Guides

Tokyo SIM card, any other options to get internet? | April 2024

logo Roams
Last update: April 1, 2024
Roams UK
Author: Roams UK
1 people have read this post in the last 12 months
In short

Using a Tokyo SIM card while touring this wonderful city is one of the options you have to enjoy internet connection, but if you are wondering what other options you have, here are the differences and characteristics of the eSIM card and the portable and public wifi.

Sing up eSIM Holafly for Tokyo

Tokyo SIM card and other options for connecting to the Internet

One of the first questions that comes to mind when organising a trip is how you can use the internet and whether you can use the usual rate. We would like to point out that in Tokyo there is no free roaming, so using this option can be very expensive.

Therefore, you should consider and investigate all available options for internet in Tokyo. Depending on the length of the trip, the reason and the budget, the most suitable option should be chosen.

Plan your trip well and decide what you need in terms of internet connection. It is best to choose between an eSIM card, a tokyo SIM card or a portable wifi. To make sure you never run out of internet and enjoy your trip, we recommend that you choose carefully which option is best for you.

You can travel to Tokyo as a backpacker and visit several cities in this beautiful country, on your honeymoon or for work. For all this, using the internet is almost a must, staying connected with family and friends, sending pictures and videos or looking on the map how to get to the hotel so you don't get lost.

Here is a comparison table of the different options for internet in Tokyo to give you a general idea:

Internet cost in Tokyo
Service Cost/Days Data
eSIM Tokyo
  • From £19/5 days
  • Unlimited
SIM Card Tokyo
  • from £28/8 days
  • Unlimited
Wifi in Tokyo
  • Portable
  • Public

  • From £6/day
  • Free

  • 2GB/day
  • Unlimited
Roaming in Tokyo
  • EE
  • Three Mobile
  • Giffgaff

  • £6,85
  • £3
  • £6

  • 150MB
  • 1MB
  • 1MB

For more information you can check out the different services offered by some other UK operators:

Services provided by Virgin Media
Services provided by Vodafone
Services provided by Lebara

Tokio eSIM card for mobile Internet access

One of the best options you can find in the market to have internet is the eSIM card for Tokyo. This is a new type of virtual card that works thanks to a chip inserted in the mobile phone that avoids the need for a physical card.

What is an eSIM card?

If you decide to use eSIM cards, we recommend the eSIM Holafly. This card offers unlimited data to enjoy in Tokyo with 3G and 4G speeds, making it ideal for digital nomads or for traveling around Japan.

eSim Japan
Mobile
Prepaid: 5 days expiry
Data Unlimited

Coverage
AT&T
Connection speed 4G
Pay as you go£195 days expiry
taxes included

Holafly eSIM is available in several plans, always with unlimited data. So you just have to choose the number of days you want to have data in Tokyo and enjoy your trip, here is a table with all available options.

eSIM Holafly Tokyo: all plans
Plan Cost Gigas
5 days £19 Unlimited
10 days £29 Unlimited
15 days £44 Unlimited
20 days £49 Unlimited
30 days £59 Unlimited
60 days £77 Unlimited
90 days £87 Unlimited

Activating this Holafly card is very easy and with just a few simple steps you can enjoy unlimited internet connection for the days of your choice:

  1. Select the days you want to have Internet Depending on the number of days you want to be connected, select the rate.
  2. Scan the QR code Scan the QR code that you will receive in the e-mail.
  3. Install the data plan Install the data plan by following the steps in the screenshots.
  4. Enjoy the trip Enjoy unlimited data.

Get Holafly Tokyo eSIM with a 5% discount.


Tokyo SIM card

Another option available is the Tokyo SIM card. This card is similar to the one you use as usual, but allows you to have internet in Tokyo without a relatively high cost.

You can buy these cards before you fly to Japan by purchasing them from an online shop or once you arrive in Tokyo at the airport or at the operating sales points. The main operating in the country are:

  • NTT docomo
  • AU
  • Softbank

One of the things you should bear in mind is that these cards come in different sizes, and it may be that the mobile phone you are using has a miniSIM, microSIM or nanoSIM. So we recommend that you check which one is compatible with your phone before you buy it.


Options for connecting to the internet in Tokyo via wifi

The last option available for internet in Tokyo is wifi. This is usually the most commonly used option, but you should be aware of the two options available to you as one may be more cost effective than the other.

  • Portable Wifi
  • Public Wifi

Portable wifi in Tokyo

This may not be the better known of the two options, but it is the more secure. This portable router allows you to carry it with you wherever you go, so you can stay connected to the internet while you're out and about in the city.

If you are travelling for work or need to connect multiple devices simultaneously, this is the recommended option as most carriers allow up to five devices to be connected at a time.

