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Saily
5 GB · 30 days
$10.99$2.20/GB
See this planBest eSIM for Sendai (2026)
Your eSIM works across Japan, so the plan you pick for Sendai will also cover the rest of your trip. Here are 5 providers compared, led by Saily.
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
The nearest airport is Sendai Airport, but many visitors arrive by rail: the usual links are Tohoku Shinkansen. Install your eSIM before leaving so you can check connections on the way.
Coverage is rarely the issue in the city itself; what matters more is having data as soon as you land, for transfers and maps.
Because a Japan eSIM is nationwide, the plan you choose for Sendai also covers the rest of Tohoku and beyond. The comparison uses a typical trip of 10 days.
If you are travelling with several devices, look at the hotspot column before choosing: sharing one plan can be cheaper than buying two.
Download offline maps of the areas on your route: they keep working when the signal drops in tunnels or remote valleys.
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
Which eSIM is best for Sendai?
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 Sendai.
Where do I land to visit Sendai?
The nearest airport is Sendai Airport. The usual onward links are Tohoku Shinkansen.
Do I need a different eSIM for Sendai?
No. Travel eSIMs for Japan are nationwide, so one plan covers every city and region on your route.
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.
eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi for this trip?
For one or two people with compatible phones, an eSIM is lighter and usually cheaper. A pocket Wi-Fi can suit a large group sharing one connection; our Pocket Wifi vs eSIM guide compares both.
Can I share the eSIM data with another device?
Some providers allow hotspot sharing and some limit or do not mention it. The table above shows what each provider publishes; when it says “Not stated”, check the plan page before you rely on tethering.
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