Japan is one of Asia's most travelled destinations but if you're confused about how to keep in touch with everyone back home, you have a few affordable options to choose from.
Some retailers allow you to pre-order SIMs online for added peace of mind. Otherwise, you can pick up a local SIM upon arrival. In this guide, we'll discuss both options and which options have greater value so you don't get caught out by excess call or data charges.
Travel eSIMs for Japan
For an extended stay in Japan your budget might benefit from using a travel eSIM. There are lots of travel eSIM providers out there.
Here's a quick overview of some of some well-known brands to see how their eSIMs compare:
| Provider | Prices start at | |
|---|---|---|
| Airalo | $6 for 1GB with 3-day expiry up to $104.50 for unlimited data with 30-day expiry | View on Airalo |
| Jetpac | $8 for 3GB with 1-day expiry up to $104 for unlimited data with 30-day expiry | View on Jetpac |
| SIMCorner | $5 for 1GB with 7-day expiry up to $107 for unlimited data with 31-day expiry | View on SIMCorner |
Airalo's Japan travel eSIMs use the Softbank and KDDI 5G networks. Jetpac's use KDDI and Rakuten 5G networks. SIMCorner' Flexi eSIMs use Softbank and KDDI while an Ultra eSIM will also enable access Rakuten and docomo.
Just be aware you will need to have an eSIM-enabled smartphone to use them. Before you leave or when you arrive in Japan, you'll scan a QR code and download a digital SIM card to your phone.
"On a recent trip to Japan, I utilised an Airalo eSIM for connectivity. It was easy to set up before my flight and connected straight away when I landed. You can easily add more data if you need it by purchasing a subsequent top-up package, which activates as soon as your initial services runs out."
"Price-wise, Airalo ended up being way more affordable than if I'd signed up for a roaming pack with my Australian telco. It even offers a free one-day welcome eSIM with 1GB to get you started."
Dylan Crismale, Digital Content Editor
Can you buy a local SIM card in Japan?
If you don't have an eSIM-ready phone but are still looking at a longer trip you can opt to grab a local Japanese SIM card.
International roaming is handy but it's not the most affordable long-term option which makes a local SIM the next best choice after a travel eSIM.
Your smartphone should be compatible with Japanese mobile networks, but make sure yours is unlocked before taking it overseas.
Here are a few examples of providers that offer physical SIMs for travellers.
Sakura Mobile
Sakura Mobile offers a physical SIM card for travellers in Japan. It has both 4G and 5G mobile plans that are data-only. It will let you purchase SIMs with varying expiries — if you're going on a longer trip for example of around 45 days they'll ship you a 31-day SIM and a 15-day SIM.
You get high speed data subject to the fair use policy of 3GB per day, after which your speed is limited to 1Mbps for that day.
Here's a quick look at some sample pricing in AUD:
4G Unlimited Sakura SIM card on the docomo network- $44.34 with a 7-day expiry
- $46.61 with a 10-day expiry
- $58.26 with a 15-day expiry
- $44.82 with a 7-day expiry
- $53.78 with a 10-day expiry
- $67.22 with a 15-day expiry
Mobal
Mobal also specialises in short-term Japanese SIMs, which can be shipped directly before you head to Japan or you can pick-it up when you arrive. It offers three duration types and their pricing and inclusions are as follows:
- ¥5,800 (AUD$52.01) for 25GB with an 8-day expiry
- ¥6,490 (AUD$58.20) for 25GB with a 16-day expiry
- ¥7,920 (AUD$71.02) for 50GB a with 31-day expiry
It also has options with voice via a Japanese phone number, but you'll need to provide ID by Japanese law. These plans start at ¥7,920 (AUD$79.90) for 7GB with 30-day expiry.
Travel eSIM vs roaming in Japan with your telco
The best match is really going to depend on your exact travel plans and buget. Travel eSIMs tend to offer a bit more flexibility or are simply cheaper than traditional international roaming add-ons. However, the latter generally includes calls and texts whereas most travel eSIMs are 4G/5G data only.
Even cheaper $5 roaming add-ons can quickly stack up on longer trips. Here's a look at a few of the provider's with some of the better roaming options.
Roaming in Japan with felix mobile
felix mobile is one of the few smaller providers with a genuinely great roaming offer: a $20 roaming pack. This gets you 4GB of data, 100 texts, and 100 minutes of calls. 4GB goes a long way, especially if you're frequently using public WiFi and its valid for 365 days.
Here are felix mobile's plans:
|
felix mobile
felix 25GB Mobile Plan
$30.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
felix mobile
felix 50GB Mobile Plan
$35.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
felix mobile
felix Unlimited Mobile Plan
$40.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
felix mobile
felix Unlimited+ Mobile Plan
$50.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
felix's international roaming option works in around 40 destinations including Japan. felix is powered by the Vodafone network.
Roaming in Japan with Vodafone
For shorter trips, Vodafone postpaid plans are an ideal choice for heading overseas thanks to its $5 roaming option. For $5 per day, you can use your local inclusions overseas in over 100 countries, including Japan. This means you can rest assured your usage will work the same way it does in Australia without the risk of exceeding your data allowance.
The $5 per day charge will only be added to your bill on days when you make a call, send a text, or use data overseas. Just note, you can only use $5 roaming for a maximum of 90 days of the calendar year.
These Vodafone postpaid plans all include $5 roaming:
|
Vodafone
$58 Small SIM Only Plan
$45.00/mth
Min. cost $45
|
|
Vodafone
$68 Medium SIM Only Plan
$50.00/mth
Min. cost $50
|
|
Vodafone
$78 Large SIM Only Plan
$55.00/mth
Min. cost $55
|
Roaming in Japan with Optus
If you're an Optus postpaid customer, you can make use of its $5 Roaming option. For just $5 per day, travellers will be able to use their usual SIM with unlimited standard talk and text. Additionally, you get 5GB of data, which lasts until it's used. For Optus roaming, you may need to switch to a newer Optus postpaid plan to be eligible for $5 roaming.
The Optus plans below work with its $5 roaming option:
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$69.00/mth
Min. cost $69
|
|
Optus
$70 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$70.00/mth
Min. cost $70
|
|
Optus
$90 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$90.00/mth
Min. cost $90
|
$5 Roaming only works in what Optus calls "Zone 1" countries but this includes Japan as well as China, Europe, the UK, the USA and New Zealand. "Zone 2" (any country not part of "Zone 1") is predominantly made of countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Central and South America.
These can also be paired with a new phone. If you have an Optus prepaid mobile plan, you have a few different roaming options:
| Pack | Price | Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| 1-day expiry | $5 | 25 mins, 50 texts, 1GB |
| 14-day expiry | $25 | 50 mins, 50 texts, 5GB |
| 28-day expiry | $45 | 100 mins, 100 texts, 10GB |
| 186-day expiry | $75 | 100 mins, 100 texts, 15GB |
Do I really need a travel eSIM for Japan?
Travel eSIMs are great when you need data to navigate, manage your travel plans, browse or make calls back home over messaging apps that use data like WhatsApp.
Japan does have widely available public WiFi networks available in restaurants, hotels, attractions, some trains and city centres across Japan. You can check out maps of available WiFi through an app suchInstabridge to help you connect on the go.
That being said a travel eSIM with even a few gigabytes of data can be good for peace of mind while travelling.
Christie Graham
Digital Content Editor
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