I Tried the Journey Japan eSIM: Here’s How It Worked Across Japan

Looking for an eSIM for your trip to Japan? I tried the Journey Japan eSIM across Japan, and here is what I thought!

Whether it’s to stay in touch with people at home, navigate your way through cities or simply translate a Japanese menu into English, having a stable connection is a must while travelling in Japan. Your best options are either an eSIM or a Pocket WiFi.

But with so many eSIM companies sprouting out of the ground lately, what is your best choice and why? You’ll have to keep a lot of things in mind: cost, connectivity, support, and how easy it is to use and install.

As a blogger, I get emails at least once a week about eSIM collaborations and partnerships. Up until now, I never felt like they were the right fit. The Navigatio barely works with brands through sponsorships; 99% of it is self-funded. When I do reach out to a brand for a collaboration, it’s only to those I use and trust (I’m very picky!). The quality of our content is always our number one priority.

I haven’t promoted any eSIMs until now, because I haven’t had the best experience with eSIMs (especially in rural Japan). The majority of eSIMs try to be everywhere and aren’t focused enough on Japan for them to provide the best service. So when I heard about Journey Japan eSIM, an eSIM that solely focuses on Japan, I was eager to give it a go.

Having used the eSIM across the country now, I’m very excited to partner with them and share my experience with you. They really have been the best eSIM I’ve used in Japan (sometimes even better than my trusted Pocket WiFi…) and it’s a service I’d happily recommend to our readers!

* This article is part of a collaboration between The Navigatio and Journey Japan eSIM. All views and opinions are my own.

What is Journey Japan eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that you can install on your phone without having to physically swap your regular SIM card. They’re easy to set up and use, and don’t require you to carry and charge an extra device, as you would with a Pocket WiFi. 

There are countless eSIM companies available, and the majority of them offer connectivity services worldwide. Personally, I’ve not had the best experiences with eSIMs in Japan, as the connectivity wasn’t fantastic or the installation process was tricky. 

Luckily, I’ve now come across Journey Japan eSIM. The company is based in Japan and offers eSIMs in Japan only, created by Chris Broad from Abroad in Japan. This eSIM was created with the understanding of any connection or travelling pain points in Japan specifically, not across the globe. 

Journey Japan eSIM knows Japan’s local networks much better than eSIMs offering global coverage. They use the best local Japanese networks, like NTT Docomo, guaranteeing great coverage. When using the Journey Japan eSIM while travelling across rural Kyushu, I had a stable connection in the most rural spots.

As they’re a Japan-based company, you’ll also be sure to get fast support if necessary, as they’ll be in the same time zone as you (and support is offered in English). On top of that, Journey Japan eSIM allows for unlimited tethering and hotspotting, unlike most other eSIMs.

Journey Japan eSIM Discount Code

After having used the eSIM throughout Japan, I was very impressed with the speed and the connectivity. It’s something I would recommend to my readers here. So, we partnered up with Journey Japan eSIM to give The Navigatio readers a discount.

You can use code THENAVIGATIO at checkout to get 5% discount on the 30-day Unlimited 5G Data Plan.

Once added to your basket, you can add the code at the checkout page, similar to what we did in the screenshot below. This should automatically add the 5% discount.

Do I Really Need an eSIM?

When travelling across Japan, you will need a reliable internet connection. Not only to send pictures of your trip to friends and family, but also to navigate the train system, use your pre-saved Google Maps and translate menus or signs. 

Even though public WiFi is being introduced in more places in Japan, it’s often not good enough to fully rely on during your trip. On top of that, it may not be available everywhere. Without a VPN, public WiFi can also be unsafe!

Almost all hotels in Japan also have free WiFi, which is great when you’re in the hotel, but it’s not enough to help you navigate when you’re not at your hotel!

There are multiple ways of getting a reliable internet connection in Japan, including eSIM, Pocket WiFi, a physical SIM card or using a roaming plan from your home phone provider.

We have a dedicated guide comparing Pocket WiFi and eSIM for more information and figuring out which one is best for your trip and group.

Your phone needs to be unlocked for it to be eSIM compatible. Always check with your provider before purchasing an eSIM.

How to Set up Journey Japan eSIM

Setting up the Journey Japan eSIM was very straightforward. No need to download any apps or be tech-savvy.

First, you purchase your plan on the Journey Japan eSIM website. All set data plans last 30 days, and the unlimited plans have a 15 or 30-day option, covering almost all trips to Japan (most trips are 2–4 weeks), so you don’t have to worry about running out of time.

The plans currently available include either 10GB, 20GB, 50GB, unlimited GB. I opted for the unlimited plan. After paying for the eSIM, you’ll receive a purchase confirmation by email.

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Within five minutes, I received the eSIM activation information by email. Activating the eSIM is very easy, and the email includes a file with screenshots explaining how to install it on both iOS and Android. Alternatively, you can use this step-by-step guide on their website.

You can go to your phone settings → mobile services → add eSIM. I then manually added the codes from the email and activated the eSIM. I made sure my default line stayed connected to my primary SIM, and the new eSIM would be used for data.

I’m not very tech-savvy, and installing it took less than 5 minutes. Especially with the step-by-step guide on the website, it was no problem at all.

Performance Across Japan

As I previously mentioned, I have had some issues with other eSIMs in the past, especially in rural Japan. When testing the Journey Japan eSIM across Kyushu, I was pleasantly surprised that I stayed connected to the internet at all times, even when our Pocket WiFi couldn’t.

During our visit to Huis Ten Bosch, it was so busy that our Pocket WiFi couldn’t stay connected and left my husband without internet, while my Journey Japan eSIM had no issues whatsoever. Even halfway up Mount Unzen, when the Pocket WiFi started to struggle, the Journey Japan eSIM stayed connected.

Speed-wise, I’ve also been very happy. We did a few speed tests compared to the hotel WiFi and the Pocket WiFi, and the Journey Japan eSIM won every time. We’ve seen +250 Mbps for speeds on the eSIM.

Journey Japan eSIM Plans & Prices

Currently, Journey Japan eSIM comes with four different plans. All set data plans last 30 days, and the unlimited data plan gives you the option of 15 or 30 days. This means that you can use the chosen data allowance across 30 days.

As most trips to Japan are two or three weeks, having 30 days is more than enough for most visitors. If you are visiting for longer (or you run out of data), you can always purchase a second eSIM to top it up.

Use code THENAVIGATIO to get 5% off the 30-day Unlimited 5G Plan.

Conclusion – Is the Journey Japan eSIM Worth It?

After having tried the eSIM myself, I can highly recommend it to anybody who is looking for an eSIM in Japan. Knowing you get the best of the best in terms of connectivity is a weight off my shoulders, especially when travelling through rural Japan often. Plus, speeds have been fantastic.

The Unlimited Plan also gives you extra peace of mind knowing you won’t run out of data, especially if you’re a heavy user like me. I’m looking forward to continuing to use it across Japan.