🇯🇵eSIM for Tokyo

Tokyo is served by two airports. Haneda (officially Tokyo International Airport) is the closer one: the Tokyo Monorail runs to Hamamatsucho, and the Keikyu line goes to Shinagawa and on into the Toei Asakusa line. Narita is farther out in Chiba prefecture. The JR Narita Express and the Keisei Skyliner both link it to the city, with stops at Tokyo Station, Shinjuku or Ueno depending on the service, and airport limousine buses reach many large hotels directly.

Station names, platform numbers and exit numbers are easy to mix up on a first day, so having data the moment you land saves a lot of guessing. Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi by scanning the QR code from your confirmation email. After landing, switch the eSIM line on, turn on data roaming for that line, and keep your home line's data off so you do not pay roaming charges to your usual provider.

Tokyo's rail network is run by several companies. Tokyo Metro and the Toei Subway cover the centre, and JR East runs the Yamanote loop line that connects Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno and Tokyo Station. Tap in and out with a Suica or PASMO card, which also pay on buses and in many shops. Both cards can be added to the Wallet app on an iPhone, which needs an internet connection but no visit to a ticket machine.

For routes, Tokyo Metro publishes an official English app for visitors, and Google Maps handles the multi-company transfers well, including which exit to take. For taxis, the GO app and Uber both dispatch licensed taxis in the city, and cars can also be hailed on the street. Fares and the cost of a transfer between companies show up in the route planner before you commit.

A first visit usually splits across a few districts: Shinjuku for the towers and the station crowds, Shibuya and Harajuku for the crossing and Meiji Shrine, Asakusa for Senso-ji, Ueno for its park and museums, Akihabara for electronics and games, and Ginza for department stores. Odaiba on the bay and the Tsukiji area for breakfast are common half-day choices. Restaurants often have menus and queue tickets reached by QR code, and many shrines and attractions sell timed tickets online, so you will reach for your phone more than you expect.

Day trips stay inside Japan, so the same plan keeps running. Kamakura and Yokohama are under an hour away by train, Nikko is a longer ride north, and Hakone and the lakes around Mount Fuji are popular overnight or day options. Download an offline map before you set off, especially if you plan to walk between temples or follow a trail.