If you’ve followed our channel for a while, you know that we live out of our suitcases. So landing in Tokyo after an exhausting 10-hour flight nearly broke us. It was late, the metro had shut down, and our hotel was an hour away. We were starving and completely disoriented. But while we were still taxiing on the runway, we toggled a setting on our phones, and within minutes, we were fully online. Before even hitting the baggage carousel, we sorted our airport transfer and located a 24-hour ramen spot near our hotel. (And yes, it was the best 2 AM meal of our lives).
Why an eSIM is a must-have in Japan
For Japan specifically, reliable connection isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s survival. Everything runs through your phone: train schedules, translation apps, your metro card, Google Maps navigation, and even cashless payments. Trying to navigate Tokyo on spotty public Wi-Fi is a nightmare we wouldn't wish on anyone. Being connected allowed us to explore completely on our own terms: Wandering down hidden Kyoto alleys without worrying about getting lost, and hopping between neighborhoods in Osaka spontaneously.
Always On: The eSIM Feature that saved us
But the real test came at the very end of our trip. Our return flight was abruptly canceled last minute. Anyone who has dealt with sudden travel disruptions knows the immediate panic of scrambling to rebook flights and secure an extra hotel night. In the chaos, we didn't even realize our primary data plan was expiring right then.
But to our surprise, even after our data plans expired, messages kept sending, and our maps stayed live without a single second of friction.
That effortless transition was thanks to Holafly’s newest benefit, Always On. The easiest way to explain it is that you get 1 GB of backup data activated automatically every single month with absolutely zero action required on your part. There is no top-up to buy and no settings to fix. It’s like an emergency data back-up that is ready to kick in if something unexpected happens (like your flights getting cancelled!). When things went sideways, it felt less like a tech feature and more like Holafly genuinely had our backs. You install the digital eSIM once before you leave home, and Always On is just there, waiting in the background whenever plans change, and available in over 70 destinations.
We’ve always known that Holafly is the best eSIM provider (trust us, we’ve tried them all!) but after having this issue in Japan we really had that AHÁ moment and remembered why they are truly the best.
You can use code NALBATRAVELS to get 5% off any Holafly eSIM and 10% off Holafly Plans subscription for 12 months.
Why we stopped thinking about data altogether
We’ve tried a lot of solutions over the years. Physical SIM cards you have to order in advance, local SIMs you hunt for the moment you land, roaming charges that almost make us cry when the bill arrives. All of them require something from us - effort, planning, anxiety, or money we don’t really budget for.
Holafly’s eSIM changed that completely. You install it once, before you even leave home, and that’s genuinely it. No physical card, nothing to swap, nothing to lose in the bottom of your bag. It’s as smooth as it gets and takes minutes to set up. And now with Always On, you don’t even have to worry if your plans change as you can travel with the piece of mind that you have that extra 1GB back-up.
Why Holafly is the best eSIM for Japan
Beyond the lifesaver that is Always On, Japan has a few specific quirks that make Holafly our absolute top choice compared to other providers:
- 1) Truly Unlimited Data: A lot of Japan eSIMs claim to be unlimited but hit you with "fair usage policies" that throttle your speed down to a painful crawl after a few gigabytes. Between streaming video, facetiming our families, and keeping maps active all day, we burn through data fast. Holafly gives you actual unlimited data so you never have to ration your usage.
- 2) The Best Local Networks: Holafly connects directly to Japan's premier tier-1 networks (like SoftBank). This means whether you are deep in the crowded neon streets of Shinjuku, riding the Shinkansen bullet train at 300 km/h, or exploring the bamboo groves of Arashiyama, your connection stays strong and fast.
- 3) Zero Language Barrier Support: If anything ever does go wrong or you have a question about your activation, trying to solve it with a local Japanese provider can be tough. Holafly has 24/7 customer support in English (and multiple other languages) right inside their app, so you can get help instantly.
Who is Holafly for
Honestly? Anyone who travels more than once a year. But especially:
- Frequent travelers who are tired of the SIM card ritual at every new destination
- Anyone who’s ever had a travel disaster made worse by no connectivity
- Digital nomads and slow travelers who need reliable data
- Couples and families who want to hand one person the logistics and forget about it
Japan is a dream destination, but ONLY if you go prepared. Having our Holafly eSims with the Always On feature meant we spent our headspace on the actual experience, not on connectivity logistics.
How to get your eSIM and Always On
If you want that same peace of mind for your Japan trip, head over to Holafly, pick your destination, and set up your eSIM in minutes. You'll get unlimited data for your journey, plus that automatic 1 GB monthly Always On backup ready for whenever you need it most. Always On is available in over 70 destinations (including Japan!).
Use code NALBATRAVELS to get 5% off any Holafly eSIM and 10% off Holafly Plans subscription for 12 months. Thank us later!
Want to learn more about visiting Japan? Check out our YouTube channel where you can find our remmended itineraries, things to do and even restaurant lists!
