How Much Data Do You Need for a Japan Trip? A Complete Guide to eSIM Solutions
Updated : 2024-12-19 14:31:54
When traveling in Japan, having a stable internet connection during your stay is essential.
Although the number of places offering free Wi-Fi in Japan is increasing, relying solely on free Wi-Fi may not be sufficient.
To ensure stable connectivity in Japan, purchasing a prepaid SIM card or eSIM, or renting a pocket Wi-Fi, is an effective option.
One concern many travelers might have is how much data they will need.
If you know the approximate amount of data you will use during your trip, you can choose the most suitable plan without having to buy an expensive unlimited data service.
In this article, we would like to introduce a guide to help you estimate your data usage.
eSIM for Japan
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How much data usage will you need during the trip to Japan?
According to 2023 statistics, the region with the highest average monthly data usage is North America, with 29GB per month. Based on this data, it can be estimated that you would need approximately 1GB of data per day.
In other words, using 1GB of data per day on your smartphone can be considered a general guideline. To avoid running out of data and losing access to the internet during your stay in Japan, those who use significant amounts of data daily on their smartphones should aim for about 2GB per day as a safe estimate.
How much data for 2 weeks in japan?
The average length of stay for a traveler in Japan is about 14 days.
If you plan to stay in Japan for two weeks, you will probably use about 14 GB of data capacity (1GB x 14 days).
If you will also be using your smartphone and Laptop computer, you will need more data over 30GB.
If you want to use your smartphone as a hotspot to connect your computer and other devices to the Internet, an eSIM or SIM card may not be enough data capacity for your needs.
Our eSIM has a large 50GB , so if you are looking for an eSIM, please take a look our eSIM plans -> Japan Travel eSIM.
If you need more than 50 GB of data capacity, you need to rent a Pocket Wifi.Pocket wifi has a variety of plans that allow you to use 50GB or more of data.
What you can do with 1 GB of data capacity
If you can use 1GB of data per day, it is sufficient for most people's data needs. The table below illustrates how this amount can be utilized for various purposes.
| Data Usage Category | Usage per 1GB |
|---|---|
| Email (Send/Receive) | Approximately 200,000 messages |
| Internet Browsing | Approximately 3,000 pages |
| Video Streaming (SD Quality)* | Approximately 2.2 hours |
| Music Download | Approximately 11.5 hours |
Which is better for traveling in Japan: Pocket Wi-Fi or eSIM/SIM card?
Traveling with Family and Friends(Using Multiple Devices): Pocket Wi-Fi
If you are traveling with family or friends, a Pocket Wi-Fi is a great way to share communication, and Pocket Wi-Fi offers high-capacity plans such as 50GB and 100GB, so renting a Pocket Wi-Fi is recommended for multiple travelers in Japan.
Traveling Alone(Using Single Device): eSIM/SIM Card
If you only have one smartphone that needs to be connected, purchasing a SIM card or eSIM will suffice. You can also use your smartphone as a hotspot (tethering) and connect multiple devices to the Internet. However, you should purchase a high-capacity SIM card or eSIM, such as 30GB or 50GB.
Best eSIMs for Visiting Japan : Tethering is ok, more than 30 GB of data capacity.
Approximate communication speed
The required connection speed varies depending on the intended use. Here are specific benchmarks to consider.
| Activity | Speed Range |
|---|---|
| Online Gaming | 30Mbps to 100Mbps |
| High-definition Video Streaming | 20Mbps to 30Mbps |
| Remote or Online Meetings | 10Mbps to 20Mbps |
| Emailing and Social Media Use | 1Mbps to 10Mbps |
| Web Browsing | 1Mbps to 10Mbps |
For a comfortable and seamless experience while playing online games, it's recommended to have a connection speed of around 30 to 100Mbps. Considering both the speed and stability of communication, if you're into online gaming, it's advisable to use a fixed-line connection (such as fiber optic) rather than relying on a Pocket Wi-Fi.
Approximate communication speed of Pocket Wifi and eSIM in Japan
| Speed Range | |
|---|---|
| Pocket Wi-Fi | 10Mbps to 100Mbps |
| SIM card/eSIM (for Short Term) | 5Mbps to 50Mbps |
Best eSIM Japan Plans
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