Japan Prep Guide
Best eSIM for Japan (2026): Airalo vs Saily vs Yesim vs GigSky
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A travel eSIM is the easiest way to get mobile data in Japan: you buy it online, install it before you fly, and it connects when you land. No airport counters and no pocket WiFi to return. But the big eSIM brands differ more than their ads suggest, so here is how Airalo, Saily, Yesim and GigSky compare for a Japan trip.
Quick answer: For most visitors, a fixed-data plan of about 5–20 GB from Saily or Airalo is the best value (roughly $11–26 for 30 days). Pick GigSky if you want to test the connection with its free 100 MB trial first, and Yesim if you want pay-as-you-go data or a virtual number for verification codes. Heavy users should compare unlimited plans, and check the daily high-speed limit before buying. None of the four gives you a Japanese phone number.
How the four compare at a glance
Prices below are starting points found on each brand's site or app in October 2026. They change often and can differ by country and currency, so check the current price before buying.
| Airalo | Saily | Yesim | GigSky | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small plan | 1 GB / 7 days, about $4.50 | 1 GB / 7 days, about $4 | 1 GB / 30 days, about $4.40 | Free 100 MB trial; paid plans from a few dollars |
| 10 GB / 30 days | About $18 | About $18 | About $19 | About $17 |
| Unlimited | From about $11.50 (3 days); about $26.50 for 7 days | From about $19 (5 days) to $72 (30 days) | Daily price, cheaper on longer plans | About $21 for 7 days |
| Japanese network(s) | SoftBank or KDDI, depending on plan | KDDI (au) | Docomo, SoftBank and KDDI listed | NTT Docomo (SoftBank also listed) |
| Hotspot / tethering | Yes, on most plans | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Phone number | No (Japan plans are data-only) | No | No, but virtual numbers sold separately | No |
| Stand-out feature | Widest choice of plan sizes | Built-in ad blocker and web protection | Pay-as-you-go option | Free trial data |
All four use Japan's major networks, which have strong 4G/5G coverage in cities, on main train lines and in most tourist areas. Rural mountain valleys and some long tunnels can still be patchy whichever brand you choose.
Airalo: the safe all-rounder
Airalo is the best-known eSIM marketplace and has several eSIM options covering Japan, from 1 GB up to large data packs and unlimited plans. Fixed plans start at about $4.50 for 1 GB (7 days), with 10 GB for 30 days at about $18 and 20 GB at about $26.
- Pros: lots of plan sizes, easy app, top-ups in the app, validity on most plans starts only when you connect in Japan.
- Cons: "unlimited" plans have a daily high-speed allowance, after which speeds drop sharply; traffic may be routed through another country, so some apps may show a non-Japanese location.
See Airalo's current Japan plans (opens in a new tab)
Saily: cheapest fixed plans plus security extras
Saily is run by Nord Security (the company behind NordVPN). Its Japan plans run on KDDI's au network and start at about $4 for 1 GB, with 10 GB for about $18 and 20 GB for about $25 (30 days each). Unlimited plans run from about $19 for 5 days to about $72 for 30 days.
- Pros: very competitive prices on small and mid-size plans; optional ad blocker can reduce data use; web protection is useful on public WiFi.
- Cons: single Japanese network; unlimited plans have a daily high-speed cap; no phone number option.
Check Saily's Japan eSIM prices (opens in a new tab)
Yesim: flexible plans and virtual numbers
Yesim offers three styles of plan: fixed data, unlimited by the day, and pay-as-you-go (you pay for each GB you use). For Japan, fixed 30-day plans run from about $4.40 for 1 GB to about $40 for 30 GB, and its Japan page lists all three big carriers.
- Pros: pay-as-you-go suits people who can't predict their usage; long-validity options; virtual phone numbers (sold separately, from about $3.60 a month) can receive some verification texts.
