In short
Our picks. Tap to see today's price at Vacay
- Cheapest unlimited dataKDDI Unlimited at 10 Mbps, ฿269 (≈ $8.88) for 5 daysBuy at Vacay →
- Light use, lowest price · DoCoMo 5GB, ฿109 (≈ $3.60) for 5 days
- Unlimited at full speed for the leastDoCoMo Unlimited, ฿379 (≈ $12.51) for 5 daysBuy at Vacay →
- Heavy use or sharing a hotspotKDDI Unlimited at full speed, ฿419 (≈ $13.83) for 5 daysBuy at Vacay →
- iPad or Google PixelKDDI, or Best Japan on its Dual Networks option. Vacay says DoCoMo plans and Best Japan's SoftBank option don't work on themBuy at Vacay →
New Vacay customers: 10% off
Copy the code and enter it at checkout.
Prices are from Vacay, the eSIM store GoeSIM partners with, on 12 Nov 2026. Vacay is a Thai store that charges in baht; the buy links open its prices in US dollars. Check the current price before you buy.
Local SIM or roaming: what's the difference?
A local Japan eSIM is a Japanese carrier's own SIM. A roaming eSIM is a foreign SIM that connects to Japanese networks as a visitor.
| Network | Plans | Type | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDDI (au) | KDDI Unlimited | Local | Vacay says it isn't slowed down (no fair-use cap). Hotspot allowed |
| NTT Docomo | DoCoMo, DoCoMo Unlimited | Local | Japan's biggest network. Not for iPad or Pixel |
| SoftBank | Best Japan with the SoftBank option | Local | Covers the main tourist areas. Not for iPad or Pixel |
| KDDI + SoftBank | Best Japan, Best Japan Unlimited, Best Japan Daily | Roaming | Switches between two networks. Top-ups possible. Needs Data Roaming on |
In Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto every network works well. In the countryside and mountains, Docomo and KDDI au are known for reaching further.
Unlimited plans
| Plan | Network | 5 days | 7 days | 10 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KDDI Unlimited 10 Mbps | KDDI au | ฿269≈ $8.88 | ฿369≈ $12.18 | ฿519≈ $17.13 |
| DoCoMo Unlimited (full speed) | Docomo | ฿379≈ $12.51 | ฿519≈ $17.13 | ฿709≈ $23.40 |
| Best Japan Unlimited 10 Mbps | KDDI + SoftBank | ฿379≈ $12.51 | ฿519≈ $17.13 | ฿709≈ $23.40 |
| KDDI Unlimited full speed | KDDI au | ฿419≈ $13.83 | ฿579≈ $19.11 | ฿799≈ $26.37 |
| Best Japan Unlimited full speed | KDDI + SoftBank | ฿479≈ $15.81 | ฿659≈ $21.75 | ฿909≈ $30.00 |
10 Mbps is enough for most trips: maps, social media, video calls and normal video all work. Pick full speed if you upload large files or work online while you travel.
KDDI Unlimited lets you share a hotspot of one GB less than the number of days, so a 7-day plan can share 6GB. Its 10 Mbps option runs from 3 to 10 days; the full-speed one goes up to 31.
Plans by the GB
| Data | DoCoMo | Best Japan (roaming) |
|---|---|---|
| 3GB, 5 days | ฿79≈ $2.61 | ฿89≈ $2.94 |
| 5GB, 5 days | ฿109≈ $3.60 | ฿119≈ $3.93 |
| 10GB, 7 days | ฿189≈ $6.24 | ฿229≈ $7.56 |
| 10GB, 10 days | ฿199≈ $6.57 | ฿249≈ $8.22 |
| 20GB, 10 days | ฿399≈ $13.17 | ฿449≈ $14.82 |
Best Japan lets you pick the network at checkout: Dual Networks roaming, or a single-network SoftBank SIM at the same price (no top-ups, and not for iPad or Pixel).
DoCoMo is the cheapest at every size. But past 10GB the unlimited plans win: 20GB for 5 days with DoCoMo is ฿359 (≈ $11.85), more than KDDI Unlimited 10 Mbps at ฿269 (≈ $8.88). If you think you'll use more than 10GB, buy unlimited.
Not sure how much you'll use? Try the data calculator.
Daily plans
Best Japan Daily gives you full-speed data up to a limit each day.
| Per day | 5 days | 7 days |
|---|---|---|
| 500MB | ฿59≈ $1.95 | ฿89≈ $2.94 |
| 1GB | ฿99≈ $3.27 | ฿139≈ $4.59 |
| 2GB | ฿179≈ $5.91 | ฿249≈ $8.22 |
Daily isn't always cheaper. 1GB a day for 5 days (฿99 (≈ $3.27)) costs about the same as DoCoMo 5GB for 5 days (฿109 (≈ $3.60)), and one 5GB pot lets you use more on busy days. It suits very short trips or people who want a fixed daily allowance.
Which one for your trip
City trip, 5–7 days: maps, chat and social media
Most people use about 1GB a day or less. DoCoMo 5GB (฿109 (≈ $3.60)) or 10GB (฿179 (≈ $5.91)) is enough. If you don't want to count, KDDI Unlimited 10 Mbps (฿269 (≈ $8.88)) costs a little more.
Heavy use, streaming or sharing with friends
KDDI Unlimited, with a hotspot allowance. Choose full speed if you need to upload or work.
Road trip, Hokkaido or the mountains
KDDI au or Docomo for the widest coverage, or a Best Japan roaming plan that can switch between KDDI and SoftBank.
Japan plus Korea, Taiwan or China in one trip
One Asia eSIM covers them all: compare it on Asia eSIMs.
Before you buy
See every length and buy on the Japan eSIM comparison.