Best eSIM for Japan

Published October 7, 202610 min read Fact checked

For Japan, Saily is the cheapest eSIM if you count your data (1 GB for 7 days at $3.99 USD), and Holafly is the most flexible for unlimited data, down to the exact day ($38.00 CAD for 7 days). Airalo sits in between, with fixed and unlimited plans billed in Canadian dollars.

Taking a trip to Japan is something that many people dream of doing. With many diverse regions showcasing incredible food, natural beauty, and millennia of cultural history, Japan is a compelling destination for any traveller.

Of course, once you're in Japan, you'll want to make the most of your time there, and you'll also likely want to stay connected with loved ones back home to share your adventure. With a good eSIM, you'll be able to connect to data in most of Japan using your device to translate restaurant menus, navigate public transit, send pictures back home, and more.

In our article below, we share the best eSIMs for Japan so you can feel confident, comfortable, and connected as you explore this spectacular country.

Busy street in Japan at night, with colourful neon signs and passers-by. — Tokyo Japan

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is an entirely digital SIM card that works with pre-installed software on your compatible device. Using this technology, you can download and set up a travel eSIM before you even take off, then arrive at your destination ready to connect to a local network.

In the past, mobile devices used to exclusively have physical SIM cards that would have to be manually put in and taken out when you wanted to connect to a new network abroad. These physical SIM cards (which are still available and used in most devices) were usually purchased from a kiosk at the airport when you arrived, making it one of the first things you would have to do when you landed.

Now, thanks to eSIMs, the process of staying connected while travelling is much easier. Most new smart devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, are compatible with eSIMs, and as long as your device is compatible, an eSIM can be installed in a few quick steps using a QR code.

Once connected when you arrive at your destination, you should have near-instant access to data networks in countries like Japan and across the globe.

Why Choose an eSIM?

There's a number of reasons to choose to get an eSIM for your trip to Japan (or just about anywhere else in the world). These include:

Simple to buy, download, and install with a compatible device
Helpful for using online translation tools to navigate menus, signs, transportation systems, and for chatting with locals
No need to keep track of a tiny physical SIM card
Affordable and saves you from racking up roaming charges
Ability to choose how much data you need for each trip
Reliable connectivity to keep you in touch with family and friends
Helps keep you safe by ensuring access to maps
Supports important trip logistics like accessing ride-shares/taxis, and contacting your hotels, tour guides, and more.

Best eSIMs for Japan

Japan is a pretty big country spread across over 14,000 islands (though only a few hundred of these are inhabited), and most travellers would love to stay connected regardless of where in the country they visit.

Whether you’re exploring the differences between Tokyo's many districts, travelling to Okinawa for its incredibly unique food and culture, frolicking in the snow in Sapporo, or standing in awe of the temples in Kyoto, staying connected with an eSIM will help make your trip better.

For travel to Japan, there are three major eSIM vendors that we recommend for Canadians: Saily, Airalo, and Holafly. All three offer similar network coverage through Japan's major networks, including SoftBank and KDDI, so you'll mostly be comparing price and data quantities when selecting the best option for your trip.

When you're choosing the best eSIM for Japan, there are a few key things that you'll want to consider:

How many days is your trip? – For Japan, you can find eSIM data plans for as little as 1 day all the way up to 90 days. Since the cost typically goes up the longer the plan, picking the eSIM plan that lines up most closely with your trip length can save you money.
How much data do you expect to use? – More data = more cost, so it can be valuable to consider how much data you may use each day and over the course of your trip.
How many countries will you visit? – Most reputable eSIM providers offer region-specific eSIMs alongside their country-specific ones. This means that if you’re travelling to multiple nearby countries, you may benefit from getting a single all-encompassing eSIM versus one eSIM for each country you visit.

Saily eSIMs

When it comes to choosing a great eSIM for Japan, we're starting our recommendations with the array of options from Saily.

We recommend Saily's eSIMs because not only are they easy to download and install, but the company also has excellent customer service. Their team is on stand-by 24/7 in case you need some extra help with the installation process or with your eSIM once you're already on the road.

For Japan-specific travel, Saily offers the following eSIM data plans:

Data	Period of Validity	Price
1 GB	7 days	$3.99 USD
3 GB	30 days	$7.99 USD
5 GB	30 days	$10.99 USD
10 GB	30 days	$17.99 USD
20 GB	30 days	$24.99 USD
Unlimited data	5–30 days	$18.99–71.99 USD

Plus conveniently, your Saily eSIM comes with a 180-day activation window, so you can get it set well before you travel to get one thing checked off your to-do list. Just note that if you don't activate your eSIM within 180 days, it will be activated automatically.

Why choose Saily?

Saily customers can also enjoy 3% back in bonus credits each time they purchase an eSIM, and every time they successfully refer a friend, they get $5 USD in credit. These accumulated credits can then be used to help pay for your next Saily eSIM.

Additionally, Saily stands out from its competitors by allowing you to use a single eSIM for every destination you visit. Whereas most other eSIM vendors require that you download and install a new eSIM for each new destination/region, Saily lets you piggyback on the one you've already got. As long as you don't delete your Saily eSIM, the data plans for your future destinations should just be seamlessly added after your purchase.

Keep in mind that eSIMs purchased through Saily are charged in US dollars. Given this, it can be a good idea to make the purchase with a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction (FX) fees. A card like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ Card will not only save you the 2.5% foreign currency fee on your Saily eSIM purchase, but it'll also extend these savings to all purchases made abroad.

