Short answer
The Japan eSIM guide says plans are sold as 3G/4G or 3G/4G/5G capable, and the Japan plan page shows the network type stored for the plan you open, or Not specified when none is stored. Showing 5G also depends on a compatible phone, a carrier and plan that support 5G, the phone's 5G or LTE setting, the carrier's network configuration, and 5G coverage, while Apple's Low Power Mode and Google's Battery Saver can turn 5G off, and Apple says the icon can appear even when 5G coverage is not available.
Matching an iPhone model number or a Pixel model code to the frequency ranges Japan publishes is a separate check, covered in How do I check cellular bands on an iPhone or Pixel before a Japan eSIM?.
Fact table
As of 2026-10-21
Each claim names its source. The full source list, with the date each page was read, is below.
| Claim | Source |
|---|---|
| The Japan eSIM guide says network generation varies by plan, and that plans are sold as 3G/4G or 3G/4G/5G capable. | Wakamo Japan eSIM guide |
| On the Japan plan page, the Included networks section for the plan you open shows a Network type line with the network type stored for that plan, or Not specified when none is stored. Each carrier stored for that plan is listed with the generation stored beside its name, or generation not specified when that carrier has none. If the plan has no carriers, the Carriers line says Not specified. The same section says available networks depend on coverage and your device. In plan details, the Network line shows a generation label for that plan, or Network type not specified when none is stored. | Wakamo Japan plan page |
| Apple says iPhone 12 models or later work with the 5G cellular networks of certain carriers. Apple says using 5G needs an iPhone 12 model or later, a carrier that supports 5G, and a 5G cellular plan. Apple says that when you are in an area with 5G coverage for your carrier and you activate your 5G cellular plan, you see a 5G icon in the status bar. Apple says that icon means your carrier's 5G network is available and your iPhone can connect to the internet over that network, and that this is not available in all countries or regions. | Apple Support, Use 5G with your iPhone |
| Apple says to open Settings, tap Cellular, then Cellular Data Options, or tap Mobile Data, then Mobile Data Options. On Dual SIM, Apple says to choose the number you want to change. Under Voice & Data, Apple says 5G Auto switches the iPhone to LTE when 5G speeds do not provide a noticeably better experience, to save battery. Apple says the 5G icon appears based on the configuration of the carrier network, and in rare cases may appear even when 5G coverage is not available. Apple says 5G On uses the 5G network whenever it is available, and that LTE uses only the LTE network even when 5G is available. | Apple Support, Use 5G with your iPhone |
| Apple says that if you do not see 5G in the status bar, confirm with your carrier that they support 5G and that you are on a cellular plan that supports 5G, and make sure you are in an area with 5G coverage. Apple says that if you see the Cellular Data Options or Mobile Data Options screen, the device is 5G capable. | Apple Support, Use 5G with your iPhone |
| Apple says a 5G+, 5G UW, 5G UC, or 5GA icon means that network is available, which can include your carrier's higher frequency version of 5G, and that this is not available in all countries or regions. Apple says higher frequency 5G networks are supported only in the United States when using an iPhone purchased in the United States. | Apple Support, Use 5G with your iPhone |
| Apple says many carriers around the world support 5G roaming. Apple says that if your carrier does not support 5G roaming, you can get cellular data through 4G or LTE networks, or obtain a local SIM card or eSIM with 5G where available. | Apple Support, Use 5G with your iPhone |
| Apple says that if you turn on Low Power Mode, 5G is disabled except in some cases, such as video streaming and large downloads, on iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models. Apple says that on iPhone 12 models, Low Power Mode disables 5G Standalone where it is available. | Apple Support, Use 5G with your iPhone |
| Apple's status-icon guide says the 5G icon means your carrier's 5G network is available and supported models can connect to the internet over that network. Apple says the LTE icon means your carrier's LTE network is available and the iPhone can connect to the internet over that network. Apple says the UMTS icon means your carrier's 4G UMTS (GSM) or LTE network, depending on the carrier. Apple also lists 5G UC, 5G+, 5G UW, and 5G E icons. Apple says each of these is not available in all countries or regions. | Apple Support, iPhone status icons |
