Japan eSIM
Mobile data for your trip to Japan. Install at home, switch it on when you land.
Network: KDDI, SoftBank (5G)
- Hotspot works. As it should.
- QR code in your inbox within minutes of paying.
- Your days start when the eSIM first connects at your destination.
- Full refund as long as the eSIM is not installed.
- Data only. Your own number keeps working for calls and texts if you leave it on. Not sure your phone works with eSIM? Check it first
Details
- Coverage
- Japan. Networks: KDDI, SoftBank (5G). Uses several local networks and switches automatically when one has no coverage.
- Validity
- 7 to 30 days, depending on the plan. The days start when the eSIM first connects at your destination.
- Hotspot
- Allowed. Share your data with a laptop, tablet or travel partner.
- Top-up
- Need more? Top up on the same eSIM.
- How it works
- Buy, install at home on wifi and switch on after landing. Read the guide
How much data do you need?
Set your trip length and how many hours a day you use each type of app. We suggest a plan that fits.
These numbers are estimates. Video quality, app settings and background updates change how much you use.
Travelling in Japan: the quick facts
Japan is the busy streets of Tokyo, the temples of Kyoto, the street food of Osaka and the views of Mount Fuji. Below you find what helps to know before you land, and how our Japan eSIM with hotspot keeps you and your laptop online from Tokyo to Hiroshima.
- CurrencyJapanese yen (JPY, ¥)
- PlugsType A and B, 100 VSame as the US
- LanguageJapanese, with English signs at stations and airports
- Emergency110 police, 119 ambulance and fire
- Taxi appsGO, Uber and S.RIDE
- NetworksKDDI and SoftBank (5G where available)
- Time zoneUTC+9 all year, no summer time
Most visited places in Japan
Most first trips follow the Shinkansen line from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka, with day trips to Mount Fuji, Nara and Hiroshima.
Tokyo
Shibuya Crossing, Senso-ji temple in Asakusa and the neon of Shinjuku at night. Most trips start and end here.
Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera, the torii gates of Fushimi Inari and the old streets of Gion. About two hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen. Go early to avoid the crowds.
Osaka
Street food in Dotonbori, Osaka Castle and the retro streets of Shinsekai below Tsutenkaku tower. Only 15 minutes from Kyoto by Shinkansen.
Mount Fuji
The best views are from Lake Kawaguchi and the Chureito Pagoda, about two hours from Tokyo by bus. The summit trails open in summer only.
Hiroshima and Miyajima
The Peace Memorial Park and museum in Hiroshima, then a short ferry to Miyajima for the floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine.
Nara
Tame deer in Nara Park, the giant Buddha of Todai-ji and the five-storey pagoda of Kofuku-ji. An easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.
How do we compare?
Cheaper than Airalo and Holafly on every Japan plan, and hotspot is always included.
| Feature | Best choiceArrivalSIM | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
Hotspot on every planChecked per country before a plan goes online | Yes | Depends on network | Max 1 GB/day |
Cheaper on every plan5 GB for 30 days from €8,49 | Yes | No | No |
Personal contactHelp from a real person when you need it | Yes | 24/7 chat | 24/7 chat |
Money-back guaranteeFull refund as long as the eSIM is not installed | Within 14 days if not installed | Within 14 days if unused | Within 6 months if unused |
Top up the same eSIMAdd data when you run low | Yes | Yes | Days only |
Fixed GB plansPay only for the data you need | Yes | Yes | No |
Checked on each provider's own website.
eSIM vs Japan SIM card
You can also buy a tourist SIM at counters and vending machines at Narita, Haneda and Kansai airports, or in electronics stores in the city. Most are data only, and you show your passport when you buy one.
| Topic | ArrivalSIM eSIM | Local SIM card |
|---|---|---|
| Where you get it | Online, install at home | Airport counter, vending machine or electronics store |
| Online when you land | Straight away | After buying and setup |
| Price | Plan price incl. VAT | From about 2,000 yen |
| Documents | None needed | Passport |
| Keeps your own SIM | Yes | Comes out (unless dual SIM) |
| Local number for calls | Data only | Usually data only |
Most tourist SIMs in Japan are data only too, so you do not get a local number either way. The eSIM saves you the counter after a long flight, and you are online as soon as you land.
Money in Japan: yen, cash and tax-free shopping
Japan uses the Japanese yen (JPY, ¥). Cards work in most places in the cities, but keep cash for small restaurants and temples. The rough converter below gives you a quick idea.
- Cards and phone payments work in most shops, hotels and chain restaurants, but small restaurants, temples and market stalls often want cash.
- 7-Eleven ATMs and Japan Post ATMs accept foreign cards. A 7-Eleven withdrawal costs about 110 to 220 yen, plus what your own bank charges.
- Tax-free shopping: you pay the full price in the shop and get the tax back at the airport when you leave. Keep the goods and receipts in your hand luggage.
- When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your own currency, choose yen. Tipping is not done in Japan.
