Japan
Nationwide coverage
Blazing data across Japan — Tokyo, Kyoto, the bullet train and the ryokan up in the hills. Translate menus and navigate the metro without missing a beat.
- 5G where available
- No roaming charges
- Instant eSIM delivery
- Keep your number
eSIM + QR code emailed instantly · no physical SIM
All four Japanese networks
Your eSIM can use NTT docomo, SoftBank, KDDI/au and Rakuten Mobile, all carrying 5G. That's every major network in the country, which is about as good as it gets anywhere in the world.
Japan's coverage is exceptional. Cities, mountain towns, the coast, the subway systems and the Shinkansen routes are all served, and docomo in particular reaches deep into rural Honshu and Hokkaido.
Why data matters more in Japan than most places
Live translation is the reason. Menus, station signage, ticket machines, konbini shelves and onsen etiquette notices are largely in Japanese, and pointing your camera at them is genuinely transformative. That's a constant, low-level data draw all day rather than an occasional lookup.
Add in the rail apps you'll live inside — working out which of the four operators runs the line you need, and from which of Shinjuku's two hundred exits — and Japan justifies buying a size up.
How much data to take
A week of Tokyo and Kyoto with constant translation and rail apps wants 5 GB rather than 3. Two weeks covering more ground suits 10 GB at £7.99. Note that the Tokyo metro and the Shinkansen both have coverage, including through most tunnels.
Good to know
Questions, answered
Does it work on the Shinkansen and the Tokyo metro?+
Yes to both. The bullet train routes have trackside coverage including through most tunnels, and Tokyo's subway network is covered throughout — you'll keep signal between stations, not just on platforms.
Is it fast enough for live camera translation?+
Yes. You're on 5G across all four major Japanese networks, which is more than enough for Google Lens or the Translate camera. Budget a little more data than usual, though — it's the thing you'll use most.
How do I install it?+
After checkout we email your eSIM and a QR code. Scan it in your phone's settings, switch the line on, and you're ready — do it before you fly and it activates when you land.
Will it work on my phone?+
Most phones from the last few years support eSIM (iPhone XS and newer, recent Samsung/Pixel). Check your phone in Settings, or use our compatibility checker.
When does my plan start?+
Validity counts from first connection in the destination, not from purchase — so you can buy and install early without wasting days.
Can I keep using my normal number?+
Yes. The eSIM is data-only and runs alongside your usual SIM, so calls and texts on your main number still work.
Networks
Your eSIM hops onto the strongest of Japan’s local networks automatically — no setup, no choosing.
Coverage
Full nationwide data across Japan on tier-1 partner networks.