The Real Question: Is Switching to Rakuten Mobile Worth It?
If you’re a foreign resident living in Japan, you’ve probably noticed that your monthly phone bill feels… steep. Japan’s major carriers — Docomo, au, and SoftBank — have long been known for their premium pricing, and unless you’ve actively negotiated a budget plan, chances are you’re paying more than you need to.
Rakuten Mobile has been making waves as a genuine low-cost alternative, not just a cheap MVNO with hidden throttling. With a flat-rate unlimited data plan and a growing 5G network, it’s now a serious option for everyday use. But how much can you actually save per month? And is the switch worth the hassle?
In this guide, we’ll break down the exact monthly savings calculations, compare real plan costs side by side, and show you how to maximize your switch through an employee referral campaign offering up to 14,000 Rakuten Points.
Monthly Plan Cost: What Are You Actually Paying Now?
Before diving into savings calculations, let’s establish a baseline. Here’s a realistic overview of what most users pay on Japan’s big three carriers for a mid-to-high data plan (taxes included):
Docomo
| Plan | Monthly Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|
| ドコモ MAX (unlimited) | ¥8,448 |
| ドコモ mini (4GB) | ¥2,970 |
| ahamo (30GB) | ¥2,970 |
Most standard smartphone users on Docomo end up paying somewhere between ¥5,000–¥8,500/month once you factor in equipment fees, optional services, and add-ons.
au (KDDI)
| Plan | Monthly Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 使い放題MAX＋ (unlimited) | ¥9,328 |
| スマホミニプラン＋ (5GB) | ¥2,398〜 |
| povo 2.0 (topup-based) | ¥0〜 |
A typical au user on an unlimited plan is paying ¥7,000–¥9,500/month without discounts.
SoftBank
| Plan | Monthly Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|
| メリハリ無制限＋ (unlimited) | ¥7,425 |
| ミニフィットプラン＋ (1GB) | ¥2,178 |
| LINEMO (20GB) | ¥2,728 |
SoftBank’s standard unlimited plan lands users at ¥7,425/month before discounts.
Rakuten Mobile: The One Plan That Changes the Math
Rakuten Mobile keeps things refreshingly simple. There is one plan:
Rakuten最強プラン: ¥3,278/month (tax included) — unlimited data
That’s it. No tiered pricing. No data caps. No surprise charges. ¥3,278 flat, every month, for unlimited domestic calls and data.
For foreign residents who use apps like LINE, WhatsApp, Google Maps, YouTube, and video call services heavily, this is a particularly compelling deal — you never have to worry about hitting a data ceiling.
Monthly Savings Calculation: How Much Can You Save?
Let’s run the numbers honestly.
Switching from Docomo (Unlimited Plan → Rakuten Mobile)
| Docomo ドコモ MAX (unlimited) | Rakuten Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | ¥8,448 | ¥3,278 |
| Monthly savings | ¥5,170 | |
| Annual savings | ¥62,040 |
Switching from au (Unlimited Plan → Rakuten Mobile)
| au 使い放題MAX＋ (unlimited) | Rakuten Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | ¥9,328 | ¥3,278 |
| Monthly savings | ¥6,050 | |
| Annual savings | ¥72,600 |
Switching from SoftBank (Unlimited Plan → Rakuten Mobile)
| SoftBank メリハリ無制限＋ | Rakuten Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | ¥7,425 | ¥3,278 |
| Monthly savings | ¥4,147 | |
| Annual savings | ¥49,764 |
Even if you’re on a mid-tier plan (say ¥5,000/month), you’d still be saving roughly ¥1,722/month, or about ¥20,664 per year.
These aren’t hypothetical savings — they’re straightforward arithmetic. And that’s before accounting for the referral bonus points.
The Employee Referral Campaign: Boost Your Savings Even Further
Here’s where things get interesting for anyone who is ready to switch in 2026.
Rakuten Mobile currently runs an employee referral campaign that offers significantly more points than the standard public campaign. When you sign up using a referral link from a Rakuten employee, here’s what you receive:
| Signup Type | Standard Campaign | Employee Referral Campaign |
|---|---|---|
| MNP (switching from another carrier) | 13,000 points | 14,000 points |
| New number signup | — | 11,000 points |
That’s 1,000 extra points compared to the standard MNP offer, and new number applicants can receive 11,000 points — an offer that’s not always available through regular channels.
Important Details About Point Payouts
Before you get too excited, here’s the fine print you should know:
- Points are paid out in 3 installments, not all at once
- Payouts begin 4 months after the month in which you logged in via the referral link
- The referral is valid for up to 5 lines per person
So if you switch in, say, June 2026, expect to start receiving your points from around October 2026 onward, split across three months.
This installment structure is worth planning around, but it doesn’t diminish the value — 14,000 Rakuten Points are essentially ¥14,000 in real spending power usable across Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Pay, and many partner stores across Japan.
