Trying to spend less, not collect gadgets.
Airport/counter pocket Wi-Fi is a second battery + a return desk. That is fine if several people share one SSID. It is not free just because the listing says “unlimited”.
What I copied from checkout on 2026-08-29 (re-check):
- Airalo Japan 7d 5GB $10, 10GB $17, “unlimited” 7d $27 (FUP 3GB/24h then ~1 Mbps).
- Holafly Japan 7d $27.50, hotspot 1GB/day.
- Ubigi 10GB/7d $14.
If I only need maps + translate + IC top-up, 5GB for a week is the cheap line. “Unlimited” and pocket Wi-Fi start to make sense if the group splits, or one person is a hotspot for three.
I am not using first-person “I rented X at Narita for ¥Y” because I did not. If you have a 2026 counter receipt, that is the useful comment.
Pocket Wi-Fi vs eSIM notes: https://before-you-land.tiiny.site/japan/pocket-wifi/
Disclosure: if you buy Airalo through the notes below I may earn a commission. Holafly and Ubigi links there are official/untracked. I did not invent SKUs; prices copied 2026-08-29 from checkout pages and should be re-checked.