Malaysian telco charges RM58–RM69 for Japan roaming with only 2GB/day. Here’s how a travel eSIM gives you truly unlimited data for less price.
Planning a Japan trip and wondering whether to just use Maxis and CelcomDigi Japan roaming?
We get it — it feels like the easiest option. You already have the line, just turn on roaming and go. But once you see the actual pricing breakdown, most Malaysian travellers realise they’re paying 2x to 3x more than they need to — and getting less data in return.
In this guide, we compare every Japan roaming option from Malaysia’s major telcos against travel eSIMs so you can make an informed decision before your trip.
Quick Comparison: Telco Japan Roaming vs eSIM for Japan
Here’s a side-by-side comparison for a typical 7-day Japan trip. We’ve included all the major options a Malaysian traveller would consider:
| Provider | 7-Day Price (RM) | Daily High-Speed Data | After FUP | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxis 7-Day APAC Pass | RM69 | 2GB/day | Throttled to ~1Mbps | Partner network |
| CelcomDigi 7-Day Unlimited Pass | RM58 | 2GB/day | Throttled to 1Mbps | Partner network |
| BuzzyBee eSIM Truly Unlimited (Buzz10) BEST VALUE | RM46.40 | Unlimited (10Mbps) | No throttling | KDDI (au) Japan |
| BuzzyBee eSIM Truly Unlimited (Buzz800) FASTEST | RM60.00 | Unlimited (up to 800Mbps) | No throttling | KDDI 5G (au) Japan |
Prices as of February 2026. Maxis and CelcomDigi prices from official websites. BuzzyBee 7-day prices shown before additional promo codes.
Maxis Japan Roaming: What You Actually Get
Maxis Roaming Options for Japan
If you’re a Maxis user heading to Japan, you really have one main choice:
7-Day APAC Data Pass — RM69
- Covers 27 Asia-Pacific countries including Japan
- 2GB high-speed data per day, throttled to ~1Mbps after
- Must be purchased via Maxis app before travel
- FUP resets at 12am Malaysian time (1am Japan time)
- Includes complimentary Maxis Travel Care insurance
The RM69 APAC Pass gives you 2GB of high-speed data per day, after which speeds are throttled to around 1Mbps. While it covers Japan and other Asia-Pacific countries, the 2GB daily limit can run out quickly during a full day of travel. That’s roughly a few hours of Google Maps navigation, social media browsing, and light uploads before speeds drop — making streaming, hotspot sharing, or video calls noticeably slower for the rest of the day.
CelcomDigi (Celcom/Digi) Japan Roaming: What You Actually Get
CelcomDigi Roaming Options for Japan
CelcomDigi (formerly Celcom and Digi, now merged) offers multi-country roaming passes that cover Japan along with 81 other countries:
7-Day Unlimited Pass — RM58
- 2GB daily high-speed data, reduced to 1Mbps after
- Includes 15 minutes of voice calls (60-second blocks)
- Includes in-flight roaming on AeroMobile flights
- FUP resets at 11:59pm Malaysian time
Add-on: If you run out of high-speed data, you can buy 5GB more for RM10 (valid 24 hours).
CelcomDigi is generally cheaper than Maxis for Japan roaming. But the core limitation remains the same: 2-3GB daily cap before throttling.
Hidden Costs Most Malaysian Travellers Miss
The sticker price of RM58–RM69 for 7 days seems reasonable. But there are costs and limitations that aren’t obvious until you’re already in Japan:
1. The FUP Trap: “Unlimited” Isn’t Unlimited
Both Maxis and CelcomDigi advertise “unlimited data” — but all their Japan roaming passes have a Fair Usage Policy (FUP) of 2GB or 3GB per day. Once you hit that limit, your speed drops to 1Mbps or lower. At 1Mbps, you can barely load Instagram Stories, let alone stream videos or make a video call back home.
To put this in context: 2GB is roughly 2 hours of Google Maps navigation, 40 minutes of Instagram scrolling, and a few WhatsApp video calls. On a full day of sightseeing in Tokyo or Osaka, most travellers blow through 2GB by early afternoon.
2. The FUP Resets at Malaysian Time — Not Japan Time
This catches many people off guard. Maxis resets at 12am MYT (which is 1am Japan time). CelcomDigi resets at 11:59pm MYT (12:59am Japan time). So if you use up your 2GB by 3pm Japan time, you’re stuck on slow speeds for the next 10 hours — through dinner, evening walks, and navigating back to your hotel.
3. Maxis Auto-Charges for Calls & SMS
If you’re a Maxis postpaid user and you accidentally answer one call or your phone receives a voicemail redirect, Maxis automatically charges you RM15 for a 1-Day Calls & SMS pass. This is on top of your data roaming pass. There’s no way to switch to pay-per-use. Maxis themselves recommend disabling voicemail before travelling.
