EN
Saily
20 GB · 30 days
$24.99$1.25/GB
See this planBest eSIM for Japan for Students & Working Holiday (2026)
Every traveler uses data differently. For students & working holiday, we compared 5 providers on a typical trip of 30 days with at least 20 GB. The cheapest plan that fits costs $24.99.
Updated September 24, 2026Prices checked September 24, 2026
We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes the computed ranking. Affiliate disclosure
At a glance
Yesim
Unlimited · 30 days
$66.00
See this planSaily
20 GB · 30 days
$24.99$1.25/GB
See this planPlans compared for this trip
Plan shown: the cheapest plan of each provider that covers at least 30 days and 20 GB. Tap a column header to sort.
| Provider | Data | Validity | Price | Price/GB | Japanese network | 5G | Hotspot | Score | CTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saily | 20 GB | 30 days | $24.99 | $1.25/GB | KDDI/SoftBank | Yes | Yes | 9.7 | View plan |
| Airalo | 20 GB | 30 days | $25.00 | $1.25/GB | SoftBank/KDDI | Yes | Not stated | 9.5 | View plan |
| Yesim | 20 GB | 30 days | $29.76 | $1.49/GB | KDDI | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | View plan |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 30 days | $73.90 | — | KDDI/SoftBank | Yes | Yes | 6.0 | View plan |
| Drimsim | 20 GB | Pay as you go | $245.11 | $12.26/GB | Not published | Not stated | Not stated | 2.8 | View plan |
Detailed ranking
- 1
Saily
Plan for this page: 20 GB · 30 days
9.7/10- Price
- $24.99
- Price/GB
- $1.25/GB
- Networks
- KDDI, SoftBank
- Hotspot
- Yes
Pros
- Lowest price on this page
- Lowest price per GB on this page
- Unlimited plan available for Japan
Cons
- Data only, no phone number
- 2
Airalo
Plan for this page: 20 GB · 30 days
9.5/10- Price
- $25.00
- Price/GB
- $1.25/GB
- Networks
- SoftBank, KDDI
- Hotspot
- Not stated
Pros
- Unlimited plan available for Japan
- Two or more Japanese networks published
- Top-up without a new eSIM
Cons
- Data only, no phone number
- Hotspot policy not stated
- 3
Yesim
Plan for this page: 20 GB · 30 days
8.5/10- Price
- $29.76
- Price/GB
- $1.49/GB
- Networks
- KDDI
- Hotspot
- Yes
Pros
- Unlimited plan available for Japan
- Hotspot allowed
- 5G announced
Cons
- Data only, no phone number
- 4
Holafly
Plan for this page: Unlimited · 30 days
6.0/10- Price
- $73.90
- Price/GB
- —
- Networks
- KDDI, SoftBank
- Hotspot
- Yes
Pros
- Unlimited plan available for Japan
- Hotspot allowed
- Two or more Japanese networks published
Cons
- Data only, no phone number
- 5
Drimsim
Plan for this page: 20 GB · Pay as you go
2.8/10- Price
- $245.11
- Price/GB
- $12.26/GB
- Networks
- Not published
- Hotspot
- Not stated
Pros
- Wide choice of plan sizes
- Dedicated app
Cons
- No unlimited plan for Japan
- Pricier than the page average
What matters here
A semester, an exchange or a working holiday means weeks or months in Japan, so the useful comparison is on plans of at least 30 days with a generous volume.
A travel eSIM covers the first weeks, while you settle in, open a bank account and get your residence card. For a long stay, compare it later with a Japanese carrier plan, which may become cheaper once you can sign up locally.
Top-up options matter on long stays: being able to add data to the same eSIM avoids reinstalling a new one every month.
The ranking below explains the weights used for this profile, and the estimator lets you test your own usage.
Keep the QR code or the activation details somewhere you can open offline, in case you need to reinstall the eSIM during the trip.
Guides on this site
How much data do you need?
Pick your trip length and how you use your phone. The assumptions are visible and editable.
Install your eSIM in 4 steps
- 1
Buy the plan before you leave and keep the QR code or the app handy.
- 2
Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi. Most plans only start the validity period once the eSIM connects in Japan.
- 3
On landing, switch the eSIM on for mobile data and keep your home SIM for calls and texts if you need them.
- 4
Turn on data roaming for the eSIM line, then check that the phone shows a Japanese network.
Your phone must be carrier-unlocked and eSIM-compatible. Check this in your phone settings before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Is a travel eSIM a good idea for a working holiday in Japan?
It is the easiest way to be online from day one. For the first month, Saily ranks first at $24.99; for a stay of several months, compare with local carrier plans once you have your residence card.
How much data do students & working holiday need in Japan?
With this site’s assumptions, a light user needs about 0.3 GB a day, a medium user 0.8 GB and a heavy user 2 GB. The estimator on this page lets you change these assumptions.
What is the cheapest option for this profile?
For 30 days with at least 20 GB, the cheapest published plan is Saily at $24.99, checked on September 24, 2026.
Does a Japan eSIM allow tethering?
It depends on the provider. The comparison table shows whether hotspot use is published as allowed, and some unlimited plans cap how much data you can share per day.
When should I install the eSIM?
Install it at home on Wi-Fi a day or two before you fly, then switch it on for mobile data when you land. With most providers the validity only starts once the eSIM connects to a Japanese network.
Are unlimited plans really unlimited?
Many unlimited plans apply a fair-use rule and slow the speed after a daily threshold. Read the plan conditions on the provider’s page; Yesim currently has the cheapest unlimited option here at $66.00.
How we rank
We compare the plans each provider publishes for Japan. We do not rank on personal testing or user reviews. For each provider we take the cheapest plan that covers the need of this page, then compute a score out of 10:
- Price (55%): cheapest plan on the page ÷ this plan’s price × 10.
- Japanese network (15%): 10 if two or more networks are published, 8 for one, 5 if unknown.
- Hotspot (10%): 10 if tethering is allowed, 0 if not, 5 if unknown.
- Options (20%): app, top-up and an unlimited plan for Japan (10 each if yes, 0 if no, 5 if unknown).
At equal score, providers we have a partner link with are listed first. Prices change often, so check the final price on the provider’s site.
Top pickSaily · $24.99See this plan