Choosing between Ubigi and Airalo for Japan? This guide is for US travelers who want an eSIM ready before they land. It compares the Japan prices that can be checked, shows what each provider lists, and helps you match a plan to your trip.
In short: Airalo publishes Unlimited packages for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 30 days, which suits short trips with heavy use. For 30 days, Ubigi is listed lower than Airalo on both 10 GB and Unlimited; the dated figures are in the table below. If you use little data, a smaller fixed plan costs much less than either unlimited option.
Updated: November 2026
Ubigi or Airalo for Japan: which one fits your trip?
Pick by trip length and data habits. For 3 to 15 days of heavy use, Airalo has a clear ladder of Unlimited packages. For a month with a fixed amount of data, Ubigi is listed slightly lower. If you mostly use maps and messaging, a smaller plan beats both.
- Short trip, heavy use: Airalo's website lists Unlimited packages for 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 days (checked on November 7, 2026).
- 30 days, 10 GB is enough: compare the dated prices in the table in the 30-day section below.
- Light use: a small fixed plan costs far less than any unlimited option.
Want a third option? You can see the PuraSIM Japan eSIM plans and pick the GB and days you need.
How much does Airalo's eSIM cost in Japan?
Airalo's Japan page lists Unlimited packages from 3 days at 11.50 USD to 30 days at 69.00 USD, according to its website, checked on November 7, 2026. Longer packages cost less per day. Airalo lists all of these as Unlimited on its website.
| Days | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Unlimited | 11.50 USD |
| 5 | Unlimited | 17.00 USD |
| 7 | Unlimited | 26.50 USD |
| 10 | Unlimited | 34.50 USD |
| 15 | Unlimited | 48.00 USD |
| 30 | Unlimited | 69.00 USD |
Airalo also sells fixed-data plans. Per esimdata (checked on November 4, 2026), Airalo's 5 GB for 30 days is 11.00 USD, 10 GB for 30 days is 18.00 USD and 20 GB for 30 days is 25.00 USD.
How much does Ubigi's eSIM cost in Japan?
Per esimdata (checked on November 4, 2026), Ubigi's Japan plans include 10 GB for 30 days at 16.50 USD and an Unlimited plan for 30 days at 65.00 USD. Those are the two Ubigi prices that can be confirmed for Japan here.
The 10 GB plan works out to 1.65 USD per GB (16.50 ÷ 10), according to the same esimdata page and date. For any other Ubigi plan, check the current offer in Ubigi's own app or website before you buy. Our Ubigi eSIM for Japan guide goes deeper on that provider.
Which is cheaper for 30 days in Japan?
On the two 30-day plan types where both providers have a price we can check, Ubigi is listed lower than Airalo, for fixed 10 GB and for Unlimited. The sources were checked on different days, so treat the gap as a guide and confirm the final price at checkout.
| Plan | Ubigi | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| 10 GB, 30 days | 16.50 USD | 18.00 USD |
| Unlimited, 30 days | 65.00 USD | 69.00 USD |
Note the dates: the Ubigi Unlimited price is from November 4 and the Airalo Unlimited price is from November 7, so the difference between them is only a rough guide. For the longer head-to-head, read our Ubigi vs Airalo guide.
For market context, MyBestSim listed 906 plans from 30 providers for Japan on November 7, 2026. Its median for 10 GB over 30 days was 16.74 USD across 32 plans, and for unlimited over 30 days it was 59.99 USD across 27 plans.
Do you need unlimited data in Japan?
Most likely not. PuraSIM's own aggregated data shows that half of travelers used less than 0.63 GB, and the average was 2.34 GB per eSIM. Unlimited plans mainly make sense if you tether a laptop or stream video all day.
The figures come from 109 PuraSIM eSIMs with measured usage, up to November 7, 2026. On average, travelers used 30% of the data in their plan. Real trips vary, but it is a useful check before paying for a 30-day unlimited plan.
A fixed plan costs much less. PuraSIM's 10 GB plan for 30 days is 14.99 USD, which is 1.50 USD per GB (14.99 ÷ 10). Its 5 GB plan for 30 days is 9.49 USD, and its 1 GB plan for 7 days is 3.49 USD. You choose the GB and days you need and pay only for that. You also keep your usual number for WhatsApp and calls, and you can share data over hotspot with whoever travels with you.
Is an eSIM cheaper than US carrier roaming?
