Best eSIMs for travelling in Japan

By Dylan Crismale

Last updated 24 October 2024

Contents

In this Japan eSIM guide:

Airalo Japan eSIM
Jetpac Japan eSIM
SIMCorner Japan eSIM
Alternatives to getting a Japan eSIM

eSIM has revolutionised the way we get connected while travelling. As long as you have an eSIM-capable phone, you don't need to stress over finding a SIM card when you land in Japan.

You can purchase and download your Japan eSIM before you even take off.

Airalo Japan eSIM

Airalo is a popular travel eSIM provider and one of our favourites. Airalo offers a range of affordable prices and the process of getting set up with one of its eSIMs is nice and straightforward.

Airalo has 7-day and 15-day expiry options, as well as multiple 30-day expiry plans for those who are going to visit Japan for a one-month stay.

The 15-day expiry plan costs $10 and comes with 2GB of data. Airalo's biggest 30-day Japan eSIM costs $39.50 and comes with 20GB of data.

It's important to note that Airalo travel eSIMs only come with data, so you won't be able to make phone calls, but you can still use the calling and video services built into many chat apps.

Here are Airalo's Japan eSIMs:

Price	Data	Expiry
AUD$7	1GB	7 days	View on Airalo
AUD$10	2GB	15 days	View on Airalo
AUD$13	3GB	30 days	View on Airalo
AUD$18	5GB	30 days	View on Airalo
AUD$27.50	10GB	30 days	View on Airalo
AUD$40	20GB	30 days	View on Airalo

_{Note: Airalo's Japan eSIMs use the KDDI and Softbank 4G networks.}

New Airalo customers can use the code NEWTOAIRALO15 for a 15% discount on any of Airalo's eSIMs. Existing customers can use the code AIRALOESIM10 instead.

Jetpac Japan eSIM

Jetpac is another travel eSIM provider. Similar to Airalo, it has a 7-day expiry plan, a medium 10-day expiry plan and several 30-day expiry options. Jetpac has a greater variety of data options but, with the exchange rate at the time of writing, its plans tend to be more expensive.

As with Airalo and other travel eSIM providers, these plans are also data-only, but Jetpac's plans may provide 5G access in some areas of Japan.

Here are Jetpac's Japan eSIMs:

Price	Data	Expiry
USD$6	3GB	7 days	View on Jetpac
USD$30	5GB	10 days	View on Jetpac
USD$9	5GB	30 days	View on Jetpac
USD$16	10GB	30 days	View on Jetpac
USD$21	15GB	30 days	View on Jetpac
USD$18	20GB	30 days	View on Jetpac
USD$32	30GB	30 days	View on Jetpac
USD$47	40GB	30 days	View on Jetpac

_{Note: Jetpac's Japan eSIMs use the KDDI network.}

SIMCorner Japan eSIM

SIMCorner is a travel eSIM provider with a bigger data options for shorter stays. Its 15-day expiry option comes with 10GB of data compared to 5GB and 2GB offered by the other two providers we've looked at. It also has a plan that lasts for 180-days with 15GB of data which might suit more frequent travellers with lower data needs.

Here are all of SIMCorner's Japan eSIMs:

Price	Data	Expiry
AUD$54	10GB	15 days	View on SIMCorner
AUD$75	15GB	180 days	View on SIMCorner

_{Note: SIMCorner's Japan eSIMs use the Docomo network.}

Alternatives to getting a Japan eSIM

You won't be caught out if you don't want a travel eSIM or you don't have an eSIM-capable phone – there are plenty of other options for getting connected while in Japan.

You could opt for a local SIM when you arrive. Sakura Mobile offers data plans on the Docomo network starting from JPY3,500 (AUD$34.48 at the time of writing) for 5-days expiry with unlimited data.

Alternatively, you may already be signed up to an Australian mobile provider with a good international roaming offers. Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Belong, amaysim, Boost Mobile, felix mobile, and more all have good options for customers who want to use their phone overseas.

