Looking for an eSIM for your trip to Japan? You may find yourself comparing Sakura Mobile and Holafly but it is not always obvious which one is a better fit.
Both sell eSIMs for travelers, but they differ in pricing, what "unlimited" actually means, how much hotspot data you can share with other devices, which network you connect to, and the support available. In particular, pay attention to each provider's unlimited data policy and hotspot limits before you buy.
Holafly's Japan eSIM gives you unlimited data on your phone. An FUP can still apply, and hotspot usage is capped at 1 GB per day.
Sakura Mobile's Unlimited eSIM has no FUP on the data you use on your phone. Hotspot usage is not counted day by day. You get one allowance for the whole trip.
Below, we compare the two side by side and show which travelers each one suits.
Quick Answer: Sakura Mobile or Holafly?
Sakura Mobile is a strong choice for travelers who want unlimited high-speed data without an FUP, hotspot sharing, and English support based in Japan. Holafly offers unlimited plans for trips of up to 90 days, but an FUP may apply and hotspot use is limited to 1 GB per day. The biggest differences are how each provider handles unlimited data, hotspot limits, trip length, and customer support.
Sakura Mobile vs Holafly at a Glance
| Feature | Sakura Mobile Unlimited eSIM | Holafly Japan eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Data on your phone | Unlimited high-speed data, no throttling | Unlimited, though FUP may apply |
| Hotspot / Tethering | One allowance for the whole trip length | 1 GB per day |
| Network | au (KDDI) | KDDI or SoftBank |
| 5G | On compatible phones in covered areas | On compatible phones in covered areas |
| Phone number and SMS | None, data only | None, data only |
| Trip lengths | 1-31 days: Unlimited eSIM on au (KDDI) 32+ days: See our 3GB/day eSIM on docomo | 1-90 days |
| Support | English support Contact form Phone & in-person (Shinjuku): 10:00 AM-5:00 PM JST daily | Chat and email, 24/7 |
The main differences between Sakura Mobile and Holafly come down to unlimited data, hotspot use, trip length, network access, and support.
Unlimited Data & Hotspot Use: Sakura Mobile's Unlimited data eSIM provides unlimited high-speed data with no FUP. Hotspot data is included as a single allowance for the entire trip. Holafly also sells unlimited data plans, but an FUP may apply and hotspot use is limited to 1 GB per day.
Trip Length & Networks: Sakura Mobile's Unlimited data eSIM is available for trips of 1-31 days and uses the au network. For trips of 32-90 days, Sakura Mobile offers a 3 GB/day data eSIM on the docomo network. Holafly's Japan eSIM covers 1-90 days and connects to KDDI or SoftBank.
Support: Sakura Mobile offers English support every day. Contact forms can be submitted at any time, while phone and in-person support at the Shinjuku office are available daily from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM JST. Holafly offers 24/7 chat and email support.
Phone Numbers: Both the Sakura Mobile Unlimited data eSIM and Holafly Japan eSIM are data-only products. Neither includes a Japanese phone number, voice calls, or SMS, although apps such as WhatsApp and LINE work normally over data.
Pricing: Sakura Mobile vs. Holafly
Sakura Mobile Pricing
Sakura Mobile shows you the travel eSIMs available for your trip length.
The Unlimited data eSIM is currently sold for 1-31 days and runs on au. High-speed data on your phone is unlimited, and each trip length comes with its own hotspot allowance. A 7-day plan includes 6 GB of hotspot data, 15 days includes 15 GB, and 31 days includes 30 GB.
From day 32, the 3GB/day data eSIM is the only option. It runs on docomo and gives you up to 3 GB of high-speed data a day. After that, your speed drops to about 200 Kbps until the next day, so you stay connected rather than getting cut off. Both plans are data only, so neither comes with a phone number.
When you compare with Holafly, look past the total price for the same number of days. Check the unlimited terms, the hotspot allowance, the trip lengths available, and the network as well.
