Rakuten Mobile au to Rakuten Mobile Regret & Demerit Complete Guide for Foreigners in Japan [2026 Guide]

Thinking about switching from au to Rakuten Mobile — but worried you might regret it? You’re not alone. This is one of the most common concerns among foreign residents in Japan who are considering making the move.

The honest truth is: Rakuten Mobile isn’t perfect for everyone. But for many people, especially those living in urban areas, it’s one of the smartest financial decisions they can make. In this guide, we’ll walk through the real demerits, the common regrets people report, and what you should know before making the switch — so you can decide with confidence.

Why Foreigners in Japan Are Interested in Switching from au to Rakuten Mobile

Au is a solid carrier. It has excellent nationwide coverage, reliable customer service, and a long track record. So why would anyone leave?

The simple answer is cost. Au’s standard unlimited plans typically run between ¥6,000 and ¥8,000 per month per line. Rakuten Mobile offers a single unlimited data plan at ¥3,278 per month (tax included). That’s a potential saving of ¥3,000 to ¥5,000 every single month — or ¥36,000 to ¥60,000 per year — per line.

For foreign residents who may be sending money home, managing tight household budgets, or simply trying to reduce fixed expenses, that gap is significant.

If you’re curious how much you could personally save, this article breaks it down clearly: How Much Can You Save Switching to Rakuten Mobile? Monthly Savings Calculator vs Docomo, au & SoftBank [2026 Guide]

But before we talk about the benefits, let’s get into the stuff that could genuinely make you regret switching.

The Real Demerits of Rakuten Mobile (Honest Assessment)

1. Coverage Is Not Yet as Wide as au

This is the biggest and most cited demerit. Rakuten Mobile is still expanding its network infrastructure. In major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka, coverage is generally strong. However, in rural areas, mountainous regions, and some suburban zones, Rakuten Mobile relies on au’s network as a roaming partner — and that roaming data is capped.

If you live or frequently travel outside big cities, this matters. You may experience slower speeds or dropped connections in places where au subscribers have no issues at all.

Who this affects most: People living in countryside areas, those who travel frequently outside major urban centers, or anyone whose work takes them to remote locations.

Who this doesn’t affect much: People living and working in central areas of major Japanese cities.

2. No Physical Stores for Immediate Support

Au has hundreds of retail stores across Japan where you can walk in and get help in person. Rakuten Mobile has far fewer physical locations. Most support is handled online or via the My Rakuten Mobile app.

For foreign residents who are still building Japanese language skills, this can be a real frustration. Online chat support exists, but navigating it in Japanese can be challenging if you’re not fluent.

Tip: If you’re comfortable using apps and reading basic Japanese, this is manageable. If you need frequent in-person support, it’s worth factoring in.

3. The Points Reward Timeline Requires Patience

Rakuten Mobile runs attractive point campaigns, and the current employee referral campaign is one of the best available. But the points don’t land in your account all at once.

Here’s how the timeline works:

Points are paid in 3 installments
Payments begin 4 months after the referral login month
They are spread across three separate months

So if you switch in June, you won’t see your first points until around October or November. This surprises many people who expect an immediate reward. It’s not a scam or a problem — it’s just the structure you need to know going in.

4. Rakuten Link App Is Required for Free Calls

Rakuten Mobile offers free unlimited domestic calls — but only through the Rakuten Link app. If you use your phone’s standard dialer, calls are charged at ¥22 per 30 seconds, which adds up quickly.

For most smartphone users, switching to Rakuten Link is simple. But some apps and services (such as certain bank verification calls or business lines) may not work through Rakuten Link. This is a niche issue, but worth knowing.

5. International Roaming Costs Are Higher Than Expected

If you travel internationally and plan to use your Japanese number abroad, Rakuten Mobile’s roaming fees can be steeper than what au offers for certain destinations. Always check the current roaming rates before traveling.

Common Regrets Reported by Switchers — And How Serious They Really Are

“I regret switching because the signal is weak at my apartment.”

This is the most frequently mentioned regret. Indoor coverage can be inconsistent depending on your building type and location. Before switching, it’s smart to check Rakuten Mobile’s official coverage map and, if possible, ask neighbors or coworkers who already use Rakuten Mobile about their experience in your area.