Here are the most popular roaming-compatible mobile plans in our database from postpaid providers:

#1	Vodafone Editor's Pick	Vodafone Editor's Pick $49 Small Plan 100GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 100GB for $39 (incl. 50GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $49 Small plan. T&Cs apply. $39/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#2	Belong	Belong 25GB Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $30/mth Min. cost $30 Go to Site	$30/mth Min. cost $30	Go to Site
#3	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 25GB 5G Mobile SIM 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Bundle your mobile and nbn plans on the same account to get 10% off your mobile SIM-only plan fees. T&Cs apply. $29/mth Min. cost $29 Go to Site	$29/mth Min. cost $29	Go to Site
#4	Optus	Optus $55 Optus Choice Plus Plan 50GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $55/mth Min. cost $55 Go to Site	$55/mth Min. cost $55	Go to Site
#5	More	More 25GB 5G Mobile SIM 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses Telstra Wholesale 4G/5G mobile networks Deal: $5/mth off mobile plan fees for 12 mths then 10% off ongoing if you are a CommBank customer - $25/mth for 12 mths, then $27/mth $32/mth Min. cost $32 Go to Site	$32/mth Min. cost $32	Go to Site
#6	Telstra	Telstra $65 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan 50GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get your first 3 months device protect on Telstra, then $10/mth. $65/mth Min. cost $65 Link not supplied	$65/mth Min. cost $65	Link not supplied

And here are the most popular roaming-compatible prepaid plans in our database:

felix 25GB Mobile Plan

25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $12.50/mth for first 3 mths, then $25/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T&Cs apply

$25

Per 1 Month Renewal

Go to Site

$25

Per 1 Month Renewal

Go to Site

$26 Prepaid

17GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get 17GB data for the first 3 recharges, then 7GB from 4th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 07.07.25

$26

Per 28 Day Renewal

Go to Site

$26

Per 28 Day Renewal

Go to Site

UNLIMITED 150GB Long Expiry

150GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps
On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network
Deal: Get 150GB for $109 (includes $41 off) on first renewal. Offer ends 30.04.25

$109

Per 182 Day Renewal

Link not supplied

$109

Per 182 Day Renewal

Link not supplied

Note: Roaming will cost extra on top of each of these plans. Read our guide to the best mobile plans for travelling in Japan for more information.

Looking for a new NBN plan?

These are the most popular NBN 50 plans with WhistleOut users this week:

#1	Exetel	Exetel Extra-value nbn50 nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $19/mth off for first 6 months - $60.99/mth for first 6 months, then $79.99/mth. $60.99/mth Min. cost $60.99 Go to Site	$60.99/mth Min. cost $60.99	Go to Site
#2	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom Value Plus NBN nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $23/mth off for the first 6 mths, $59.90/month for first 6 months, then $82.90/month + 3 months BINGE. Ends 30.06.25 $59.90/mth Min. cost $59.90 Go to Site	$59.90/mth Min. cost $59.90	Go to Site
#3	Buddy Telco Editor's Pick	Buddy Telco Editor's Pick Value nbn - Unlimited nbn® 49/16 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $63/month for first 6 months, then $75/month. Use promo code BUDDY50. Offer ends 18.05.25 $63/mth Min. cost $63 Go to Site	$63/mth Min. cost $63	Go to Site
#4	TPG	TPG nbn50 Unlimited Plan nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get Price Beat Guarantee + $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $84.99/mth. T&Cs apply. $69.99/mth Min. cost $69.99 Go to Site	$69.99/mth Min. cost $69.99	Go to Site
#5	Kogan Internet	Kogan Internet Silver Unlimited nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $59.90/mth for first 6 months and revert back to $78.90/mth thereafter. Offer ends 30.05.25 $59.90/mth Min. cost $59.90 Go to Site	$59.90/mth Min. cost $59.90	Go to Site
#6	iiNet	iiNet nbn50 Liimitless nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $15/mth off for 6 mths – $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $84.99/mth. Use code SAVE15FOR6. Ends 06.05.25 $69.99/mth Min. cost $69.99 Go to Site	$69.99/mth Min. cost $69.99	Go to Site
#7	Dodo	Dodo nbn50 Unlimited Plan nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data 12mths Deal: Incl. $15/mth discount for 12 months based on the standard price $83.90/mth. Ends 29.04.25. T&Cs apply. $68.90/mth Min. cost $68.90 Go to Site*	$68.90/mth Min. cost $68.90	Go to Site
#8	Superloop	Superloop Extra-value nbn50/20 nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $14/mth off for 6 months! $67/mth for 6 mths, then $81/mth + Free Amazon eero 6+ if you stay connected for 24 mths $67/mth Min. cost $67 Go to Site	$67/mth Min. cost $67	Go to Site
#9	Telstra	Telstra Upfront Internet Plan Essential nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data $105/mth Min. cost $105 Link not supplied	$105/mth Min. cost $105	Link not supplied
#10	iPrimus	iPrimus Standard Plus nbn50 Plan nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data $84/mth Min. cost $84 Go to Site	$84/mth Min. cost $84	Go to Site