How Does This Factor Into Your Real Savings?
Let’s say you’re switching from au (saving ¥3,960/month) and you use the employee referral link for MNP. In your first year, your total savings would look like this:
- Monthly savings: ¥3,960 × 12 = ¥47,520
- Referral bonus: ¥14,000 points
- Total first-year value: ¥61,520
That’s over ¥60,000 back in your pocket — in year one alone.
What About Coverage? A Honest Look for Foreign Residents
Savings only matter if the service actually works where you need it. Rakuten Mobile has expanded its network significantly, and now covers most urban areas including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and surrounding cities with strong 5G coverage.
One practical advantage Rakuten Mobile offers is unlimited data roaming in select countries, which is particularly useful for foreign residents who travel home periodically.
However, in rural areas or certain mountainous regions, Rakuten’s own network coverage can be thinner. In those zones, Rakuten roams on au’s network — but note that au roaming data is capped at 5GB/month (as of 2026). If you spend significant time in rural Japan, this is worth factoring in.
For most foreign residents living and working in major Japanese cities, coverage is unlikely to be a practical concern.
If you’re coming from au specifically, you may find the transition particularly smooth — check out this detailed walkthrough: Rakuten Mobile AU MNP to Rakuten Mobile Steps: Complete Guide for Foreigners in Japan [2026 Guide]
Common Concerns for Foreign Residents
“Can I sign up without a Japanese address?”
You need a Japanese address and a valid form of ID (residence card / zairyu card accepted). Non-Japanese ID is generally accepted, making this accessible for most foreign residents.
“Is the app available in English?”
The My Rakuten Mobile app is primarily in Japanese, but it’s relatively straightforward to navigate. Many foreign residents find it manageable with basic Japanese literacy or a translation app. Rakuten’s website also offers some English support resources.
“What happens to my number if I switch (MNP)?”
Your phone number transfers over seamlessly during the MNP process. You’ll need to get an MNP reservation number (MNP予約番号) from your current carrier before initiating the switch at Rakuten Mobile. Most carriers now allow you to obtain this number online or via their app.
“Are there any contract lock-in periods?”
No. Rakuten Mobile has no contract lock-in period. You can cancel or switch anytime without cancellation fees. This is a meaningful difference from legacy carrier contracts.
Who Should — and Shouldn’t — Switch?
Strong candidates for switching:
- Foreign residents paying ¥5,000+ per month on Docomo, au, or SoftBank
- Heavy data users who currently worry about hitting monthly caps
- People who use Rakuten services and want to earn more points
- Those who travel internationally and want flexible roaming
- Anyone wanting the flexibility of no long-term contracts
People who might want to wait:
- Those who live or work primarily in rural or mountainous areas
- Users who rely heavily on carrier-specific services or bundled content
- Anyone currently locked into a discount program or installment plan with hardware subsidies
If you’re also thinking about how Rakuten Mobile fits into a broader Rakuten ecosystem — from credit cards to shopping to banking — this guide provides useful context: Rakuten Mobile Rakuten Ecosystem 2026 Smartphone Complete Guide for Foreigners in Japan [2026 Guide]
Quick Summary: Your Savings at a Glance
| Current Carrier | Approx. Monthly Cost | Rakuten Mobile Cost | Monthly Savings | Annual Savings | + Referral Bonus (MNP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Docomo ドコモ MAX (unlimited) | ¥8,448 | ¥3,278 | ¥5,170 | ¥62,040 | +14,000 pts |
| au 使い放題MAX＋ (unlimited) | ¥9,328 | ¥3,278 | ¥6,050 | ¥72,600 | +14,000 pts |
| SoftBank メリハリ無制限＋ (unlimited) | ¥7,425 | ¥3,278 | ¥4,147 | ¥49,764 | +14,000 pts |
| Mid-tier (avg. ¥5,000) | ¥5,000 | ¥3,278 | ¥1,722 | ¥20,664 | +14,000 pts |
Ready to Make the Switch?
The savings are real, the math is clear, and Rakuten Mobile’s no-contract policy means there’s minimal risk in trying it out. For foreign residents in Japan who feel they’re overpaying for mobile service, this is one of the most concrete, actionable changes you can make to reduce monthly expenses.
If you’d like to take advantage of the current employee referral campaign — which offers 14,000 points for MNP or 11,000 points for a new number signup (both higher than the standard public offer) — you can use the referral link below when applying:
👉 Apply via Employee Referral Link
Remember: the referral bonus points begin distributing approximately 4 months after your login month, in 3 installments. Just make sure you log in through the referral link before completing your application to ensure the bonus is applied.
Whether you’re switching from Docomo, au, or SoftBank, the first-year total value — combining monthly savings and point bonuses — can easily exceed ¥60,000. For a single change that takes less than an hour to complete online, that’s a pretty compelling return.