How much data do I need in Japan?
Japan has excellent free WiFi in convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart), cafes, hotels and many train stations — but you'll still want an eSIM for Google Maps navigation (especially on the Shinkansen and in rural areas), translation apps, and on-the-go bookings.
Personal Hotspot (tethering). Sharing data to a laptop/tablet? Count the activities on that device (browsing, video calls, etc.) using the sliders above — tethering itself adds almost no overhead.
Calculating…
Adjust the sliders above to match your habits.
Tips for data usage in Japan
- Google Maps on the Shinkansen and in cities uses ~5 MB/h — download offline maps for each region to save data.
- Free WiFi is common but often requires email/web sign-in; an eSIM avoids the hassle.
- 5G is widespread on SoftBank and Docomo networks — pick a plan that explicitly lists 5G if that matters to you.
- If you'll be streaming Netflix/YouTube on long train rides, step up to 10 GB or unlimited.
Major networks: NTT Docomo, SoftBank, au KDDI, Rakuten Mobile. Short-term data-only plans from 1–30 GB for 5–30 days, including unlimited options. Most providers offer 5G on SoftBank or Docomo networks.
Compare Japan eSIM plans
See live prices from 20+ providers for Japan. Filter by data amount, duration, hotspot and 5G.