For anything beyond a couple of days, usually yes. AT&T lists its International Day Pass at $12 per day in 210+ destinations, according to its website, checked on November 7, 2026. Over 7 days that is 84 USD (12 × 7). Check that Japan is covered on your plan.
Read the source: AT&T international page. AT&T says you are charged only for the days you use the pass, and that the data allowance comes from your domestic plan.
T-Mobile says its Experience plans include high-speed data and unlimited texting in 215+ countries and destinations, and that this is not for extended international use (T-Mobile travel page, checked on November 7, 2026). Verizon says TravelPass brings your unlimited data, talk and text to 210+ countries and destinations (Verizon page, checked on November 7, 2026).
A carrier day pass can still be handy for a one-day layover, when buying an eSIM is not worth the trouble.
What few people tell you
The plan name matters less than your real usage. Half of PuraSIM travelers used less than 0.63 GB, yet a 30-day Unlimited plan is listed at 65.00 USD for Ubigi (esimdata, checked on November 4, 2026) and 69.00 USD for Airalo (its website, checked on November 7, 2026). Estimate your data first.
Also check networks. esimdata (data of November 5, 2026) says providers report using networks such as DOCOMO and KDDI/au in Japan across the plans it tracks (esimdata Japan). PuraSIM's Japan eSIM lists KDDI/au (5G), NTT docomo (5G), Rakuten Mobile (5G) and SoftBank (5G), according to its feed checked on September 26, 2026. Our Japan eSIM coverage and activation guide explains how to check before you buy.
Rule of thumb: estimate your data first, then pick the smallest plan that covers it with some margin.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ubigi cheaper than Airalo for Japan?
On the 30-day plans where both have a price we can check, Ubigi is listed lower. Per esimdata, checked on November 4, 2026, Ubigi's 10 GB plan is 16.50 USD versus 18.00 USD for Airalo. Ubigi's Unlimited is 65.00 USD there, and Airalo's is 69.00 USD on its website (checked on November 7, 2026).
How much is Airalo's cheapest unlimited eSIM for Japan?
Airalo's website lists a 3-day Unlimited package for Japan at 11.50 USD, checked on November 7, 2026. The 5-day package is 17.00 USD and the 7-day one is 26.50 USD on the same page. Longer packages cost less per day, so match the days to your itinerary.
Can I get a Ubigi promo or discount code?
Offers change often, so check Ubigi's own site or app for any current discount before paying. Prices in this guide come from the dates shown next to each figure, and they may differ from what you see at checkout. Compare the final total before you confirm your order.
Do I need unlimited data for two weeks in Japan?
Probably not. PuraSIM's measured data (109 eSIMs, up to November 7, 2026) shows an average of 2.34 GB used per eSIM, and half of travelers used less than 0.63 GB. Airalo's website lists a 15-day Unlimited package at 48.00 USD (checked on November 7, 2026); a 5 GB or 10 GB plan costs much less.
Is an eSIM cheaper than AT&T roaming in Japan?
For more than a day or two, it usually is. AT&T lists its International Day Pass at $12 per day in 210+ destinations on its website, checked on November 7, 2026, so a week costs 84 USD (12 × 7). Check that Japan is included for your plan before you rely on it.
Conclusion
Heavy use on a short trip? Airalo's 3 to 15 day Unlimited packages have clear published prices. For 30 days, Ubigi is listed a little lower than Airalo on both 10 GB and Unlimited, with the dates shown above. Most travelers use far less than an unlimited plan offers, so a smaller fixed plan is usually the cheaper way to go.
- A week, light use: a 1 GB plan for 7 days.
- Two to four weeks, maps and social: 5 to 10 GB for 30 days.
- Remote work or video all day: compare the unlimited options above.
To compare fixed plans for your dates, browse the PuraSIM Japan eSIM plans. You can also read our PuraSIM and Ubigi comparison.
Sources
- Airalo, Japan eSIM packages, checked on 2026-11-07
- esimdata, Japan, data of 2026-11-04 and 2026-11-05
- MyBestSim, Japan eSIM comparison, checked on 2026-11-07
- AT&T, International Day Pass, checked on 2026-11-07
- T-Mobile, travel benefits, checked on 2026-11-07
- Verizon, international travel, checked on 2026-11-07
- PuraSIM, Japan eSIM plans and own aggregated usage data (purasim.com), checked on 2026-11-07
- PuraSIM, eSIM feed (Japan networks), checked on 2026-09-26
Written by Marc González Sáez, founder of PuraSIM.
