supporting eSIM technology on smartphones. As it becomes more mainstream, eSIM will make international travel and staying connected on the go much simpler.
Expect eSIM availability to grow substantially in the next few years. This will allow travelers to take advantage of eSIM benefits in more destinations than ever before. The ease of having multiple plans on one device will make cross-border travel incredibly convenient.
eSIM simplifies connectivity across the globe today and will become even more indispensable for globe-trotting travelers in the future. Alertify stays on top of the latest developments in eSIM and connectivity to provide the best recommendations.
Why choose Alertify?
When selecting an eSIM plan for your travels in Japan, you can trust Alertify to provide the most authoritative advice.
With over 10 years of experience in the telecom and roaming industry, Alertify’s experts know which eSIM providers offer the best service, value, and reliability in Japan. We stay on top of all the latest eSIM developments, plans, and pricing so we can make tailored recommendations for your specific travel needs.
At Alertify, we do more than just list eSIM options; we dig deep and thoroughly evaluate each one based on criteria like network coverage, data speed, ease of setup, multi-country options, and customer support. We test the eSIMs ourselves, gathering on-the-ground insights in Japan, so we can advise you which option will work best.
Our experts are focused entirely on eSIMs and roaming, allowing us to provide more thoughtful guidance than general travel sites. No matter your destination or devices, we can suggest the optimal eSIM solution, avoiding pitfalls like high roaming fees or insufficient data.
Whether you need unlimited data for a month in Japan or just occasional access for short trips, Alertify has the most up-to-date, impartial advice on the best eSIM for Japan. Our expertise ensures you can stay connected abroad with the right plan at the best price. Trust Alertify to make your travels easier and maximize the value of your eSIM.
Conclusion
In summary, eSIM cards provide a flexible and convenient option for staying connected while traveling in Japan. The major benefits covered in this article include avoiding roaming fees, using multiple plans, and setting up service ahead of your trip.
The top eSIM providers recommended were Airalo, KnowRoaming, and Surfroam. These companies offer affordable data packages, starting at around €7 for 1 GB in Japan. With prices ranging from €7 to €30 per GB, you can choose the right amount of data for your needs and budget.
When setting up your eSIM, be sure to download the provider app, register, and activate your plan before departure. Once in Japan, you can use the eSIM just like a regular SIM card, with cellular data across major networks.
To recap, key tips for using eSIM in Japan are:
- Order your eSIM plan a few weeks in advance
- Download eSIM apps and set up accounts beforehand
- Activate your Japan data package upon arrival
- Toggle between eSIM plans as needed
- Monitor data usage to avoid overages
We hope this guide has showcased the advantages of eSIM for seamless connectivity abroad. Alertify aims to provide the best roaming advice, so you can stay in touch without paying high roaming fees. Safe travels and happy surfing in Japan!