Can You Use a Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral When Applying In-Store?
If you’re a foreign resident in Japan thinking about switching to Rakuten Mobile, you may have come across the employee referral campaign and wondered: can I actually use a referral link when applying at a physical shop?
The short answer is yes — but the process works a little differently from a standard in-store visit, and there are a few key steps you’ll want to follow to make sure your bonus points are properly credited. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about applying at a Rakuten Mobile shop using an employee referral, including the exact point amounts, how the rewards are paid out, and what to prepare before you visit.
What Is the Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral Campaign?
Rakuten Mobile operates an employee referral program where existing Rakuten Mobile users — including employees, members of staff, and people who simply share a referral link — can invite others to sign up. When a new customer uses a valid referral link to register, both the referrer and the new subscriber receive bonus Rakuten Points.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what the referral campaign currently offers:
| Application Type | Points via Referral |
|---|---|
| MNP (switching from another carrier) | 14,000 points |
| New number signup | 11,000 points |
For comparison, the standard campaign without a referral link gives 13,000 points for MNP. That means using a referral link gets you an extra 1,000 points on top of the standard bonus — simply for using the right link before you apply.
The monthly plan is ¥3,278 (tax included) for unlimited data, which is already one of the most competitive flat-rate mobile plans available in Japan. Add in those extra referral points, and the value proposition becomes even clearer.
How Referral Points Are Paid Out
Before going into the application process itself, it’s worth understanding how and when the bonus points arrive.
- Points are paid in three installments
- Payments begin 4 months after the referral login month
- Each installment is roughly one-third of the total point amount
So if you register in, say, June, you would receive your first point installment around October. This is important to keep in mind — the points are real and confirmed, but they don’t land in your account immediately.
Also note that the referral campaign allows a maximum of 5 lines per person, so it’s a great option if you’re also planning to sign up family members or housemates living in Japan.
In-Store vs. Online: What’s the Difference?
Many foreign residents in Japan prefer to apply at a physical Rakuten Mobile shop (ショップ), especially if Japanese isn’t their first language or they feel more comfortable asking questions face to face. Staff at Rakuten Mobile stores are generally helpful, and some locations in major cities may have staff who speak English or other languages.
However, the referral system itself is designed primarily as an online registration flow. The referral link directs you to a specific Rakuten Mobile sign-up page, and the referral bonus is tied to your Rakuten account login during that process.
This means:
- If you walk into a shop and apply without using the referral link first, you will not receive the referral bonus points
- The in-store staff do not have the ability to retroactively apply a referral to your account after signup is complete
- You need to use the referral link before or during the registration process to ensure the bonus is captured
Step-by-Step: How to Apply at a Rakuten Mobile Shop Using a Referral
Here is the recommended approach for getting the best of both worlds — the reassurance of in-store support and the bonus points from the referral campaign.
Step 1: Access the Referral Link on Your Smartphone
Before heading to the store, open the employee referral link on your smartphone:
👉 Referral Link: https://r10.to/henTIE
This link takes you to the Rakuten Mobile campaign page tied to the referral. You don’t need to complete the entire sign-up process online at this stage, but accessing the page and logging into your Rakuten account while on this page is crucial to having the referral recognized.
Step 2: Log Into Your Rakuten Account
If you already have a Rakuten account (Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Pay, Rakuten Bank, etc.), log in on the campaign page. If you don’t have one yet, create a free Rakuten account before your shop visit.
Having a Rakuten account is a requirement for Rakuten Mobile regardless of how you apply — it’s the central account that links your plan, your points, and all Rakuten services together.
Step 3: Choose Your Application Method on the Campaign Page
On the referral campaign page, you will typically see an option to either:
- Continue online (complete sign-up digitally)
- Apply at a store (proceed to in-store application)
Select the in-store option if you’d prefer to finish the process with the help of a shop associate. The referral information is linked to your Rakuten account from the moment you log in on the campaign page, so the connection should carry through.
