To use eSim your phone needs to 1) be new enough to have eSim capability and probably 2) be carrier unlocked.
I’ve used a bunch and enjoy JapanWifibuddy for their prices, but also global, klook and japanesim were fine too in the past when i tried their esims. I don’t think any esims give you a new phone number, so just use data texting servies like imessage or messenger or whatsapp or LINE or whatever.
1) Generally people recommend Airalo or Ubigi as the most reliable eSIM vendors
2) Most eSIMs are data only plans. You cannot call or SMS text. If you need outbound calling, generally Skype works fine. For texting, most people use online texting platforms. LINE is the most popular in Japan and any restaurants or businesess tend to communicate via LINE in Japan
3) your phone must be sim unlocked to use an eSIM
I’ve been living in Japan for 2 years and I probably made a total of 5 phone calls in that entire time, most of them for things that a tourist would never have to deal with like signing up for utilities. the only thing I can think of is making restaurant reservations, but these days many Japanese restaurants take reservation through sites like Tabelog that foreigners can easily use.
This esime line bottom etc… can’t you just use roam?
Airalo!
Klook one was great, underlying seller is redteago.
Ubigi has always worked great for me!
Just get a pocket wifi and pocket charger at 711 If you need extra charge
Usually lasts me all day
You can’t text or call with esim most japanese esims, they are data only. If you really want to get an esim/sim with a phone number then your only option really is mobal. You have to pick it up in person though, even if it’s an esim. You most likely won’t need a phone number though, unless maybe you are staying multiple months and need to sign up for some services with text verification
If you need to use your home mobile number, if you turn on airplane mode with wifi calling, you are able to make calls and receive texts for free. When I travel I put my normal sim in my other phone which stays in airplane mode, and then connect it via hotspot to my main phone with an esim whenever I need to receive texts or calls. It saved me in China when every single one of my cards was blocked and I had to receive a verification code
I used resin Japan through Klook. I suspect all their recommendations are legit.
10 comments
To use eSim your phone needs to 1) be new enough to have eSim capability and probably 2) be carrier unlocked.
I’ve used a bunch and enjoy JapanWifibuddy for their prices, but also global, klook and japanesim were fine too in the past when i tried their esims. I don’t think any esims give you a new phone number, so just use data texting servies like imessage or messenger or whatsapp or LINE or whatever.
1) Generally people recommend Airalo or Ubigi as the most reliable eSIM vendors
2) Most eSIMs are data only plans. You cannot call or SMS text. If you need outbound calling, generally Skype works fine. For texting, most people use online texting platforms. LINE is the most popular in Japan and any restaurants or businesess tend to communicate via LINE in Japan
3) your phone must be sim unlocked to use an eSIM
I’ve been living in Japan for 2 years and I probably made a total of 5 phone calls in that entire time, most of them for things that a tourist would never have to deal with like signing up for utilities. the only thing I can think of is making restaurant reservations, but these days many Japanese restaurants take reservation through sites like Tabelog that foreigners can easily use.
This esime line bottom etc… can’t you just use roam?
Airalo!
Klook one was great, underlying seller is redteago.
Ubigi has always worked great for me!
Just get a pocket wifi and pocket charger at 711 If you need extra charge
Usually lasts me all day
You can’t text or call with esim most japanese esims, they are data only. If you really want to get an esim/sim with a phone number then your only option really is mobal. You have to pick it up in person though, even if it’s an esim. You most likely won’t need a phone number though, unless maybe you are staying multiple months and need to sign up for some services with text verification
If you need to use your home mobile number, if you turn on airplane mode with wifi calling, you are able to make calls and receive texts for free. When I travel I put my normal sim in my other phone which stays in airplane mode, and then connect it via hotspot to my main phone with an esim whenever I need to receive texts or calls. It saved me in China when every single one of my cards was blocked and I had to receive a verification code
I used resin Japan through Klook. I suspect all their recommendations are legit.