Staying online in Japan usually comes down to two choices: an eSIM that you download to your phone, or a pocket WiFi router that you rent and carry with you. Both work well in cities like Osaka and Kyoto. The better choice depends on your phone, how many people are traveling, and how much data you use.
This guide compares prices I checked on the official websites of Airalo, Ubigi, and Sakura Mobile on November 2, 2026. It also covers where to pick up and return a pocket WiFi at Kansai International Airport (KIX), the main airport for Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara.
Quick answer
- Choose an eSIM if your phone supports eSIM and is not carrier-locked, and especially if you travel alone or your group often splits up.
- Choose a pocket WiFi if your phone cannot use an eSIM, if you need to connect a laptop or Wi-Fi-only tablet all day, or if a group stays together and wants one shared connection.
- On price, unlimited vs. unlimited for one person, an eSIM costs about half: Airalo’s 7-day unlimited eSIM is ¥4,350 (about $28, slowing to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day), while Sakura Mobile’s 7-day unlimited pocket WiFi was ¥8,558 (about $54) including tax.
- For two people with 7-day unlimited data, two Airalo eSIMs (¥8,700, about $55) cost about the same as one Sakura Mobile router (¥8,558, about $54).
- For a family of four with unlimited data for about two weeks, one 14-day Sakura Mobile router (¥11,616, about $74) costs far less than four 15-day Airalo unlimited eSIMs (¥31,200, about $198).
- If you only need a little data, Airalo’s 7-day 5 GB eSIM is ¥1,650 (about $10), but that is 5 GB, not unlimited, so it is not a like-for-like comparison with a pocket WiFi.
- 1 eSIM or pocket WiFi: the short version
- 2 Step 1: Check whether your phone can use an eSIM
- 3 Japan eSIM prices: Airalo and Ubigi
- 4 Japan pocket WiFi prices
- 5 Which is cheaper for your trip?
- 6 Pocket WiFi pickup and return at Kansai Airport (KIX)
- 7 When does an eSIM plan start counting days?
- 8 “Unlimited” does not always mean unlimited
- 9 Common questions
- 10 Sources
eSIM or pocket WiFi: the short version
An eSIM is the simpler option and costs less for one person with the same unlimited data, while a pocket WiFi makes sense for compatibility or for three or more people sharing one connection.
| eSIM | Pocket WiFi | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A digital SIM you install on your phone with a QR code or app | A small router you rent, carry, and connect to over Wi-Fi |
| Phone needed | eSIM-compatible and not carrier-locked | Any device with Wi-Fi |
| Cost for one person, 7 days, unlimited data | ¥4,350 (about $28) at Airalo, slowing to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day | ¥8,558 (about $54) at Sakura Mobile |
| Sharing | Possible with your phone’s hotspot, if your phone and plan allow it | Built for sharing with several devices |
| Pickup and return | Nothing to pick up or return | Pick up at the airport or your hotel, mail it back with a prepaid envelope |
| Extra things to carry | None | The router (and charging it every day) |
Prices in this table are explained in detail below, with links to each official page.
Step 1: Check whether your phone can use an eSIM
If your phone cannot add an eSIM or is locked to your home carrier, an eSIM will not work, and a pocket WiFi is the safer choice.
Airalo’s compatibility page says your device must support eSIMs and have no carrier restrictions. A carrier-locked phone can only use SIMs from one provider, so it cannot use a travel eSIM.
- iPhone: look for an “Add eSIM” option under Settings > Cellular (or Mobile).
- Samsung Galaxy: look for “Add eSIM” in the SIM Manager.
- Google Pixel: look for “Download a new eSIM” in the SIMs settings.
- Not sure if your phone is locked? Ask your home carrier before you leave. Unlocking can take time.
Ubigi also says its eSIM must be installed on an unlocked, eSIM-compatible device. Both companies list compatible models on their websites (Airalo device compatibility).
Japan eSIM prices: Airalo and Ubigi
For a one- or two-week trip, Japan eSIM plans from Airalo and Ubigi range from ¥1,300 (about $8) for 7 days with 3 GB to ¥7,800 (about $49) for 15 days with unlimited data.
Both websites showed prices in Japanese yen when I checked from Japan on November 2, 2026. If you visit from another country, the site may show your local currency, and the amount can differ slightly. Dollar amounts below are my own conversion at ¥157.80 = $1 (the MUFG Bank mid-rate on November 2, 2026), rounded to the nearest dollar.