Portable wifi is hired on a rental basis, so you should book it before you arrive in the country. The companies offering these devices are prepared to offer a number of pick-up and drop-off points to facilitate this process.

Some of the companies offering portable router rental in Tokyo are:

  • Sakura Mobile
  • Global Wifi
  • Japan Wireless Pocket Wifi

Portable wifis are on a rental basis, so at the end of the trip or contract you must return it. This means that if it is lost or stolen, the companies may apply a surcharge to the rate. If you don't want to have problems with this, it's best to sign up for a Holalfy eSIM card or a Tokyo SIM card.

Sign up for Holafly Tokyo eSIM

Free wifi Tokyo

Public wifi may be the most commonly used option and the first one that comes to mind when you think of having internet in Tokyo. You can find wifi hotspots in airports, museums, stations and shopping centres.

These free network points are often not very fast and suffer from connection drops. In addition, open devices can be subject to cyber-attacks.

Our expert opinion

We recommend that avoid these free hotspots if you can, as the devices you connect are open to cyber-attacks. What may at first seem like a good idea due to its price may end up being expensive. It is better to use a Holalfy eSIM card or a SIM tokyo card.

author's photo
Roams UK

How roaming works in Tokyo

Tokyo does not have free roaming, so when you travel to this beautiful Japanese city, you should know that if you use the tariff on a regular basis the companies may apply a surcharge, we warn you that it is not cheap.

how much does roaming in Japan cost?

The base tariffs applied by the companies if you use the tariff on a regular basis are:

Roaming rate Tokyo
Companie Price Data Call Rate
EE £6,85/150MB £2/min
Giffgaff £0,2/MB £1/min
Three Mobile £3/MB £2/min

As you can see these tariffs are not cheap and the bill at the end of the month is considerable. So if you don't want to worry about these costs and enjoy the internet in Tokyo, it is best to sign up for an eSIM card or a Tokyo SIM card.

Forget worries and sign up for Holalfy eSIM


Tokyo internet coverage

Tokyo has some of the best internet coverage in the world. When visiting the city you can expect to find 4G and 5G speeds at almost all times. This allows you to enjoy seamless internet connection throughout your trip.

The average upload speed is 133.35 Mbps (1) , which is a very high bandwidth. If you are thinking of going to work in Tokyo or spending some time in the country as a digital nomad, you should know that the speed will be good and you will have no problems getting connected.


Advantages of internet acess in Tokyo

Having an internet connection while travelling in Tokyo is very useful and one of the first things we think of when we organise our trip.

Being continuously connected can be interesting for:

  • Tell family and friends how the trip is progressing and the wonders we are seeing.
  • Being able to contact your fellow travellers. Don't worry if you get separated, as you have internet you will be able to talk each other without any problems.
  • If you are going to work in Tokyo, having an internet connection is a must if you don't want to miss any emails or important meetings.
  • Find on the map how to get to the hotel or not to get lost on the way to the excursion to Mount Fuji.
  • Look up in the translator what it says on the menu before ordering the food.

Travel tips for Tokyo

Enjoy this modern city by visiting the electronic quarter, climbing the observation decks of the Tokyo towers and taking in the views of the city.

The plugs used in Tokyo are the type A plugs, this is the ones with two pins. Therefore, it is best to buy an adaptor to avoid problems with charging your devices and enjoying the internet.

If you travel in winter, which is usually the cheapest time of year, you should be aware that it gets dark early. So it's best to get up early to make the most of the day.

Forget about worries and enjoy your trip with internet connection thanks to Holafly's eSIM card. All you have to do is choose the days you want to enjoy unlimited internet

Sign up for the Holalfy eSIM Tokyo


Frequently asked questions about the internet in Tokyo

How to get internet in Tokyo?

Getting Internet in Tokyo is made possible by SIM card, eSIM, portable wifi or public wifi.

Does Tokyo have good internet?

Tokyo has one of the best internet speeds in the world. In the city you can find both 5G and 4G speeds.

Fuentes del artículo
  1. Tokyo, Japan’s Internet Speeds. Consulted in https://www.speedtest.net/performance/japan/tokyo
Our methodology
Roams offers a free information and comparison service, which tries to help anyone find the product that best suits their needs. To ensure that the data presented is correct, extensive market research and product analysis is carried out. Our database of mobile phone and internet rates is updated every day. The content is frequently reviewed by a team of writers with previous experience and/or specific training in telephony.

Personas que han participado en este post:

Roams UKRoams
Actualizado por Roams UK

Roams offers its advice on recurring-use services to enhance consumer savings. Its expertise is already valued by thousands of users, who trust Roams comparisons in different sectors to hire the best option.

Nadia Pérez
Edited and revised por Nadia Pérez