Sakura Mobile eSIM Review 2026
Sakura offers unlimited and 3GB/day travel eSIMs. The differences that matter are price, hotspot allowance and when your paid days start.
Worth considering if: you want a separate connection on each phone. Choose between the 3GB/day allowance and unlimited phone data, and include your laptop or tablet in the hotspot calculation.
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What We Verified
Official plan information, not a hands-on test.
- The unlimited data-only eSIM uses KDDI (au). The 3GB/day data-only eSIM uses docomo.
- Unlimited eSIM hotspot allowances are 6GB, 13GB, 20GB and 30GB for 7, 14, 21 and 30 days respectively. These are whole-plan allowances.
- The unlimited plan starts on first connection in Japan. The 3GB/day plan starts on installation.
- Sakura charges in JPY. Prices below include tax; foreign-currency displays are reference conversions.
We have not used these products. We cannot assess actual speeds, coverage or support from experience.
Plans & Pricing
Unlimited phone data on KDDI (au), with a separate hotspot allowance. These cards show the unlimited plan; the 3GB/day option is listed below.
- au 5G unlimited data
- Tethering up to 6GB
- QR setup instructions by email
- au 5G unlimited data
- Tethering up to 13GB
- QR setup instructions by email
- au 5G unlimited data
- Tethering up to 30GB
- QR setup instructions by email
For 21 days, the unlimited eSIM is ¥12,100 including tax, with 20GB of hotspot data. The 3GB/day eSIM costs ¥4,620 / ¥6,930 / ¥8,415 / ¥9,900 including tax for 7 / 14 / 21 / 30 days. Plans run from 1 to 90 days. Prices were checked against official price displays supplied to us on October 11, 2026; coupons and multi-eSIM discounts are not included. The 3GB/day eSIM shares its allowance between phone and hotspot use; after 3GB, speeds drop to 200kbps until the daily reset at midnight Japan time.
How It Works
Digital delivery — no physical SIM, no pickup needed.
Buy online from anywhere
Buy online and use the emailed link to open your eSIM management page. Wait until you are ready to install before issuing the QR code: Sakura requires installation within 48 hours of issuance, and full cancellation refunds are no longer available once the code is shown.
Install the eSIM profile
Install within 48 hours of issuing the QR code. The unlimited plan can be installed before travel, though Sakura recommends arrival or shortly before departure to avoid errors on some phones. For the 3GB/day plan, installation counts as day 1, so wait until you want the paid period to begin.
Connect when you land in Japan
The unlimited plan starts on its first connection in Japan. Both plans count calendar days and end at 23:59 Japan time on the last day, even if you first connect late in the evening. The unlimited plan cannot be extended; buy a new eSIM if you need more days.
Pros & Cons
Based on pricing, specs, and product details.
Pros
- Choice of daily allowance or unlimited phone data
- Unlimited plan on KDDI (au); coverage depends on location and device
- Tethering clearly specified per plan
- Plans up to 90 days
- Japan-based company
- Buy online before departure
- No contract, no monthly fee
Cons
- Requires eSIM-compatible phone
- Phone must be unlocked
- No Japanese phone number included
- Some devices show an activation error if installed before arriving in Japan
- Issue the QR code only when ready to install: installation is required within 48 hours, and full cancellation refunds are available only before issuance.
Sakura Mobile vs Japan Wireless eSIM
Both providers sell data-only eSIMs, but “unlimited” does not make their plans identical. Sakura states whole-plan hotspot allowances. Japan Wireless describes a separate hotspot allowance and fair-use speed management; we could not confirm the hotspot quantity in its published text.
Sakura's current prices here are tax-inclusive JPY. Japan Wireless publishes USD prices whose tax treatment we have not confirmed. Comparing those figures directly would not establish which is cheaper.
Is It Right for You?
| Traveler type | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Solo traveler | Consider an eSIM | Your phone has its own connection; choose the allowance you need |
| Couple | Compare two plans | Separate connections let you split up; compare the total with one router |
| Family / group | Consider Wi‑Fi | Compare costs and decide whether everyone will stay within router range |
| Long stay (31–90 days) | Good option | Plans available up to 90 days; match the duration to your stay |
| Need a Japanese number | Not suitable | Data-only. No voice number included |
| Phone doesn't support eSIM | Not suitable | Requires eSIM-compatible, unlocked phone |
FAQ
Can I buy this before I arrive in Japan?
Yes. Buy before travel, but follow the start rules for your plan. Unlimited eSIM use begins on connection in Japan; 3GB/day eSIM use begins on installation. For data-only plans, setup instructions arrive by email.
Does my phone support eSIM?
Support varies by model and sales region. Use Sakura’s compatibility guide and make sure the phone is unlocked.
What does tethering limit mean?
Hotspot shares your phone’s connection with a laptop or tablet. Sakura’s unlimited plan includes 6GB / 13GB / 20GB / 30GB of hotspot data for 7 / 14 / 21 / 30 days. The 3GB/day plan shares its daily allowance with any connected devices. After 3GB, speeds drop to 200kbps until midnight Japan time.
Is au 5G coverage good in Japan?
The unlimited plan uses KDDI (au). Signal and speed depend on location, device bands and congestion. We have not tested coverage; check the provider’s device and coverage guidance for your route.
How does it compare to Japan Wireless eSIM?
Compare the actual plan, hotspot allowance and final checkout total. Sakura publishes tax-inclusive JPY prices; the reviewed Japan Wireless eSIM figures are in USD with unconfirmed tax treatment. See our comparison page for the conditions that affect your choice.
au 5G Unlimited eSIM for Japan
7-day unlimited data-only eSIM: ¥5,775 including tax · Separate hotspot allowance
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Official sources
Pricing and setup checked October 11, 2026.
- Travel eSIM plans
- Cancellation and QR issuance
- When the plan starts and ends
- Installation before arrival
- QR issuance and 48-hour installation window
- Data allowances and speed limits
- Daily reset and top-up rules
This guide covers data-only travel eSIMs. Sakura’s voice-and-data eSIM has an in-person identity check and different QR pickup arrangements.