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Best eSIM for Japan

We compare 19 plans from 6 eSIM providers for Japan, in pounds, show what your UK network would charge instead, and share the local mobile tips worth knowing.

Prices last checked 25 September 2026

eSIMs from£3.0119 plans · 6 providers

Quick answers

  • The cheapest data plan here is £3.01.
  • Best value for a longer stay: Nomad 10GB for 30 days, £12.07.
  • Unlimited data from Airalo: £52.07 for 30 days.
  • Japan is outside the EU, so the big UK networks charge about £7 to £8 a day here.
  • No restrictions: WhatsApp, FaceTime and other app calls work normally, and LINE is widely used locally (for example for restaurant bookings).
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Prices

Japan eSIM prices compared

All 19 plans we track, cheapest first within each length.

ProviderDataLastsPrice (approx. in £)
SailyKDDI, SoftBank 1GB 7 days £3.01US$3.99 · £3.01/GB Go to Saily Provider link
NomadKDDI au, SoftBank 1GB 7 days £3.02US$4.00 · £3.02/GB Go to Nomad Provider link
NomadKDDI au, SoftBank 5GB 30 days £7.55US$10.00 · £1.51/GB Go to Nomad Provider link
SailyKDDI, SoftBank 5GB 30 days £8.29US$10.99 · £1.66/GB Go to Saily Provider link
NomadBest value 10GB+KDDI au, SoftBank 10GB 30 days £12.07US$16.00 · £1.21/GB Go to Nomad Provider link
UbigiKDDI, NTT Docomo 10GB 30 days £12.45US$16.50 · £1.25/GB Go to Ubigi Provider link
SailyKDDI, SoftBank 10GB 30 days £13.57US$17.99 · £1.36/GB Go to Saily Provider link
AiraloSoftBank Unlimited 3 days £8.68US$11.50 Go to Airalo Provider link
Show all 19 Japan tariffs
ProviderDataLastsPrice (approx. in £)
HolaflyKDDI, SoftBank Unlimited 3 days £8.98US$11.90 Go to Holafly Provider link
Sim Localau by KDDI Unlimited 4 days £9.81US$13.00 Go to Sim Local Provider link
Sim Localau by KDDI Unlimited 7 days £14.34US$19.00 Go to Sim Local Provider link
NomadKDDI au, SoftBank Unlimited 7 days £18.86US$25.00 Go to Nomad Provider link
UbigiKDDI, NTT Docomo Unlimited 7 days £18.86US$25.00 Go to Ubigi Provider link
AiraloSoftBank Unlimited 7 days £20.00US$26.50 Go to Airalo Provider link
HolaflyKDDI, SoftBank Unlimited 7 days £20.75US$27.50 Go to Holafly Provider link
SailyKDDI, SoftBank Unlimited 15 days £36.97US$48.99 Go to Saily Provider link
AiraloSoftBank Unlimited 30 days £52.07US$69.00 Go to Airalo Provider link
HolaflyKDDI, SoftBank Unlimited 30 days £55.76US$73.90 Go to Holafly Provider link
Sim Localau by KDDI Unlimited 31 days £58.48US$77.50 Go to Sim Local Provider link

Prices checked 25 September 2026. Most travel eSIM companies charge in US dollars, even to UK customers, so your bank converts the price when you pay. We show pounds at that day's rate (US$1 = £0.75458) with the dollar price underneath.

Price per GB in Japan

Each provider's best-value 30-day plan of 5GB or more, as a price per GB. Lower is better; orange = cheapest.

Nomad£1.21
Ubigi£1.25
Saily£1.36
Roaming

What UK networks charge in Japan

A week in Japan: what it costs

7 days of data on each UK network's roaming (where there's a daily price) against the cheapest 5GB+ eSIM (Nomad). Orange bar = eSIM.

EE£56
Vodafone£56
Three£56
O2£49
iD Mobile£35
Sky Mobile£14
Cheapest eSIM£7.55
Your networkPer dayA weekDetails
EE£8 a day£56Zone 2 24h pass £8, buy on arrival Check with your network
O2£7 a day£49O2 Travel bolt-on £7/day (Ultimate plans include some destinations) Check with your network
Vodafone£8 a day£56Global Roam Zone C/D, approx £8/day Check with your network
Three£8 a day£56Go Roam Around the World Extra £8/day (£7 on older plans), 12GB
giffgaffAdd-ons only–no daily pass; travel data add-on 1GB/5GB/10GB, 30 days, approx £6-£15 per GB tier
SMARTYAdd-ons only–PAYG by band (Roaming 1 e.g. US/TR 10p/MB, higher bands up to £5/MB) Check with your network
iD Mobile£5 a day£35Roam Beyond add-on from £5 (2GB, 1 day) Check with your network
VOXIAdd-ons only–PAYG roaming pass rates by zone Check with your network
LebaraAdd-ons only–add-on 1GB/8 days £5 or 3GB/15 days £15 Check with your network
Tesco MobileAdd-ons only–not Home From Home; PAYG or data bundle Check with your network
Sky Mobile£2 a day£14Roaming Passport £2/day, 120 destinations (country not confirmed) Check with your network
Lyca MobileAdd-ons only–PAYG rates / country bundles, not checked Check with your network

Checked 25 September 2026. Roaming prices depend on your exact plan and when you joined, so check with your network before you travel.

Local know-how

Mobile in Japan: what to know

Mobile networks

NTT DocomoWidest coverage in rural and mountain areas.
au (KDDI)Solid nationwide coverage with expanding 5G.
SoftBankStrong in cities, and runs one of the biggest free Wi-Fi hotspot networks.
Rakuten MobileJapan's newest and fourth mobile network.

Coverage

All the main networks offer 5G in all 47 prefectures, with 4G in rural and mountain areas, and signal holds up well on the Shinkansen apart from brief drops in tunnels.

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is widely available in convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson), major stations, most hotels and many attractions, though many hotspots need a quick app or email sign-up.

WhatsApp and FaceTime calls

No restrictions: WhatsApp, FaceTime and other app calls work normally, and LINE is widely used locally (for example for restaurant bookings).

Buying a local SIM

Easy for data, hard for a phone number. Data-only tourist SIMs are sold at airport counters, airport vending machines, electronics stores like Yodobashi Camera and some convenience stores, and airport staff usually ask for your passport. A Japanese voice number needs a residence card or Japanese driving licence plus a local address. A travel eSIM bought before you fly avoids the ID checks.

Emergency number

110 police, 119 ambulance and fire

Tips for UK travellers

  1. Most visitors can't get a Japanese phone number, so buy a data-only SIM or travel eSIM and make calls through apps.
  2. Save the Japan Visitor Hotline, +81 50 3816 2787: it runs 24/7 in English for emergencies, disasters and general tourist help.
  3. Install the official Safety tips app from the Japan Tourism Agency for earthquake, tsunami and severe weather alerts in English.
  4. Download a free Wi-Fi app and register your email before you fly, so you can log straight on to hotspots when you land.
FAQ

Common questions

Can tourists get a Japanese phone number?

Generally no: a voice SIM with a Japanese number needs a residence card or Japanese driving licence and a local address. Most visitors use a data-only SIM or eSIM and call through apps.

Is there free Wi-Fi in Japan?

Yes, in convenience stores, major train stations, most hotels and many attractions, though many hotspots ask you to register with an app or email first.

What number do I call in an emergency in Japan?

Call 110 for police and 119 for an ambulance or fire. For help in English, the Japan Visitor Hotline on +81 50 3816 2787 runs 24 hours a day.

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