Step 4: Visit Your Nearest Rakuten Mobile Shop
With the referral link accessed and your Rakuten account logged in, head to your local Rakuten Mobile shop. You can find nearby locations on the official Rakuten Mobile website.
At the store, let the staff know:
- You want to apply for Rakuten Mobile
- You are using an employee referral campaign
- Whether you want to port your number from another carrier (MNP) or get a new number
Step 5: Prepare the Documents You’ll Need
For foreign residents, be sure to bring:
- Residence card (在留カード, Zairyu Card) — required to verify your address and legal status in Japan
- Passport — may be requested for additional ID verification
- Current SIM card or phone (if doing MNP, you’ll need your MNP reservation number from your current carrier)
- Credit card or bank account details for monthly billing
- Your smartphone with access to your Rakuten account
Having everything ready in advance will help the application go smoothly and reduce wait time at the store.
Step 6: Complete the Application and Confirm the Referral
Once you’re at the store and the staff begins processing your application, confirm that your Rakuten account information is being used in the system — this is what ties your application to the referral bonus. After the application is complete, you should receive confirmation via the Rakuten Mobile app or email.
Why Use a Referral at All?
You might be wondering whether it’s worth the extra effort. Here’s a simple comparison:
- Standard MNP campaign: 13,000 Rakuten Points
- MNP with referral link: 14,000 Rakuten Points
- New signup with referral: 11,000 Rakuten Points
That extra 1,000 points for MNP — or the bonus points for new signups — can be used just like cash at thousands of Rakuten partner services across Japan, including shopping on Rakuten Ichiba, paying at convenience stores and restaurants via Rakuten Pay, or reducing your next Rakuten Mobile bill.
For foreign residents managing household budgets in Japan, every bit of savings counts. And if you’re also looking at bundling other Rakuten services, check out this related article: Rakuten Saikyou U-NEXT Employee Referral Points Campaign – How to Apply and Maximize Your Bonus Points, which covers how referral bonuses can be stacked with other Rakuten service campaigns.
Tips for Foreign Residents Applying In-Store
Language Support
While Rakuten Mobile’s customer support and official website are primarily in Japanese, many major urban stores (especially in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya) have multilingual staff or materials. It’s always worth calling ahead or checking online to find a store with English-language support if needed.
MNP Process for Foreigners
Porting your number (MNP) from a carrier like SoftBank, au, or docomo is straightforward, but you’ll need to contact your current carrier to get an MNP reservation number (MNP予約番号). This is typically valid for 15 days. Having this number ready before your shop visit will save time.
Residency Status Matters
Rakuten Mobile requires that applicants have a valid address registered in Japan. Your residence card must be current, and the name and address on your documents must match what you enter during the application. Make sure your card is up to date before applying.
Who Is This Plan Best For?
Rakuten Mobile’s unlimited data plan at ¥3,278/month is ideal for:
- Foreign residents who use large amounts of data for video calls, streaming, or maps navigation
- People who send international calls via apps like the Rakuten Link App, which enables free domestic calls and discounted international calls
- Those who already use Rakuten services and want to consolidate points and benefits under one ecosystem
- Students and young professionals looking for a flat-rate plan without complicated tier structures
For a deeper look at student-specific benefits, see: Rakuten Mobile Benefits for Students in Japan – Save on Phone Bills with the Employee Referral Campaign
Final Thoughts
Applying for Rakuten Mobile at a physical shop is completely possible while still taking advantage of the employee referral campaign — you just need to make sure you access the referral link and log into your Rakuten account before completing the application. Skipping this step means missing out on up to 14,000 Rakuten Points, which is too good to leave on the table.
The process outlined above is straightforward and doesn’t require you to be fluent in Japanese, especially if you prepare your documents and referral access in advance.
If you’d like to get started, you can access the referral campaign page here:
👉 Apply via Referral Link: https://r10.to/henTIE
Whether you choose to finish the application online or continue at a store, starting from this link ensures your bonus points are properly registered. Good luck with your switch — and enjoy the savings.