Japan connectivity guide
Tourist SIM & eSIM in Japan: what to buy in 2026
Last checked: July 2026
TL;DR
- If your phone is unlocked and eSIM-capable, buy a travel eSIM before you fly. For 1–2 weeks, a 10–20 GB plan (≈ US$15–25) is enough for most people.
- “Unlimited” plans usually have a daily soft cap (often 2–5 GB/day) after which speed is throttled — not cut off.
- Physical prepaid SIMs are still sold at Narita, Haneda and Kansai airports; pocket Wi-Fi (≈ ¥400–1,200/day) mainly makes sense for groups.
- Almost all tourist SIMs are data-only: no SMS. Make sure your bank’s two-factor codes can reach you another way.
Travel eSIMs: representative prices
These are representative plans and prices as of July 2026. Prices in this market move often — treat them as a baseline for comparison, and confirm at checkout.
| Provider | Example plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubigi | 10 GB / 30 days | ≈ US$16.50 | Low-cost fixed-data tiers (1 GB from ≈ $4). No unlimited plan. |
| Airalo | 20 GB / 30 days | ≈ US$22.50 | Unlimited tiers jumped sharply in price in early 2026 (30-day unlimited now ≈ $72). |
| Holafly | Unlimited only | ≈ US$2.50–4 / day | No metered plans at all. Cheaper per day on longer trips. |
| Sakura Mobile | Unlimited / 7 days | ¥5,250 | Japanese company, English support. Plan clock starts on arrival, not on install. Hotspot capped (6 GB on the 7-day plan). |
| povo Japan SIM (KDDI) | Data eSIM, incl. unlimited 5/7-day tiers | See official site | Official tourist eSIM from carrier KDDI, available online before arrival. Unlimited tiers added March 2026; check current yen pricing on povo's site. |
| Mobal | Voice + data, 30 GB/month | US$29 SIM + US$43–53 / month | One of the few with a real Japanese phone number — useful for restaurant bookings and deliveries on longer stays. |
Set up the eSIM before departure while you still have reliable internet, and turn it on when you land. Most providers deliver a QR code by email within minutes of purchase.
Buying a physical SIM at the airport
Still perfectly possible in 2026 if your phone doesn’t support eSIM or you prefer buying in person:
- Narita: SoftBank counters in Terminals 1 and 2, Bic Camera in Terminal 2 arrivals, and the JAL ABC counter (data SIMs from about ¥3,000 for 3 GB).
- Haneda: mainly Terminal 3 — Bic Camera (7:00–22:00) and a 24-hour JAL ABC counter in arrivals; SoftBank counter in Terminal 2.
- Kansai (KIX): counters in Terminal 1, including Sakura Mobile with English-speaking staff.
Counters can run out of stock and queues form after big arrivals — an eSIM bought in advance avoids both.
Do you need a Japanese phone number?
For a typical 1–4 week trip: usually no. Messaging apps cover person-to-person calls, and hotels will make restaurant bookings for you. You do want a real number if you stay longer and need deliveries, SIM-based app verifications, or restaurant apps that require a Japanese number â that’s Mobal’s niche (voice + data with a Japanese number).
Fine print that catches people out
- “Unlimited” has a daily rhythm. High-speed data typically runs until a daily soft cap (commonly 2–5 GB), then the line is throttled until the next day. Service is not cut off.
- Hotspot/tethering is often capped separately even on unlimited plans (e.g. 6 GB on a 7-day unlimited plan). If your travel party plans to share one connection, check this number first — or rent pocket Wi-Fi instead.
- No SMS on data-only plans. If your bank or airline sends one-time codes by SMS to your home number, keep your home SIM active with roaming for receiving texts (receiving is free on many plans) and use the travel eSIM for data.
- ID rules are tightening. Japan already requires passport ID for voice SIMs. A law extending mandatory ID checks to data-only SIMs was promulgated in May 2026 and will take effect on a date to be set — no later than May 2027. As of July 2026, foreign travel eSIMs are generally sold with no ID check, but expect passport verification to become more common during this guide’s lifetime.
Free Wi-Fi and pocket Wi-Fi rental
Free Wi-Fi is genuinely good at airports, major stations, convenience stores and chain cafes â and thin everywhere else. Don’t plan to navigate rural Japan on free hotspots.
Pocket Wi-Fi rental runs roughly ¥400–600/day for basic use and ¥800–1,200/day for streaming-grade plans (a representative 14-day rental is about ¥12,000 list). It remains the sensible choice for groups or multi-device travelers; solo travelers are usually better off with an eSIM.
Sources
Facts above were checked in July 2026 against, among others: provider official pages (povo Japan SIM news release, Mobal, JAL ABC, Sakura Mobile) and 2026 price-comparison roundups (TravelSIM Asia, Where & Wander). The data-only SIM ID-verification amendment: Mori Hamada legal newsletter (Japanese).
Prices are representative values at the time of checking, may vary by region and promotion, and are not an offer. This page contains no affiliate links; links go to official or primary sources.