Tourist physical SIMs (IIJmio, Sakura Mobile) are booked online or bought at the airport for USD 20-40; data only. Buying a regular Japanese SIM requires residency — tourists only access the travel versions.
You buy online before the trip, receive the QR by e-mail in minutes and install it on Wi-Fi the night before. On landing, it connects to the local networks on its own. No store, no queue, no passport registration at a counter. At VoaSim, truly unlimited from USD 1.79/day, with an invoice on every purchase and a full refund if it never connects.
| Travel eSIM | Local SIM | |
|---|---|---|
| When you connect | On landing | After finding a store and doing the paperwork |
| Paperwork | None | Passport registration in most cases |
| Your usual number | Stays active (dual SIM) | The chip comes out: you lose your bank SMS |
| Data | Unlimited (VoaSim) | Fixed GB package |
| Multiple countries | The same profile keeps working | A new SIM in every country |
| Price | Fixed, from USD 1.79/day | Variable; cheap per unit, plus paperwork and time |
Coverage is exceptional, Tokyo metro included. Quirk: Japan uses its own bands, but modern phones cover them well. Cash still rules in Japan: maps and the translator on your phone are even more critical.
eSIM for tourist trips of up to 30-60 days, multi-country itineraries and anyone who wants to land connected with zero paperwork. Local SIM if you are staying months in Japan or your phone has no eSIM. More destination details at eSIM for Japan.
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