How to withdraw cash in Japan with the Wise card
Read our guide detailing how to withdraw money from Wise in Japan and what are the limits and fees included.
What is the best eSIM for Japan? Comparing the top 5 options
Getting ready for a trip to Japan? If you want to use your phone while travelling, your UK SIM card won’t always be the most affordable option.
Instead, using an eSIM could be a great way to avoid roaming fees and stay connected. An eSIM is an alternative to physical SIM cards, offering the same features without needing to visit a store. They also allow you to keep your phone number, so people can still reach you while you’re abroad.
In this article, we’ll introduce some of the best eSIM options for travelling to Japan in 2025. We’ll compare their key features and help you choose the best one for your needs.
Travelling to Japan? Get your Wise card today 💳
Why use an eSIM for travelling to Japan?
There are many benefits to using eSIMs when travelling compared to physical SIM cards. Here’s a quick look at some of them:
- Can activate instantly from your phone - no store or shipping
- Keep multiple plans/numbers at once without swapping cards
- No tiny card to lose or damage
- Allow you to keep your UK phone number
- More environmentally-friendly - no card or packaging
Best eSIM providers for Japan in 2025: 5 options compared
Let’s explore the top 5 best eSIM providers for Japan:
| Provider | Key features | Pricing | Data options | Coverage | Pros/Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo¹ | Data-only plans A free daily eSIM available | £0 – £20.50 | 1 GB – 20 GB | SoftBank, KDDI² | Free eSIM plan, but limited validity options |
| Saily³ | Data-only plans Malicious URL blocking | $3.99 – $71.99 | 1 GB – unlimited | Different local carriers | Secure and reliable, but no plans with calls or SMS available |
| Holafly⁴ | Data sharing Customisable plans | £3.79 – £116 | Unlimited | KDDI | Unlimited data, but no local phone number |
| Nomad⁵ | Data-only plans Free welcome eSIM | £0 – £43 | 1 GB – unlimited | KDDI, SoftBank | Fixed and unlimited data eSIMs, but few validity options for unlimited plans |
| Ubigi⁶ | Data-only plans Data sharing⁷ | £3 – £66 | 1 GB – unlimited | KDDI, NTT Docomo⁷ | Various fixed data eSIMs, but only two unlimited options |
Airalo
Airalo offers seven Japan eSIMs with data only. One of them is a free 1 GB welcome eSIM that can be used for a day, which is ideal for short trips or layovers in Japan. The paid options cost between £3.50 and £20.50, depending on the data amount and validity.¹
The networks Airalo uses in Japan are SoftBank and KDDI.²
These are the available plans:
- 1 GB of data for 7 days - £3.50
- 2 GB of data for 15 days - £5.50
- 3 GB of data for 30 days - £7
- 5 GB of data for 30 days - £9
- 10 GB of data for 30 days - £14
- 20 GB of data for 30 days - £20.50¹
When it comes to Airalo eSIM pros, their free plan is very convenient and a great way to test out the network stability. However, the downside is that most of their eSIMs are made for longer stays, with only one week-long option.
| Airalo eSIM - read our full review |
|---|
Saily
Saily has a variety of eSIM plans for Japan, ranging from 1 GB options to unlimited data. They use different local networks, so a stable and reliable connection is ensured.³
The safety Saily offers could make it the best eSIM for Japan, since you’ll be protected from malicious URLs and unwanted ads. You can also add more data through their app in case you run out, or even choose the auto top-up option.³
Here are Saily’s eSIM plans for Japan:
- 1 GB of data for 7 days - $3.99
- 3 GB of data for 30 days - $7.99
- 5 GB of data for 30 days - $10.99
- 10 GB of data for 30 days - $17.99
- 20 GB of data for 30 days - $24.99
- Unlimited data for 10 days - $34.99
- Unlimited data for 15 days - $48.99
- Unlimited data for 20 days - $59.99
- Unlimited data for 25 days - $65.99
- Unlimited data for 30 days - $71.99³
| Read more: Saily eSIM review |
|---|
Holafly
If you need unlimited data, Holafly might be your best eSIM for Japan. You can create and customise your plan by duration, with prices starting at £3.79. The daily price lowers if you get a longer plan.⁴
With a Holafly eSIM, you can share up to 500 MB of data each day via hotspot, so this could be a way for your travel group to save money. Holafly uses the KDDI network in Japan.⁴
Here are some plan options and their prices:
- 5 days - £17
- 7 days - £24
- 10 days - £30
- 20 days - £50
- 90 days - £116⁴
| Check out our in-depth Holafly eSIM review |
|---|
Nomad
With Nomad, you can choose between fixed and unlimited data plans. The prices start at £4.53, while the most expensive 30-day plan will set you back £43. There’s also a free 1 GB eSIM for new users.⁵
The networks Nomad uses in Japan are KDDI and SoftBank.⁵
These are the available fixed-data options:
- 1 GB of data for 7 days - £4.53
- 3 GB of data for 30 days - £6.03
- 5 GB of data for 30 days - £8.30
- 10 GB of data for 30 days - £12.82
- 20 GB of data for 30 days - £18.86
- 50 GB of data for 30 days - £43⁵
Here are Nomad’s unlimited plans:
- 3 days - £8.30
- 5 days - £12.82
- 7 days - £17.35
- 10 days - £23.38⁵
While Nomad could be a good choice for unlimited data, their fixed-data plans have only two validity options. If you need either shorter or longer coverage, other providers might be a better match.
