Planning a trip to Japan soon? Then you probably already know that staying connected is non-negotiable, whether you’re navigating Tokyo’s streets, making friends jealous with regular Instagram story updates, keeping your family updated on your whereabouts, or catching up on work (for all my fellow digital nomads out there).
But with so many eSIM providers out there, how do you know which one to pick for your trip to Japan? You are going to want an eSIM that provides widespread coverage across the country, enough data for you to stay connected throughout your stay, and a hassle-free setup.
I’ve been testing out a lot of eSIMs, and when it comes to affordability, coverage, and unlimited data (with high throttling thresholds), I believe Sim Local is a solid pick for your time in Japan.
In this article, I will take you through my reasoning for picking Sim Local’s eSIM in Japan, and you can enjoy some of my photos of Japan in the process, to get you extra excited for your upcoming trip!
Thank you to Sim Local for sponsoring this post and for helping me stay connected during my travels, so I can post useful content like this!
What to look for in a Japan eSIM?
Japan has so much to offer. Bustling, vibrant cities and beautiful, peaceful countryside. Yes, in the pre-mobile phone era, tourists were successfully able to navigate and enjoy all of this, but thanks to the internet, you can remove a lot of the stress and enjoy more of the adventures.
A Japan eSIM will allow you to navigate around the busy streets of Tokyo, locate the best ramen in Osaka, discover all the beautiful temples in Kyoto, and so much more.
To be able to do this, your Japan eSIM will need to have good coverage across the country, with plenty of data to ensure you never get stuck anywhere without. In fact, I prefer the option for unlimited data so I never worry about it running low (even if it does get throttled).
You can get all of this and more with Sim Local – read on to find out more.
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Why choose Sim Local for Japan
Sim Local is a global eSIM company offering a variety of data plans, with some of the best unlimited data offers, across 200+ destinations. They connect you with the most trusted network providers across the globe, so you can use the internet like a local, no matter where you are.
One of their destinations is, of course, Japan. They have around 9 different data plans for Japan (at the time of writing), from 3GB to unlimited, using the networks from the main data providers in Japan – AU and NTT.
These are the key features of Sim Local’s eSIM for Japan that make this my top pick for the area:
The best unlimited data plans
A fair few eSIM companies offer unlimited data plans, but due to fair use policies, they all tend to throttle the service after a certain amount of GB is used. Not all companies are transparent about this, and most tend to have quite a low threshold.
Which is fine if you are only using it for light browsing every day, but if you need to use your data for navigation, social media, chatting with friends and family, and even some streaming of your favourite shows, then you may get a little frustrated by these limits.
The thing I enjoy about Sim Local is that you get around 10GB of high-speed data every day. After which, you get unlimited access at slower speeds. But I never reached more than 10GB in a day, despite using my phone a lot.
Great hotspot allowance
Being able to hotspot whilst travelling through Japan will be super handy if you are travelling with other people, if you are working, or if you want to stay up to date on your latest shows whilst relaxing in your hotel.
Typically, most eSIM companies limit hotspot use to the point it isn’t particularly useful or don’t offer it at all. Sim Local offers between 3GB to 15GB of hotspot data, depending on the length of the plan you pick:
- 4 days: Up to 3GB
- 7 days: Up to 6GB
- 10 days: Up to 9GB
- 15 days: Up to 15GB
You can use this to connect your other devices to the internet, like a tablet or laptop, or your friends can tag on to your internet for use on their devices.
Reliable coverage
Sim Local’s most popular Japan eSIM, with unlimited data, makes the most out of the AU network, one of the largest network carriers in Japan. They also have limited data plans from NTT (another of the largest carriers) and a regional ‘Asia’ plan utilising the Orange network.
It is data only, as is the case with the majority of eSIMs, but it has some of the best internet coverage in the area since it utilises local carriers. You will get solid speeds and reliable coverage in the major destinations like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Sapporo.
If you are planning on travelling to more remote areas, like the mountains, your signal strength may vary slightly. This will depend on the coverage of the local Japanese networks.
Comparison: Sim Local vs Holafly in Japan
Another eSIM company offering unlimited data plans is Holafly. They used to be my go-to for unlimited data, but I was getting increasingly frustrated by the throttling, which would kick in very quickly each day.
Considering that they also offer unlimited data plans, I want to provide a side-by-side comparison of Holafly with Sim Local. The larger quantity of high-speed data offered by Sim Local each day has made travelling an absolute breeze, but I have also been enjoying the larger quantity of hotspot data and the lower prices!
| Feature | Sim Local | Holafly |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited data | 10 GB of high-speed, then slower speeds | Up to 2 GB of high-speed |
| Hotspot | From 3GB to 15GB, depending on plan length | Up to 500 MB per day |
| Plan duration | 4 to 31 days | 1 to 90 days |
| Price for 10 days (unlimited) | $26 | $36.90 |
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Who would benefit from Sim Local?
All kinds of travellers in Japan will benefit from using the Sim Local eSIM. With the option for unlimited data (with 10GB of high-speed data every day), tethering, and local network connections, you can feel confident that you will remain connected throughout your stay.
The 10GB of high-speed data is particularly useful for remote workers like me who often need to take video calls and work on the go. It is also great if you are active on social media and want to upload stories and posts of your visit as you go.
And considering its affordability, it is also great for light use. Including using Google Maps to find your nearby subway station or sending WhatsApp messages to your friends and family.
How to get started
To get started with Sim Local, head to their website to browse their data plans for each destination. This includes global, regional and local plans. You will also find a few plans with calls and texts.
Select the plan with the data and duration that suits you best, and you’ll be sent instructions on how to install your eSIM through their website and by email. You can download their phone app and stay up to date with your installed eSIM.
You can also download their phone app straight away, for both Apple and Android, and purchase your eSIM directly through there.
Before purchasing any eSIM, make sure to check if your phone is compatible with eSIMs. Use Sim Local’s handy guide here 
My verdict
If you want a stress-free solution to staying connected whilst travelling through Japan, with no concerns of running out of data, access to 10GB of high-speed data every day, and great local network coverage, then you’ll love Sim Local.
Not only are their prices much more affordable than other unlimited data plans offered by competitors, but I found my access to the internet to be a lot more streamlined when using Sim Local. I never struggled with any connection loss*, and never maxed out the 10GB of high-speed data allowance each day, despite working remotely and streaming TV shows.
Overall, Sim Local is a solid choice for unlimited data in Japan and beyond!
* Keep in mind that you may get slower data in more remote areas. This will depend on the local network coverage.
Get 5% off your Sim Local eSIM with code: MYVEGANTRAVELS
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