Want a Japanese eSIM that’s easy to buy and immediately usable? The Japan Travel SIM will help make travel in Japan easier, from maps and directions to restaurant recommendations, with easy internet access throughout Japan! Plus, you can find this eSIM at Japanese convenience stores all over the country.*

For a Fun Trip, Get a Japanese Data Plan for Your Phone!

You’re in Japan, you’ve finally arrived, but now where do you go? Even for thorough travel planners, in this day and age access to the internet is a must, whether you’re looking up hours for a Japanese art museum, local restaurant recommendations in Kyoto, or the best Gunpla shops in Akihabara. And don’t even get us started on finding your way in big cities like Tokyo! The system of trains and buses is so sprawlingly complicated that even locals can’t really give you reliable directions between any two parts of the city, let alone tell you which station exits to use for the best route to your destination. There’s no question that convenient internet access is the key to success when you’re hoping for a fun and relaxing trip to Japan.

Fortunately, these days you don’t have to rely on Tokyo’s surprisingly scant free wifi hotspots to reach the internet – there are better options! In recent years travel SIM cards and eSIMs have become essential when it comes to international travel, and Japan is on top of the latest travel SIM technology trends. It’s shockingly easy to get a travel SIM in Japan, even as a tourist with no Japanese speaking ability. You don’t even have to plan in advance, anymore! Visit a nearby convenience store after you arrive in Japan to get a Japan Travel SIM, and you can get your new prepaid Japanese data eSIM up and running in a matter of minutes. For a smooth trip and access to the latest Japan travel information, we recommend a Japan Travel SIM.

*Japan Travel SIM is available at most Lawson convenience stores around Japan, but may not be in stock at all locations.

What Makes the Japan Travel SIM a Good Option?

There are a few SIM options for tourists on the market these days, but when traveling to Japan, the Japan Travel SIM from IIJmio is a reliable option. There are a few reasons why:

・Data Plans to Fit Your Needs
Japan Travel SIMs offer simple data plans, with none of the text or talk extras that you’ll never use overseas, and they come in a wide range from 3GB to a whopping 55GB. The seven different plans make it easy to get all the internet access you need, without having to pay for extra data you won’t use. This data can be used for up to 30 days from date of registration, making the Japan Travel SIM good for travelers on long trips through Japan.

・Tethering
Want to share your data with a friend while you travel? No problem, this eSIM works just fine with the tethering function on your phone. (You may need to configure the settings on iOS, but two-step instructions are available on the website.)

・Japan Nationwide Coverage
The Japan Travel SIM uses the NTT Docomo network, taking advantage of one of the biggest service providers in Japan to offer 4G (LTE) / 3G service all across the country. Whether you stay in the bustling center of Tokyo, or find yourself adventuring to the farthest reaches of the Japanese archipelago, anywhere locals have service, this SIM’s got you covered!

^{Lawson logo courtesy of Lawson, Inc.}

・Found at ALL Lawson Convenience Stores
With close to 15,000 stores all around Japan, Lawson is one of the country’s most common convenience stores, and just about every location sells Japan Travel SIMs. That means they’re incredibly easy to find, from the Lawson convenience stores in Haneda or Narita Airport, to the Lawson that’s probably a quick walk from your hotel.

・Ready to Use in No Time
After purchasing a Japan Travel SIM, all you need to do to use it is complete a registration process with just your e-mail. Registration and installing the eSIM can be done in a matter of minutes! Of course, you do need to find a wifi network to complete the online registration, but once you’re done, you’ll be able to use your data to reach the internet anywhere you go! (Your phone also needs to have eSIM functionality, common to most phones made in the last 5 years or so. You can find a list of tested devices on their website.)

・Multilingual Support
Looking for instructions? English comes in the eSIM packaging, and other languages are available on the website (Chinese, Korean, or Thai)! For more comprehensive customer support, Japan Travel SIM offers a multilingual helpline with staff who can offer customer support in English, Japanese, and Chinese. There’s also an AI chatbot on their website that can help you 24/7!

・Recharge at Will
Used up all your data quicker than you expected? (Social media is a dangerous temptation!) You can actually charge your SIM with extra data if you want, so you never run out. Just purchase an IIJmio Coupon Card to recharge – it’ll extend your SIM’s expiration date as well! (Do be aware that you cannot recharge once the SIM has expired.)

▶︎ You can find more information on the Japan Travel SIM website.

How to Get a Japanese eSIM / How to Use Your Phone in Japan in No Time!

Ready to get your Japan Travel SIM? It’s a simple two-step process, and step one is as easy as buying the SIM in a Lawson. The Japan Travel SIM is an eSIM without a physical SIM card, but the small cardboard package is shelved together with gift cards and similar products. Pick up as many SIMs as you need, bring them to the cashier, and let them know which data plans you want to purchase, so they can ring you up. Prepaid cards and similar products (including this one) require confirmation at convenience stores, so check your total and press the confirmation button at the counter, and you’re good to go. It’s as easy as that!

^{*Pro Tip: The packaging is the same no matter which data plan you want, so if you intend to purchase more than one different data plan (for different members of the family, for example) then you might want to mark the packages so you remember which is which when it’s time to install them.}

Once you have your Japan Travel SIM, the next step is registering the SIM and installing it on your phone. Detailed instructions are included in the package, but it’s a simple enough process to go over here too.

→ Hop on a wifi network for a minute (many Lawsons even have their own wifi you can use!), scratch the back of the card to find your entry code, and use that to confirm your plan on the Japan Travel SIM website.

→ Then register your e-mail to get a verification code, enter that verification code on the same page, and choose a start date for your new eSIM data plan. (You can also choose to begin using it immediately!)

→ Next, check your e-mail for a URL to download the eSIM, along with two passcodes and the eSIM serial number (ICCID) used to log in. (This e-mail may take a few minutes to arrive, so don’t worry if it’s not in your inbox immediately.)

→ After logging in, IIJmio will give you an activation code, which you can use to install the eSIM on your Android device or iPhone via the “Cellular” settings menu!

Within minutes, your data plan is all ready to use, giving you all the freedom of a local.

^{*Pro Tip: Due to system maintenance between 22:00 on Tuesdays and 9:00 the following Wednesday morning, new lines cannot be opened and registration is delayed, so make sure to avoid those hours for a smooth registration process.}

Get Your Data and Get Out There! Explore Japan to the Fullest with an eSIM

When traveling in Japan, having access to a data plan and free reign over your internet connection gives you the freedom to make the most of your trip, and cut down on any travel stress too. You can explore the country with confidence, sure that if you lose your way or you need a little translation help, you’ve got access to a stable internet connection to help you along. To enjoy your travels in Japan to the fullest extent, sometimes that’s all you need! So on your next trip to Japan, grab a Japan Travel SIM at the convenience store, and be bold and venture forth – there’s a whole country full of things to see, and you’ve got the internet there to help you along!

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