| Read more: Nomad eSIM review |
|---|
Ubigi
Ubigi offers thirteen eSIMs for Japan, with three of them being special Expo 2025 plans. The validity ranges from three days to a year and the prices are between £3 and £66.⁶
If you’ll be visiting Japan during Expo 2025, these are Ubigi’s limited plans:
- 1 GB of data for 3 days - £3
- 5 GB of data for 15 days - £10
- 20 GB of data for 30 days - £26⁶
Besides these three, here are Ubigi’s standard fixed-data eSIM plans for Japan:
- 10 GB of data for 7 days - £12
- 3 GB of data for 15 days - £7
- 1 GB of data for 30 days - £3.50
- 10 GB of data for 30 days - £15
- 25 GB for 30 days - £29
- 50 GB for 30 days - £54
- 24 GB for 12 months - £24
- 60 GB for 12 months - £66
Finally, there are two unlimited data options available:
- 7 days - £23
- 30 days - £59
Ubigi uses KDDI and NTT Docomo networks in Japan. You can share the data from your plan, which is a good options when travelling with other people.⁷ However, there are only two unlimited data plans available, so another provider might be a better option.
How to choose the best eSIM for your Japan trip
Since there are so many options available, it can be hard to choose the best eSIM for Japan. Here are some factors you should consider before buying:
- Price - compare providers to find a data plan that fits your budget
- Compatibility with your phone - ensure your smartphone is eSIM-compatible
- Data amount - choose a plan with enough data for your trip
- Validity period - select a plan that covers the full duration of your time in Japan
- Network coverage and speed - find a provider that partners with major local networks
How to install and activate an eSIM for Japan travel
The installation and activation process isn’t the same for iPhones and Androids, so we’ll go through them one by one.
If you have an iPhone, this is how you’ll install your eSIM:
- Go to Settings and select Cellular or Mobile Data
- Select Add eSIM and choose Use QR Code
- Either Scan the QR Code or Enter Details Manually⁸
The activation process usually involves the following steps:
- Go to Settings and select Cellular
- Turn off your Personal SIMs/eSIMs by switching off the Turn On This Line option
- Select your eSIM
- Make sure the Turn On This Line option is activated
- Activate Data Roaming
- Go back to Cellular and tap Cellular Data
- Select your eSIM as the mobile data line⁸
These will be the steps if you have an Android:
- Go to Settings and select Connections
- Tap SIM Manager and select Add eSIM
- Choose Scan QR Code or Enter Activation Code
- If you’re entering the code, include LPA and colons
- Click Add⁸
Here’s how you to activate your eSIM:
- Go to Settings and select Connections
- Tap SIM Manager and turn on your eSIM
- Turn off any other SIMs
- Select your eSIM in Mobile Data
- Go back to Connections and tap Mobile Network
- Turn on Data Roaming of your eSIM⁸
Save on holiday spending in Japan with the Wise card
When it comes to picking the best eSIM for your trip to Japan, there's no single perfect choice - it all depends on your specific needs. The good news is, there's an option for every kind of traveller. You can find free plans if you're only there for a day, or get a weekly eSIM for as little as £3.
And while you’re exploring eSIMs, you might also want to look into ways to manage your holiday spending. The Wise card is a convenient choice for your trip to Japan. For a one-time cost of just £7, you can spend and withdraw in over 150+ countries, including Japan. You can also send money to pay for a rental car, accommodation or the like while still in the UK.
With the Wise card, your pounds are automatically converted at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend. You’ll just pay a small conversion fee*, or no fee if you already have the currency in your Wise account.
FAQs about using an eSIM in Japan
Let’s go through some frequent questions about using a Japan travel eSIM:
Is an eSIM secure?
Yes, eSIMs are considered more secure than physical SIMs, particularly in terms of physical security.
Can I make calls and send texts with an eSIM?
Most eSIM plans usually only have data, but some providers might also include calls and texts.
Can I buy an eSIM at an airport in Japan?
If you prefer buying an eSIM in person, you can do so at every airport in Japan.⁹
Can I keep my original phone number?
Yes, you can keep your original number. You won’t even need to take out your physical UK SIM card while using an eSIM.
What if I run out of data?
Depending on the provider, you can either top up your existing plan or buy a new one.
Sources used:
- Airalo - Japan eSIM
- Airalo - 20 GB Japan eSIM
- Saily - Japan eSIM
- Holafly - eSIM Japan
- Nomad - Japan eSIM
- Ubigi - Japan eSIM
- Ubigi - 1 GB Japan eSIM
- Holafly - setting up your eSIM
- JAL ABC - eSIMs
Sources last checked on date: 04-Aug-2025
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
Money without borders
Find out more
Travel to Japan from the UK: Must-know travel advice
Read our essential guide on travel to Japan from the UK, featuring must-know travel advice on money, safety, visas, transport and more.
Best credit card to use in Japan: Top 6 UK picks
Travelling to Japan? Read our roundup of the best UK credit cards to use in Japan, comparing interest rates, fees and more.
Taking cash in or out of Japan: What are the rules?
How much cash can I take to Japan? Read this handy guide for info on the rules for taking cash in and out of Japan.
How much is the Japan Rail Pass: Prices, tips and how to pay (2025)
Planning to explore Japan by rail or Shinkansen? Check out our guide for information on the Japan Rail Pass price, eligibility and limitations.
Best travel cards for Japan in the UK
Read our guide on the best travel card for Japan, including card comparisons and travel tips.
