Travel eSIMJapan
Japan
data from $2.99.
21 plans from 1GB to 50GB. Buy now, scan the QR, and your data works the moment you land.
21 plans from 1GB to 50GB. Buy now, scan the QR, and your data works the moment you land.
Last checked: August 2026
You are going to Japan. You have a packed itinerary, a list of restaurants saved in Google Maps, and a phone that needs to work from the moment you land. This guide covers what data you need, what it costs, and how to set it up before you leave.
You are travelling from the UK or India, and your trip is probably one of two things. A two-week holiday covering Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, with day trips to Nara or Hakone. Or a shorter stopover of four to five days focused on one city. Either way, your phone is your primary tool: maps for trains, translation apps for menus, and messaging to coordinate with your travel group.
If you are India-origin, you might also be keeping an Indian SIM active for bank OTPs. That matters, and we cover it below. If you are from the UK, you want to avoid the £6-a-day roaming charge from a major UK network. A Japan eSIM from Slashtel costs less than that for the whole trip.
Data needs vary by how you use your phone. Here is a practical guide.
| Trip length | Habits | Recommended plan |
|---|---|---|
| 4-5 days | Maps, messaging, light social media | 3GB |
| 7 days | Maps, translation, social media, occasional video call | 5GB |
| 10-14 days | Heavy maps, streaming, video calls daily | 10GB+ |
Maps and translation use surprisingly little data. A day of heavy navigation on Google Maps uses around 100-150MB. Translation apps use a fraction of that. The big consumers are video calls and streaming. A 30-minute WhatsApp video call uses roughly 200MB. Streaming a one-hour show uses about 1GB.
For most travellers, 5GB over 30 days is the sweet spot. It covers a two-week trip with room to spare. If you are a light user on a short trip, 3GB will do. If you stream or video call daily, go for 10GB.
Arrival airport data. Once you land at Narita, Haneda, or Kansai, you will need data immediately to check train schedules, call a taxi, or message your hotel. A Japan eSIM activates on first connection to a local network. Install it before you fly, and it will connect within a minute of landing. No SIM vending machines, no passport registration at the airport.
Keep your home SIM for OTPs. If you have an Indian SIM, keep it in your phone's second slot. You will receive bank OTPs and other SMS messages without any extra setup. Your Japan eSIM handles data, your Indian SIM handles texts. If you are from the UK, you can switch your home SIM to the second slot and disable data roaming on it to avoid any charges from a major UK network.
Install your Japan eSIM while you are still on Wi-Fi at home. The QR code arrives by email within a minute of purchase. Scan it, add the plan, and you are done. Data starts only when you connect to a network in Japan. Full instructions for iPhone and Android are in our installation guide.
All plans run for 30 days from first connection and include tethering.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 5GB | from $X.XX |
| 10GB | from $X.XX |
| 20GB | from $X.XX |
| 50GB | from $X.XX |
No contracts, no hidden fees. Buy, install, fly. If you do not use the eSIM, we refund it on request.
Yes. Japan has widespread eSIM support. Most modern unlocked phones from the last few years will work. Check our compatibility guide if you are unsure about your specific model.
For a week of maps, translation, and social media, 5GB is usually enough. If you plan to stream video or use video calls daily, consider the 10GB plan. For light users who only check maps occasionally, 3GB can work.
Yes, our Japan eSIM plans allow tethering. You can share your data connection with a laptop or tablet. Just set up a personal hotspot on your phone as you normally would.
If your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM, it will work. Most recent iPhones and Android flagships from Samsung, Google, and Xiaomi support eSIM. Check our compatibility guide for a full list.
Yes. Install the Japan eSIM for data and keep your Indian SIM in the second slot for SMS. You will receive OTPs on your Indian number without roaming charges for incoming texts on most plans.
You can buy another eSIM plan from our site at any time. The new eSIM will be delivered to your email within a minute. Install it and you are back online.
Pick a plan, pay by card. QR arrives by email within a minute.
Scan the QR on Wi-Fi at home. Takes two minutes. Keep your main SIM in.
Enable data roaming on the Slashtel line. Done — no shops, no queues.