eSIM for Japan, China and Korea on one trip: how many do you need?
A three-country trip can run on one Asia plan, one plan per country, or a mix. Mainland China is the special case and needs an extra check.
Hızlı yanıt
- If one Asia plan lists Japan, China and Korea in its country list, a single eSIM can cover the whole trip.
- Mainland China needs a special check: confirm it is in the plan's country list and read whether data is routed through gateways outside China.
- If you stay long in each country or want a lot of data, separate per-country plans or a mix may suit better; compare current prices for your exact dates.
Your three options
- One Asia regional plan that covers all three: install once, no switching.
- One plan per country: three plans, three profiles, and you pick the network and data size for each country.
- A mix: a separate plan for the country where you stay longest and another for the short stops.
No option is always the cheapest. Prices change weekly, so compare the current price for your exact days and data, and look at the pricing model too: fixed GB, a daily cap, or unlimited that slows after a threshold.
Why mainland China is the special case
Airalo explains that plans covering China, whether country, Asia or global, need no VPN because traffic is routed through gateways outside mainland China. Google and LINE usually work on eSIM data, though not on hotel Wi-Fi. That is confirmed for Airalo's own plans; for other brands read each plan's details, and there is no guarantee that every app works everywhere.
Two things to check. First, is China in the plan's country list? Some Asia plans leave it out. Second, a local China SIM sold separately, such as certain Klook products, may route traffic inside China and may block Google and LINE, so read the product wording. We have not confirmed that last point against an official source.
AIS SIM2Fly lists a China pack covering the mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, per AIS's site. It is a separate prepaid number and registration needs a Thai ID card. The guide on using an eSIM in China without a VPN goes deeper.
How many eSIM profiles a phone can hold
Each model stores a different number of profiles, and usually fewer can be active at once than are stored. If you buy three plans, check your model's limit first; the guide on eSIM profile limits per device has the detail. If storage is full you must delete an old profile before installing a new one.
Install only the plan you need next, and add the following one on hotel Wi-Fi. That keeps storage free and saves days if a plan counts from install.
Switching lines at each border
- 1Before leaving a countrySwitch the old profile's data line off. If data or days remain, just turn it off; do not delete it.
- 2İnişteSelect the new country's profile as the data line in settings and enable data roaming if the brand requires it.
- 3Keep the Thai SIM onKeep your Thai SIM on for bank OTP SMS. Data-only eSIMs have no local number.
Country order and validity
An Asia plan usually counts validity across the whole trip, which is handy when its days match your itinerary. With separate plans, install each one close to the day you enter that country and check whether it counts from install or from connection. A plan that counts from connection is safer to install early.
Route order affects the choice. If the longest stay is at the end, a dedicated plan for that country may make sense, while a stop of 2 to 3 days rarely needs a SIM of its own.
Decision table
| Durum | Suits best | Check this |
|---|---|---|
| Short trip, a few days in each | One Asia plan | All three countries in the list, China not excluded |
| One country takes most of the time | A mix: dedicated plan for the main country plus another for the rest | Data size and network of each plan |
| Heavy data use, such as video and hotspot | Per-country plans with larger data | Hotspot policy and speed after the threshold |
| You need LINE and Google in China | A plan that lists China and mentions routing outside the mainland | Not a local China SIM; no guarantee for every app |
Entry rules for each country
- Japan: visa-free for 15 days for Thai passport holders, per Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Korea: Thai nationals need K-ETA approval; applying 1 to 2 months ahead is recommended, generally valid 2 years or until the passport expires, at www.k-eta.go.kr.
- China: Thailand and China exempt each other's visas from 1 March 2024, up to 30 days per visit and at most 90 days in any 180.
SSS
Can one Asia eSIM cover all three countries?+
Yes, if Japan, China and Korea are all in that plan's country list. Open the product page and read the list, since Asia plans do not all include the same countries.
Do I need a VPN in China with an eSIM?+
Airalo says plans that cover China need no VPN because traffic goes through gateways outside China. For other brands read each plan's details; no guarantee covers every app.
Will three eSIMs fill my phone's storage?+
It depends on the model. Check your device's profile limit and install one plan at a time as you need it. If it is full, delete a profile you have finished with.
Should Japan and Korea be separate plans?+
Not always. If one Asia plan includes both and the data is enough, it is simpler. Split them when you want to choose the network or need more data in one country.
About the author
Porsch Kunnipat Siramanakul
- Co-founder of eSIMonline.asia
- Digital marketer
- Performance marketing and marketing planning
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