4. Partner Networks ≠ Japanese Local Networks
When you roam with Maxis or CelcomDigi, your connection routes through a partner network — you don’t get the same speed and priority as a local Japanese user. A travel eSIM like BuzzyBee connects you directly to KDDI (au), one of Japan’s top-3 carriers, as if you were a local subscriber.
The eSIM Alternative: BuzzyBee Japan eSIM
A travel eSIM works alongside your existing Malaysian SIM — you don’t need to remove anything. Your Maxis/CelcomDigi/Digi number stays active for receiving OTPs and calls. The eSIM handles your data in Japan.
BuzzyBee Japan eSIM — What You Get
From RM46.40 (7 days)
Two Truly Unlimited options:
- Buzz10 (from RM46.40/7 days): Unlimited data at 10Mbps. Enough for Google Maps, social media, WhatsApp calls, and general browsing. Best budget option.
- Buzz800 (from RM60.00/7 days): Unlimited data at up to 800Mbps on KDDI 5G. Stream 4K, video call, upload content — zero throttling. Best for heavy users, content creators, and families sharing hotspot.
Both plans include:
- ✅ KDDI (au) network — Japan’s fastest for 5G (Opensignal verified)
- ✅ Truly unlimited data — no FUP, no daily cap, no speed reduction
- ✅ Hotspot/tethering allowed (quota based on plan duration)
- ✅ Instant QR code delivery — activate before you fly
- ✅ Works with iPhone, Samsung, Pixel, and 100+ eSIM devices
- ✅ Customer support in English, BM, and Mandarin
- ✅ Pay in Ringgit (RM) — no currency conversion fees
Also available: Fixed data plans (12GB, 21GB, 30GB on KDDI) if you prefer a set data amount at an even lower price.
How Much You Save: 7-Day Japan Trip
Let’s do the math for a typical 7-day Japan trip. We’ll compare the most popular telco option against BuzzyBee:
| Maxis APAC 7-Day | CelcomDigi 7-Day | BuzzyBee Buzz10 | BuzzyBee Buzz800 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Price | RM69 | RM58 | RM46.40 | RM60.00 |
| Daily Data Cap | 2GB | 2GB | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| After Cap | ~1Mbps | 1Mbps | No cap | No cap |
| Total High-Speed Data | 14GB | 14GB | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Network Speed | 4G partner | 4G/5G partner | Up to 10Mbps | Up to 800Mbps (5G) |
| Hidden Charges? | RM15/day call pass risk | RM39/day if pass expires | None | None |
💰 Your Savings With BuzzyBee
Compared to Maxis 7-Day APAC (RM69):
Save RM22.60 with Buzz10
That’s 33% cheaper — with unlimited data instead of 2GB/day cap
Even Buzz800 (RM60.00) saves you RM9.00 vs Maxis — and gives you 800Mbps 5G unlimited instead of 2GB/day throttled
Who Should Still Use Telco Japan Roaming?
To be fair, telco japan roaming isn’t always the wrong choice. It makes sense if:
- You need to make/receive actual phone calls in Japan (not WhatsApp calls) — telco roaming includes voice, while eSIM is data-only
- Your phone doesn’t support eSIM — older phones or certain budget models may not have eSIM capability. Check if your phone supports eSIM here
- You’re a very light data user — if you genuinely use less than 2GB/day and only need basic WhatsApp and Google Maps
For everyone else — especially families, content creators, heavy social media users, or anyone who wants to stream, video call, or use data without constantly checking their usage — a travel eSIM is the smarter choice.
How to Use eSIM While Keeping Your Malaysian Number
This is the part many people don’t realise: you don’t need to choose between your telco and an eSIM. Modern phones support dual SIM — your physical Maxis/CelcomDigi/Digi SIM stays in your phone for calls and SMS, while the BuzzyBee eSIM handles your Japan data.
Here’s how it works in 3 steps:
- Buy your BuzzyBee Japan eSIM at buzzybee.my/product/esim-japan — you’ll receive a QR code via email instantly
- Scan the QR code to install the eSIM on your phone (do this before your flight while on WiFi)
- When you land in Japan, enable the eSIM for data. Keep your Malaysian SIM active for calls/SMS only. Turn off data roaming on your Malaysian SIM to avoid accidental charges
Your banking OTPs, WhatsApp verification, and Malaysian phone calls still come through your regular number. Your Japan internet runs through BuzzyBee’s KDDI connection. Best of both worlds.
Ready to Save on Your Japan Trip?
Get truly unlimited Japan data on KDDI 5G — no daily cap, no throttling.
7 days · Truly Unlimited · KDDI Network · Instant QR Delivery
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Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
- Best eSIM Japan 2026: Full Comparison (BuzzyBee vs Klook vs Holafly)
- Buy Japan eSIM — Plans from RM22.40
- Check If Your Phone Supports eSIM
Prices and plan details are based on official Maxis, CelcomDigi, and BuzzyBee websites as of February 2026. Telco prices may change — always verify on the provider’s website before purchasing. BuzzyBee is a Malaysian-based eSIM provider operated by DACE Global Connect PLT.