Airalo Japan eSIM (network: SoftBank)
Airalo sells both fixed-data plans and unlimited plans for Japan, and its unlimited plans slow down after 3 GB a day. The plan page lists SoftBank as the main network, plus two other networks.
| Validity | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | 1 GB | ¥650 (about $4) |
| 3 days | 3 GB | ¥1,250 (about $8) |
| 7 days | 3 GB | ¥1,300 (about $8) |
| 7 days | 5 GB | ¥1,650 (about $10) |
| 7 days | 10 GB | ¥2,800 (about $18) |
| 15 days | 5 GB | ¥1,750 (about $11) |
| 15 days | 10 GB | ¥2,850 (about $18) |
| 15 days | 20 GB | ¥3,900 (about $25) |
| 30 days | 20 GB | ¥4,100 (about $26) |
| 7 days | Unlimited* | ¥4,350 (about $28) |
| 10 days | Unlimited* | ¥5,650 (about $36) |
| 15 days | Unlimited* | ¥7,800 (about $49) |
*Airalo’s unlimited Japan plans state: “Lower speed rate of 1 Mbps after 3 GB usage per day.” Airalo also has 3-, 5-, and 30-day unlimited plans and 30-day plans with 5 GB and 10 GB. See the Airalo Japan eSIM page for the full list.
Ubigi Japan eSIM (networks: KDDI, NTT Docomo, SoftBank)
Ubigi is often a little cheaper for mid-size data plans, and its plan pages list all three major Japanese networks.
| Validity | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | 1 GB | ¥600 (about $4) |
| 7 days | 10 GB | ¥2,300 (about $15) |
| 15 days | 5 GB | ¥1,700 (about $11) |
| 30 days | 10 GB | ¥2,700 (about $17) |
| 30 days | 25 GB | ¥5,200 (about $33) |
| 30 days | 50 GB | ¥8,900 (about $56) |
| 8 days | Unlimited* | ¥4,100 (about $26) |
| 15 days | Unlimited* | ¥6,300 (about $40) |
| 30 days | Unlimited* | ¥10,500 (about $67) |
*Ubigi’s unlimited plan page says a Fair Use Policy may apply. Check the policy on the plan page before you buy. See the Ubigi Japan plan list for all plans.
Japan pocket WiFi prices
For one person, a 7-day unlimited pocket WiFi costs about twice a 7-day unlimited eSIM, but one router can be shared, and some companies offer unlimited data with no daily cap.
Sakura Mobile pocket WiFi (unlimited data)
Sakura Mobile’s price simulator showed ¥6,248 for 4 days, ¥8,558 for 7 days, and ¥11,616 for 14 days, including tax. These prices came from the official price simulator on November 2, 2026, for a rental starting December 1, 2026. The simulator applies a discount for longer rentals, and Sakura Mobile says payments are processed in yen only.
| Rental length | Price (tax included) |
|---|---|
| 4 days | ¥6,248 (about $40) |
| 7 days | ¥8,558 (about $54) |
| 14 days | ¥11,616 (about $74) |
Sakura Mobile also offers 10% off when you rent two or more pocket WiFi devices. Prices may differ for other dates, so enter your own dates on the Sakura Mobile price page.
Japan Wireless pocket WiFi (no fair usage policy)
Japan Wireless is worth a look if you are a heavy data user, because its rates page says “No daily limits. No Fair Usage Policy (FUP).” Its rates page also lists up to 8 connected devices and an 8–10 hour battery life. The total price is shown when you enter your dates in the order form, so I could not confirm a yen price for a specific trip length. Check the Japan Wireless rates page for current pricing.
Which is cheaper for your trip?
With the same unlimited data, an eSIM is cheaper for one person, two people pay about the same, and three or more people who stay together pay less with one shared pocket WiFi.
These examples use the prices above and compare the same data, number of days, and number of people wherever possible. When the conditions differ, the difference is written in the same row.
| Trip | eSIM | Pocket WiFi | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person, 7 days, unlimited data | Airalo 7 days unlimited: ¥4,350 (about $28), slows to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day | Sakura Mobile 7 days unlimited: ¥8,558 (about $54) | eSIM |
| 2 people, 7 days, unlimited data | Two Airalo 7 days unlimited: ¥8,700 (about $55), each slows after 3 GB a day | One Sakura Mobile router, 7 days unlimited: ¥8,558 (about $54), works only when you are together | About the same |
| 3 people, 7 days, unlimited data | Three Airalo 7 days unlimited: ¥13,050 (about $83), each slows after 3 GB a day | One Sakura Mobile router, 7 days unlimited: ¥8,558 (about $54), works only when you are together | Pocket WiFi |
| 4 people, about 2 weeks, unlimited data | Four Airalo 15 days unlimited: ¥31,200 (about $198), each slows after 3 GB a day; the closest eSIM length is 15 days, one day longer | One Sakura Mobile router, 14 days unlimited: ¥11,616 (about $74) | Pocket WiFi |
| 1 person, 7 days, light use (maps and messaging) | Airalo 7 days / 5 GB: ¥1,650 (about $10) | The pocket WiFi prices I checked are for unlimited data only: ¥8,558 (about $54), so this is not the same amount of data | eSIM |
| Working remotely with a laptop | Phone hotspot uses your eSIM data and phone battery | Laptop connects to the router directly | Depends on data; a router is easier |
Splitting up matters more than price. A pocket WiFi only works within Wi-Fi range of the router. If one person goes to a museum in Kyoto while another shops in Osaka, only the person carrying the router stays online.