Holafly Pricing
Holafly's Japan eSIM covers trips of 1-90 days. On Holafly's site, a 3-day plan is 11.90 USD (1,990 yen), while a 30-day plan is 73.90 USD (12,090 yen).
Which Offers Better Value?
| Trip Length | Sakura Mobile 3GB/day | Sakura Mobile Unlimited | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | 18.07 USD (2,750 yen) | 21.33 USD (3,245 yen) | 11.90 USD (1,990 yen) |
| 5 days | 25.30 USD (3,850 yen) | 30.00 USD (4,565 yen) | 20.50 USD (3,290 yen) |
| 7 days | 30.36 USD (4,620 yen) | 37.95 USD (5,775 yen) | 27.50 USD (4,490 yen) |
| 10 days | 36.87 USD (5,610 yen) | 48.44 USD (7,370 yen) | 36.50 USD (5,990 yen) |
| 15 days | 46.99 USD (7,1650 yen) | 63.62 USD (9,680 yen) | 50.50 USD (8,190 yen) |
| 30 days | 65.07 USD (9,900 yen) | 95.79 USD (14,575 yen) | 73.90 USD (12,090 yen) |
Holafly lets you set the length day by day, so you can match it to your trip. Before you pay, check the number of days selected and the final total on the page you are buying from.
Remember that Holafly sells the data on your phone as unlimited but can apply FUP, and that hotspot usage is limited to 1 GB per day. Compare those terms against Sakura Mobile, not the price alone.
Unlimited Data, FUP, and Tethering
What "Unlimited" Means, and What FUP Means
Holafly sells the data you use on your phone as unlimited. A network operator's fair usage policy (FUP) can still apply.
An FUP is a traffic rule. It keeps the network from getting congested and keeps things fair between users. Holafly says that if your speed is reduced, it lasts no more than one day and resets the next day.
What Holafly does not publish for its Japan eSIM are the details of its FUP, including what level of data usage may trigger slower speeds, how much speeds are reduced, and how those limits are enforced.
Sakura Mobile says its Unlimited data eSIM has no FUP on the data you use on your phone, and no daily high-speed throttling. Hotspot usage is the exception. That has its own allowance.
How Much You Can Hotspot / Tether
With Holafly's Japan eSIM, you can hotspot 1 GB per day. On a 7-day trip that adds up to 7 GB, but you cannot save it up and spend it all at once.
About 1 GB per day covers email and chat, normal web browsing, maps, documents, and light cloud work. It goes fast with long video calls, high-quality video, backing up photos and videos, big system or app updates, and sending large files.
Sakura Mobile's 5G Unlimited eSIM gives you one tethering allowance for the whole trip, set by the number of days you buy.
| On a 7-Day Trip | Sakura Mobile 5G Unlimited eSIM | Holafly Japan eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot allowance | 6 GB for the whole trip | Up to 7 GB in total |
| How it is counted | One pool of 6 GB, spend it any day | Up to 1 GB per day |
| Most you can use in one day | Whatever is left in your allowance | 1 GB |
| Heavy use on one day | Easy to do | Cannot go past 1 GB |
Take a 7-day trip. Holafly gives you 1 GB per day, up to 7 GB across the week. Sakura Mobile gives you 6 GB for the trip.
Holafly's total is 1 GB higher. Sakura Mobile lets you spread that 6 GB however you like, so you can put most of it into the one day you have a video call or need your laptop online.
Networks and Coverage
Holafly's Japan eSIM connects to KDDI or SoftBank. On a compatible phone and in a covered area, you get 5G, 4G, and LTE.
Sakura Mobile's Unlimited data eSIM runs on au (KDDI). The 3GB/day eSIM runs on docomo, and it is the only option for trips of 32 days or more.
Even on the same network, real speed and signal quality vary based on your phone, location, time of day, reception, and network congestion. That is why coverage is often more important than advertised speeds.
If you are heading into rural or mountain areas, check the official coverage map for the network your eSIM uses. Before buying, also confirm that your phone supports eSIM, is unlocked, and supports the frequency bands used in Japan.
Which eSIM Should You Choose?
