Prices checked 5 Nov 2026
Simbye Japan Review (2026):
Prices, Networks and Discount Code
The lowest list prices we track for a Japan eSIM, what they buy, and what they do not.
Affiliate disclosure: Simbye is an affiliate partner of this site. We earn a commission if you buy through the Simbye links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This review is written from Simbye's published plans and terms, not from a trip or a speed test of our own. Full disclaimer →
Buy it if you only need data and price decides this for you; buy Sakura Mobile instead if you need a Japanese phone number. Simbye has the lowest list prices we track on fixed Japan plans: $1.99 for 1 GB / 7 days and $11.99 for 10 GB / 30 days, with tethering allowed. Its feed lists NTT docomo, KDDI/au, SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile. Unlimited starts at $19.99 (Unlimited / 7 days) but is capped at 2 GB a day of full speed. It is data only, with no Japanese number, calls or SMS. Prices checked 5 Nov 2026; terms read on simbye.com on 5 Nov 2026.
Price from
$1.99 — 1 GB / 7 days
Tethering
Allowed
Japanese number
No — data only
What Does Simbye Cost for Japan?
Every single-country Japan plan in Simbye's feed. “With code” is the feed's own discounted price, not our arithmetic.
| Plan | List price | With code | Price / GB | Tethering | Top-up | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB / 7 days | $1.99 | $1.69 | $1.99/GB | Yes | Yes | Buy → |
| 3 GB / 15 days | $4.99 | $4.24 | $1.66/GB | Yes | Yes | Buy → |
| 5 GB / 30 days | $6.99 | $5.94 | $1.40/GB | Yes | Yes | Buy → |
| 10 GB / 30 days | $11.99 | $10.19 | $1.20/GB | Yes | Yes | Buy → |
| Unlimited / 7 days2 GB/day at full speed, then unlimited at 1 Mbps | $19.99 | $16.99 | — | Yes | No | Buy → |
| 20 GB / 30 days | $19.99 | $16.99 | $1.00/GB | Yes | Yes | Buy → |
| Unlimited / 15 days2 GB/day at full speed, then unlimited at 1 Mbps | $34.99 | $29.74 | — | Yes | No | Buy → |
| 50 GB / 180 days | $44.99 | $38.24 | $0.90/GB | Yes | Yes | Buy → |
| Unlimited / 30 days2 GB/day at full speed, then unlimited at 1 Mbps | $64.99 | $55.24 | — | Yes | No | Buy → |
USD prices from Simbye's own feed, checked 5 Nov 2026. The “Buy” links open Simbye's Japan page, where you choose the plan.
Is There a Simbye Discount Code?
Yes, for readers of this site. It covers every eSIM plan; Simbye's phone numbers are not included. As an affiliate we earn a commission on purchases that use it.
Which Networks, and How Long Does a Plan Last?
Networks. The feed lists NTT docomo, KDDI/au, SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile for Japan, and marks the plans as 5G-capable. Simbye's Japan page says “You never pick a network by hand” and that 5G applies where your phone supports it. The same page says the 50 GB plan runs on NTT Docomo only, so if the carrier matters, check that plan before you buy.
Tethering. Marked true on every Japan plan in the feed. The Japan page says hotspot use is “Allowed — for a laptop, tablet or a travel companion”.
Validity. Plans run from 7 to 180 days, and “your plan only starts counting when the eSIM first connects at your destination.” That makes installing at home safe.
Unlimited. The feed states “2 GB/day at full speed, then unlimited at 1 Mbps”. Simbye's FAQ adds that you stay connected past the threshold but high-resolution streaming will not work well. Unlimited plans cannot be topped up.
How Do You Set Up a Simbye eSIM?
Check the phone first
Simbye's Japan page says only phones with a built-in eSIM chip work, and the phone must not be locked to one operator. It lists iPhone XS/XR and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, and Google Pixel 3 and newer; other Android models vary, so check yours.
Buy, then wait for the email
After checkout you get an email with an installation link or QR code.
Install over Wi-Fi before you fly
Add the eSIM under Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM on an iPhone, or Settings → Connections → SIM Manager on a Samsung. Simbye says there is no access point to type in by hand.