| Google says that for some countries the options under preferred network type may vary, and that when 5G service is not available, Pixel phones with 5G fall back to 4G and lower networks. Google says to open Settings, tap Network & Internet, then SIMs, select the carrier, and select a preferred network type. Google lists 5G (recommended), 2G, 3G, and LTE, based on carrier availability. Google says not all Pixel 4a (5G) and later phones work on all 5G networks, and that the phone model and the carrier network determine the kind of 5G service. | Google Pixel Help, fix mobile connectivity |
| Google says a 5G icon in the status bar shows when the phone is within an area where 5G service is available, and that the icon does not mean the phone is getting 5G service at that time. Google says Battery Saver turns off 5G. Google says some carrier networks offer 5G service in smaller areas than their other services. | Google Pixel Help, fix mobile connectivity |
| Samsung UK says that to use 5G you need a phone that supports 5G, a network provider that supports 5G, and an area where the 5G network is serviced, and that the phone then connects to 5G. Samsung says 5G services are limited by carrier and region. Samsung says that if the phone supports 5G and still does not connect, 5G service may not be included in the data plan, and that you can use the service only if you are subscribed to a 5G data plan from a network provider. | Samsung UK, how to use 5G on a Galaxy |
| Samsung UK says to open Settings, select Connections, select Mobile Network, tap Network mode, and select the option with 5G. Samsung says screens and menus may vary by device model and software version. Samsung says that even in a 5G service area you may not be able to use 5G, depending on the network conditions of your provider. Samsung says that when the 5G network is unavailable beyond 5G coverage, the phone reverts to 4G (LTE) or 3G, and that a status bar without the 5G indicator means the phone is using 4G (LTE) or 3G. | Samsung UK, how to use 5G on a Galaxy |
| NTT docomo, on its notice about its own 5G contracts and handsets, says that inside an area where 5G communication is possible, the standby indicator shows 5G. Docomo says that during communication the indicator is 5G+ for a 5G connection on its wideband 5G frequencies, which it names as 3.7 GHz, 4.5 GHz, and 28 GHz, 5G for a 5G connection on a 4G frequency, and 4G+ for a 4G (LTE) connection. Docomo says some models show 5G instead of 5G+, and some show 4G instead of 4G+. Docomo says the area and the frequency bands the model supports can make the connection 4G (LTE). The notice describes docomo's own service. It does not mention a travel eSIM. | NTT docomo, 5G contract and handset notice |
FAQ
Does every Japan travel eSIM include 5G?
No. The Japan eSIM guide says network generation varies by plan, and that plans are sold as 3G/4G or 3G/4G/5G capable. On the Japan plan page, the Network type line shows the network type stored for the plan you open, or Not specified when none is stored. That section says available networks depend on coverage and your device.
Why does an iPhone show LTE when 5G is available?
Apple says the LTE choice under Voice & Data uses only the LTE network even when 5G is available. Apple says 5G Auto switches the iPhone to LTE when 5G speeds do not provide a noticeably better experience, to save battery. Apple also says you need a carrier that supports 5G, a 5G cellular plan, and an area with 5G coverage for that carrier. On iPhone 12 and iPhone 13, Apple says Low Power Mode disables 5G except in some cases, such as video streaming and large downloads.
What do the iPhone 5G and LTE icons mean?
Apple's status-icon guide says the 5G icon means the carrier's 5G network is available, and the LTE icon means the carrier's LTE network is available. Apple says the UMTS icon means the carrier's 4G UMTS (GSM) or LTE network, depending on the carrier. Apple says a 5G+, 5G UW, 5G UC, or 5GA icon means that network is available, which can include your carrier's higher frequency version of 5G, and that higher frequency 5G networks are supported only in the United States when using an iPhone purchased in the United States. Apple's status-icon guide also lists a 5G E icon.