Rough yen converter
About
| ¥ 500 | ≈ €2.82 |
|---|---|
| ¥ 1,000 | ≈ €5.64 |
| ¥ 5,000 | ≈ €28 |
| ¥ 10,000 | ≈ €56 |
| ¥ 50,000 | ≈ €282 |
Approximate, rounded rate for a rough idea only. Your bank or card uses its own rate.
Weather and best time to visit Tokyo and Japan
Japan has four clear seasons. Spring and autumn are the most popular, summer is hot and humid, and winter is cold but often sunny. The pattern below is for Tokyo; the wettest months are September and October.
-
Spring
March to MayMild weather and cherry blossom, usually from late March in Tokyo and Kyoto. The busiest time, so book hotels early.
-
Summer
June to AugustThe rainy season in June and early July, then hot and humid, often above 33 °C. Summer festivals and fireworks.
-
Autumn
September to NovemberTyphoons are possible in September and October. November brings dry days and red autumn leaves.
-
Winter
December to FebruaryCold, dry and clear in Tokyo, with the best views of Mount Fuji. Snow in the mountains and in Hokkaido.
GO vs Uber: which taxi app to use in Tokyo
In Japan you travel mostly by train, and taxis are clean, metered and quite expensive. When you do need one, GO is the biggest app and works with a foreign card. Uber books regular taxis in Tokyo and other big cities, and S.RIDE is a good backup in Tokyo.
GO
The biggest taxi app in Japan, in English, with a foreign phone number and a foreign card or Apple Pay. Set it up before you travel.
Uber
Books regular licensed taxis in Tokyo and other big cities. Handy if you already have an account.
S.RIDE
Strongest in Tokyo, with English support. A good second app when GO shows no cars nearby.
From the airport
From Narita, the train or the airport bus is much cheaper than a taxi. Haneda is closer to the city, so a taxi is an option there, especially late at night or with heavy luggage.
Good to know in Japan: Visit Japan Web, tax-free and phones on trains
Visit Japan Web
Fill in your arrival card and customs form online before you fly, and show the QR codes at the airport. It is free and optional; paper forms are still available. Sites that charge a fee are not official.
Tax-free refund at the airport
Shops charge the full price, and you get the tax back when you leave Japan. Spend at least 5,000 yen per shop per day, keep your passport, receipts and goods together, and do the check at the airport before you check in your bags.
Phones on trains
On trains and buses, put your phone on silent and do not take calls. Messaging and browsing are fine. Many trains and stations have free wifi, but you often need to register first.
Sources: Visit Japan Web, Digital Agency and Japan National Tourism Organization. Rules change, so check before you travel.
Internet in Tokyo for tourists: coverage and hotspot
With our eSIM you have mobile data in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and across Japan. It uses KDDI and SoftBank, with 5G where available. Coverage is very good in cities, along the Shinkansen lines and in most of the countryside.
Using hotspot in Japan
- Install the eSIM at home on wifi before departure and leave the line off.
- After landing in Tokyo or Osaka, switch it on, set it for mobile data and turn on data roaming.
- Turn on Personal Hotspot (iPhone) or Hotspot and tethering (Android). Hotspot data counts towards your plan.
Step by step: iPhone install guide, Android install guide. Need more data later? Top up the same eSIM.
Japan eSIM FAQ
Should I buy and install the eSIM before I travel to Japan?
That is the easiest way. Install it at home on wifi and switch it on after landing, so you can book a taxi or check the train times right away.
Does the eSIM work on the Shinkansen?
Yes, coverage along the main bullet train lines is good. In long tunnels and in the mountains you can lose the signal for a short time.
Does hotspot work with the Japan eSIM?
Yes. Hotspot is included on every plan, so you can share your data with a laptop, tablet or travel partner. Hotspot data counts towards your plan.
Is ArrivalSIM cheaper than Airalo in Japan?
Yes. When we compared prices on their own websites, every Japan plan of ours cost less than the same plan at Airalo or Holafly, including Airalo's shorter plans, from 1 GB to 50 GB. Holafly only sells unlimited plans, priced per day.
Which plan fits two weeks in Japan?
Maps, train apps, messaging and some social media: the 10 or 20 GB plan. You can top up the same eSIM if you run low. The data calculator above helps you choose.
Can I pay for trains with my phone?
On an iPhone, you can add a Suica or PASMO card to Apple Wallet, or use the Welcome Suica Mobile app. On Android, buy a Welcome Suica or PASMO card at the station.
Do I get a Japanese phone number?
No, the eSIM is data only. You call and message through apps like WhatsApp, LINE or FaceTime. Your own SIM can stay in your phone for texts from your bank.
Can I get a refund?
Yes, you get a full refund as long as the eSIM is not installed. Questions first? Reach us through our contact page.
Ready for Japan?
Plans from €3,49 including VAT
Pick your plan, install it at home before you fly and you are online when you land. Travelling on? We cover 190+ countries.
Questions first? Reach us through our contact page.