Saily's parent company is Nord Security which also runs NordVPN, one of the best VPN services in the world. Once you've got your eSIM planned out, you may find that it's worth also exploring a VPN for your upcoming trip to help keep your data safe around the world.

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Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $350
Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 3 months: Up to 35,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card ^+* Card^MC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Legal

* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);

$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;

$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.

In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.

Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.

Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus:
As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.

Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.

Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.

Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.

Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.

Savings at Shell

Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 3 cents per litre in Scene+ points value with an eligible Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + card linked to a Shell Go+ Account:

Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on purchases of V-Power^® gasoline, or V-Power^® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Earn up to 3 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 3 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.

Note: Highest value of 10 cents per litre assumes a Premium Fuel Purchase made with a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account. Actual value will vary depending on payment card used and whether or not the card is linked, fuel grade purchased, and how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points.

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

Earning rate

2xGroceries
2xRestaurants
2xTransit
2xEntertainment
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650

2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Airalo eSIMs

The second eSIM vendor that we recommend to keep you connected in Japan is Airalo.

Airalo's eSIM packages for Japan range as follows:

Data	Period of Validity	Price
1–3 GB	3 days	$6.00–11.00 CAD
3–10 GB	7 days	$11.50–24.50 CAD
5–20 GB	15 days	$15.00–34.50 CAD
5–20 GB	30 days	$16.00–35.50 CAD
Unlimited	3–30 days	$16.50–98.00 CAD

As you can see from the table above, Airalo offers a range of data quantities for select time frames, up to 30 days in length.

Similarly to Saily, Airalo also incentivizes your loyalty using a rewards system. With Airalo, every time you purchase an eSIM or refer a friend, you will earn Airmoney. Your accumulated Airmoney can then be redeemed toward the cost of your next eSIM purchase.

Notably, for some destinations Airalo offers the option to choose an eSIM package that includes calling and texting capabilities in addition to data. However, this option is not available in Japan, so travellers are limited to data-based texting and messaging apps like WhatsApp and FaceTime.

Holafly eSIMs

Our third recommended eSIM vendor is a great choice if you plan to use a lot of data while you're travelling in Japan. This is because every one of Holafly’s eSIM plans comes with unlimited data.

Additionally, Holafly lets you choose the exact number of days for your eSIM plan, meaning that you never have to pay for something you're not using. Plus, if that wasn't enough, Holafly has also introduced the Always On feature which gives you 1 GB of free "backup data" every month after your purchased plan ends.

The Always On data becomes available after you've installed your Holafly eSIM, and it remains accessible as long as you don't delete/uninstall it. The 1 GB automatically refreshes every 30 days, so you'll always have access to data in hundreds of destinations around the world.

Holafly also lets you share your data via your device's hotspot function up to a maximum of 1 GB per day. Additionally, if you ever need help with your eSIM, Holafly offers 24/7 customer support to make sure you stay connected.

Through Holafly, an eSIM plan for Japan can be selected for 1 to 90 days, with the cost per day becoming significantly lower the longer you stay. To give you an idea of the price for a Holafly eSIM in Japan, here are some common trip lengths with prices and the cost per day breakdown (all figures in CAD):

3 Days: $17.00 (~$5.67/day)
7 Days: $38.00 (~$5.43/day)
15 Days: $70.00 (~$4.67/day)
30 Days: $103.00 (~$3.43/day)

Bottom Line

Regardless of where in the country your trip to Japan takes you, having a reliable eSIM is a great way to stay connected and make your travels more pleasant. Thanks to online eSIM vendors like Saily, Airalo and Holafly, it's incredibly easy to find the right plan for your trip length and data needs.

Travelling beyond Japan? Explore our guides to the best eSIMs for Mexico, Europe, and the US, and our eSIM comparison guide. Plus, don't forget to check out our guide to the best credit cards in Canada to learn helpful ways to earn rewards and save.

To get our travel tips and access member-only offers, create your free Milesopedia account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do eSIMs work in Japan?

eSIMs absolutely work in Japan. The country has strong nationwide coverage through the same networks used by eSIMs, such as SoftBank and KDDI. However, keep in mind that while coverage is quite reliable in cities, along the train corridors, and in most tourist areas, it may become inconsistent or unavailable in remote mountain or island regions.

How much does an unlimited eSIM for 15 days in Japan cost?

For 15 days of unlimited data, expect to pay $68.50 CAD with Airalo and $70.00 CAD with Holafly. Saily lists its plan at $48.99 USD, charged in US dollars: you get full speed up to 5 GB per day, then the connection drops to 1 Mbps.

How do I set up an eSIM?

To use an eSIM on your next trip, simply follow these steps:

Buy an eSIM from a reputable provider like Saily, Airalo, or Holafly
Install the eSIM onto your preferred compatible device before you leave
Activate your new eSIM when you land at your destination, and you should be set to immediately access the local data network

Are eSIMs trustworthy?

Absolutely. eSIMs that are purchased through reputable vendors like Saily, Airalo, and Holafly are both trustworthy and reliable.

Can I use my eSIM for calls in Japan?

Not with these plans: the Japan eSIMs from Saily, Airalo, and Holafly are data-only and don't come with a local phone number. To send/receive texts or make a voice call, you will need to use a data-based service like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or another similar app.

When should I install my eSIM?

It's best to install your eSIM at home before your trip as you need to have a strong Wi-Fi connection. Plus, by having your eSIM ready to go before your trip, it means that you can step off the plane and immediately connect to the local network – very convenient for navigating a new destination.

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