Your complete Rakuten Mobile guide
One phone plan, and your whole Japan life opens up
Hi, I'm Miya. A Japanese number is the key that unlocks banks, apps, and sign-up forms — so it's the first thing I help newcomers sort out. This page walks you all the way through: the points you can earn, what the plan actually gives you, and the exact sign-up steps, starting from a free Rakuten ID. All you need is your residence card.
See the sign-up steps ↓
Hi, I'm Miya 👋01 · The reward
Start with the referral points
Because you're coming in through an employee referral, there are points waiting once you sign up and meet the conditions. Here's the headline — tap through to the official page for the full eligibility and the payout schedule.
The referral offer
🎁 Up to 14,000 pts (switch/MNP), 11,000 pts (new line)
*Conditions apply, including logging in via the referral link and starting service before applying. *Points are awarded in installments starting the 4th month after the referral-login month.
See eligibility and full terms on the official page →02 · The plan
What you actually get each month
One simple plan (the SAIKYO plan) that scales with how much data you use — up to unlimited, at a fixed price so your bill never surprises you.
- One tiered plan — you pay only for the data you use, all the way up to unlimited.
- Free domestic calls with the Rakuten Link app.
- Earn Rakuten points when you shop on Rakuten Ichiba, and Rakuten Drive adds 50GB of free cloud storage.
- Up to 2GB of international roaming is included (it counts toward your plan data), so your number keeps working abroad.
- Apply online with just your residence card — eSIM-capable phones can activate the same day.
- Age programs for children (up to 12), young users (up to 22), and seniors (65+) — check the official page for current amounts.
The tiers (tax included):
Prices are tax-included, from the official plan. Always confirm current terms on the official page.
03 · The sign-up
The whole flow, in order — from a free Rakuten ID
New to Rakuten? You don't start with the phone plan — you start with a free Rakuten ID. Here's every step in the right order so nothing trips you up, and so the referral actually counts.
Before you apply
New to Rakuten? Start with a free Rakuten ID
You don't sign up for the phone plan first — you sign up for a Rakuten ID first. It's the single free account behind everything Rakuten, and the referral only counts when you log in with it through the link before applying. Here's the whole path, in order.
A free account (just an email and password) that logs you in to Rakuten Mobile, points, shopping and cloud storage — one login for the whole ecosystem. Making one takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
- Create a free Rakuten IDAbout 2 minutes with an email and password. This is your key to everything below — no payment needed to make it.
- Open the referral link and log in with that IDDo this before you apply. Logging in through the link is what registers you for the referral — skip it and it won't count.
- Apply for Rakuten Mobile with your residence cardPhotograph your 在留カード to verify identity — no store visit. eSIM phones can activate the same day.
- Activate and make one 10-second call on Rakuten LinkInstall the free Rakuten Link app and place one short call. That final step completes everything.
✅ Creating the Rakuten ID is free — you only pay your monthly plan once the SIM is active.
See eligibility and full terms on the official page →Good to know
Newcomer questions, answered
Can foreigners sign up?
Yes. You verify your identity by photographing your residence card (在留カード) — no store visit. Most work and spouse visas are eligible; it helps if your card has at least ~3 months of validity left. Check the official page for the full eligibility details.
How fast can I be connected?
If your phone supports eSIM, you can be up and running the same day — setup takes about 15 minutes. A physical SIM arrives by mail in a few days.
Do I need to go to a store?
No. The whole thing is online: you apply, photograph your residence card to verify identity, and activate from your phone.
Is creating a Rakuten ID free?
Yes — the Rakuten ID is a free account (just an email and password). You only pay your monthly plan once the SIM is active.
What do I need to do to earn the points?
Log in through the referral link before you apply, activate your line, and make one 10-second call on the Rakuten Link app. See the official campaign page for the full conditions and the payout schedule.
Can I get help in English?
Yes — if you get stuck on the residence card, payment, or Rakuten Link, use the assist button below and we'll walk you through it step by step.
Ready when you are
Log in through the referral link first, then apply on the official page. I'll be right here for the mobile part.
Sign up with the referral link →Log in through this link first, then apply on the official page.