Phone & Rakuten
Your phone, and the ID behind it
Choosing a carrier is the first contract most newcomers sign in Japan. These guides cover SIM and eSIM, moving your number, what a mobile contract actually says — and the Rakuten ID, points and pay app that sit underneath it all.
All guides in this category (23)
Rakuten Mobile for Foreigners in Japan: The 15-Minute Setup Guide (2026)
Get an unlimited SIM in Japan with just your residence card — set up by eSIM in about 15 minutes. #PR
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How to Create a Rakuten ID in English — The Sign-Up Form, Field by Field (2026)
A walk-through of the actual Rakuten member registration form in English: the language switch most people miss, the six required fields, the two you can never change afterwards, and the katakana name box on the Japanese version. #PR
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How to Earn Rakuten Points in Everyday Life: A Practical Habit Guide
A practical guide to building a Rakuten points habit in Japan: earn through online shopping, code payment at everyday shops, and the card, with one connected ecosystem. #PR
Read the guide →Rakuten SPU Explained: How the Point-Multiplier Program Actually Works
A calm explainer of Rakuten SPU (Super Point Up): what the point-multiplier program is, how stacking qualifying services works, and how to choose what fits. #PR
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Using Rakuten Pay in Japan: Setting It Up and Paying at the Register
A hands-on guide to Rakuten Pay in Japan: link a payment source, pay by QR or barcode at the register, put points toward a payment, and where it works day to day. #PR
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Making Calls in Japan: How Voice Calls and App Calling (Rakuten Link) Work
How to actually make and receive calls in Japan, dial numbers correctly, and use a calling app over data. #PR
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A Data-Only Plan for Your Tablet, Laptop or Wi-Fi Router in Japan
When a data-only line for a tablet, laptop or portable router beats tethering off your phone, and how it fits your home. #PR
Read the guide →What to Check in a Mobile Phone Contract in Japan Before You Sign
A plain-language checklist for signing up for a mobile plan in Japan: contract terms, what's included, SIM type, and eKYC. #PR
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Getting Online in Japan: Pocket Wi-Fi, Home Internet or Just Your Phone?
A calm decision guide to the three ways newcomers get online in Japan and how to pick the one that fits your life. #PR
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How Much Mobile Data Do You Actually Need in Japan?
Right-size your mobile data in Japan: how much messaging, maps, social, music and video really use, and how home Wi-Fi changes the picture. #PR
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How to Choose a Smartphone in Japan: A Buyer's Checklist (No Ranking)
A brand-neutral checklist for choosing a smartphone in Japan: screen, camera, battery, storage, water resistance, and SIM-free vs a set device — matched to how you live. #PR
Read the guide →Reviewing Your Phone Bill in Japan: How to Rethink This Fixed Cost
A calm, practical guide to reviewing your mobile spending in Japan: match your plan to real data and call use, understand data-only vs voice, and know what to ask before switching. #PR
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