Travelling to Japan and wondering how to stay connected without racking up roaming charges? Then you need an eSim! Readers often as do you need an eSim for Japan, and my answer is always yes. I’ve found the best eSim for Japan travel, and I don’t think anyone should be travelling to Japan (no matter how short or long your trip) without one.

On our first trip to Japan, we didn’t get an eSim, and it ranks as one of our worst travel mistakes: The Visit Japan Web QR code we needed to get into the country was on my phone. So were our transfer reservations, hotel reservations, and tickets for literally everything we’d booked. And I couldn’t get online!

After 16 hours in the air with two kids (and a layover) this honestly felt like the end of the world. My phone network’s wildly overpriced roaming service wasn’t even working. We’ve never travelled without an eSim since. We always use an eSim for Japan, and we used one for our trip to South Korea too.

In this post, I’ll explain whether you really need an eSim for Japan, how it works, and the best eSim for Japan to suit your needs.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sim Local, who provided compensation for this review. But as you know, I never write about anything I don’t genuinely recommend, and all opinions are my own.

1. Do You Really Need an eSIM in Japan?
2. How Do eSims Work in Japan?
3. What Is The Best eSim for Japan?
4. Tips for Using Your eSim in Japan
5. Who Is An eSim Japan Best For?
6. Summary: Why You Should Get an eSim for Japan

Do You Really Need an eSIM in Japan?

Staying connected in Japan can be tricky if you’re relying on international roaming or public Wi-Fi. Not all mobile phone networks will let you get online in Japan even if you try to throw money at them (mine didn’t), and although we always pick hotels that offer Wi-Fi (which we use extensively) the speed of this often isn’t fit for purpose.

That’s where an eSIM for Japan comes in handy. Unlike traditional SIM cards, eSIMs are digital, meaning you don’t need to physically swap anything. You can load this up at home, and start using it as soon as you arrive in Japan: no long queues to collect physical SIM cards, no bulky pocket Wi-Fis.

Some of the main benefits of using an eSim in Japan include:

• Instant activation upon arrival. You can get online straight away: handy if, like us, you’ve booked all your experiences in advance and all your tickets are online!
• No need to buy a physical SIM card. Nothing quite like feeling smug as you walk past the long queues to collect physical SIM cards in Haneda airport, knowing that yours is already loaded!
• Cheaper than using international roaming. I write a lot about budget travel, and using an eSIM is a great budget travel tip. Particularly if you choose Sim Local. It’s considerably cheaper to arrange an eSIM than to use your home network’s extortionate international roaming fees

How Do eSims Work in Japan?

Setting up an eSim Japan is surprisingly simple. Most providers, including Sim Local, send you a QR code after purchase. Scan it on your compatible smartphone, and your Japanese data plan is active almost instantly. (The whole process took me just 3 minutes).

I recommend completing the installation before your trip, ideally 1–2 days in advance, while connected to a strong Wi-Fi network. The setup process can sometimes fail if the connection isn’t stable. But I’ve not had that problem: I actually did mine at the airport using the free Heathrow Wi-Fi, and I was so impressed by how quick and easy it was.

BEFORE you order an eSIM for your trip I recommend that you:

• Make sure your phone is unlocked and supports eSims. eSims are compatible with both Android and iPhone devices, and most people can use them. Forgot this step? Don’t worry, Sim Local have a refund policy; if the eSIM doesn’t work or isn’t needed, customers receive a 100% refund, no questions asked.
• Decide on the right plan for you. I prefer an unlimited plan (because we use our phone a lot for maps, buying tickets, theme park apps etc) and I make sure my eSim covers the full length of our trip. But Sim Local offer a tool that asks a few quick questions to help users find the perfect plan for their needs, without paying for data they won’t use, which means it will work for everyone.
• Compare providers to ensure you’ll get good coverage. Sim Local has been around since 2011 and works with the biggest networks in Japan, ensuring fast 4G and 5G coverage, which is why they’re our preferred network. One of their partner networks is AU, which provides a local experience with 4G and 5G coverage in both major and mid-sized cities.

📱 READY TO ORDER AN ESIM? Check our Sim Local’s huge range of Japanese eSIM packages, with prices starting from $13.00
🎁 Use code MUMTRAVELLIFE to get 5% off all Sim Local prices

We use eSims no matter where we travel but we especially use them when we visit Japan. This is because having access to my phone is so much more important in Japan when I’m using it near-constantly to access maps, Google translate, download tickets (which I do straight from the Klook app) and of course entertain the kids.

