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Saily
5 GB · 30 days
$10.99$2.20/GB
See this planBest eSIM for Hakone (2026)
Planning Hakone as part of your Japan trip? These are the eSIM plans worth considering, ranked on price, network and hotspot. The best balance today is Saily at $10.99.
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
Airalo
Unlimited · 10 days
$34.50
See this planAiralo
5 GB · 15 days
$10.50$2.10/GB
See this planPlans compared for this trip
Plan shown: the cheapest plan of each provider that covers at least 10 days and 5 GB. Tap a column header to sort.
| Provider | Data | Validity | Price | Price/GB | Japanese network | 5G | Hotspot | Score | CTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saily | 5 GB | 30 days | $10.99 | $2.20/GB | KDDI/SoftBank | Yes | Yes | 9.5 | View plan |
| Airalo | 5 GB | 15 days | $10.50 | $2.10/GB | SoftBank/KDDI | Yes | Not stated | 9.3 | View plan |
| Yesim | 5 GB | 30 days | $10.56 | $2.11/GB | KDDI | Yes | Yes | 9.3 | View plan |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 10 days | $36.50 | — | KDDI/SoftBank | Yes | Yes | 6.2 | View plan |
| Drimsim | 5 GB | Pay as you go | $69.84 | $13.97/GB | Not published | Not stated | Not stated | 3.3 | View plan |
Detailed ranking
- 1
Saily
Plan for this page: 5 GB · 30 days
9.5/10- Price
- $10.99
- Price/GB
- $2.20/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
- 2
Airalo
Plan for this page: 5 GB · 15 days
9.3/10- Price
- $10.50
- Price/GB
- $2.10/GB
- Networks
- SoftBank, KDDI
- Hotspot
- Not stated
Pros
- Lowest price on this page
- Lowest price per GB on this page
- Unlimited plan available for Japan
Cons
- Data only, no phone number
- Hotspot policy not stated
- 3
Yesim
Plan for this page: 5 GB · 30 days
9.3/10- Price
- $10.56
- Price/GB
- $2.11/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 · 10 days
6.2/10- Price
- $36.50
- Price/GB
- —
- Networks
- KDDI, SoftBank
- Hotspot
- Yes
Pros
- Unlimited plan available for Japan
- Hotspot allowed
- Two or more Japanese networks published
Cons
- Pricier than the page average
- Data only, no phone number
- 5
Drimsim
Plan for this page: 5 GB · Pay as you go
3.3/10- Price
- $69.84
- Price/GB
- $13.97/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
Most visitors reach Hakone through Haneda (HND) and Narita (NRT). From there the usual links are Odakyu Romancecar and Hakone Tozan Railway. Install your eSIM before the flight so you can check connections as soon as you land.
The area is mountainous: coverage can be patchy on hiking trails and in deep valleys, so download offline maps before you head out. Hot-spring inns often have Wi-Fi only in the lobby, which makes your own mobile data more useful than in a city hotel.
Hakone belongs to the Kanto region, and the same eSIM keeps working when you move on to the next stop. Size the plan on the whole trip, not on Hakone alone.
Prices in the table are the published prices on the date shown at the top of the page. The provider’s checkout shows the final amount.
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
Which eSIM is best for Hakone?
For a typical trip of 10 days with at least 5 GB, Saily ranks first at $10.99. The same eSIM works everywhere in Japan, not just in Hakone.
Where do I land to visit Hakone?
The main arrival airports for Hakone are Haneda (HND) and Narita (NRT). The usual onward links are Odakyu Romancecar and Hakone Tozan Railway.
Do I need a different eSIM for Hakone?
No. Travel eSIMs for Japan are nationwide, so one plan covers every city and region on your route.
Do I need Wi-Fi to activate a Japan eSIM?
You need an internet connection to download the eSIM profile, so do it on Wi-Fi before the trip. Once installed, the eSIM connects to a Japanese network by itself when you turn on data roaming for that line.
Is a pocket Wi-Fi better than an eSIM?
A pocket Wi-Fi shares one connection with several devices but must be collected, charged and returned. An eSIM lives in your phone, so there is nothing to carry or give back.
Will my phone work with a Japan eSIM?
It must be carrier-unlocked and eSIM-compatible. Most recent iPhones, Google Pixels and Samsung Galaxy models support eSIM; check your phone’s settings or the provider’s compatibility list before paying.
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 (50%): cheapest plan on the page ÷ this plan’s price × 10.
- Japanese network (20%): 10 if two or more networks are published, 8 for one, 5 if unknown.
- Hotspot (15%): 10 if tethering is allowed, 0 if not, 5 if unknown.
- Options (15%): 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 · $10.99See this plan