Journey Japan eSIM: A full guide to Chris Broad’s Japan-only eSIM September 2026
Launched by one of our favorite YouTubers, Chris Broad from Abroad in Japan
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If you’re anything like us here at Travel ESIM Expert, you might just be a fan of Chris Broad, the guy behind Abroad in Japan, whose YouTube videos we’ve binged more times than we care to admit. Funny, honest, insightful and very British, Chris has been our go to for all things Japan for years. So our interest was piqued when we heard that he’d taken his extensive Japan travel knowledge and funnelled it into creating a new Japan specific eSIM.
The story behind Journey Japan
As a Japan travel guru, Chris was often asked which SIM to get in Japan, but usually avoided a direct answer, mumbling something about pocket wifi and moving the conversation on. However, he saw the impact of poor travel SIMs when some friends visited him and “somehow had worse reception than a potato with an antenna taped to it”.
So, fresh from a visit to Buckingham Palace, Chris and his team created Journey Japan eSIM which runs on NTT Docomo’s reliable network.
What makes Journey Japan different?
At Travel ESIM Expert our inbox is full of new brands vying for attention and many offer a similar product: data, coverage, various forms of support and all the good stuff which make eSIMs the present and future of travel. While we will always primarily value price, signal strength and speeds, what actually sets eSIMs apart? Some sort of USP or value-adds. This is where Journey Japan caught our eye.
Discounts: This is a big one, Journey Japan eSIM offers up probably the best eSIM perks we’ve seen anywhere. Here’s the long list of discounts and freebies you’ll get with your purchase:
- Lost Bar: 500 JPY ($3.49) off your first drink at Chris’ own Tokyo based bar, “Lost Bar”.
- Neko Neko Inn: Free 1 night stay
- Neko Neko Post: Stamp book
- Kabukicho Tower: Free sake
- Bounce Luggage Storage: 2x 15% off booking for storage
- Salt Group Luxury Dining: Free complimentary beverage (At new Kyoto location)
- Sando Lab: Up to 50% off discount on Fried Sandwiches
2026 Pricing and Data Plans
Journey Japan eSIM recently updated its data options to include 2 unlimited options and 5 regular fixed data plans, all with 30 days validity.
| eSIM | Country | Data | Validity | Price | Price/GB | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Journey Japan
|
Japan | 10 GB | 30 Days | $21.00 | $2.10/GB | |
|
Journey Japan
|
Japan | 20 GB | 30 Days | $29.00 | $1.45/GB | |
|
Journey Japan
|
Japan | 50 GB | 30 Days | $49.00 | $0.98/GB | |
|
Journey Japan
|
Japan | Unlimited | 15 Days | $59.00 | $0.00/GB | |
|
Journey Japan
|
Japan | Unlimited | 30 Days | $84.00 | $0.00/GB | 5% off |
Journey Japan eSIM vs. Airalo vs. Ubigi
How does it stack up against 2 of the big players in Japan?
| Feature | Journey Japan | Airalo | Ubigi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network | NTT Docomo | KDDI Softbank | KDDI NTT Docomo |
| Hotspot | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5G Access | Most plans | Yes | Yes |
| Activation | QR Code based | App/QR Code | App/QR Code |
| USP | Perks and freebies | Loyalty programme | Plan value |
Verdict:
The Journey Japan eSIM actually works out cheaper than Ubigi and Airalo at a number of price points, which, when paired up with a ton of incentives makes it a genuinely competitive offering in Japan. We would always recommend comparing against all other eSIMs however. Check out our Japan eSIM price comparison guide for the full story.
We’ll be back in Japan later this year and we can’t wait to test it out in person.
Check out Journey Japan eSIMFAQ: What you need to know
Does Journey Japan eSIM support hotspot/tethering?
Yes, like almost all travel eSIMs, Journey Japan eSIM supports hotspot. You can connect other devices to it without issue.
Is the data truly “Unlimited”?
Yes. On the unlimited data plans, you get full speed with no throttling and no daily data limits. This one’s a bit of a rarity in the travel eSIM world.
How do I activate it?
Once you purchase, you’ll receive a QR code sent to your email address. You need to install the eSIM by scanning the QR code with your camera. The majority of Journey Japan eSIMs have an activation period of 45 days, meaning that you’ll need to activate it within that timeframe. Your 30 days of usage will begin as soon as you activate it.
NOTE: According to the JJeSIM site, “activations are unavailable on Tuesday nights from 9 PM to Wednesday mornings at 10 AM JST due to scheduled weekly maintenance conducted by the telecom company.”
Can I make phone calls?
No, this is a data only eSIM. You won’t get a Japanese phone number, but will be able to use the usual apps such as WhatsApp, Facetime, Line, etc.
Why you can trust us
59 Providers personally tested 455 Total verified speed tests run 20 Countries tested
- We test each product personally.
- Our feedback and comments are entirely our own, we are not influenced by any third parties.
- We test extensively and back it up with data (speed tests, screenshots and more).
- We keep our content updated and our information accurate.
- We are a truly multi-national team coming from, living in and traveling to many different countries. As a result, we have genuinely used these products for years.
- We have an extensive background in writing, editing, strategizing and working on content creation in the UK, France, USA and South America with a combined experience of over 15 years.
- More on why you can trust us
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