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: What You Need, What It Costs, What's Included (2026)
A residence-card-only mobile plan in Japan, set up by eSIM. What the three price tiers actually cost, what the official page says about speed, what's bundled, the age discounts, and the documents to have ready before you apply. #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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