Your guide to the best e-sims when travelling to Japan from Canada

If you’re travelling to Japan, an eSIM can help you use your mobile as you would in Canada – but it’s important to choose the right card for you. We’ll take a look at everything you need to know about buying an eSIM card for your holiday to Japan.

We’ll also discuss how you can use your virtual Wise card to make easy payments when you’re abroad!

Table of contents
The best eSIM options for visiting Japan from Canada The best local eSIM options in Japan for Canadians NTT Docomo B-Mobile visitor e-SIM International eSIM options for travelling to Japan for Canadians Ubigi Airalo Roamify 3HK e-SIM Travelling to Japan? Don’t forget your Wise virtual card!

The best eSIM options for visiting Japan from Canada

It’s easy to embed a digital eSIM card into your mobile when you travel overseas.

However, it’s important to find a card that offers everything you need for your Japanese adventure, such as data, texts and international calls.

The best local eSIM options in Japan for Canadians

There are a couple of Japanese mobile network providers for Canadian tourists. Let’s take a look at some of the best eSIMs for Japan.

NTT Docomo

NTT Docomo® provides some of the best eSIMs to use in Japan. You can access a range of plans, including regular SIM cards and eSIMs. Buy your Docomo SIM card online or at a convenience store when you arrive in Japan.

Let’s take a look at some NTT Docomo phone plans for tourists.

Plan	Data	Cost	Duration
NTT Docomo Eximo	~1GB	4565 Japanese yen (JPY)	One month
NTT Docomo Eximo	1GB~3GB	5665 JPY	One month
NTT Docomo Eximo	Unlimited	7315 JPY	One month¹
NTT Docomo Irumo	3GB	2167 JPY	One month
NTT Docomo Irumo	6GB	2827 JPY	One month
NTT Docomo Irump	9GB	3377 JPY	One month²

You may need to pay extra for international calls and text messages with your Docomo eSIM.¹

B-Mobile visitor e-SIM

You can access a range of B-Mobile® eSIMs for your trip to Japan, depending on how long you need to use your phone. You can also use B-Mobile to top up your eSIM if you need extra data.

Let’s take a look at a few B-Mobile eSIM plans for Canadian tourists.

Plans	Data	Cost	Duration
B-Mobile 10 Day Plan	5GB	1980 JPY	10 days
B-Mobile 21 Day Plan	7GB	2970 JPY	21 days³

You’ll need to start using the internet within 14 days of purchasing your eSIM, so it’s best to buy your SIM a few days before you fly to Japan.³

International eSIM options for travelling to Japan for Canadians

If you’re travelling to multiple locations, an international eSIM gives you the flexibility to use your phone in Japan or further afield.

Let’s take a look at some of the best eSIMs for travel to Japan.

Ubigi

Ubigi® provides data coverage for tourists visiting Japan, with one-off, monthly and annual plans. This includes SIMs that cover Japan or the whole of Asia, letting you use your phone even if you’re travelling to more than one country.

Use Ubigi’s prepaid digital SIM cards to access:

• instant setup
• 200+ locations across the world
• convenient top-up options⁴

Let’s take a look at common Ubigi plans in Japan.

Plans	Data	Cost	Duration
Ubigi Japan One-Off	1GB	4 USD	30 days
Ubigi Japan One-Off	3GB	8 USD	30 days
Ubigi Japan Monthly	5GB/month	10 USD/month	Unlimited - renews monthly
Ubigi Asia One-Off	500 MB	3 USD	1 day
Ubigi Best Asia One-Off	3GB	15 USD	30 days⁴

Airalo

Airalo® local eSIMs can help you access data coverage in Japan, with options to top up your plan whenever you need it. Airalo also provides global eSIMs that you can use in 200+ countries and regions across the world.⁵

Let’s take a look at some Airalo plans for your trip to Japan.

