Prices in pounds · for UK travellers
eSIM for Japan from the UK
Get online in Japan the moment you land, without UK roaming charges. Compare current eSIM prices in pounds with your UK network and other eSIM brands.
Photo: David Maunsell on Unsplash
- QR code by emailInstall in minutes, before you fly
- Keep your UK numberData-only eSIM, your SIM stays in
- 24/7 live chatIn the Graba SIM app
- Pay your way
What your trip to Japan costs
Set your trip length and how you use your phone. We show the cheapest Graba SIM plan and the cheapest Airalo plan that each cover that trip, both data-only and in pounds, next to what UK networks charge. UK network charges also include calls and texts, and only apply where your plan and destination match the network’s terms.
Sources: O2 Travel (checked 25 October 2026) · Three roaming (checked 25 October 2026) · Vodafone global roaming (checked 25 October 2026) · Airalo fixed-data plans (checked 26 October 2026). Prices change; check before you buy.
Japan eSIM plans in pounds
The cheapest current plan for each common trip size. Every plan is data-only: your UK number stays on your normal SIM for calls and texts.
| Data | Valid for | Price | Good for | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | 7 days | £2.75 | A short trip, light use | View plan |
| 3GB | 15 days | £6.50 | A week of maps and messaging | View plan |
| 5GB | 30 days | £8.25 | A week or two of maps, messaging and social | View plan |
| 10GB | 30 days | £13.99 | Two weeks or more, lots of social media | View plan |
| 20GB | 30 days | £19.25 | Heavy use, video, hotspot | View plan |
Graba SIM vs Airalo: the same plans, side by side
Plans with exactly the same data allowance and validity for Japan, both data-only and priced in pounds. Coverage and networks can differ, so check the plan details before you buy.
Highlighted: the lower price for each plan. Holafly sells unlimited data only, priced in US dollars, so it isn’t in this like-for-like table.
Sources: Airalo fixed-data plans (checked 26 October 2026). Prices change; check before you buy.
Know before you go
Main networks: NTT docomoKDDI (au)SoftBank
- Japan’s main networks are NTT docomo, KDDI (au) and SoftBank. Coverage is excellent in cities, on trains and in most tourist areas.
- Pocket Wi-Fi means collecting and returning a device and keeping it charged. An eSIM lives in your phone and works the moment you land.
- Plans use the data allowance only: there is no Japanese phone number. Most restaurants and attractions take bookings online or by app.
Your UK network abroad
EE roaming
EE sells Travel Data Passes whose price depends on your destination and plan. EE doesn’t publish one price for every country, so check EE’s roaming tool for your trip.
O2 roaming
O2 Travel Bolt On: £7 a day, charged only on days you use your phone abroad. It covers 75 destinations outside Europe Zone (incl. USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico). Pay Monthly customers without O2 Travel Inclusive Zone or Ultimate.
Vodafone roaming
Vodafone roaming passes: £16 for 8 days or £21 for 15 days in Zone B destinations. Out-of-allowance data abroad is £3.83 per GB. What’s included depends on your plan.
Three roaming
Three daily roaming charge: £8 a day if you joined or upgraded on or after 18 December 2025 (£7 for customers who joined between October 2021 and December 2025), in Three’s Go Roam destinations. It lets you use your UK allowance abroad, up to 12 GB.
Set it up before you leave the UK
- Check your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked on our compatibility page.
- Buy your plan and get the QR code by email. Install it at home on Wi-Fi (iPhone guide, Android guide).
- When you land, switch mobile data to the eSIM and turn on data roaming for it. Leave data roaming off on your UK SIM.
Questions UK travellers ask
What is the best eSIM for Japan from the UK?
It depends on how much data you use. For most travellers a fixed-data plan of 3 to 10 GB is enough, and it is often cheaper than paying a UK network’s daily roaming charge for the whole trip. Pick a plan whose validity covers your whole trip.
Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming with EE, O2, Vodafone or Three?
Often, for trips of more than a few days. UK daily roaming charges add up each day you use your phone, while an eSIM is a one-off price. If your UK plan already includes Japan at no extra cost, use that.
Will I keep my UK number?
Yes. The eSIM is data-only and your UK SIM stays in your phone, so you can still receive texts such as bank codes. WhatsApp and iMessage keep working over the eSIM’s data.
When should I install it?
Before you fly, at home on Wi-Fi. Then switch it on when you land. Check the plan details for when its validity starts.
What if something goes wrong?
Live chat in the Graba SIM app is available 24/7. Email and contact-form requests are answered Monday to Friday.