After travelling around Japan, I can say that having reliable internet makes the whole trip much easier.
During our trip, we needed internet almost constantly. We used Google Maps to navigate train stations and find our hotels, Google Translate to understand menus and signs, and Uber when we needed a taxi. We were also constantly checking train times, opening booking confirmations and looking up places while we were out.
Japan does have free Wi-Fi in airports, hotels, cafés and some train stations, but I wouldn't rely on public Wi-Fi alone. Coverage can be inconsistent, and once you start travelling outside the major cities, having your own connection becomes even more useful.
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What is the best way to stay connected in Japan?
For most travellers and for us, an eSIM is the easiest option, but there are three main choices.
Quick Guide: Best Internet Option for Japan
Best for most travellers: eSIM
Best if your phone doesn't support eSIM: Physical SIM card
Best for families or several devices: Pocket Wi-Fi
Best eSIM for flexible data plans: Airalo
Best eSIM for unlimited data: Holafly
Best alternative with a free trial: GigSky
Using an eSIM in Japan
An eSIM is a digital SIM that you install directly onto a compatible phone. There is no physical card to collect or swap.
You can buy and install your Japan eSIM before leaving home and then switch it on when you arrive.
For me, this is the biggest advantage. After a long flight, the last thing I want to do is queue at an airport counter or start looking for a SIM card. With an eSIM, you can land, turn on your phone and have internet almost immediately.
Pros of using an eSIM in Japan
You can organise it before travelling.
There is nothing extra to carry.
You can keep your normal physical SIM in your phone.
Plans are available for short and long trips.
It is easy to top up or buy additional data with many providers.
You don't need to return anything at the end of your trip.
Cons of an eSIM
The main issue is compatibility. Your phone needs to support eSIM and normally needs to be unlocked.
Many travel eSIMs are also primarily data plans, so don't assume you will receive a Japanese phone number unless the particular package says so.
Airalo vs Holafly vs GigSky: Which eSIM Is Best for Japan?
There are dozens of Japan eSIM providers now, but three of the best-known options ( that I use while travelling) are Airalo, Holafly and GigSky.
Airalo: Best for Flexible Data Packages
Airalo is probably one of the best-known travel eSIM companies and offers both fixed-data and unlimited packages for Japan.
At the time of writing, Japan plans include options ranging from small packages such as 1GB for three days to 20GB plans and unlimited packages, making it easy to choose based on how much data you expect to use.
Best for: Travellers who want a choice of data allowances and don't necessarily need unlimited data.
Pros: Lots of plan options, relatively inexpensive smaller packages and easy app-based setup.
Cons: You need to estimate how much data you will use, and some unlimited packages reduce speed after a certain amount of daily high-speed usage.
Holafly: Best for Unlimited Data
Holafly is a good option if you don't want to think about how many gigabytes you are using.
Its Japan eSIM offers unlimited data, with access to 4G, LTE and 5G where available on networks including KDDI and SoftBank.
This can be useful if you use Google Maps throughout the day, upload content, watch videos or generally use a lot of mobile data.
One important thing to know is that unlimited doesn't necessarily mean unlimited high-speed data in every circumstance. Local network fair-use policies can result in temporary speed reductions, and hotspot sharing on the Japan plan is currently limited to 1GB per day.
Best for: Heavy data users who don't want to keep checking their remaining allowance.
Pros: Unlimited data and you can choose the number of days you need.
Cons: Usually more expensive than buying a small fixed-data package, and hotspot usage has limits.
GigSky: Best for Trying Before You Buy
GigSky is another option worth comparing, particularly because it offers a 100MB free trial without requiring a credit card, which allows you to test the service before buying a larger package.
In Japan, GigSky connects through networks including NTT Docomo and SoftBank and offers both fixed-data and unlimited options.
Its unlimited plans currently provide high-speed data up to a daily threshold before speeds are reduced, with high-speed access resetting the following day.
Best for: Travellers who want to test their eSIM first or compare fixed and unlimited packages.
Pros: Free trial, fixed-data and unlimited options, and access to major Japanese networks.
Cons: As with other unlimited plans, there can be a daily high-speed data limit.
Buying a Physical SIM Card in Japan
A physical tourist SIM is still a perfectly good option if your phone doesn't support eSIM.
You can buy travel SIM cards at major airports and electronics shops such as Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera. Your phone must be unlocked to use one.
The disadvantage is convenience. You need to buy or collect the SIM, swap your existing card and keep your original SIM somewhere safe. Unless your phone isn't eSIM-compatible, I personally find an eSIM much simpler.
Is Pocket Wi-Fi Worth It in Japan?
Pocket Wi-Fi used to be one of the most popular ways for tourists to get internet in Japan, and it is still useful in certain situations.
It is essentially a small portable router that connects to Japan's mobile network and creates your own Wi-Fi hotspot.
The biggest advantage is that several people or devices can connect to one Pocket Wi-Fi, so it can work well for families or groups travelling together.
However, you have another device to charge and carry every day. You also need to collect it or have it delivered, and normally return it at the end of your trip. Pocket Wi-Fi rentals are widely available at Japan's major airports and can also be delivered to hotels.
For one or two people travelling with modern phones, I would usually choose an eSIM instead.
How Much Mobile Data Do You Need in Japan?
For a typical trip where you mainly use Google Maps, messaging, Google Translate, train apps, web searches and occasional social media, around 1GB per day is generally plenty for most travellers.
If you upload videos, watch YouTube, use Instagram heavily or hotspot your laptop, consider a larger package or unlimited plan.
You can also download Google Maps areas and Japanese translation files before travelling to reduce your data usage.
Can You Travel Around Japan Using Only Free Wi-Fi?
Technically, yes. I wouldn't recommend it. Japan has plenty of public Wi-Fi, particularly in airports, hotels and major cities, but availability and connection quality aren't guaranteed.
More importantly, the moments when we needed internet most were often when we were already on the move: finding the correct train, checking which station exit to take, translating something or trying to find our accommodation.
Having mobile data removes a lot of unnecessary stress.
What Is the Best Way to Get Internet in Japan?
For most visitors, I recommend getting an eSIM before travelling to Japan.
Choose Airalo if you want flexible packages and only want to pay for the data you expect to use.
Choose Holafly if you want unlimited data and don't want to think about your usage.
And consider GigSky if you want another flexible option with the advantage of testing the service with a small free data allowance first.
If your phone doesn't support eSIM, buy a tourist SIM instead. And if you are travelling as a family or need to connect several devices at the same time, Pocket Wi-Fi may still be the better choice.
Whichever option you choose, I definitely recommend having reliable mobile internet in Japan. We used ours every single day, and navigating Japan without Google Maps, Google Translate, and access to transport information would have been much more complicated.