Price per GB
$1.08
Median mid-tier catalogue price.
Compare regionally.
Prices, network indicators, operators and trip-planning tools for Japan. Use the full calculator with the destination already selected.
Calculate the GB required for Japan with the full Drift calculator.
Check whether your exact phone model supports eSIM.
Open prices, history, field tests and reusable datasets.
Compare composite value across every destination.
Compare the current cost of mobile data across the region.
Compare median mobile download performance.
See the local mobile networks used by our eSIM offers.
Download citable figures, charts, CSV data and studies.
Exceptional nationwide 5G; abundant free WiFi reduces real mobile use.
Japan has one of the most advanced networks in Asia. The three major carriers (Docomo, au, SoftBank) deliver near-universal coverage with 5G across all cities and most populated areas; coverage holds even on bullet trains and well into the mountains. Docomo leads outside the cities, au and SoftBank are strongest in dense urban areas. Travellers use more data than expected here: constant maps, translation apps, transit apps and LINE messaging.
Typical local SIM: $Local visitor data SIMs roughly 20-45 for typical tourist packages; travel eSIMs often cheaper, from ~4 for 1GB up to ~25 for 20GB over 30 days. Usually sold at Bic Camera and Yodobashi electronics stores, Don Quijote, operator shops. Note: you generally cannot buy a local eSIM at the airport in Japan, unlike many countries.. Voice prepaid is rare for tourists; data-only is the norm. Because airport eSIM purchase is limited, buying a travel eSIM before you fly is the most reliable way to land connected.
Buy a data-only eSIM before you fly and pick one that uses Docomo if you are heading rural. You land connected, skip the (limited) airport options, and never need a Japanese phone number for a normal trip.
Largest carrier and the safest choice beyond the cities. Strongest signal in mountains, remote islands and along rural train and Shinkansen routes. Most travel eSIMs that cover rural Japan route through Docomo.
Strong nationwide, leads on download speed in cities. The most common network behind travel eSIMs.
Excellent in dense urban areas, slightly weaker deep rural. Best if you stay mainly in Tokyo and Osaka.
Almost always for tourists. You generally cannot buy a local eSIM at the airport in Japan, so a travel eSIM bought before you fly is the cleanest way to land connected. Setup friction for a local SIM is high.
Long stays where you need a Japanese phone number, which most tourists never do. A data-only travel eSIM covers maps, translation, transit and app-based calls.
| Location | Network | Download | Dead zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Narita | NTT Docomo | 117.0 Mbps | no |
| Sapporo Chitose Airport | NTT Docomo | 18.6 Mbps | no |
| Sapporo Center | NTT Docomo | 189.0 Mbps | no |
| Tokyo Asakusa | NTT Docomo | 71.3 Mbps | no |
| Tokyo Haneda Airport Hnd | NTT Docomo | 221.0 Mbps | no |
| Tokyo Shinjuku | NTT Docomo | 121.0 Mbps | no |
| Tokyo Shibuya Crossing | NTT Docomo | 88.5 Mbps | no |
| Tokyo Harajuku | NTT Docomo | 67.0 Mbps | no |
| Tokyo Yoyogi | NTT Docomo | 40.9 Mbps | no |
| Nagoya Toyoake | NTT Docomo | 135.0 Mbps | no |
| Osaka Airport KIX | NTT Docomo | 19.3 Mbps | no |
| Shizuoka Makinohara | NTT Docomo | 27.5 Mbps | no |
Use this page to compare the current price per GB, network indicator, transparency signal and local-operator reference for Japan. It also links to a destination calculator and plan page.
It is the median price per GB of mid-tier plans in the live Japan catalogue. Small 1 GB teasers and 50 GB or larger bulk plans are excluded so the figure reflects a typical traveller choice.
The page shows the current mobile speed indicator, a transparency score and the main local operator. These are destination-level signals, not a guarantee for every street or device.
The decision section compares the practical trade-offs. A travel eSIM is usually simpler for a short visit; a local SIM can make sense when you need a local number, longer service or local pricing. Check the current conditions before deciding.
Price per GB is the median of mid-tier plans from the live Japan catalogue. Network and transparency indicators come from the shared Drift dataset and are refreshed monthly.
Field measurements are published only after validation. Open dataset: data-asia.json.
Figures updated September 2026. Dataset license: CC BY 4.0.