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When traveling in Japan, having a reliable internet connection is always a top priority. Without it, navigation, ticket booking, translation, and even payments can become troublesome.
There are numerous eSIM providers on the market — both large and small — making it challenging to select the right one. Many travelers naturally ask: Which eSIM is truly the best for Japan eSIM? Which brand offers the best value for tourists?
In fact, the network quality of an eSIM mainly depends on the Japanese carrier it partners with. In other words, whether you choose a big brand or a small provider, as long as they connect to the same carrier, the signal strength will be almost identical.
What really matters is not “Can it work?”, but rather “Which provider gives you more data and better plans for the same budget?”
Best Japan eSIMs Under $20: Our Ground Rules
To make things clearer, let’s set a simple rule:
👉 Budget limit: $20.
Within this range, we’ll look for the Japan eSIMs that offer the highest specs and best value.
Before we start, let’s make sure we understand what an eSIM is, how much data you might need, and why travelers should choose a Japan eSIM instead of a local SIM card.
1. What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is essentially a virtual SIM card. It doesn’t require physical verification — once you scan the QR code, install, and activate it, your phone gets instant network access.
Think of it as a “data enabler” that lets you go online right away.
However, don’t forget to check if your phone supports eSIM before making a purchase.
2. How Much Data Do I Need?
Depending on your travel duration and data habits, you can estimate your usage.
If you’re not sure, you can click here (link) to calculate how much data you’ll likely need during your trip.
3. Why Choose a Japan eSIM Instead of a Local SIM?
The key difference is that an eSIM is digital — no need to find a local carrier or wait in line at the airport.
In many cases, eSIMs are even cheaper than physical SIMs, and they don’t require you to remove your original SIM card — scan and start using data immediately.
It’s convenient, fast, and cost-effective. Overall, eSIMs offer a much better value than local SIMs.
Top 7 Japan eSIM Providers (2025)
So, what kind of Japan eSIM can you get for $20 in 2025?
Let’s find out 👇
1. Microesim Japan eSIM
Microesim is a Hong Kong-based provider known for its excellent cost-performance ratio.
Its product range and flexibility far exceed most other eSIM brands — though being a newer company, its recognition is still growing.
Still, Microesim undeniably offers some of the best-value plans on the market.
They currently offer three Japan eSIM packages:
🟢 Japan eSIM AU (KDDI)
They claim to offer truly unlimited data without throttling, and reviews show that the value is indeed great.
Most “unlimited” eSIMs on the market (including big brands like Holafly) apply FUP restrictions — throttling your speed after heavy use.
🟢 Japan eSIM 5G SoftBank / KDDI
This dual-network plan is quite interesting. It connects to both SoftBank and KDDI, automatically switching to whichever signal is stronger.
According to their FUP, even after using up your purchased data, you can still access data at 128 kbps for free — a nice feature for those unsure about their data usage.
🟢 Japan eSIM IIJ NTT Docomo (Local IP)
This plan is slightly more complex — you’ll need to manually set the APN to “vmobile.jp” to access Japan’s local internet.
💡 Recommended picks under $20:
- For longer duration: Japan eSIM 5G SoftBank / KDDI — 30 days / 20 GB Data — $15.71
- For faster speed: Japan eSIM AU (KDDI) — 8 days / Unlimited Data (10 Mbps) — $18.28
2. Airalo Japan eSIM
Airalo is one of the most recognized eSIM brands worldwide, mainly because it was the first global eSIM store and invests heavily in marketing — hence its high visibility.
So what can $20 get you on Airalo eSIM?
Airalo offers two main types:
- Standard plans (data stops after you use it up)
- Unlimited plans
Their Japan eSIM uses SoftBank/KDDI dual networks.
-
Best standard option: 30 days / 10 GB Data — $18
-
Unlimited option: 3 days Unlimited Data— $12.50
At this price point, the unlimited version isn’t a great value — short duration and relatively expensive.
So, Airalo’s unlimited plan might not be the best choice under $20.
3. Holafly Japan eSIM
Holafly specializes exclusively in unlimited-data eSIMs.
Heavy-data users love it because they don’t need to worry about limits — just choose the number of days and pay accordingly.
For $20, Holafly offers:
- Unlimited data / 5 days — $19.50
That’s not particularly cheap — short duration, relatively high price.
Also, Holafly’s FUP policy means speeds may slow after heavy use.
However, for normal browsing, social media, and maps, most users experience stable high-speed performance.
So, although it’s pricey, Holafly remains a good pick for heavy users — just not the most cost-effective under a $20 cap.
4. Nomad Japan eSIM
Nomad is a service by LotusFlare Inc., a rather standard eSIM provider without special features.
Two plan types are available:
- Standard (data stops when used up)
- Unlimited Data
Within a $20 budget:
- Standard Data 30 days / 10 GB — $17
- Unlimited Data 5 days — $17
Note: the “unlimited Data” plan has an FUP of 2 GB/day, after which speed drops to 1 Mbps.
5. Saily Japan eSIM
Saily is an eSIM provider partnered with NordVPN, so they’re quite knowledgeable in data security and network stability.
For $20, you can get:
- Standard 30 days / 10 GB Data — $17.99
-
Unlimited Data plan — above budget (requires > $20)
FUP: 5 GB/day high-speed data, then 1 Mbps.
