eSIM for Colombians traveling to Japan — No roaming in Asia

In short: A Colombia eSIM for Japan gives you mobile data as soon as you land, without changing physical cards and without relying on your Colombian operator's roaming, which is usually expensive and with limited speed. You install the profile before leaving Bogota, Medellin, or Cali, activate it upon arrival at Narita or Kansai, and in minutes you'll have internet to move around, translate signs, and navigate throughout Japan.

If you're organizing a trip from Colombia to Japan, you've probably already encountered the million-dollar question: what do I do with my phone? Your Colombian operator's roaming is almost always the least intelligent option, and buying a physical Japanese SIM upon arrival means wasting time at the airport just when you're most eager to start exploring. That's where a Japan eSIM comes in: you land with internet, no roaming, no stress.

In this guide, we'll tell you, without beating around the bush, how much traditional roaming from Colombia can cost you, how an eSIM really works, how many GB you need depending on your type of trip, how to activate it before boarding the plane, and what mistakes most Colombian travelers make the first time they try this technology.

Roaming from Colombia to Japan: why it's usually expensive

Colombian operators —whichever one you use— offer international roaming packages that include Japan, but they are rarely the cheapest option for a trip of several weeks. Depending on the plan and the operator, daily roaming in Japan can easily exceed 15-20 USD per day, and that's not even counting that many plans limit speed or daily volume before "cutting you off" to an almost unusable speed.

Do the math for your own itinerary: if your trip lasts 12 or 14 days, as is often the case on the classic Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka route, roaming can become one of the most expensive parts of the trip, comparable to several nights of hotel accommodation. And that's without having used data even once for anything more than Google Maps and WhatsApp.

Beyond the price, traditional roaming has other drawbacks that almost no one mentions until they're already at the airport:

• Reduced speed in many cases to 3G, insufficient for video calls or for loading maps with real-time traffic
• Tiered rates that activate full charges even if you only use data for a few minutes
• You need to activate it before leaving Colombia and sometimes it's still billed even if you don't end up using it
• Little or no control over actual consumption until the bill arrives

An eSIM versus traditional roaming completely changes that equation: you pay once for the GB you'll need, with real 4G/5G speed, and you activate the plan exactly when you need it, not a minute before.

What is an eSIM and how does it work on a trip to Japan?

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is, basically, a digital SIM integrated into your phone. There's no physical card to insert or lose at the bottom of your suitcase: you download the operator's profile by scanning a QR code and that's it. Most modern phones can have several eSIMs installed at the same time and switch between them in seconds, without restarting the phone.

If you've never used one, we recommend you first read what a virtual eSIM is exactly and how it differs from a physical SIM. Summarizing the process for a Colombian traveler heading to Japan:

1. Buy your data plan for Japan on purasim.com before leaving home
2. Receive the QR code by email in a few minutes
3. Install the eSIM from Colombia, calmly, using your home or office WiFi
4. Upon landing in Japan, activate the eSIM and in a short time you'll have local data
5. Your physical Colombian SIM continues to function in parallel for calls and SMS from your usual number

No queues at Narita or Haneda airport, no searching for a phone store with jet lag. You land, activate, and have internet. If it's your first time installing an eSIM, the step-by-step process is explained in detail in our eSIM installation guide, which works for Japan as well as any other destination.

It's also worth understanding the difference from traditional data roaming: if you want the technical background of why roaming is structurally more expensive, we explain it without unnecessary jargon in what data roaming is.

How many GB do you need for a trip to Japan?

For a typical trip from Colombia to Japan, the usual recommendation is around 15-20 GB for two weeks of moderate use: Google Maps active during the day, WhatsApp with photos for family in Colombia, social media without constantly uploading videos, and some occasional searching or booking.

The following table gives you a daily consumption reference according to the type of use, so you can choose the plan that best fits your itinerary:

If your trip includes occasional remote work, video conference meetings, or you want to upload content to social media in real-time, it's better to upgrade to a higher plan from the start. Most PuraSim plans allow you to increase your GB if they run out halfway through your trip, so you don't have to get it perfectly right the first time.

A practical detail that few consider: the Bogota-Tokyo flight usually operates with a connection in Los Angeles, Mexico City, or some North American city. Take advantage of that layover —or the departure airport in Colombia— to calmly install the eSIM before boarding the last leg of the flight.

How to activate your eSIM before your flight, step by step

The best thing about an eSIM is that you get it ready long before packing your bags. The installation process takes about five minutes and you only need a WiFi connection, not mobile data:

1. Check your phone's compatibility: most iPhones from XS, Samsung Galaxy from S20, and Google Pixel from 3 onwards support eSIM. Check the exact model before buying.
2. Buy your plan on purasim.com: select Japan as your destination and the GB volume you calculated according to the table above.
3. Install the profile: open the email with the QR code and go to your phone's Settings to scan it and download the eSIM.
4. Give it a recognizable name (e.g., "PuraSim Japan") and configure it for data only, not for calls or SMS, which will continue to work from your Colombian line.
5. Activate it upon landing: you can have it installed but inactive during the flight. Upon landing in Japan, go to Settings → Mobile Data and activate it.