Like so many tourists, we once became terminally lost in Shibuya station, and if it wasn’t for a very kind stranger and my Google translate app, I don’t think we would have got out in one piece (or at least with our marriage intact!)

What Is The Best eSim for Japan?

When it comes to choosing the best eSim Japan, convenience, coverage, and price all matter. I want fast internet speeds, coverage across the country (not just in the biggest cities) and want to be able to use my phone whenever I need it.

That’s why my preferrred eSim provider is Sim Local.

Sim Local offers:

• Fast, reliable coverage across all major Japanese cities and popular tourist destinations. Whether we’re in the heart of Tokyo or heading off the beaten path, we can still get online.
• Easy setup and instant activation. You can buy your eSIM on the day you travel, and it will take less than 5 minutes to install.
• Affordable, flexible plans suitable for both short trips and longer stays. You choose how long you want your plan to last, and how much access you’re going to need, and you’ll find the right plan for you.
• English support systems are in place via the Sim Local website, making it a beginner-friendly option for international travellers

Other local providers exist, but they may require in-person pickup or complicated registration. For a stress-free trip, Sim Local is the best eSim Japan option in my opinion, especially for families or first-time visitors.

📱 Order your eSIM before you travel for the best prices. Check our Sim Local’s huge range of Japanese eSIM packages.
🎁 Use code MUMTRAVELLIFE to get 5% off all Sim Local prices

Tips for Using Your eSim in Japan

Some of my first-hand tips to make the process of using your Sim Local eSim go as smoothly as possible are:

1. Check compatibility: Make sure your phone supports eSims and is unlocked. Otherwise you could end up paying for data that you can’t use!
2. Download offline maps: If you’re going somewhere particularly remote where you won’t be able to get around without a map, download the maps before you go. Even with data, some areas have limited coverage no matter what country your visiting, so this is a good back up plan.
3. Share data if traveling with family: We travel as a family of four, but only Mike and I take our phones (our oldest has a phone, but this stays at home when we travel!) To save money on shorter trips, we buy just one eSim and then use that eSim as a hotspot if we both need to be online for any reason.
4. Monitor usage: Keep track of how much data you’re using, so that you never find yourself in a situation where you run out at the wrong time! Sim Local offers a truly unlimited plan compared to other providers, giving users 10GB of high-speed data per day (others typically offer 1–3GB). If you’re a big usage internet user (like me!) this makes Sim Local the most cost-effective choice.

🛫 Planning your next adventure? Save on your next Japan or family holiday with my favourite travel resources, exclusive discount codes, and exclusive deals! Click here to find out more.

Who Is An eSim Japan Best For?

I was going to write about how important eSIMs are for family travellers (because that’s what we are, and it’s true), but then I thought about it and realised it doesn’t matter what kind of traveller you are: family traveller, solo traveller, budget traveller…an eSIM for Japan will save you both time and money.

• Family Travellers: We’re family travellers, so this is what I know best! And this works so well for us. Not least because I NEVER want to have to queue at the airport with two kids for a pocket wifi or physical sim card. It’s easy, affordable, it works for our family, and I think it will work for yours too.
• Solo Travellers: I travel a couple of times a year alone, and I always opt for the convenience of an eSim for these trips too. It really does work for everyone.
• First-time eSim Users: It doesn’t matter if you’ve never used a eSim before. Sim Local is so easy to use and set up: It will save you time and money, making your trip to Japan as hassle free as possible. And if you get stuck, Sim Local have 24/7 support via email, phone, and WhatsApp, handled by real people – not bots – so travelers don’t waste valuable time during their trips.

Summary: Why You Should Get an eSim for Japan

We wouldn’t go anywhere without an eSim now: Once you’ve tried one, you’ll never go back. And this is particularly true for our trips to Japan, where an eSim is a must-have for stress-free travel. It’s convenient, reliable, and cost-effective.

And we think that Sim Local stands out as one of the best on the market: which is why we’ve chosen to partner with them!

👉Get your Sim Local eSim for Japan today!
🎁And save money by using our discount code MUMTRAVELLIFE

Still planning your perfect trip to Japan? Here’s some further reading that will help you to make your Japanese adventure your best trip yet:

🎴 The Ultimate 5 Day Tokyo Itinerary For Families
📱 Do You Need a VPN in Japan? A Complete Guide To Using A VPN in Japan
🎿 Skiing in Japan This Winter: The Best Ski Resorts and Where To Ski Near Tokyo
💷 Do You Need Cash in Japan? A Guide For First Time Travellers

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