When Sakura Mobile Makes More Sense
Sakura Mobile is a good fit if you:
- want data on your phone with no FUP attached
- want an unlimited data eSIM on the au (KDDI) network
- would rather not keep checking your data usage
- expect to use a lot of hotspot data on certain days
- care about English support based in Japan
- may want in-person help at the Shinjuku office
The Travel eSIM contact line takes calls every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Japan time. You can also sign up for a SIM or eSIM in person at the Shinjuku office.
If you would rather not think about how much data your phone is using, or you need a lot of hotspot data in a single day for a video call or laptop work, the Unlimited data eSIM is worth a look.
When Holafly Makes More Sense
Holafly is a good fit if you:
- want to match the plan to a trip of anywhere from 1 to 90 days
- want online support at any hour
- only need about 1 GB of tethering a day
Holafly offers 24/7 chat and email support. You can contact support online at any time, although response times may vary.
Keep in mind that FUP can apply to the data on your phone, and that hotspot usage stops at 1 GB per day.
Sakura Mobile and Holafly Japan FAQ
- Which is cheaper, Sakura Mobile or Holafly?
It depends on your trip length and the plan you pick, so there is no single answer.
Sakura Mobile travel eSIMs start at 1,375 yen, tax included. Holafly prices by the number of days, anywhere from 1 to 90.
When you compare, put the same trip length side by side, then look at the unlimited terms and the hotspot allowance as well as the total.- Is Holafly's Japan eSIM really unlimited?
Holafly sells the data you use on your phone as unlimited.
An FUP can apply, and your speed may be reduced for a while. Holafly does not publish how many gigabytes triggers it, how slow the connection gets, or how that call is made.- Which is better for hotspot?
That depends on how you use it.
Holafly gives you 1 GB per day, which works well if you share about the same amount every day.
Sakura Mobile's 5G Unlimited eSIM gives you a tethering allowance for the whole trip. If you need a lot of data on one particular day, for a video call for example, Sakura Mobile may be easier to work with.- Can you use 5G on either eSIM?
Yes, as long as the eSIM, your phone, and the area all support it.
Holafly's Japan eSIM connects to KDDI or SoftBank and gets 5G in covered areas. At Sakura Mobile, the Unlimited data eSIM runs on au (KDDI).
Real speeds and the type of connection still depend on where you are, the phone you use, and reception.- Can you install the eSIM before you land in Japan?
Holafly's Japan eSIM can be installed before or during your trip. Once you arrive, you activate it, connect to a supported network, and you are online. In Japan, you turn on data roaming for the Holafly line.
For Sakura Mobile's Travel eSIM, follow the setup instructions provided after purchase. To help avoid setup issues, Sakura Mobile recommends installing the eSIM after arriving in Japan.
Either way, check before you buy that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked. Sakura Mobile's contact form asks for your device model, EID, SIM lock status, and where you installed the profile, so it helps to have those on hand if something goes wrong.
FAQ
Choose the eSIM That Fits Your Trip
Sakura Mobile and Holafly both sell data-only eSIMs you can use on a trip to Japan. They differ in the unlimited terms, hotspot limits, trip lengths, network, and support.
Holafly's Japan eSIM covers 1-90 days and connects to KDDI or SoftBank. Data on your phone is sold as unlimited, and chat and email runs 24/7. Hotspot usage stops at 1 GB per day, and FUP can apply.
Sakura Mobile's Unlimited data eSIM runs on au (KDDI) and is currently sold for 1-31 days. High-speed data on your phone is unlimited, and hotspot usage comes as one allowance for the whole trip. You also get an English contact form, a phone line open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and in-person help at the Shinjuku office.
If you would rather not think about FUP, or you want to use a lot of hotspot data on certain days, or you want support you can reach inside Japan, Sakura Mobile is the better fit.
If you want a plan that is cheaper on paper, or you want to reach support online at any hour, Holafly is worth considering.
Look past the price. Check the data terms, FUP, hotspot limits, trip length, network, and support, then pick the eSIM that fits the way you travel.