- Cons: fixed plans are a little pricier than Saily or Airalo at the 10–20 GB level; unlimited plans are subject to a fair-use speed limit.
View Yesim Japan plans (opens in a new tab)
GigSky: try before you buy
GigSky's main draw is a free 100 MB trial plan in its app, with no card required, so you can confirm your phone works with the eSIM before paying. Its Japan service uses NTT Docomo, Japan's largest network. Paid plans go up to large data packs, with 10 GB for 30 days at about $17 and a 7-day unlimited plan at about $21, and hotspot use is allowed.
- Pros: free trial data; Docomo network; some Visa and other card programs include free GigSky data, so check your card benefits.
- Cons: prices vary noticeably by region and currency; some users report higher latency because traffic can be routed abroad (fine for maps and browsing, less ideal for gaming).
See GigSky's Japan eSIM and free trial (opens in a new tab)
What about Holafly and Ubigi?
Holafly sells only unlimited plans for Japan (about $27–28 for 7 days at the time of writing). It's simple, but hotspot sharing is capped at about 1 GB a day, and it costs more than a 10 GB plan if you're a normal user. Ubigi is another solid option with unlimited and fixed plans and is often praised for generous hotspot rules. Both are worth comparing if you're a very heavy user.
Which eSIM should you choose?
Check your home plan first
Some phone plans already include data in Japan, for example certain US, UK and Australian plans with international roaming allowances or day passes. If yours includes enough high-speed data at no extra cost, you may not need an eSIM at all. If it charges a daily roaming fee, a travel eSIM is usually much cheaper over a week or more.
First-time visitor, 1–2 weeks
A 10 GB plan from Saily or Airalo covers maps, messaging, translation apps and social media for most people. Not sure how much you'll use? See how much data you need in Japan.
Nervous about compatibility
Install GigSky's free trial at home. If it installs and you can see the plan in your settings, your phone accepts travel eSIMs, and you can buy a paid plan from whichever brand you prefer. The trial data itself only works once you're in Japan.
Heavy user or working remotely
Compare unlimited plans, but read the fine print: most have a daily high-speed allowance (often a few GB) before throttling. If you need to tether a laptop all day, a plan with clearly stated hotspot rules, or a pocket WiFi, may suit you better.
Need to receive SMS codes
Keep your home SIM active for bank texts (see our eSIM setup guide for how), or consider Yesim's virtual number. If you truly need a Japanese +81 number, you'll need a voice SIM from a Japanese provider, which usually requires ID checks.
Family or group
Each phone needs its own eSIM. If several people share one data plan, a pocket WiFi can work out cheaper, though it means one device and one battery for everyone.
FAQ
Does my phone need to be unlocked?
Yes. Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked. On an iPhone, check Settings > General > About and look for "No SIM restrictions" next to Carrier Lock. Our setup guide covers Android too.
Will I get a Japanese phone number?
No. Airalo, Saily, Yesim and GigSky Japan plans are data-only. You can still call and message over WhatsApp, LINE, FaceTime or iMessage.
Is unlimited worth it?
Only for heavy users. Most visitors use well under 1 GB a day, so a 10–20 GB plan is usually cheaper. "Unlimited" plans also slow down after a daily allowance.
When should I buy and install it?
Buy and install a day or two before you fly, over WiFi. On most plans the validity period starts when the eSIM connects to a network in Japan, but check your plan's terms first.
Bottom line
There's no single best eSIM for everyone. For a typical Japan trip, a mid-size fixed plan from Saily or Airalo gives the best balance of price and simplicity. GigSky is great for testing first, and Yesim suits people who want pay-as-you-go or a virtual number. Whichever you pick, install it before you leave so you're online the moment you land.
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- eSIM vs Pocket WiFi vs SIM card for Japan
- Narita & Haneda Airport to Tokyo
- How much mobile data do you need in Japan?
- Best Japanese snack box gift for the holidays
- Gifts for anime fans shipped from Japan
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