Travelmaxxing

Buyer’s guide · checked 4 Nov 2026

The Best eSIM for Japan, Picked for Your Trip

Short answer: for most Japan trips, NUM’s pick is 5 GB, valid 30 days for $4.79 on NTT docomo. For no data counting, Unlimited, valid 3 days unlimited is $6.69. Shop prices on 4 Nov 2026. We sell these eSIMs, so every other brand’s price below links to its source.

Traveler using a Japan eSIM at Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo at night
Japan eSIM: online at Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo

The best eSIM for Japan, trip by trip

Best for most trips

$4.79

5 GB, valid 30 days · about $0.96 a GB
Networks: NTT docomo
Two weeks of maps, rides, social and photos.

Get this plan

Best for a short trip

$3.39

3 GB, valid 15 days · about $1.13 a GB
Networks: NTT docomo
A week or a long weekend.

Get this plan

Best for a month

$6.89

10 GB, valid 30 days · about $0.69 a GB
Networks: NTT docomo
Long stays, remote work and hotspot.

Get this plan

Best value per GB

$9.99

21 GB, valid 7 days · about $0.48 a GB
Networks: KDDI/au
The most data for the money in this list.

Get this plan

Best unlimited

$6.69

Unlimited, valid 3 days
Networks: KDDI/au
No counting gigabytes. Speed can drop after a daily amount; the shop says how much.

Get this plan

NUM’s shop on 4 Nov 2026, in US dollars. The price on the pay button is the price you pay.

Every Japan plan by price per GB

Japan eSIM price per GBPrice per GB for each Japan plan: 1 GB for 7 days, $1.39, about $1.39 a GB; 2 GB for 15 days, $2.39, about $1.20 a GB; 3 GB for 15 days, $3.39, about $1.13 a GB; 3 GB for 30 days, $3.59, about $1.20 a GB; 5 GB for 30 days, $4.79, about $0.96 a GB; 10 GB for 30 days, $6.89, about $0.69 a GB; 12 GB for 4 days, $6.69, about $0.56 a GB; 21 GB for 7 days, $9.99, about $0.48 a GB.1 GB · 7 days$1.39/GB2 GB · 15 days$1.20/GB3 GB · 15 days$1.13/GB3 GB · 30 days$1.20/GB5 GB · 30 days$0.96/GB10 GB · 30 days$0.69/GB12 GB · 4 days$0.56/GB21 GB · 7 days$0.48/GB
Shorter bar, less money per GB. The highlighted plan costs the least per GB in this list.

Japan eSIM prices next to Nomad, Airalo and Saily

NUMNomadAiraloSaily

Japan eSIM prices, NUM and other brandsJapan prices: 3 GB for 30 days: NUM $3.59, Nomad $7.00, Airalo $8.50, Saily $7.99; 5 GB for 30 days: NUM $4.79, Nomad $10.00, Airalo $11.00, Saily $10.99; 10 GB for 30 days: NUM $6.89, Nomad $16.00, Airalo $18.00, Saily $17.99.3 GB30 daysNUM $3.59Nomad $7.00Airalo $8.50Saily $7.995 GB30 daysNUM $4.79Nomad $10.00Airalo $11.00Saily $10.9910 GB30 daysNUM $6.89Nomad $16.00Airalo $18.00Saily $17.99
PlanNUMNomadAiraloSaily
3 GB · 30 days$3.59$7.00$8.50$7.99
5 GB · 30 days$4.79$10.00$11.00$10.99
10 GB · 30 days$6.89$16.00$18.00$17.99

NUM’s price is the shop’s on 4 Nov 2026. Other brands’ prices as published by nomadesim.com (checked 17 Aug 2026). Prices change; each shop shows today’s.

eSIM, roaming or a local SIM in Japan?

OptionTwo weeksSetupPhone number
NUM eSIM$4.79
5 GB		Install at home on wifi, online when you landData only; your home number stays on
Verizon TravelPass$168.00Nothing to installYour own number
AT&T International Day Pass$120.00Nothing to installYour own number
Local SIM cardSet by local shopsBought after you land; many countries register SIMs to your passportA local number

Roaming per line for 14 days, as each carrier publishes it: Verizon (checked 5 Nov 2026), AT&T (checked 5 Nov 2026). NUM: the shop’s price on 4 Nov 2026.

How we picked

Networks in Japan

Coverage in Japan: what to know

Opensignal rated NTT docomo strongest for coverage (9.0 of 10) and in rural areas, with au next (8.3). Rakuten Mobile won none of the coverage or availability awards and did not appear in the rural results.

Checked 3 Nov 2026. Sources: insights.opensignal.com, insights.opensignal.com. Coverage changes, so check your route before you rely on it.

Best eSIM for Japan: questions

What is the best eSIM for Japan?

For most trips, NUM’s 5 GB, valid 30 days plan at $4.79 (shop price on 4 Nov 2026), on NTT docomo. The best one is the plan that covers your days and data on a strong local network. NUM sells eSIMs, so other brands’ prices on this page are linked to their sources.

What is the best eSIM for a week in Japan?

3 GB, valid 15 days for $3.39 on 4 Nov 2026: enough for maps, rides, messages and photos.

What is the best eSIM for 2 weeks in Japan?

5 GB, valid 30 days for $4.79 on 4 Nov 2026, room for social, photos and a few video calls.

Is there an unlimited eSIM for Japan?

Yes: Unlimited, valid 3 days for $6.69 on 4 Nov 2026. Unlimited plans can slow down after a daily amount; the shop says how much before you pay.

Which network is best in Japan?

Opensignal rated NTT docomo strongest for coverage (9.0 of 10) and in rural areas, with au next (8.3). Rakuten Mobile won none of the coverage or availability awards and did not appear in the rural results.

Is an eSIM better than roaming in Japan?

For data, usually. Two weeks on Verizon TravelPass is $168.00 a line (Verizon, checked 5 Nov 2026); NUM’s two-week pick was $4.79 on 4 Nov 2026. Keep your home line for calls.

Will it work on my phone?

Dial *#06# on the phone you’re taking. If you see an EID number, it takes an eSIM. Every iPhone from the XR and XS on does, and the SE from 2020, as do Google Pixel 3 and later and Samsung Galaxy S20 and later. The phone must be carrier-unlocked. Not sure? Text PHONE and your model and we’ll check.

Does it come with a phone number?

No. It’s a data-only eSIM. WhatsApp, LINE, iMessage and FaceTime all work over it, and your home number can stay on for calls and codes.

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