For maps in Tokyo, eSIM is not less reliable than pocket Wi-Fi. They ride the same networks. Pocket Wi-Fi is still the product if the phone has no EID (*#06#) or a group wants one radio.

What the word unlimited actually meant that day:

• Airalo Japan unlimited 7-day: US$27. Fair use 3GB high-speed / 24h, then 1 Mbps. Hotspot allowed.
• Holafly Japan 7-day: US$27.50. Official page: hotspot 1GB/day. Not a family plan.
• Ubigi 10GB / 7 days: US$14, listed on KDDI and NTT Docomo. Their 7-day unlimited URL was 404. Do not copy a blog's $25 guess.

Welcome Suica Mobile (JR East, as of March 2026): iOS / Apple Pay, 180 days, no refund. Most overseas Androids lack FeliCa, so they still need a plastic IC card even with an eSIM.

Affiliate disclosure: Airalo links on the dated notes are Travelpayouts. Holafly and Ubigi go official.

Notes: https://before-you-land.tiiny.site/japan/esim/