In less than five minutes after getting off the plane, you'll have data working, without having crossed a single airport door looking for a store. If you're also planning a route that combines several Asian countries, check out what other destinations we cover, such as our guide to eSIM for South Korea, very useful if your itinerary includes Seoul or Busan before or after Japan.

eSIM vs. roaming vs. physical Japanese SIM: quick comparison

Before deciding, it's worth putting the three options side by side. This is what a Colombian traveler typically encounters:

The real difference is not just in the final price, but in the time you save by not having to look for a phone store as soon as you land, and in the fact that you remain reachable on your Colombian number throughout the trip.

Tips for Colombian travelers in Japan

Beyond connectivity, here are some specific tips for those traveling from Colombia:

• Download everything before leaving: offline maps of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka on Google Maps, Spotify playlists, a Netflix episode or two for the flight. For the first few hours over the Pacific, you won't have any data.
• Notify your Colombian bank of your trip: many block transactions in Japan for security if you don't inform them beforehand. This is one of the most frequent complaints from Colombian travelers and can be avoided with a two-minute call.
• WhatsApp will work perfectly with data: with the eSIM active, you can make video calls to your family in Colombia at no additional cost for being "international," because it travels as data, not as a traditional phone call.
• Carry scanned and saved offline documents: passport, travel insurance, and hotel reservations. If you ever run out of data, you'll still have access to what's important.
• Take advantage of free WiFi at stations and konbinis as a supplement, not a substitute: it's intermittent and often requires registration, which is why having the eSIM as a reliable base is convenient.

And if your Asia trip doesn't end in Japan, also check out our guide on tricks to save data on an eSIM trip: it works just as well for Tokyo as for any other destination where you want to stretch your contracted GB.

Common mistakes and what almost no one tells you about eSIM in Japan

There are a series of mistakes that are repeated over and over again. Here they are, along with how to avoid them:

• Activating the eSIM too early. If you install the profile and activate it as soon as you buy it, your plan's countdown could start before you even set foot in Japan. Install the eSIM whenever you want, but don't activate it until you're about to need it.
• Not checking if the phone is unlocked. Some phones bought in Colombia with an operator plan come locked to that network and won't accept third-party eSIMs. Check with your operator before traveling, not at Bogota airport.
• Accidentally deleting the eSIM before the trip ends. If you change phones or factory reset your device in the middle of your trip, you could lose the installed profile. Avoid factory resetting your phone while you're away, and if in doubt, contact support before touching anything.
• Leaving the hotspot activated without realizing it. Sharing data with the rest of the group from a single eSIM is a legitimate and common option, but if you don't keep track, consumption can skyrocket much faster than expected. Monitor your phone's data counter, not just the operator's app.
• Thinking that the eSIM also provides a voice line. Data plans like PuraSim's are data-only: for calls, use WhatsApp, Telegram, or FaceTime via that same data; don't expect traditional voice coverage on a travel eSIM.
• Not checking coverage in rural or mountainous areas. Japan generally has excellent mobile coverage, but in some mountain areas, isolated temples, or hiking trails, the signal can be weaker, just as it would be for a Japanese person with their own local SIM. Download offline maps as a backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I continue using my Colombian number while using the eSIM in Japan?

Yes. The eSIM works in a virtual slot separate from your physical Colombian SIM, so both coexist on the same phone. You will continue to receive calls and SMS on your usual number, and to call Colombia you use WhatsApp or similar applications through the eSIM's data.

How long does the eSIM last once purchased for Japan?

Plans have a fixed duration in days (7, 10, 15, or 30, depending on your choice), but the countdown begins with the first actual data usage, not with installation. You can install it in Colombia days before the flight without it starting to consume data.

Can I buy the eSIM for Japan once I'm there, if I forgot before leaving?

Yes, as long as you have access to WiFi (from the hotel, airport, or a cafe). However, it's more convenient to have it installed before leaving Colombia so you don't have to rely on finding WiFi right after landing with your luggage.

Does the Colombia eSIM for Japan include calls or just data?

It is a data-only plan. For calls, both local in Japan and international to Colombia, applications like WhatsApp, Telegram, or FaceTime are used, which work perfectly over the eSIM data at no additional cost for being an "international" call.

Do I need to deactivate my Colombian operator's roaming if I use an eSIM?

It's good practice to deactivate mobile data on your Colombian line (leaving only calls and SMS active) to prevent your phone from mistakenly trying to connect to the roaming network and incurring unexpected charges. The eSIM handles data.

What if my phone is not compatible with eSIM?

If your model doesn't support eSIM, you'll have to resort to a local physical SIM or traditional roaming. Before purchasing, check your phone settings for the "Add eSIM" option or consult the exact model on the manufacturer's website.

What do I do if the eSIM doesn't connect when I arrive in Japan?

First, try manually selecting the network from Settings → Mobile Data → Network, instead of leaving it on automatic. If the problem persists, PuraSim support is available to help you with your order number handy.

Written by Marc González Sáez Founder of PuraSim and a specialist in eSIM and connectivity for travelers. He has been helping people travel connected worldwide for years without overpaying for roaming, and personally tests eSIMs in each destination before recommending them.