Tsushima Data Options 2026: Roaming, eSIM, or Physical SIM?
Planning a Tsushima Island trip? Choosing between roaming, eSIM, or a physical SIM for data can be tricky. I'll compare convenience, cost, and share my top recommendation.
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Planning a Tsushima Island trip? Choosing between roaming, eSIM, or a physical SIM for data can be tricky. I'll compare convenience, cost, and share my top recommendation.
✈️ Tsushima Island Roaming, eSIM, or Physical SIM: A Comparison! 🏝
Planning a trip to Tsushima Island and wondering whether to go for roaming, an eSIM, or a physical SIM?
I bet many of you are weighing your options!
Well, as someone who's explored Tsushima Island more than a few times, I've had the chance to try all three data options myself, naturally! 😉
The physical SIM, offering unbeatable value,
The eSIM, striking a perfect balance of cost-effectiveness and convenience,
And finally, roaming, for ultimate peace of mind without any complicated setup!
So, what's the perfect choice for *your* travel style?
What's my ultimate recommendation?
Let's dive into a detailed comparison!
Whatever You Choose, Buy It in Advance!
If you've ever been to a passenger ferry terminal, you'll know it's a completely different experience from an airport.
I naturally assumed I could just grab a physical SIM or eSIM on the day of my Tsushima trip, but guess what? Only SKT and KT roaming counters were available!
Even those counters can have
long queues or might not even be
operating, depending on the ferry schedule.
The very first time I went, I genuinely almost missed my ferry because I was stuck in line at a counter! 😂
It's the same story once you arrive in Tsushima.
Whether you land in Hitakatsu or Izuhara,
finding a local store that sells communication products is
virtually impossible. 😭
So, no matter which option you pick,
securing it *before* you leave for Tsushima Island will ensure a much smoother and stress-free start to your adventure!
Roaming: Unmatched Convenience, but at a Price
If you opt for roaming when traveling to Tsushima,
you already know how incredibly convenient it is –
no need to swap out cards or install anything, right?
But beyond that,
roaming offers a few more fantastic advantages.
Whether you've just boarded the ferry or immediately upon arrival,
you can send and receive calls and texts
using your home number, without any extra setup.
And if you ever need to urgently contact your rental car company or accommodation
right after arriving, it's truly the most stress-free method.
But even with all that convenience,
roaming does come with a significant downside... and that's the price!
I saw daily rates nearing ~$21 for just 2GB of data, and honestly,
it felt too expensive to justify. It's just too pricey!
However, if convenience trumps cost for you,
or if your carrier offers special roaming discounts,
or perhaps you have personal discount coupons,
then roaming can still be a perfectly viable option for your Tsushima adventure!
eSIM: My Top Pick if Your Phone is Compatible!
Lately, I almost exclusively use an eSIM.
There's no need to remove your existing physical SIM, so there's
zero risk of losing it,
And because you can register it instantly with a QR code right after purchase,
even if you buy it in a rush on the morning of your departure,
it works perfectly!
Now, let's reveal the eSIM's drawback:
it's not something everyone can simply use, even if they want to.
It doesn't work on just any phone.
Unlike a physical SIM,
which involves inserting a physical card,
an eSIM involves a digital chip built directly
into the motherboard when the smartphone is manufactured.
So, older phones without this integrated chip
simply cannot use an eSIM. 😭
[ eSIM Compatible Models ]
- iPhone:
Usable on models released from the 2018 XS series onwards.
- Galaxy:
Usable on models released from the 2022 Z Flip 4, Fold 4, and S23
series onwards.
If you're using a phone older than the models listed,
unfortunately, you'll have to skip the eSIM!
You'll need to consider a physical SIM instead.
Here’s how to check if your phone supports eSIM:
Simply dial *#06# on your phone,
and if the EID entry appears, your device is compatible!
The price is also typically 70-90% cheaper compared to roaming,
and since I tend to use a lot of data,
When I go to Tsushima, I mainly use an unlimited eSIM plan.
For reference, I bought and used mine from the
USIMSA Store, where Joo Woo-jae is the model.
USIM: If your phone doesn't support eSIM, this is for you
For those who want to save money but use a phone
that doesn't support eSIM,
I recommend USIM as an alternative.
Like an eSIM, it's affordable, but
you can use it with almost any smartphone!
However, since it's a physical card, you need to receive it
via delivery beforehand to use it, so
it's safest to order at least 3 days before your trip.
Things to note when using a USIM are that
your call will be briefly interrupted during the exchange,
and that you need to keep your original Korean USIM
safe and separate after removing it!
It would be a hassle to lose your Korean USIM
after a great trip to Tsushima, so be careful not to misplace it.
Price and Speed Comparison
Roaming | eSIM | USIM | |
Unlimited Plan Basis | ~$8 to ~$14 | ~$1 to ~$2 | ~$0 (+ delivery fee ~$2 separate) |
Internet Speed | Slight differences depending on the environment (though stated, I didn't personally feel it) | Fast and stable | Fast and stable |
Connection Method | Connects to Japanese network via domestic carrier | Directly uses local Japanese carrier network | Directly uses local Japanese carrier network |
Honestly, whether it's roaming, eSIM, or USIM,
you're ultimately using the local carrier network,
so I didn't feel much difference in speed.
In Hitakatsu and Izuhara city centers,
the connection was excellent, almost 5G-speed!
While driving a rental car on mountain roads or in outer areas,
there were occasional spots where the signal weakened,
but it wasn't enough to cause major inconvenience!
My mom, who was with me, didn't even notice the difference!
So, what should you choose?
📌 Phone calls are important, and you hate hassle
→ Roaming
📌 Value for money is key, and your device supports eSIM
→ eSIM
📌 You want a cheap price, but your phone doesn't support eSIM
→ USIM
I wanted to save on costs,
and luckily my phone model supports it,
so I settled on eSIM,
and I think I'll continue to use eSIM
even if I visit Tsushima Island again!
I hope my post helped you choose between
roaming, eSIM, or USIM for your Tsushima trip!
Choose the data and plan that best fits your phone model
and travel style, and have an amazing trip!
No, only SKT and KT roaming counters are available at the Tsushima Ferry Terminal, and their operating hours are uncertain depending on ferry schedules. It's difficult to find stores selling communication products locally in Tsushima, such as Hitakatsu or Izuhara. Therefore, it's more convenient to prepare these in advance before your departure.
eSIM can only be used on models with a digital chip embedded in the smartphone's motherboard. iPhones support it from the XS series onwards (2018), and Galaxy phones support it from the Z Flip4, Fold4, and S23 series onwards (2022). You can check if the EID item appears by dialing *#06# on your phone.
For Tsushima roaming, the daily fee for 2GB of data comes out to be close to ~$21. While this can be a financial burden, it might be worth considering if you have a carrier's roaming discount product or personal discount coupons.
Since a USIM is a physical card, you must order it at least 3 days before your trip to receive it by mail. Calls may be temporarily interrupted when replacing the USIM, and you should keep your original Korean USIM safe after removing it to avoid loss.
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