Prices are slightly higher, and FUP limits are stricter, but their standard plan is still reasonable compared to competitors.
6. Mobal Japan eSIM
Mobal is a Japan-based eSIM provider offering both SIM and eSIM options.
With its headquarters in Japan, one might expect better local pricing.
For $20, you can get:
- 8 days / 10 GB Data — 2750 JPY (≈ $18)
It’s a decent plan, but compared with others, the value isn’t outstanding.
7. Japan Wireless eSIM
Japan Wireless is another local Japanese provider.
Besides eSIMs, they also offer Wi-Fi rentals, campervan rentals, travel guides, and taxi services — eSIMs are just one part of their business.
They sell only one product: eSIM 5G Unlimited Plan.
Within a $20 budget, you can get:
- 4 days / 12 GB Data (5G speed) — $16.3
- 30 days / 10 GB Data (4G speed) — $16.33
- Unlimited Data plan / 4 days / 4G speed — $15.6
For users who care about network speed, the duration of the plan might not be sufficient. Also, the “5G” label doesn’t mean you’ll get 5G speeds all the time — it depends on the coverage of the network’s base stations.
In simple terms, if you’re in an area not covered by a 5G tower, your signal quality may be affected.
Japan eSIM Price & Specs Comparison Table (Approx. $20 Budget – 2025)
| Brand | Type | Plan Specs | Price (USD) | Speed / FUP Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microesim | Unlimited Plan | 8 days unlimited Data(10 Mbps) | $18.28 | Claimed true unlimited |
| Standard Plan | 30 days, 20 GB | $15.71 | After data use, continues at 128 kbps, unlimited | |
| Standard Plan | 30 days, 10 GB | $15.05 | Manual APN setting required Local IP, APN “vmobile.jp” |
|
| Airalo | Standard Plan | 30 days, 10 GB | $18 | No free data once used up |
| Unlimited Plan | 3 days unlimited | $12.50 | Unlimited but likely subject to throttling | |
| Holafly | Unlimited Plan | 5 days unlimited | $19.50 | Has FUP: heavy usage may cause throttling |
| Nomad | Standard Plan | 30 days, 10 GB | $17 | Usage capped, standard plan |
| Unlimited Plan | 5 days unlimited | $17 | Daily 2 GB at full speed, then throttled to 1 Mbps | |
| Saily | Standard Plan | 30 days, 10 GB | $17.99 | Usage capped |
| Mobal | Standard Plan | 8 days, 10 GB (-¥2,750JPY) | ≈$18 | Usage capped |
| Japan Wireless | Standard Plan | 4 days, 12 GB(5G) | $16.30 | Usage capped |
| Standard Plan | 30 days, 10 GB(4G) | $16.33 | Usage capped | |
| Unlimited Plan | 4 days, unlimited(4G) | $15.60 | Unlimited but likely subject to throttling |
Comparison Summary
From the table, we can see that under the Standard Plan (Data Stops When Used Up) category, MicroEsim offers the best value — 30 days with 20GB of data for only $15.71.
In contrast, Airalo, Nomad, Japan Wireless, and Saily each provide only 10GB for 30 days, with prices ranging between $16.33 and $18.
🏆 Standard Plans Under $20 (Data Stops When Used Up)
| Rank | Provider | Duration | Data | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MicroEsim | 30 days | 20GB | $15.71 | Best value |
| 2 | Airalo | 30 days | 10GB | $18 | |
| 3 | Nomad | 30 days | 10GB | $17 | |
| 4 | Saily | 30 days | 10GB | $17.99 | |
| 5 | Japan Wireless | 30 days | 10GB | $16.33 | 4G network |
For Unlimited Plans (Fair Usage Policy Applies) under $20, MicroEsim again leads with the longest duration and most stable speed — 8 days of full-speed (8–20 Mbps) data for $18.28, averaging only $2.29 per day.
🚀 Unlimited Plans Under $20
| Rank | Provider | Duration | Speed / Data Policy | Price | Avg. Cost per Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MicroEsim | 8 days | 8–20 Mbps full speed | $18.28 | $2.29/day |
| 2 | Nomad | 5 days | 2GB/day at 4G/5G, then 1 Mbps | $17 | $3.40/day |
| 3 | Holafly | 5 days | 4G/5G | $19.50 | $3.90/day |
| 4 | Airalo | 3 days | 3GB/day at 4G/5G, then 1 Mbps | $18 | $4.17/day |
| 5 | Japan Wireless | 4 days | 4G only | $16.33 | $4.08/day |
Summary:
If your budget is $20, Microesim Japan eSIM 5G SoftBank / KDDI currently offers the best balance between price, data, and flexibility — while Holafly and Airalo remain reliable choices for users prioritizing convenience and brand familiarity.
If you’re looking for the best unlimited Japan eSIM under $20, the MicroEsim Japan eSIM (5G SoftBank/KDDI) is hard to beat. It offers the longest usage period and stable 8–20 Mbps speeds at a great price. Nomad and Holafly are also solid picks for short trips if you want a quick setup and reliable 5G coverage, while Airalo and Japan Wireless work well for travelers who just need simple 4G connectivity.