Pocket WiFi pickup and return at Kansai Airport (KIX)
At Kansai Airport, Sakura Mobile hands out routers at a counter in the Terminal 1 arrival lobby, and you return them by mail from a postbox before security.
Each rental company has its own pickup point, so always follow the instructions in your booking confirmation. As an example, here is what Sakura Mobile’s official pickup page says about KIX:
- Terminal 1 pickup: Sakura Mobile Counter, Arrival Lobby, 1F. Open every day, 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
- Terminal 2: there is no Sakura Mobile counter. Book your pickup at Terminal 1 and take the free shuttle bus between terminals.
- Return at Terminal 1: the postbox is in the Departure Lobby on 4F, next to the information counter.
- Return at Terminal 2: the postbox is in the general area on 1F.
- Return before security: there are no postboxes or post offices after the security check, so drop the envelope before you go through.
Sakura Mobile says its package includes a prepaid return envelope that you drop in a Japan Post mailbox by midnight on your return date. Japan Wireless says its envelope can go in any postbox in Japan, not only at the airport. If you are flying home from Itami (Osaka) or Kobe Airport instead of KIX, you can still mail the router from a postbox before you leave. Details: Sakura Mobile pickup and return.
You can also skip the airport counter. Sakura Mobile says pickup is available at hotels, post offices, and residential addresses across Japan, which can be handy if you land late or start your trip in Kyoto.
When does an eSIM plan start counting days?
Airalo and Ubigi plans usually start counting days when the eSIM connects to a network in Japan, so you can buy and install them before you fly.
- Airalo: its help center says the validity period usually begins when the eSIM connects to a supported network in its coverage area, but some plans start as soon as you install the eSIM. Check the “validity policy” in the package details before installing.
- Ubigi: its SmartStart feature activates the plan automatically when you arrive in a covered area and switch on the Ubigi line. If you do not activate the plan within six months of purchase, it expires.
- Install before you leave home. Airalo notes that installing an eSIM needs a stable internet connection, which can be hard to find once you are traveling.
“Unlimited” does not always mean unlimited
Read the speed rules on any unlimited plan, because an “unlimited” eSIM can still slow down after a set amount of data.
- Airalo unlimited (Japan): speed drops to 1 Mbps after 3 GB of use per day.
- Ubigi unlimited (Japan): the plan page says a Fair Use Policy may apply.
- Japan Wireless pocket WiFi: the rates page says there are no daily limits and no Fair Usage Policy.
For maps, train apps, translation, and messaging, a few gigabytes a week is often enough. If you plan to upload lots of photos or stream video, look closely at these limits.
Common questions
These answers come from the official help pages listed in the sources.
Can I share my eSIM data with a laptop or a family member?
Usually, yes. Airalo’s help center says you can use your phone’s personal hotspot with its eSIM as long as your device and the network support it, and Ubigi’s plan pages say data sharing is allowed.
Will a travel eSIM give me a Japanese phone number?
The Airalo and Ubigi Japan plans in this guide are data plans. You can still call and message through apps such as WhatsApp or FaceTime over mobile data.
What if I forget to return the pocket WiFi on time?
Japan Wireless says late returns are charged. Check the return deadline in your rental confirmation and mail the router as soon as your rental ends.
Sources
- Airalo: Japan eSIM plans
- Airalo: Device compatibility
- Airalo Help: When can I install my eSIM?
- Airalo Help: When should I buy my eSIM?
- Airalo Help: Can I use tethering (Personal Hotspot)?
- Ubigi: Japan eSIM data plans
- Ubigi: Japan unlimited 15 days plan page
- Ubigi Help: When does my Ubigi data plan activate?
- Sakura Mobile: Pocket WiFi rental
- Sakura Mobile: Travel price simulator
- Sakura Mobile: Pickup and return locations
- Japan Wireless: Pocket WiFi rates
- Japan Wireless: FAQ
- MUFG Research and Consulting: Daily exchange rates (MUFG Bank)
All prices and details were checked on the official pages above on November 2, 2026. Prices and plans change, so please check the official websites before you buy.