This comparison covers four Japan travel data options verified directly from each provider’s official website: Airalo, Ubigi, Sakura Mobile, and Nomad. Holafly was left out of this round because its current official pricing couldn’t be confirmed at the time of writing. Nomad has the lowest verified exact 7-day unlimited price in this comparison, at ¥3,963, but the right pick still depends on your trip length and whether you want a physical SIM or an eSIM.
Quick Comparison at a Glance
| Provider | Plan | Price | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | 7 days, unlimited | ¥4,400 | eSIM only |
| Ubigi | 8 days, unlimited | ¥4,100 | eSIM only |
| Ubigi | 15 days, unlimited | ¥6,300 | eSIM only |
| Sakura Mobile | 7 days, unlimited | ¥6,380 (tax incl.) | Physical SIM |
| Sakura Mobile | 14 days, unlimited | ¥9,240 (tax incl.) | eSIM |
| Nomad | 3 days, unlimited | ¥1,744 | eSIM only |
| Nomad | 7 days, unlimited | ¥3,963 | eSIM only |
| Nomad | 14 days, unlimited | ¥6,500 | eSIM only |
Airalo
Airalo’s Japan eSIM is priced by day count, with unlimited data on every tier. The 7-day plan costs ¥4,400 and runs on SoftBank plus one additional network, based on information from Airalo’s own site. Setup is entirely digital, so there’s nothing to pick up or mail back.
Pros: no physical pickup required; simple day-based pricing; unlimited data on every tier.
Cons: eSIM only, so it won’t work on phones without eSIM support; the second network partner isn’t named in detail on Airalo’s site.
Ubigi
Ubigi covers the widest range of options here, from small data-capped plans up to unlimited monthly data. Its 8-day unlimited plan is competitively priced at ¥4,100, and its 15-day unlimited plan, listed as Ubigi’s best seller, costs ¥6,300.
Pros: most duration and data-cap combinations of the four; 8-day unlimited plan is competitively priced; 15-day plan covers close to two weeks for less than Nomad’s 14-day plan.
Cons: more plans to compare before buying; eSIM only.
Sakura Mobile
Sakura Mobile is the only provider here offering a physical SIM as well as an eSIM, along with English-language support that includes phone support. The 7-day unlimited physical SIM costs ¥6,380 including tax; the 14-day unlimited eSIM costs ¥9,240 including tax. Airport pickup is available for the physical SIM, and Sakura Mobile also sells Pocket WiFi, though its pricing wasn’t part of this comparison.
Pros: only physical SIM option with airport pickup; English phone support; Pocket WiFi also available.
Cons: higher-priced than the other options compared here for the plans listed above; physical SIM requires an airport pickup step.
Nomad
Nomad has the lowest verified exact 7-day unlimited price in this comparison, at ¥3,963. A 3-day unlimited plan costs ¥1,744, and a 14-day unlimited plan costs ¥6,500. For trips closer to two weeks, it’s worth checking Ubigi’s 15-day plan too — at ¥6,300, it costs less than Nomad’s 14-day plan while covering an extra day.
Pros: the lowest verified exact 7-day unlimited price in this comparison; simple three-tier pricing; all plans are unlimited.
Cons: fewer duration options than Ubigi; for trips near two weeks, Ubigi’s 15-day plan may cost less.
Which Japan eSIM Should You Buy?
- If you want the lowest verified exact 7-day unlimited price: Nomad.
- If your trip runs closer to two weeks: compare Ubigi’s 15-day plan (¥6,300) against Nomad’s 14-day plan (¥6,500) — Ubigi covers one more day for less.
- If you want a physical SIM, airport pickup, or English phone support: Sakura Mobile.
- If you want simple day-based pricing with unlimited data: Airalo.
FAQ
Do I need a physical SIM, or is an eSIM enough for Japan?
Most modern phones support eSIM, and eSIMs can save you from picking up a physical SIM or carrying a separate Pocket WiFi device. If your phone doesn’t support eSIM, or you want a physical backup, Sakura Mobile is the only provider here that sells one.
Can I activate my Japan eSIM before I land?
Providers generally let you install an eSIM profile ahead of time, but confirm the exact activation window with each provider before you travel, since policies can change.
Is “unlimited” data really unlimited?
Unlimited plans typically carry a fair-use policy that can slow speeds after a certain amount of use in a day. None of the throttling thresholds for these four providers were confirmed as part of this comparison, so check each provider’s terms if that matters for your trip.
Related reading: How to Use Suica and IC Cards in Japan, and 10 Best Day Trips from Tokyo.