NINJA eSIM Review: Benefits and Disadvantages Based on Usage Tests

About NINJA eSIM

NINJA eSIM is an eSIM that can be used during your trip to Japan.

It is offered by Global WiFi, which provides internet services worldwide, and is a sister brand to the popular pocket WiFi service NINJA WiFi.

In this article, we will present a review of our experience using the NINJA eSIM.

MATCHA is offering a 30% discount on NINJA eSIM. However, to maintain fairness, we will also clearly communicate any disadvantages, so readers should read thoroughly and decide whether to make a purchase.

Plans and Pricing

First, let's take a look at the plans available for NINJA eSIM.

Duration	Data Volume	Price
5 days	5 - 30GB	3,102 - 6,501 yen
7 days	10 - 50GB	4,609 - 8,503 yen
10 days	10 - 50GB	4,851 - 9,350 yen
15 days	10 - 50GB	5,104 - 11,550 yen
21 days	10 - 100GB	5,357 - 17,402 yen
31 days	10 - 100GB	5,599 - 18,403 yen

What’s great about NINJA eSIM is that they offer high-capacity plans with 50GB for up to 15 days and 100GB for up to 31 days. Many competitors only provide plans with 20 to 30GB.

Additionally, in some cases, competitors may advertise "unlimited" plans, but actually impose data usage limits after a certain amount of data has been consumed. In contrast, NINJA eSIM clearly displays the usable data amount, providing peace of mind.

Regarding pricing, it can be considered standard compared to other companies. However, MATCHA offers a 30% discount, making the deal significantly more advantageous.

On the other hand, services like Ubigi and Holafly offer daily plans. If you're someone who prefers to purchase a plan based on a daily usage basis even if it's slightly more expensive, you might want to consider these alternative services.

Advantages

- High-capacity plans are available.
- Significantly cheaper with discounts.

Disadvantages

- No plans available that can be used on a daily basis.
- No unlimited plans offered.
- No "Voice eSIM" plans with a phone number included.

Procedure

The application method is through reservation on the website. For this review, we chose the "5 days, 5GB" plan.

After applying, we received an email confirming my application. Afterward, we received another email with the information needed for activation (such as the QR code) approximately three hours later.

NINJA eSIM can be activated simply by scanning the QR code and configuring the APN settings. While some other services may require downloading an app, the absence of such cumbersome procedures for NINJA eSIM is definitely a plus.

However, please note that NINJA eSIM cannot be used on the day of purchase. It will only be available for use starting the following day.

Therefore, when using NINJA eSIM, it is advisable to proceed as follows:
1. Purchase while you are in your home country and complete the APN settings.
2. Switch to the purchased eSIM once you arrive in Japan.

Advantages

- No need to download an app.

Disadvantages

- Cannot be used on the day of purchase (available from the next day).
- You will need another device to scan the QR code displayed on your smartphone screen*.

*For Android smartphones, you can use Google Lens to read the code.

Usage Review

Now, let's see how it performs in practice. I used an Android device, the "Galaxy A23 5G," for this evaluation.

First of all, what we found convenient about NINJA eSIM is that the data usage is displayed on the application screen after application. This helps avoid exceeding your data limit.

As for the communication speed, we conducted speed tests in both Shinjuku (Tokyo) and Kagawa Prefecture, where the author resides. The results were as follows:

Speed
- Shinjuku (morning): Download 11.4, Upload 4.56
- Kagawa Prefecture (afternoon): Download 93.7, Upload 8.28

*The tests were conducted using the Speedtest app.

User Experience
- Videos on YouTube and manga apps on smartphones opened almost instantaneously in both Tokyo and Kagawa.
- Image exchanges on social media posed no problems.
- While using the Tokyo Metro, we experienced disconnections a couple of times, but both times the connection was restored within about 30 seconds.

Looking solely at the speed results, some may think, “It’s smooth in rural areas, but it might slow down in Tokyo.” However, while using YouTube and Google Maps within Tokyo, we didn’t feel that it was particularly slow.

Please note that the communication speed when using eSIM can vary by time of day and location, even with the same service. So, please consider these figures as reference numbers.

Additionally, tethering is also possible. The author connected his laptop for work and the connection was very smooth.

Advantages

- Data usage is easily trackable.
- Speed is fast (no issues with video streaming).
- Tethering is available.

Disadvantages

- There may be occasional disconnections (but the connection quickly recovers).

After Exceeding the Specified Data Limit: What Can You Do at 200kbps?

When the specified data limit is exhausted, NINJA eSIM operates at a speed of 200kbps, but you can still use the internet throughout the duration.

So, we tested what can be done at 200kbps.

What Could Be Done and Could Not Be Done at 200kbps
- Email can be sent and received, but it is difficult if there are image files; it's possible with text only.
- Google Maps can be accessed, but searching for directions takes time.
- YouTube videos do not load well, even at low-quality settings.

It seems manageable for sending urgent emails or finding your way when lost.

However, it may be difficult to handle other issues that arise. If you run out of data, it's advisable to quickly repurchase a plan.

Conclusion: NINJA eSIM is a Service Recommended for All Travelers

After actually using it, we found that NINJA eSIM offers a high-quality service in terms of usability and communication speed. If you're unsure which eSIM to choose, we definitely recommend considering NINJA eSIM.

If you're looking to use a lot of data, even if it’s a bit more expensive, using a pocket WiFi is advisable.

Some eSIM providers offer unlimited data plans, but using large amounts of data on a smartphone can drain the battery quickly. With pocket WiFi, you use a separate router, which helps preserve your smartphone's battery life.

For more details about pocket WiFi, you can check this article.