Solo or Group Travel with Independent Plans? eSim vs Sim Card vs Pocket WiFi for Japan

You’re travelling as either a solo traveller, a family, or a group who plans to spend time together and may also split up during your trip. This means each person needs their own internet connection to stay reliably connected. A shared Pocket WiFi won’t help if you’re not physically together!

We’ve personally used all connectivity options extensively (eSims, Sim Cards and Pocket Wifi rentals) and broken down the pros and cons below to help you make the best choice for your group.

Disclaimer:  This article has affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no cost to you. See privacy policy.

TL;DR – Best Internet Options for Solo Travellers, Families and Groups Going Separate Ways

If your group plans to split up or you are travelling solo, whether for sightseeing, solo activities, or giving teens some independence, here are your best options. See more info on each option further below.

  • One eSim per person. Digital eSims are delivered instantly via app or QR code. Activate in minutes, no airport pickup needed. Great for groups who don’t want to carry extra devices. Can be set up in advance of your trip and activated on arrival in Japan (we usually do this on the plane while taxiing to the terminal!). Our recommended options include Japan Wireless, Klook, Holafly and Saily.
  • One Physical Sim card per person – Best if your phone doesn’t support eSims. Insert when you land and go. Requires either pre-delivery to your home, pickup at the airport or delivery to your hotel. Our recommended options include Mobal and Sakura Mobile.
  • Don’t rely on one shared Pocket WiFi. It only works when you’re together!

Note, all pricing information is accurate as of December 2025.

Option 1: One eSim for Each Traveller

If your phone supports eSims, this is by far the simplest way to stay connected in Japan. No airport pickup, no physical Sim card swaps, and no shared devices to manage. You can buy and install your eSim before your flight, then activate it on arrival. We usually do this on the plane before we even reach the terminal!

Each person gets their own fast, secure connection, with no need to rely on someone else’s hotspot, and no arguments when one person wanders off with the WiFi. This option is especially useful for solo travellers and families/groups where one person manages the tech setup, or for those who prefer not to collect and carry an extra device.

Just keep an eye on battery usage if you’re out for a big day in Japan. We recommend carrying a backup battery/power bank like these ones on Amazon to stay charged on the go while travelling. Note that your backup battery must be carried in your hand luggage on the plane.

Here are our top recommended eSims:

  • Japan Wireless eSim – Unlimited Japan-Only Plans. Choose between 5G ($35 USD) or 4G ($29 USD) unlimited data for 7 days, with fair usage policy. Hotspot sharing is supported, and setup is quick via QR code. Includes English-language customer support based in Japan. Great options for travellers who want easy activation and fast, reliable connectivity. Book online instantly.
  • Klook 5G eSim – Unlimited Japan-Only Plan. $11 USD for 7 days, discounted price using 10% off coupon code PRETRAVELLER10. Includes unlimited 5G and 4G data with hotspot enabled. No stated fair usage policy, and activation is fast via QR code. Instant eSim setup – book here.
  • Holafly 5G eSim – Unlimited Data. $28 USD for 7 days, discounted price using 5% off coupon code PRETRAVELLER5. Holafly offers unlimited data with no daily caps or throttling. Works on 4G and 5G networks where available. Setup is easy with a QR code or via the Holafly app. Hotspot sharing supported (up to 5 devices). Get your eSim in minutes.
  • Saily eSim – Unlimited Data + Free VPN. $35 USD for 10 days, discounted price using 5% off coupon code PRETRAVELLER5. Saily offers unlimited data with 5GB per day at full 4G/5G speed, then throttled. Setup is fast via QR code or the Saily app. Hotspot sharing is supported, and select fixed-data and unlimited plans include a free VPN. Great value for Japan-only or multi-country Asia/Oceania travel. Get your Japan only or Asia and Oceania Regional eSim here – instantly.

Option 2: Physical SIM Cards

If your phone doesn’t support eSim, a regular Sim card is your next best option. Just pop it in when you land and follow the setup instructions, and you’re good to go!

Sim cards need to be pre-ordered for delivery to your home prior to departure, picked up at the airport or delivered to your accommodation, so you’ll need to plan ahead. But the setup is usually quick and easy once you have it in hand.

