During a 14-day trip to Japan, many people may wonder, "Is 20GB enough?" "What if I stay longer, how many GB do I need?"
On a two-week trip, not only will you visit Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, but you will also have opportunities to explore regional cities and share photos and videos, which means you will need more data than on a short trip.
In this article, we will explain the estimated data usage required for a 14-day trip to Japan and recommend data capacities based on different travel styles.
If you want to know more about eSIMs recommended for long-term travel, How many GB do you need for a 10-day trip to Japan? please take a look as well.
How many GB do you need for a 14-day trip to Japan?
| Usage Style | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Google Maps & LINE focused | 20GB |
| SNS & photo posting | 20-30GB |
| Video viewing | 30GB or more |
| Tethering use | 50GB or more |
For a trip of about two weeks, around 20GB is generally sufficient for typical sightseeing. If you plan to watch videos or use tethering, it is advisable to consider 30GB or more for peace of mind.
Estimated data usage by app
| App | Estimated Data Usage |
|---|---|
| Google Maps | About 5-10MB/hour |
| LINE | About 1-5MB/hour |
| About 100-300MB/hour | |
| YouTube (720p) | About 1GB/hour |
| TikTok | About 800MB-1GB/hour |
While the data usage for Google Maps and LINE is relatively low, if you spend a long time watching videos or using SNS, your data usage can increase significantly.
Recommended capacity by travel style
| Travel Style | Recommended Capacity |
|---|---|
| Focus on sightseeing | 20GB |
| Frequent SNS posting | 20-30GB |
| Watching videos | 30GB or more |
| Also using tethering | 50GB or more |
During a 14-day trip, even just using Google Maps and LINE can accumulate data usage, so having around 20GB is reassuring. If you plan to watch videos for long periods or use tethering, I recommend 30GB or more.
Usage scenarios where data usage tends to increase during long stays
- Daily use of Google Maps and transit navigation
- Posting photos and videos on Instagram or TikTok
- Watching videos on YouTube or Netflix
- Online meetings via Zoom or Google Meet
- Using tethering with a laptop
During a two-week stay, even if the daily data usage is low, it can accumulate, so it is important to choose a plan with a comfortable capacity compared to a short trip.
How to save data usage during a 14-day trip
During a 14-day trip, even if the daily data usage is low, it can accumulate, so it is important to be mindful of data usage.
- Use Wi-Fi at hotels and cafes
- Save Google Maps for offline use
- Watch videos in a Wi-Fi environment
- Turn off automatic backup for photos and videos
- Stop background data usage for unnecessary apps
By implementing these practices, it is possible to travel comfortably even with around 20GB.
Which should you choose: 20GB, 30GB, or 50GB?
| Capacity | Recommended Usage |
|---|---|
| 20GB | Focus on sightseeing, Google Maps, LINE, SNS |
| 30GB | Travel with frequent SNS posting and video viewing |
| 50GB or more | Video viewing, tethering, long-term use |
For a two-week trip, if you focus on sightseeing, 20GB is sufficient, while if you plan to watch videos or use tethering, 30GB or more is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 20GB enough for 14 days?
If you primarily use Google Maps, LINE, and SNS, 20GB is often sufficient.
How many GB do I need if I use SNS daily?
If you frequently post on Instagram or TikTok and watch videos, having around 30GB is reassuring.
How many GB do I need to watch YouTube?
If you watch videos daily, a plan of 30GB or more is recommended.
Does Google Maps use a lot of data?
For regular navigation, data usage is low, and even over 14 days, it usually does not become a significant burden.
Does using tethering increase data usage?
Yes. Connecting a computer or tablet can significantly increase data usage.
Can I save data usage by using hotel Wi-Fi?
Yes. By watching videos and updating apps in a Wi-Fi environment, you can save on mobile data usage.
What should I do if I run out of data?
There are products available for purchasing additional data. It is advisable to check the possibility of additional purchases before your trip for peace of mind.
Is an unlimited plan necessary for 14 days?
Unless you frequently watch videos or use tethering, 20GB to 30GB is often sufficient.
Conclusion
During a 14-day trip to Japan, it is important to choose a plan with ample data capacity due to the longer travel duration.
- 20GB if focused on Google Maps and LINE
- About 30GB if using SNS frequently
- 30GB or more is recommended for video viewing
- Utilizing Wi-Fi can help save data usage
Choose the optimal data capacity eSIM based on your travel style.
