FairSIM eSIM for Japan
Japan is the country where you use your phone most: Google Maps tells you which of Shinjuku station's 200 exits to take, Suica lives in Apple Wallet, and the camera on Google Translate reads the menu. Airport Wi-Fi drops the moment you step onto the train, so a working data plan is not optional.
A FairSIM eSIM for Japan rides on NTT Docomo, KDDI (au) or Rakuten Mobile, the same 4G and 5G networks locals use, at the wholesale rate. Install it at home in one tap, switch it on when you land, and keep your own number active for calls and two-factor codes.
Since April 2026, buying a SIM or eSIM from a Japanese carrier requires a physical passport check at a counter. A travel eSIM bought before departure skips that queue entirely.
- CarriersKDDI, NTT Docomo
- CompatibilityCheck if eSIM is available on your phone
- No days lostPurchase now, data will start when you arrive
Japan eSIM plans
Plan starts: On first data use
Coverage in Japan
- 4G LTE5G
au (KDDI)
Most Opensignal awards for reliability and consistent quality in 2025.
- 4G LTE5G
NTT Docomo
The largest network, with the deepest reach into rural and mountain areas.
- 4G LTE5G
Rakuten Mobile
Japan's newest network, strongest in the big cities.
4G LTE nationwide, 5G in all major cities and along Shinkansen corridors
Typical speed: Around 63 Mbps median download nationally (Ookla, late 2025); Docomo 5G averages closer to 170 Mbps in cities.
Coverage is excellent in cities, subways and on most rail lines, and good in towns and ski resorts. Expect gaps only in deep mountains, long tunnels and on remote islands. Japan switched off 3G, so your phone needs 4G LTE.
How much data do you need in Japan?
It depends on how you travel. Find your trip below, then pick the plan that matches. You can always top up in the app.
Golden Route first-timer: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka
Seven to fourteen days by Shinkansen through the classic triangle.
Why data matters: Google Maps transit routing with platform numbers, Smart EX Shinkansen e-tickets, Suica top-ups in Apple Wallet, Google Translate camera for menus, and timed tickets for teamLab and Shibuya Sky.
- 7 days
- 5 GB
- 14 days
- 10 GB
- 30 days
- 20 GB
Ski season in Hokkaido or Nagano
Niseko, Hakuba or Furano powder, often with a Tokyo stop on the way.
Why data matters: Snow forecasts, lift-pass apps, infrequent bus timetables that only live online, and group chats with photos from the mountain.
- 7 days
- 5 GB
- 14 days
- 10 GB
- 30 days
- 20 GB
Business trip to Tokyo or Osaka
Short, dense schedules with meetings across the city.
Why data matters: Teams and Zoom on the move, email, Personal Hotspot for the laptop, the GO taxi app, and Navitime for exact train platforms.
- 7 days
- 10 GB
- 14 days
- 20 GB
- 30 days
- Unlimited
Family holiday: Tokyo Disney, USJ, Ghibli
Theme parks and timed-entry attractions with kids in tow.
Why data matters: Park apps for queue times and mobile ordering, timed e-tickets, translation, and streaming for the kids on long train rides. Buy a plan per phone from one app.
- 7 days
- 8 GB
- 14 days
- 15 GB
- 30 days
- 30 GB
Slow travel: onsen towns and regional Japan
Kyushu, Shikoku, Tohoku, ryokan stays and local trains.
Why data matters: Offline maps still need data to reroute, and rural buses run a few times a day with timetables posted online only.
- 7 days
- 5 GB
- 14 days
- 10 GB
- 30 days
- 20 GB
What your home carrier charges in Japan
Daily roaming passes look small until you multiply them by the length of the trip. FairSIM plans for Japan start at $5.99 and never bill per day.
| Carrier | Roaming charge | FairSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon TravelPass (US) | $12 per line per day, 5 GB of high-speed data per day then slower speeds | from $5.99, no daily fee |
| AT&T International Day Pass (US) | $12 per day per line, $6 for each additional line, charged only on the days you use it | from $5.99, no daily fee |
| T-Mobile International Pass (US) | $10 for 1 day and 2 GB, $50 for 10 days and 15 GB, $75 for 30 days and 30 GB | from $5.99, no daily fee |
| EE (UK) | £8 per day with only 500 MB of data | from $5.99, no daily fee |
| Telstra International Day Pass (Australia) | A$10 per day with 2 GB of data | from $5.99, no daily fee |
| Orange (France) | Connexion 24h at €8.99 per day, or a Pass Voyage from €9.99 for 3 days; €13.31 per MB without either | from $5.99, no daily fee |
Carrier prices as published on their roaming pages at the time of writing. They change often; check your own plan before you fly.
Related guides
How FairSIM works
Three steps between you and the internet abroad. Nothing to pick up at the airport.
