Posted on
/
By
Journey Japan
Airalo and Saily are two popular travel eSIM providers offering prepaid mobile data plans for Japan. Both let you buy and install an eSIM before your trip, so you can connect on arrival without buying a physical SIM card.
While both offer a range of data plans, pricing, network coverage, and other features may make one a better fit for your trip. Japan-focused providers are also worth considering, especially if you want more options beyond the major international eSIM brands.
In this guide, we'll compare Airalo, Saily, and our Journey Japan eSIM to help you understand what each provider offers and choose the best option for your trip to Japan.
1. Journey Japan eSIM
Journey Japan eSIM is our Japan-focused eSIM service, founded by Chris Broad, creator of the Abroad in Japan YouTube channel. Unlike international eSIM providers that cover hundreds of countries, we specialize exclusively in Japan, offering fixed-data and True Unlimited 5G plans for international visitors.
Our eSIMs connect directly to NTT Docomo and KDDI (au), two of Japan's major mobile networks, providing reliable 4G and 5G coverage across all 47 prefectures. We also offer 24/7 English-language customer support and exclusive travel benefits to help you make the most of your trip.
Fixed-Data and True Unlimited 5G Plans
We offer three fixed-data packages with 10GB, 20GB, and 50GB of data, all valid for 30 days. You can use your entire allowance whenever you need it during that period, without daily high-speed data restrictions.
For travelers who need more data, our True Unlimited 5G plans offer unlimited mobile data with no daily high-speed caps or usage-based throttling. These plans are available for 7, 15, and 30 days, so you can choose the one that fits your trip length.
Here's a breakdown of our current plans and pricing:
Plan | Validity | Price (USD) |
10GB | 30 days | $19 |
20GB | 30 days | $29 |
50GB | 30 days | $49 |
True Unlimited 5G | 7 days | $29 |
True Unlimited 5G | 15 days | $49 |
True Unlimited 5G | 30 days | $79 |
Our fixed-data plans suit everyday activities like navigation, messaging, browsing, and occasional streaming. True Unlimited plans offer more flexibility if you regularly watch videos, upload large files, or use mobile data heavily during your trip.
Coverage and Real-World Speeds Across Japan
Our fixed-data plans use NTT Docomo, while our True Unlimited 5G plans connect through KDDI. Both networks offer extensive coverage throughout Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and many smaller towns and rural destinations.
We've also conducted our own speed tests across Japan to see how different eSIM providers perform in real travel conditions.
Our Japan eSIM speed test database includes more than 400 tests across 22 locations, covering popular tourist destinations, busy train stations, and the Shinkansen.
Across the recorded tests, Journey Japan eSIM averaged 301.2 Mbps download speed, with a maximum of 1.6 Gbps near Tokyo Tower.
These results come from our own field testing, not guaranteed speeds. Actual performance varies by location, device, and network conditions, but these tests give a useful picture of how our eSIM performs across Japan.
Hotspot and Tethering Support
All our eSIM plans support hotspot and tethering, so you can share your mobile connection with a laptop, tablet, or other device.
With our fixed-data plans, you can use your regular data allowance for hotspot sharing without a separate tethering restriction.
Our True Unlimited 5G plans include dedicated hotspot allowances:
7-day plan: 7GB of hotspot data
15-day plan: 15GB of hotspot data
30-day plan: 30GB of hotspot data
These allowances apply to the entire plan rather than resetting daily, giving you more flexibility to use your hotspot when you need it. Your mobile data usage directly on your phone remains unlimited.
Easy Setup, 24/7 Support, and Travel Benefits
You can purchase your Journey Japan eSIM before traveling and receive the QR code and installation instructions by email immediately after checkout. There's no need to download an app, collect a physical SIM card, or visit an airport counter. Activation timing depends on your selected plan, so we provide instructions to help you get connected when you arrive.
We also offer 24/7 English-language customer support for installation, activation, and connectivity issues throughout your trip.
Every Journey Japan eSIM purchase also includes access to our exclusive Japan travel benefits, including discounts at popular businesses and attractions. These include ¥500 off karaoke per person at Big Echo, ¥500 off your first cocktail or mocktail at LOST Bar Shibuya, 15% off Bounce luggage storage, and offers at participating restaurants.
