Will the eSIM work on Shinkansen trains?

Yes. NTT Docomo and KDDI cover almost the whole Shinkansen network, including the routes linking Tokyo, Osaka and Hiroshima. You may notice short drops as the train enters the longest tunnels, but the connection is restored within a few seconds.

Will I need a plug adapter to charge my phone in Japan?

Sockets in Japan are Type A and B and run at 100V, different from the 220V in Italy. Most current smartphone chargers accept anything from 100 to 240V (read the label on yours), but the plug shape differs, so an adapter is still required.

What would mobile data in Japan cost me without an eSIM?

If you use neither an eSIM nor a local SIM, roaming on an Italian SIM can run past €15–25 a day. Some European carriers include Japan in their “roam like at home” offers, but speeds are capped very low. A Datiovunque eSIM for Japan almost always works out cheaper and more reliable.

Can I set up the eSIM after I land in Japan?

Technically yes, if you find an available Wi-Fi network at the airport. However, we recommend activating the eSIM before you leave Italy. Then, when you turn off aeroplane mode after touchdown, your phone joins the local network on its own, with nothing more to do.

Is an eSIM or roaming better in Japan?

A local eSIM in Japan is almost always much cheaper than the roaming of your Italian operator. In the European Union roaming is often already included ("Roam Like at Home"), but outside the EU the costs can be very high — with an eSIM you know the price in advance and pay only for the data plan you need.

Which operator or network does the eSIM use in Japan?

The eSIM in Japan connects automatically to local networks such as NTT Docomo, KDDI (au), au by KDDI, SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile — on 4G/LTE and, where available, 5G. Coverage reaches about 99% in inhabited areas. Your phone picks the best available network by itself.

Can I keep my Italian number with the eSIM in Japan?

Yes. Your Italian SIM and number stay active — the travel eSIM works alongside it as a data-only line. You stay reachable on WhatsApp, iMessage or Wi-Fi while you use the local network to browse. Traditional calls and SMS still go through your Italian number.

Should I activate the eSIM before or after I leave?

Install the eSIM at home, on Wi-Fi, before you leave. The data plan then activates automatically when you connect in Japan. That way you are online as soon as you arrive, without looking for airport Wi-Fi or buying a local SIM.

Can I top up or renew the plan for Japan?

Yes. When the data runs out or the validity expires, just buy a new plan — the eSIM profile already installed is kept and does not need to be installed again. You stay connected without interruption.

Can I share the connection (hotspot) in Japan?

Yes. You can share the connection in Japan through a personal hotspot with a computer, tablet or other devices. Shared data is deducted from your plan, so allow a few extra gigabytes if you expect to use the hotspot often.

How many GB do I need for Japan?

For a normal trip, 1–3 GB a week is enough for maps, messages and occasional browsing. With social media and photo sharing allow about 5 GB; for streaming, video calls or a hotspot count on 10 GB or more. If the volume is not enough, you can buy an additional plan at any time.

eSIM plans for Japan

Instant delivery

Your eSIM for Japan is available from €2.99 and active straight away: in Japan it connects to the NTT Docomo, KDDI (au), au by KDDI, SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile networks (4G/LTE, 5G where available), coverage 99%. Install it by QR code before you leave — no roaming and no SIM swap.

Your selection

Select a plan

Payment methods

Instant email delivery
30-day returns
Support in Italian
Visa · Mastercard · PayPal (including Pay in 3) · Apple Pay · Google Pay · Satispay

eSIM for Japan — at a glance

From: €2.99
Local networks: NTT Docomo, KDDI (au), au by KDDI, SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile
Technology: 4G/LTE & 5G
Network coverage: 99%
Activation: QR code — install before you leave
Recommended data: 1–3 GB light use · 5 GB with social media · 10 GB+ streaming

All eSIM plans for Japan

Data	Validity	Price
Unlimited	1 day	€2.99
Unlimited	3 days	€7.99
Unlimited	5 days	€12.49
Unlimited	7 days	€16.99
Unlimited	10 days	€23.49
Unlimited	15 days	€34.99
Unlimited	30 days	€58.99
1 GB	7 days	€2.99
2 GB	15 days	€5.99
3 GB	30 days	€6.99
5 GB	30 days	€10.99
10 GB	30 days	€19.99
20 GB	30 days	€29.99
50 GB	30 days	€45.99

Japan surprises you around every corner. One minute you are in the neon frenzy of Shinjuku, the next in the hushed temple grounds of Nara, and every stop calls for an immediate connection: to find your way around the world's most complex metro, to translate kanji menus or to book a last-minute ryokan. Street signs change alphabet every couple of steps, and Google Maps is not a luxury but an absolute necessity. With a Datiovunque eSIM activated before you even board the plane, you will already be connected as you land at Narita or Haneda, with no queues at local operators' counters and no physical cards to fit and lose.

Flight from Rome

Roughly 12–14 hours, non-stop or with a short layover

Time zone

UTC+9, which is 8 hours ahead of Rome in summer and 8 in winter

Best season

March–May (cherry blossoms) and October–November (autumn leaves)

Power socket

Type A/B — adapter needed for Italian plugs

Why you need an eSIM in Japan

Japan is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world, and yet getting a local SIM can be hard for foreign visitors. Many operators ask for a physical passport to be checked in a shop, airport kiosks have very long queues on arrival, and prepaid local contracts are often available in Japanese only. With an eSIM all of this disappears. The network covers 99% of the national territory, including the high-speed Shinkansen trains, the mountain monasteries on Atago and the most remote islands such as Yakushima. The main operators, such as NTT Docomo and KDDI, guarantee a stable 4G/5G signal from the metropolis to the deep countryside. Besides, with Japan on UTC+9, a good 8 hours ahead of Rome in summer, working internet from the first moment means you can tell family and friends right away that you have landed, without waiting for an often congested public Wi-Fi.

Network coverage in Japan

Operator

NTT Docomo

+ KDDI (au)

Technology

4G/LTE & 5G

Coverage

99%

Installing an eSIM for Japan: how does it work?

1
Buy the plan
Choose the right data plan for Japan and complete your purchase.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email that holds the QR code and point your smartphone's camera at it.
3
Activate the eSIM
Follow your device's instructions to add the eSIM as a data plan.
4
Start browsing
Turn the eSIM on once you land in Japan and get online straight away.

1
Buy the plan
Choose the right data plan for Japan and complete your purchase.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email that holds the QR code and point your smartphone's camera at it.
3
Activate the eSIM
Follow your device's instructions to add the eSIM as a data plan.
4
Start browsing
Turn the eSIM on once you land in Japan and get online straight away.

Which eSIM plan fits you best?

Holidaymakers

Going away for 1-2 weeks? Pick a plan with 3-5 GB for maps, photos and messages.

Business travellers

For video conferencing and email while travelling, we suggest at least 5 GB or an unlimited plan.

Backpackers

A longer trip is better served by 10+ GB, or by a regional plan that spans multiple countries.

Families

For families with several devices we recommend a plan with tethering support and enough data.

Which suits Japan best: an eSIM, a local SIM or a Wi-Fi hotspot?

	eSIM	Local SIM	Wi-Fi hotspot
Activation	Instant (QR code)	Bought locally	Pick-up/delivery
Setup	2 minutes	SIM swap needed	Extra device
Price	From €2.99	€5–30	€5–15/day
Network	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE
Devices	1 smartphone	1 smartphone	Up to 5 devices
Flexibility	Top up at any time	Fixed data allowance	Daily rental
Recommended	Ideal for travellers	For long stays	For groups/families

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