Where does a Pixel choose 5G or LTE, and what does its 5G icon mean?
Google says to open Settings, tap Network & Internet, then SIMs, select the carrier, and choose a preferred network type. Google lists 5G (recommended) and LTE among the options, and says the options vary by country and by carrier. When 5G service is not available, Google says Pixel phones with 5G fall back to 4G and lower networks. Google says the 5G icon means the phone is in an area where 5G service is available, and that it does not mean the phone is getting 5G service at that time. Google says Battery Saver turns off 5G.
Where does a Galaxy choose 5G, and what if the icon is missing?
Samsung UK says to open Settings, select Connections, select Mobile Network, tap Network mode, and select the option with 5G. Samsung says you need a 5G phone, a provider that supports 5G, and a 5G service area, and that 5G may be absent from the data plan. Samsung says that beyond 5G coverage the phone reverts to 4G (LTE) or 3G, and that a status bar without the 5G indicator means the phone is using 4G (LTE) or 3G. Samsung says menus vary by model and software version.
What does NTT docomo say the indicator shows?
NTT docomo, on its notice about its own 5G contracts and handsets, says the standby indicator shows 5G inside an area where 5G communication is possible. During communication, docomo says the indicator is 5G+ on the wideband 5G frequencies it names, 5G for a 5G connection on a 4G frequency, and 4G+ for a 4G (LTE) connection. Some models show 5G instead of 5G+, and some show 4G instead of 4G+. Docomo says the area and the frequency bands the model supports can make the connection 4G (LTE). The notice describes docomo's own service. It does not mention a travel eSIM.
If my home carrier has no 5G roaming, what does Apple say a local eSIM does?
Apple says that if your carrier does not support 5G roaming, you can get cellular data through 4G or LTE, or obtain a local SIM card or eSIM with 5G where available. Whether a Wakamo Japan plan lists 5G is the Network type line on that plan. The Japan eSIM guide says plans are sold as 3G/4G or 3G/4G/5G capable.
Does a missing 5G icon mean the eSIM has no data?
No. Apple's LTE icon means the carrier's LTE network is available and the iPhone can connect to the internet over that network. Samsung says a status bar without the 5G indicator means the phone is using 4G (LTE) or 3G. Google says Pixel phones with 5G fall back to 4G and lower networks when 5G service is not available.
Sources
Wakamo Japan eSIM guidewakamo.io
Wakamo product information. Network generation varies by plan. Plans are sold as 3G/4G or 3G/4G/5G capable.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Wakamo Japan plan pagewakamo.io
Wakamo product information. Included networks shows a Network type line for the plan you open, or Not specified when none is stored, and lists each stored carrier with its generation. The section says available networks depend on coverage and your device. Plan details show a generation label, or Network type not specified.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Apple Support, Use 5G with your iPhonesupport.apple.com
iPhone 12 or later, a carrier that supports 5G, and a 5G cellular plan. The 5G icon, Voice & Data choices, the settings path, Low Power Mode, 5G roaming, and the United States limit on higher-frequency 5G. Published May 11, 2026.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Apple Support, iPhone status iconssupport.apple.com
The 5G, 5G UC, 5G+, 5G UW, 5G E, LTE, and UMTS status icons, and what Apple says each one means.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Google Pixel Help, fix mobile connectivitysupport.google.com
Preferred network type, fallback when 5G service is not available, what the 5G icon means, and Battery Saver.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
Samsung UK, how to use 5G on a Galaxysamsung.com
Updated 22 January 2025. A 5G phone, a 5G provider, and a 5G service area. Network mode. The status-bar indicator when 5G is beyond coverage.
Accessed 2026-10-21.
NTT docomo, 5G contract and handset noticedocomo.ne.jp
Docomo's own description of the standby and in-use indicator on its 5G service, including 5G, 5G+, 4G+, and 4G.
Accessed 2026-10-21.