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Japan is one of the best places to be as a solo traveller. It will offer you everything from the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the tranquil temples of Tokyo. And if this is your first solo trip to Japan, you’ll need to stay as connected as possible with an eSIM.
So, even if you’re wandering alone through the bamboo forests of Arashiyama, an eSIM will ensure that you’re never truly alone on your solo adventure. It will ensure that you can have real-time directions, share your experiences on social media, and many more. Let’s learn more about why eSIM is your best companion in Japan.
Navigating without a local guide
The streets of Kyoto’s historic districts can feel like a maze. On the other hand, train stations in Tokyo are massive, with several exits that can be confusing to anyone visiting Japan for the first time. However, as long as you have the eSIM in Japan, you can easily navigate the country without the help of a local guide.
The eSIM ensures that you can always have access to navigation apps, real-time train schedules, and instant translations. So, if you want to find the right platform at Shinjuku Station or want to know which bus goes to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, you can just use your eSIM.
The eSIM enables you to have all the navigation information at your fingertips. It provides a reliable internet connection that makes it possible for you to navigate through Japan without having to ask for directions or struggle with language barriers.
Safety benefits of staying online
When traveling alone through Japan, you need to ensure that you are as safe as possible. The country is generally safe for solo travel. But it won’t hurt to add an extra layer of security by staying online with eSIM in Japan.
Below are some of the benefits that you’ll enjoy by staying online:
- You can instantly research emergency contacts in case a need arises.
- You’ll have access to GPS in case you get lost in Japanese cities like Oska.
- You’ll have real-time access to information. This includes instant alerts about natural disasters. Also, as long as you are online, you can stay up to date on information about safety protocols and evacuation procedures.
- You can check weather updates, especially when exploring areas with fewer tourists or hiking in places such as Yakushima.
- You can easily share your location with your friends and families.
eSIM vs airport SIM cards
As mentioned earlier, you’ll need to stay online to navigate Japan without a tour guide. Also, staying connected enhances your safety in Japan. To do that, you’ll need to choose between going for an eSIM or an airport SIM card.
So, which is better between the two? Well, an eSIM has many advantages over an airport SIM card. Below are these benefits:
It is convenient
You can purchase your eSIM online and access it even before you land in Japan. This means that you don’t have to queue in long lines at the airport, as you would with an airport SIM card. That can save you a lot of time.
It can’t be lost
An eSIM is not physical, like an airport SIM card. So, you can be sure that it won’t get lost during your trip. On the other hand, you can easily lose the physical SIM card, especially as you swap it.
It’s easy to activate
An eSIM is very easy to activate. In fact, it can take only a few minutes, and you can do it from the comfort of your own home. Therefore, the moment you land in Japan, you’ll be connected to the internet.
On the other hand, with an airport SIM card, you’ll not only have to queue in line to get it. But you’ll also need to show your identification and deal with setup instructions in a foreign language. That means the process of activation is time-consuming.
It has better data packages
An eSIM promises to provide you with unlimited data packages, unlike an airport SIM card. These data packages are relatively affordable. Also, they ensure that you can plan your data during your course of travel in Japan.
Booking experiences & last-minute changes
Your travel plans can change at any minute. And an eSIM allows you to adapt no matter the situation. As long as it has unlimited data, you can enjoy a seamless booking experience, even when it’s last minute.
eSIM providers Holafly offer a range of data plans that cater to different trip durations. This includes short stays to longer visits. That flexibility will allow you to choose data plans that match your exact travel dates.
At the same time, you can adjust your data plans, even for last-minute trip extensions. In turn, the eSIM data plans will facilitate a seamless booking experience, no matter how last-minute your plans are.
So, if you want to book a same-day ticket for TeamLab Planets in Tokyo or reserve a last-minute ryokan stay in Hakone, you can do so as long as you have a stable internet connection. And that is all possible with an eSIM.
The eSIM allows you to make spontaneous changes and last-minute bookings during your solo adventure in Japan.
Finding the best cafés and attractions
The things you can do with an eSIM during your solo travel in Japan are almost limitless. And that it includes finding the best cafés and attractions. The best thing about Japan is that it has many incredible cafés.
You can use your eSIM to find hidden gems, such as the Bear Pond Expression in Tokyo’s Shimokitazawa area. Also, you can use it to search for popular coffee cafés, such as the Onibus Nakameguro, Blue Bottle Coffee, and Verve.
What’s more, with the stable internet connection from your eSIM, you can read reviews and use translation apps to order from menus written in Japan.
In addition to finding the best cafés, an eSIM can also help you look for the best attractions in Japan. You can use its reliable internet connection to Google breathtaking attractions like Mount Fuji. So, as long as you have an eSIM, anything that you need while in Japan can be within reach.