Top Recommended Sim card options for Japan:

  • Mobal Physical SIM – Unlimited Plan. $31 USD for 8 days with unlimited 4G data (fair use applies, first 25 GB at fast speeds), includes English support and optional voice add-on. Shipped to your home for free before departure. Order online now.
  • Sakura Mobile – Flexible Pickup. $32 USD for 7 days with unlimited 4G data or $36 USD for 7 days with unlimited 4G/5G data, available for free pickup at major airports or delivery to hotels. No contract, no auto-renewals. Book your Sim Now.

How to Check Whether Your Mobile Phone is eSim Capable and Unlocked

You can easily check whether your phone is eSim capable by dialling *#06# on your mobile phone. Do this before paying for an eSim to ensure you have eSim capability. Many older phones and cheaper versions of newer mobile phones are not eSim capable. If the EID barcode appears, it means your mobile phone is eSim capable.

  • On a non-eSim capable phone, you will most likely see only the IMEI and SN barcodes.
  • On an eSim-enabled phone, you will see the IMEI1 and/or IMEI2, EID and SN barcodes.
  • Note that IMEI is your unique phone identification number and the SN is your unique phone Serial Number – every mobile phone in the world has these two numbers.
  • On a Windows laptop computer, open the bottom right corner menu. If Cellular settings are visible, then your laptop supports eSim.

You can easily check whether your phone is unlocked by:

  • iPhone: Go to Settings -> General -> About, scroll to Carrier Lock. If it says “No Sim Restrictions” then your device is unlocked.
  • Andoid: Go to Settings -> Network & Internet -> Mobile Network, turn off Auto network selection. If you see multiple available networks, then your device is unlocked. If only one shows or you get an error, your phone may be locked.

If you do these actions and find that your mobile phone is NOT eSim capable, or is network LOCKED, then your best options are to either purchase a Sim Card (unlocked phones only), rent a Pocket WiFi or contact your provider to see whether you can get your phone unlocked. Our recommended options are:

Can Your Family/Group Combine eSims and Sim Cards?

Yes, many families and groups do exactly that! For example:

  • Parents and kids each have either an eSims or Sim Card for when they explore separately.
  • A couple travelling together may each have their own eSim, or one person may hotspot to the other.

It all depends on how connected your group wants to be and how much tech setup you’re comfortable with.

Why Not Just Use Free WiFi?

Japan does have many free WiFi hotspots in stations, cafes, hotels and some public areas, but relying on them has its drawbacks:

  • Logging in can be time-consuming at each location
  • Connections are often slow or unstable
  • Public and Hotel WiFi is not secure and not suitable for things like banking or bookings
  • You may not be connected when you need to be, especially when navigating or translating on the go

Every option we recommend above provides a secure, encrypted internet connection that’s safer and far more convenient than jumping between free WiFi networks.

Global Roaming: Worth It?

Roaming plans from home providers are usually more expensive, include less data (often 1GB/day or less) and are slower than local options in Japan.

By comparison, eSims start from $11 USD for 7 days with fast 4G or 5G speeds.

Our Recommendation for Solo Travellers and Families/Groups Travelling Separately

If you are a solo traveller, or your family or group plans to go their separate ways, even for part of the day, each person should have their own connection. It’s more flexible, safer, and you won’t have to rely on shared gear or drained batteries.

Ready to book?

Ready to book? Book now yourself, and make sure to share this article with your family/group members and get them to click below to book your/eSim or Sim Card and enjoy fast, secure internet from the moment you arrive in Japan!

eSim vs Sim Card vs Pocket WiFi for Japan Quiz Results

We have created dedicated articles for each of the traveller profile resulting from the quiz, you can check them out below:

Join our Japan Travel Facebook Groups

Anne at Mt Fuji

Ready to explore Japan your way? Join our Facebook communities today and start your Japan adventure:

Smiling man in a red plaid shirt takes a selfie while holding a Japanese flag in front of the iconic red gate and pagoda at Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo. Text overlay on a pink background reads "Solo or group travel with independent plans? eSim vs Sim Card vs Pocket WiFi for Japan."