EN
Saily
5 GB · 30 days
$10.99$2.20/GB
See this planBest eSIM for Tohoku (2026)
The Tohoku region mixes busy hubs and quieter areas, so the network behind your eSIM counts. We ranked the published Japan plans: Saily comes first.
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
Tohoku has no major international gateway of its own, so most visitors arrive by rail or domestic flight from Tokyo or Osaka. Stops covered on this site include Sendai, each with its own page below.
Rural stretches have fewer masts than the cities, so a provider that publishes more than one Japanese network gives you a better fallback. The area is mountainous: coverage can be patchy on hiking trails and in deep valleys, so download offline maps before you head out.
Moving between regions does not change anything for a travel eSIM, which works across Japan. What changes is your daily use: long train days mean more maps and timetables.
Download offline maps of the region before leaving, and keep your accommodation addresses saved offline in case you land in a spot with weak signal.
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 Tohoku?
For 10 days with at least 5 GB, Saily ranks first at $10.99. The same eSIM works across Tohoku and the rest of Japan.
Is mobile coverage good in Tohoku?
Cities and main transport corridors are well covered by Japanese networks. Rural stretches have fewer masts than the cities, so a provider that publishes more than one Japanese network gives you a better fallback.
Which network should I choose for rural areas?
Providers that publish more than one Japanese partner network give you a fallback if one is weak. The networks column in the table shows what each provider publishes.
Can I set up the eSIM before leaving home?
Yes, and it is the easiest option: scan the QR code or use the provider’s app on Wi-Fi before departure. Most plans only start counting days when the eSIM first connects in Japan.
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.
Can I keep my own number while using the eSIM?
Yes. Most phones run two lines at once: keep your usual SIM for calls and texts and use the Japan eSIM for data. Turn off data roaming on your home line to avoid charges.
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