Every year, a meaningful number of Japan-bound travelers make the same calculation: Japan has free WiFi at airports, train stations, temples, and convenience stores, so maybe a dedicated data plan isn’t necessary. They arrive at Narita or Haneda, connect to the airport WiFi, and feel justified in their decision. Then they board the Narita Express,
Every Japan travel forum has the question: can I get by on free WiFi alone, without buying a Japan eSIM? It’s a reasonable thing to wonder. Japan has a reputation for technological sophistication, and surely a country with vending machines that accept contactless payment and seven-story arcade buildings has sorted out free public WiFi, right?