Pick a destination and a plan
Choose the country or region and the data you need. The price you see is the price you pay.
Tap install
On iPhone (iOS 17.4+) the eSIM installs in one tap, no QR code. Do it at home while you still have Wi-Fi.
Land and connect
Turn on data roaming for the FairSIM line when you arrive. Your plan starts when it first connects.
Connectivity tips for Japan
Install the eSIM at home and switch on data roaming for the FairSIM line when the plane lands. Airport Wi-Fi works as a backup if you need to download anything.
Add a Suica card to Apple Wallet before you fly. Foreign cards work for top-ups, but the top-up itself needs a connection.
Keep your home SIM active for SMS codes, with its own data roaming switched off so it never bills you.
Screenshot Shinkansen QR tickets and save hotel addresses in Japanese for taxi drivers.
Expect slower speeds in crowds, such as Shibuya crossing at night, Fushimi Inari and Golden Week trains, even on 5G.
Rural Kyushu and Tohoku buses run a few times a day. Check times online before you leave a Wi-Fi zone.
Working from Japan? Hotspotting a laptop uses one to two extra gigabytes per day. Pick a 20 GB or unlimited plan.
Google Translate's camera mode is the single most useful, and data-hungry, feature you will use. Download the Japanese offline pack as well.
Can you rely on free Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi exists at airports, big JR stations, Lawson, Starbucks and hotels, but it is hotspot-only, often needs registration, and drops as soon as you move. 7-Eleven and FamilyMart ended free Wi-Fi in 2022. Do not plan a day around it.
Local SIM card or eSIM in Japan?
Tourist SIMs are sold at Narita, Haneda, Kansai and Fukuoka counters, at electronics stores and from vending machines, typically ¥3,000 to ¥5,000 for seven to fifteen days. Almost all are data-only with no phone number, exactly like a travel eSIM.
Since 1 April 2026, any SIM or eSIM from a Japanese carrier requires a physical passport or residence card shown in person; photos and copies are not accepted. A FairSIM eSIM is installed before you leave, so there is no counter, no wait and no plastic card to lose.
Japan eSIM questions
Does eSIM work in Japan?
Yes. Any eSIM-capable, carrier-unlocked phone connects to Japanese 4G and 5G networks with a travel eSIM. On iPhone that means the XS, XR or anything newer.
Which network will my Japan eSIM use?
Travel eSIMs connect to NTT Docomo, KDDI (au) or Rakuten Mobile. All three cover cities, Shinkansen lines and ski resorts. Docomo reaches furthest into rural areas. The exact network for your plan is shown in the app before you buy.
Is 5G included?
Yes, where the host network has 5G and your phone supports it. Elsewhere it falls back to 4G LTE, which is fast and reliable across Japan.
Can I use Personal Hotspot in Japan?
Yes. Every FairSIM plan supports Personal Hotspot, with no separate cap. A laptop uses data quickly, so budget for it.
Should I install the eSIM before or after landing?
Before. Install it over Wi-Fi at home, then turn on the line and data roaming when you arrive. The plan's validity typically starts when it first connects to a Japanese network, not when you install it.
Can I make calls and use WhatsApp with a Japan eSIM?
The eSIM is data-only, so WhatsApp, FaceTime, LINE and Messenger calls all work over data. There is no Japanese phone number. Your home SIM stays active for regular calls and SMS codes.
How much data do I need for 10 days in Japan?
About 1 GB per day covers maps, transit, translation and social apps. Budget 10 GB for ten days, more if you stream video or tether a laptop. Top up in the app if you run low.
Is a local SIM better than an eSIM in Japan?
Local tourist SIMs are data-only too, and since April 2026 they need in-person passport verification. A travel eSIM avoids the counter queue and the physical SIM swap, and you top up from the app instead of buying a new card.
What is an eSIM?
A SIM card built into your phone. Instead of a plastic chip, you download a profile. Every iPhone since the XS has one next to the physical SIM slot, so your home number stays put while FairSIM supplies the data.
Is my phone compatible?
FairSIM works with eSIM-compatible, carrier-unlocked iPhones: the XS, XR and everything newer, on iOS 17.4 or later for the one-tap install with no QR code. iPhones bought in mainland China do not support eSIM at all, even when unlocked. Not sure yours is unlocked? Check Settings, General, About, Carrier Lock, or ask your carrier. The full list is on the How it works page.
When should I install my eSIM?
Before you travel, while you still have Wi-Fi. Installing does not start your plan; the validity typically starts when the eSIM first connects to a network at your destination.
Do FairSIM eSIMs come with a phone number?
No. FairSIM eSIMs are data-only by design, which keeps costs low. For calls and texts, your physical SIM stays active so you keep your existing number, and WhatsApp, FaceTime and iMessage work over data.
