Why Rakuten Mobile Is Worth Considering for Foreign Residents
Living in Japan as a foreign resident comes with its own set of challenges — and managing your phone bill is one of them. Between confusing contracts, language barriers, and high monthly fees, many expats end up overpaying for mobile service without realizing there are better options available.
Rakuten Mobile has become one of the most talked-about carriers in Japan, and for good reason. With an unlimited data plan at just ¥3,278 per month (tax included), it’s already one of the most affordable options on the market. But what makes it even more attractive right now is the point reward system — especially if you sign up through an employee referral link.
This guide walks you through how to use 14,000 Rakuten points in the best ways for foreign residents in Japan, and how to actually earn them in the first place.
How to Earn 14,000 Rakuten Points Through the Referral Campaign
Before diving into how to spend your points, let’s make sure you understand how to get them.
Employee Referral vs. Standard Campaign
Rakuten Mobile regularly runs promotional campaigns for new users, but there’s a meaningful difference between signing up through a standard campaign versus using an employee referral link.
Here’s a quick comparison:
- Standard MNP campaign: 13,000 Rakuten points
- Employee referral + MNP (carrier switch): 14,000 Rakuten points
- Employee referral + new number signup: 11,000 Rakuten points
By switching from your current carrier (a process called MNP, or Mobile Number Portability), you get an extra 1,000 points on top of the regular campaign just by using a referral link. That small step makes a real difference.
You can use this referral link to get started: 👉 https://r10.to/henTIE
When Will You Receive the Points?
This is important to understand so you’re not caught off guard. The 14,000 points are paid out in three installments, starting approximately 4 months after the month in which your referral login is recorded. So plan accordingly — these aren’t instant rewards, but they do arrive consistently over time.
Also worth noting: you can register up to 5 lines per person, which could be useful if you’re managing a family plan or supporting other members of your household.
How to Use 14,000 Rakuten Points Best Ways for Foreign Residents in Japan
Now for the main event. Once those points start arriving in your Rakuten account, what should you actually do with them? Here are the smartest and most practical ways foreign residents in Japan can make the most of 14,000 Rakuten points.
1. Cover Your Monthly Rakuten Mobile Bill
This is the most straightforward option. Rakuten points can be applied directly to your Rakuten Mobile monthly payment. At ¥3,278 per month, your 14,000 points would effectively cover more than four months of mobile service — making your first several months essentially free.
For budget-conscious expats, this is a no-brainer. You’re switching to a cheaper plan and then using the bonus points to reduce your costs even further.
2. Shop on Rakuten Ichiba (Online Shopping)
Rakuten Ichiba is one of Japan’s largest online shopping platforms, and it’s a goldmine for foreign residents who need everyday items, imported goods, or hard-to-find products from their home countries.
14,000 points goes a long way here. You can use them like cash across thousands of stores on the platform. Many sellers even carry international snacks, cosmetics, books in foreign languages, and specialty food items that are otherwise hard to source in Japan.
3. Grocery and Daily Shopping at Partner Stores
Rakuten points are accepted at a growing number of physical stores across Japan, including:
- Seiyu (supermarket)
- FamilyMart (convenience store)
- McDonald’s Japan
- Denny’s Japan
- Various drugstores and electronics retailers
For foreign residents who do regular grocery runs or grab convenience store meals frequently, draining your points slowly through everyday purchases is a painless and practical approach.
4. Travel and Booking with Rakuten Travel
If you’re planning to explore Japan — or take a trip back home or to nearby countries — Rakuten Travel lets you use points for hotel bookings across Japan and internationally. This is a particularly useful option for expats who travel for work or leisure.
14,000 points can cover a night in a business hotel or contribute significantly to a longer stay. Pair this with Rakuten’s frequent point multiplier campaigns and you could stretch your value even further.
5. Pay for Rakuten Services You Already Use
Many foreign residents in Japan already use Rakuten’s broader ecosystem without realizing how connected it is. Points can be used across services like:
- Rakuten Books — great for manga, language learning resources, or novels
- Rakuten Kobo — for e-books and digital reading
- Rakuten Beauty — for salon and beauty service bookings
- Rakuten Pay — usable at countless stores and restaurants via QR code payment
If you’re already spending in these categories, redirecting your Rakuten points there makes your reward feel like a direct cash refund on lifestyle spending.
6. Invest Through Rakuten Securities
This one is a bit more advanced but worth mentioning for longer-term residents. Rakuten Securities allows you to use Rakuten points to purchase investment trusts (mutual funds). Even small amounts of points can be directed toward building a modest investment — and it’s a way to make your reward work passively over time.
This isn’t for everyone, but if you’re settling into Japan for the long term and already thinking about financial planning, it’s a surprisingly accessible option.
Is Rakuten Mobile a Good Fit for Foreign Residents?
Absolutely — with a few caveats. Here’s a quick honest assessment:
Pros:
- Simple, unlimited plan at ¥3,278/month — no complicated tiers
- English support is available (though limited, it’s improving)
- The Rakuten ecosystem offers extensive point-earning and spending opportunities
- SIM registration is possible with a residence card (在留カード)
Things to be aware of:
- Rakuten Mobile uses its own network, which is strong in urban areas but can be patchy in rural regions
- Most contract procedures are done online, so some Japanese language navigation may be required
- Point payouts are staggered, so don’t expect instant gratification
For most expats living in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, or other major cities, Rakuten Mobile is a genuinely solid choice — both for cost and for the value of the rewards.
Getting Started: Use a Referral Link for Maximum Points
If you’ve decided to make the switch, the most important thing is to use a referral link when signing up. It’s the difference between receiving 13,000 points and getting the full 14,000 points on an MNP transfer — an easy win that requires zero extra effort on your part.
For new number registrations, the referral still bumps your reward to 11,000 points, which is a meaningful bonus regardless.
When you’re ready to sign up or learn more, you can get started here: 👉 Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral Link
Take your time reviewing the plan details on the official page, confirm your eligibility with your residence card, and choose the registration path that fits your situation. Whether you’re switching from SoftBank, au, docomo, or another carrier, the MNP process is more straightforward than it might seem.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how to use 14,000 Rakuten points in the best ways is really about knowing where they’ll have the most impact in your daily life as a foreign resident in Japan. Whether you use them to cover mobile bills, shop online, travel around the country, or even invest — the value is real and flexible.
The combination of a low monthly rate and a generous referral bonus makes Rakuten Mobile one of the more foreigner-friendly options in Japan’s mobile landscape right now. If you’ve been on the fence, this might be the right moment to make the move.