If you're looking for a Japan-specific eSIM with flexible data plans, strong local network coverage, and additional travel benefits, explore our Journey Japan eSIM plans to find the right option for your trip.
2. Airalo
Airalo is one of the largest international eSIM providers, offering prepaid mobile data plans in more than 200 destinations.
Its Japan eSIM, known as Moshi Moshi, includes fixed-data and unlimited options for travelers visiting Japan. Airalo also offers regional Asia and global eSIM packages for those planning to visit multiple countries.
In Japan, Airalo connects through major local networks, including SoftBank and KDDI, with 4G and 5G connectivity depending on your location and device.
Its fixed-data plans start at $4 for 1GB over three days, with larger packages including 10GB for 30 days at $18 and 20GB for 30 days at $25. These plans give you a set amount of data to use throughout the validity period, without daily usage restrictions.
Airalo also offers unlimited plans for different trip lengths, including seven days for $26.50, 15 days for $48, and 30 days for $69.
However, these plans generally include a daily high-speed allowance of 3GB. Once you exceed that allowance, Airalo reduces your connection speed to 1 Mbps until the allowance resets. You can keep using mobile data, but slower speeds may affect video streaming, large downloads, and video calls.
Airalo also supports hotspot and tethering, letting you share your connection with a laptop, tablet, or other device. Any data you share counts toward your plan's allowance.
You can purchase and install your eSIM through the Airalo website or mobile app, with options for direct installation, QR codes, and manual setup.
The app also lets you monitor your remaining data and purchase top-ups on eligible plans. Airalo provides 24/7 multilingual customer support through its app and website.
Airalo can be a good option for travelers who need smaller, affordable data packages or prefer using the same eSIM provider across multiple countries.
However, consider its daily high-speed limits if you expect to use a lot of mobile data throughout your trip.
3. Saily
Saily is an international eSIM provider from the team behind NordVPN, offering prepaid mobile data plans in 200+ destinations.
Like Airalo, Saily offers fixed-data and unlimited eSIM plans for Japan, along with regional and global packages for travelers visiting multiple countries.
In Japan, Saily connects through local networks, including KDDI and SoftBank, with 4G/LTE and 5G connectivity depending on your location and device.
Saily's fixed-data plans start at $3.99 for 1GB over seven days, with larger packages including 3GB for 30 days at $7.99, 10GB for 30 days at $17.99, and 20GB for 30 days at $24.99. You can use your data allowance throughout the validity period without daily usage restrictions.
Saily also offers unlimited plans with flexible durations, including seven days for $26.99, 15 days for $48.99, and 30 days for $71.99. However, these plans include 5GB of high-speed data per day, after which Saily reduces your connection speed to 1 Mbps until the allowance resets. You can continue browsing and messaging at reduced speeds, but more demanding activities may become difficult.
Saily also supports hotspot and tethering, allowing you to share your mobile data with other devices. Hotspot usage counts toward your regular data allowance, and Saily's fair-use policy applies to unlimited plans.
The Saily app includes an ad blocker, web protection against potentially malicious websites, and a virtual location feature that lets you route your connection through servers in different countries. These features come with every eSIM plan at no additional cost.
You can purchase and install your eSIM through the Saily app or by using a QR code sent to your email. Once you arrive in Japan and connect to a supported network, your plan activates automatically.
The app also lets you monitor data usage, buy extra data, and manage plans for future trips. Saily provides 24/7 customer support through live chat.
Saily can be a good option for travelers looking for affordable fixed-data plans, extra online privacy features, or a reusable eSIM across multiple destinations.
However, its daily high-speed allowance may be restrictive if you regularly use more than 5GB of mobile data per day.
Which eSIM Should You Choose for Japan?
Airalo, Saily, and Journey Japan eSIM all offer convenient ways to stay connected in Japan, but the best option depends on your data usage, budget, and travel plans.
Airalo offers affordable fixed-data plans and coverage across multiple countries, while Saily provides similar options with additional security features. Both can work well for travelers who primarily need mobile data for navigation, messaging, and browsing.
If you're looking for a Japan-focused provider with no daily high-speed data restrictions, our Journey Japan eSIM offers fixed-data and True Unlimited 5G plans through NTT Docomo and KDDI. We also provide 24/7 English-language support, hotspot access, and exclusive travel benefits throughout Japan.
Explore our Japan eSIM plans to find the right option for your trip.
