The Best eSIM for Japan 2026: Sim Local vs Airalo vs Holafly

Whenever I travel these days, I’m going to be honest… I use an eSIM everywhere. Europe, Asia, South America, it doesn’t matter. It’s just so much easier!

For quite a while now, I’ve been using Sim Local, and I genuinely love their product and think it’s the best eSIM for Japan. I’ve used it all over Asia, in Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, even China, and of course in Japan too, which is what this little article is all about.

An eSIM is, in my opinion, the easiest way to have service, data, and messages from the second you land. There’s nothing I hate more than arriving at an airport, being exhausted, and then having to deal with buying a local SIM card. With an eSIM, I can skip the queues, skip the stress, and start my trip immediately connected.

So in this guide, I’ll walk you through why using an eSIM made my life so much easier in Japan and why Sim Local has become my go-to option for every trip.

The Best eSIM for Japan: Why I Loved Using Sim Local (2025) — I absolutely loved loved loved our tea ceremony in Kyoto!

eSIM for Japan – My Experience

When I arrived in Japan, I was already using my eSIM provider (Sim Local) from earlier in Vietnam, so the app was installed on my phone and everything was set up. All I had to do was buy a new plan, and boom, I was connected the second I landed. Zero airport hassle, no queues, no confusion. Just instant data, which is the dream.

For this trip, I actually used Sim Local’s Asia plan while I was in Japan because I knew I’d be heading to South Korea and China afterward. Being able to use one plan across multiple countries was so convenient. I activated it once and didn’t touch it again, it just worked everywhere I went throughout Asia.

In Japan specifically, I was so grateful to be connected because I rely heavily on having data when I travel. My whole trip basically revolved around finding food (no shame), so having internet to hunt down new restaurants was essential. I also used Google Maps constantly, because public transport in Japan is super efficient, but navigating all the metro lines in Tokyo and Osaka is so much easier with accurate directions.

Overall, I had a smooth, uncomplicated experience in Japan, but honestly? I can totally see how someone traveling without data would struggle a bit. Having an eSIM made everything easier, from trains to food to exploring.

Click Here: Sim Local Plans & Pricing for your next Japan trip

The Best eSIM for Japan 2026: Sim Local vs Airalo vs Holafly — We always try to make the most out of our travel days by writing and editing on the bullet train. Having the ability to use my eSIM as a hotspot is a huge help

What is an eSIM and Should I use an eSIM for Japan?

I already touched on this above when I talked about my own experience in Japan, but let’s quickly go over it again so we’re all on the same page.

An eSIM is exactly what it sounds like, an electronic SIM card. Instead of buying a physical SIM at the airport or a phone shop, most modern phones now have an eSIM built in. All you need to do is download an app, choose a plan, and boom… you have data and service instantly. No queues, no kiosks, no fiddling with tiny SIM trays. It’s genuinely such a game-changer, especially when travelling.

Why I loved having one in Japan is pretty straightforward, but here are my top reasons why I use an eSIM and how it helped me on this trip:

Navigating around Japan: I loved having a Japan esim because I rely heavily on Google Maps, especially for public transport. It’s super accurate with metro routes and timings, so getting around Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto was a breeze. Total lifesaver.
Finding food spots: I’m a huge foodie and I love trying local places, especially in Japan (honestly, they might have the best food in the world). I hate the Instagram-viral spots, so I’m always hunting for hidden gems, and again, Google Maps is my holy grail for that.
Translating things: Japan wasn’t as difficult as I expected in terms of English, but many bars and restaurants still have only Japanese menus. Having a translation app that actually works makes everything so much smoother.
Working remotely: I work while travelling, so being able to hotspot my laptop when the hotel or train Wi-Fi was weak honestly saved me more than once. Having stable data from the eSIM made my work days so much easier.
WiFi isn’t everywhere: I assumed Japan would have free Wi-Fi on every corner because it’s such a high-tech country, but that really wasn’t the case. I was surprised by how often I couldn’t find a reliable connection, so I was very glad I had my eSIM.

Is Sim Local The Best eSIM for Japan?

Over the past few years, I’ve tried a handful of eSIM providers like Holafly and Saily, and all of them worked fine, but after testing Sim Local, I ended up sticking with them. I’ve just had such a consistently good experience.

I never had issues with connection, their app and setup process were super easy, the prices were reasonable, and most importantly, when I had a tiny technical issue on my side once, their customer service was fantastic. They fixed everything quickly, which honestly matters so much to me when I’m traveling.

Another big selling point for me is their multi-country plans. I travel a lot, and being able to buy an “Asia” plan and move through different countries without switching anything is such a win. That alone made my life so much easier on my Japan–South Korea–China trip.