Plans	Data	Cost	Duration
Airalo Moshi Moshi 7 Day Plan	1GB	4.50 USD	7 days
Airalo Moshi Moshi 15 Day Plan	2GB	6.50 USD	15 days
Airalo Moshi Moshi 30 Day Plan	3GB	8.50 USD	30 days
Airalo Moshi Moshi	5GB	11.50 USD	30 days⁵

Airalo’s Moshi Moshi plans are data-only, so you won’t be able to make calls back to Canada.⁵

Roamify

Roamify® offers a range of international eSIM cards to use in Japan – and you can install your eSIM by simply scanning a QR code.

Use Roamify to:

• stay connected to your family in Canada
• use data abroad
• avoid expensive roaming charges⁶

Let’s take a look at some popular Roamify eSIM cards.

Plans	Data	Cost	Duration
Roamify Japan 1 GB for 7 Days	1GB	7 USD	7 days
Roamify Japan 3GB for 30 Days	3GB	12 USD	30 days
Roamify Japan 5GB for 30 Days	5GB	15 USD	30 days⁶

Roamify’s eSIMs only include data – and you won’t get a local phone number. You’ll need to use an alternative app to make calls overseas or choose a provider that offers international calls as part of your package.⁶

3HK e-SIM

If you’re travelling to Japan, you can use a 3HK® eSIM to access data while you travel.

Whether you’re heading abroad for a couple of days or you’re studying for a year, 3HK can help you find the right SIM card for you.

Let’s take a look at some popular 3HK eSIMs for Japan.

Plans	Data	Cost	Duration
3HK 24Hrs Pass - APAC	500MB	12 USD	24 hours⁷
3HK 30-Day Pass - APAC	4GB	138 USD	30 days⁷
3HK 30-Day Pass - Global	3GB	138 USD	30 days⁷

Travelling to Japan? Don’t forget your Wise virtual card!

Stores and restaurants abroad use a different exchange rate to the standard mid-market exchange rate on the web – and banks add a margin to make money from currency conversions.

With Wise, however, you save money for the things that count. Buy tickets or pay for your hotel bill without incurring any hidden fees. The Wise virtual card is your go-to travel essential. Spend money across Japan using just your phone. In-store or online, it’s up to you!

Use your Wise virtual card to:

• avoid hidden ATM fees and restrictive withdrawal limits
• get a better exchange rate
• spend like a local in Japan or many other countries
• pay with Google® or Apple Wallet®

You can even access multilingual customer support and exchange JPY and CAD – all in the palm of your hand.

How to get the Wise virtual card

1. Login to your Wise account or create an account in a few clicks.
2. Click on Card and order your card, following the prompts on screen^*.
3. You might need to top up your Wise account if you do not have a balance yet.
4. Click on Order new Card and Digital.
5. Click on Get your Digital Card or* Get yours now(for web browsers).
6. Your virtual card is ready for use!

^*Eligibility is subject to verification of customer’s identity

It’s always recommended to convert your money to JPY with Wise, when you visit Japan. Wise automatically deducts money from the local currency balance (if available) when you spend abroad. In case you have low or no balance in JPY, Wise deducts money from your main currency balance - all at the mid market exchange rate.

Once you get your virtual card, you’ll need to add it to your Google or Apple Wallet to make digital payments.

Simply open the Wise app and click “Card”. You can then select which card you’d like to add. Click “Add to G Pay” or “Add to Apple Wallet”.

You can also add your virtual card via Google or Apple Wallet. Simply open your wallet app and follow any prompts to add, scan and verify your digital card.

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

Conclusion

There are lots of convenient and affordable eSIM cards to use in Japan, including local and international options.

It’s important to look into what’s included in your coverage, as some cards will only cover data. You should also double-check when to order your card before your big Japanese adventure!

To start spending money across the globe, check out Wise.

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Sources:

1. NTT Docomo
2. NTT Docomo
3. B-Mobile
4. Ubigi
5. Airalo
6. Roamify
7. 3HK

Sources verified on 19 Feb 2024