Switch on after landing
Turn on the new line, select it as your data line, and enable data roaming for it. Simbye says the plan only starts counting when the eSIM first connects at your destination.
Steps as Simbye's Japan page gives them. More detail per phone: how to set up an eSIM for Japan and the compatibility checks.
What Are the Trade-offs?
Pros
- +Lowest list price we track on fixed Japan plans
- +Tethering allowed on every Japan plan in its feed
- +A 50 GB plan valid for 180 days
- +Fixed plans can be topped up without changing the eSIM
Cons
- −Data only: no Japanese number, no calls, no SMS
- −Unlimited means 2 GB a day at full speed, then 1 Mbps
- −No top-up on unlimited plans
- −Shortest plan is 7 days: there are no 1-day or 3-day plans
Who Should Buy Simbye, and Who Shouldn't?
Good fit
- +Trips of a week or more where data is all you need
- +Anyone sharing a connection with a laptop or a partner's phone
- +Long stays on a large allowance, with the 50 GB plan's 180-day validity
- +Travellers who want the lowest list price and are happy to use messaging apps for calls
Poor fit
- −Anyone who needs a Japanese phone number: look at Sakura Mobile instead
- −A 1 to 3-day stay: its shortest plan is 7 days, though it is priced low
- −Heavy users who need more than 2 GB a day at full speed on an unlimited plan
- −Phones without eSIM, or locked to one operator
Does Simbye Sell a Phone Number for Japan?
Not a Japanese one. The Japan eSIM itself is data only: its page says “Calls and texts: Not included” and that SMS verification codes will not reach it.
Separately, Simbye sells virtual numbers from the USA, UK, Netherlands and Australia, for receiving SMS and verification codes. They need no SIM or eSIM: codes appear in the Simbye app or on its site. Simbye says they are “made for receiving: outgoing calls and SMS are not possible”, and that compatibility may vary by service. They will not give you a Japanese number, so they do not help with a form that asks for one. The discount code does not apply to them. See Simbye's virtual numbers →
If you do need a Japanese number, see how a foreigner gets a Japanese phone number and our Sakura Mobile review. Numbers read on 5 Nov 2026.
How Does Simbye Compare with the Other Four?
One week in Japan, 5 GB or more: the cheapest plan each provider sells that covers it, with the two clauses the price alone does not tell you.
| Provider | Data | Valid for | Price | Japanese phone number | Tethering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SimbyeNTT docomo, KDDI/au, SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile | 5 GB | 30 days | $6.99 | No — data only | Yes, on every Japan plan |
| eSIM Go (Breeze)Docomo / SoftBank | 5 GB | 30 days | $9.99 | No — data only | Yes, no extra cost |
| AiraloSoftBank (+2 others) | 5 GB | 7 days | $10.00 | No — data only | Yes, where device allows |
| HolaflySoftBank / KDDI (5G) | Unlimited | 7 days | $27.50 | No — data only | Capped at 1 GB/day |
| Sakura Mobileau/KDDI (Unlimited) or Docomo (3 GB/day) | 21 GB3 GB/day cap | 7 days | $30.36 | Voice + Data plan only | Yes, allowance by plan length |
The cheapest plan each provider sells with at least 7 days' validity and 5 GB or more; Holafly sells unlimited only. Data, validity and price are each provider's own figures, read by our daily feed on 5 Nov 2026. The phone-number and tethering clauses were read off the same providers' own pages and help centres on 22 Oct 2026 (Simbye: 5 Nov 2026).
Full comparison, with a pick per trip → Cheapest eSIMs for Japan → Every plan by price per GB →
Common Questions
1. How much is Simbye's Japan eSIM?
2. Which network does Simbye use in Japan?
3. Can you tether on a Simbye Japan eSIM?
4. Is Simbye's unlimited plan really unlimited in Japan?
5. Does Simbye give you a Japanese phone number?
6. What are Simbye's virtual phone numbers for?
7. When does a Simbye plan start counting?
8. Can you get a refund from Simbye?
9. Is Simbye cheaper than Airalo and eSIM Go in Japan?
Compare all Japan eSIM options
See how Simbye stacks up against Airalo, eSIM Go, Holafly and Sakura Mobile on price, data and network.
View Full eSIM Comparison →