Overall, Sim Local has been reliable, convenient, and stress-free, so I’ve just kept using them.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan or multiple countries in Asia, click here and check out Sim Local’s Multi-Country Plans

Holafly vs. Airalo vs. Sim Local (What eSIM is Best)

I’ve mentioned this already, but after years of full-time travel and testing what feels like every eSIM on the planet, Sim Local is still my favorite. Not just because it works well (it really does), but also because it’s usually the cheapest, and listen, I’m not saying I’m a penny-pincher, but I am a backpacker at heart. Saving money is saving money.

For Japan especially, Sim Local has consistently been the best value for money. It worked flawlessly on my latest trip, and even compared to the other big names like Holafly and Airalo, it just gives you more for less.

To give you a clearer picture, I put together a little comparison chart showing exactly how much cheaper it is than the other plans I’ve tried.

Sim Local eSIM Japan Plans & Pricing

Single Country Plan (This is What I Recommend!)

Data: Unlimited Data!
Duration: Valid for 7 or 30 days
Speed: 4G/5G depending on coverage
Pricing:$13.50 – $77.00

If you’re only visiting Japan, the single-country plan is honestly perfect. The packages line up really well with a classic 10–14 day Japan itinerary, and they come with unlimited data, which is very handy when you’re navigating Tokyo for translating menus, booking trains, Googling ramen spots and just being connected.

I didn’t personally use this plan because I went with the multi-country option (I was hopping around Asia), but my partner Carae used the single-country 15-day plan. Hers had unlimited data, and it was amazing, super fast, always on 5G, and honestly more reliable than most hotel WiFi. This plan is powered by AU by KDDI, a major Japanese provider, and she didn’t have a single issue with coverage.

If your trip is just Japan and you’ve got around two weeks here, this is a total no-brainer. It’s the one I’d recommend without hesitation.

Click here for the Unlimited Japan Plan!

Multi Country Plan (All Around Asia)

Data: 20GB
Duration: Valid for 31 Days
Speed: 4G/5G depending on coverage
Pricing: $35

When I’ve traveled around Asia, including Japan, I’ve used two different multi-country plans, both powered by Orange, and both worked flawlessly.

Sim Local’s Asia Plan includes 24 countries across the region (Japan included), with 20GB over 31 days. That amount of data was more than enough for me, and I had smooth, reliable coverage everywhere.

I’ve also used their Global Plan, which is also run through Orange. It gives you 20GB across 153 countries, Japan included. This one is a dream if you travel full-time or go on longer multi-country trips like I usually do. It basically covers my entire itinerary without ever having to switch plans.

Click here if you’re planning on visiting multiple countries!

My Japan eSIM Coverage & Reliability

I can only speak from my own experience here, so I won’t promise you’ll have perfect coverage in every remote corner of Japan or on the tiny southern islands since I simply haven’t been everywhere.

But I have used my eSIM in Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Kanazawa, around Mount Fuji, and Tokyo, and I’ve never had a single issue. My connection was fast, stable, and reliable pretty much everywhere I went. I never had to think about it, which is exactly what I want when I’m traveling.

Who Is This eSIM Ideal For?

From my experience, Sim Local is perfect for anyone who wants to travel like a local. It connects you to the same networks that people in Japan actually use, which means fast speeds, reliable coverage, and zero stress when you’re navigating trains or hunting down your next bowl of ramen.

If you’re planning a 10–14 day trip to Japan, I honestly think the unlimited data plan with AU is the sweet spot. Having unlimited data feels incredibly freeing, you never have to think twice about maps, translations, or sending 47 photos of Tokyo Tower to your friends.

I’m already planning my next trip (probably winter in Japan again), and there’s no question I’ll go with the unlimited 15-day AU plan. It just makes everything easier.

FAQs About the Best Japan eSIM

Do I need an eSIM for Japan?

I’d say yes. Having an eSIM in Japan made my life much easier. I assumed there’d be Wi-Fi everywhere because Japan is so modern, but that definitely wasn’t the case. I was really glad I had my own connection from the moment I landed.

Is an eSIM expensive?

I pay around $30 a month for mine, but that’s for one of the larger multi-country plans. Japan-specific plans are much cheaper, so you can easily get something more budget-friendly.

What is the best eSIM for Japan?

From my own experience traveling around Japan, Sim Local worked perfectly for me and is genuinely one of the best Japan eSIM options I’ve used.

What apps do I need for Japan?

Besides your eSIM, I’d recommend Google Maps, Tabelog (great for finding restaurants), and an IC card like Suica for metro rides and contactless payments.

Final Thoughts on the eSIM Japan Travel

To wrap this up, I really recommend getting an eSIM before you land to be connected across Japan. I personally use Sim Local, but there are plenty of great options out there, the important thing is simply being connected. The last thing I wanted was to get turned around in Tokyo with no internet and no idea how to get home.

So grab your eSIM, get online, and make your first steps in Japan as smooth as possible. Having reliable internet just makes everything easier from the moment you step off the plane.