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Posted on Originally published at telegra.ph

Kansai (KIX) is not Narita: install the Japan eSIM the night before

KIX arrivals get the same failure mode as Narita: a QR code in a corridor with no data.

Install on hotel/home Wi-Fi the night before. Turn the Japan line on after landing. Buy a physical SIM at the airport only if the phone refused the eSIM.

ICOCA/Suica tap still works with no data. Maps, IC top-up, and translation do not.

Dated checkout, copied 29 Aug 2026 from official pages (not blogs):

  • Airalo Japan 7-day 5GB $10. Unlimited 7-day $27, FUP 3GB/24h then 1 Mbps.
  • Holafly Japan 7-day $27.50. Hotspot 1GB/day.
  • Ubigi 10GB/7d $14. The 7-day unlimited SKU some blogs still quote was 404.

Welcome Suica Mobile is JR East, iOS-only, 180 days, no refund (March 2026). Most overseas Android phones lack FeliCa.

Install order (Narita page; same steps at KIX): https://before-you-land.tiiny.site/japan/narita/

Airalo Japan checkout (Travelpayouts affiliate): https://tp.media/r?campaign_id=541&marker=771402&p=8310&rs=567948&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airalo.com%2Fjapan-esim

Holafly and Ubigi go to official checkout, untracked. Check the live price before you pay.

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