“I didn’t realize I’d have to use a different app to call.”

The Rakuten Link learning curve catches people off guard. But in practice, most users adapt within a day or two. The app is free, works well, and call quality is generally good.

“The points took so long to arrive.”

This is probably the most common regret — and also the most avoidable. If you understand the 3-installment schedule upfront, there’s no surprise. The points do arrive. The math still works in your favor.

“I miss au’s customer service.”

This one is real, especially for users who valued walking into an au shop and getting immediate help. Rakuten Mobile’s support experience is more self-service oriented.

When Switching Makes Clear Sense

Despite the demerits, there are situations where switching from au to Rakuten Mobile is clearly the right call:

You live in a major city and your daily commute and home are in areas with strong Rakuten coverage
You’re on a budget and the ¥3,278 flat rate fits your needs better than paying ¥6,000–¥8,000
You use WiFi most of the time at home or work, so mobile data coverage is less critical
You already use Rakuten services like Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Pay, or Rakuten Card — because points stack across the ecosystem
You want to help family members save too — you can refer up to 5 lines per person under the employee referral program

The Employee Referral Campaign: What the Numbers Actually Mean

If you’re going to switch, doing it through the employee referral link gives you a meaningful bonus compared to going through standard channels.

Here’s the breakdown:

Route	MNP (Carrier Switch)	New Signup
Employee Referral	14,000 points	11,000 points
Normal Campaign	13,000 points	Lower

Using the referral link gives you 1,000 extra points on top of the standard MNP campaign — a small but real bonus that costs you nothing extra.

These points are Rakuten Points, which can be used for shopping on Rakuten Ichiba, paying bills, redeeming at convenience stores, and more. They have genuine value for everyday life in Japan.

For a real-world example of how these points play out in a household budget, this story is worth reading: Housewife Part-Timer’s Real Story: Switching to Rakuten Mobile Saved Our Household Budget (+ 14,000 Points!) [2026 Guide]

Step-by-Step: What the MNP Switch from au Actually Looks Like

Many foreign residents feel nervous about the MNP process. The good news is that it’s more straightforward than it sounds.

Step 1: Get Your MNP Reservation Number from au

Contact au by phone or via their app and request an MNP reservation number (転出番号, ten-shutsu bangō). This number is valid for 15 days.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

You’ll typically need:

Your residence card (在留カード, zairyū kādo)
Your My Number or passport (depending on the verification method)
A Japanese bank account or credit card for billing

Step 3: Apply Through the Referral Link

Complete your Rakuten Mobile application online. Use the referral link to ensure your points are properly tracked.

Step 4: Receive Your SIM or eSIM

Rakuten Mobile supports both physical SIM and eSIM. eSIM is faster and can be activated the same day.

Step 5: Activate and Migrate

Follow the in-app instructions to activate your new SIM and your number will transfer from au, usually within a few hours to one business day.

For a more detailed walkthrough of each step, see: Rakuten Mobile AU MNP to Rakuten Mobile Steps: Complete Guide for Foreigners in Japan [2026 Guide]

Who Should Probably Stay with au

Let’s be honest: Rakuten Mobile is not the right choice for everyone.

Consider staying with au if:

You live in a rural or semi-rural area with weak Rakuten coverage
You frequently need in-person Japanese-language customer support
You regularly travel to areas outside major cities for work
You rely heavily on calling features that may not work through Rakuten Link

There’s no shame in staying. Au is a good carrier. The goal here is simply to make sure your decision is an informed one.

Final Verdict: Should You Make the Switch?

If you’ve read this far, you now have a clear picture of both sides. The demerits are real — coverage gaps, points timing, customer support limitations. None of them are trivial, and depending on your lifestyle, any one of them could be a deal-breaker.

But for a large portion of foreign residents in Japan — particularly those in urban areas who are comfortable with app-based services — the monthly savings are substantial and the point rewards are genuine.

The ¥3,278 flat rate, combined with 14,000 points for MNP switching through the employee referral campaign, makes this one of the more financially attractive mobile options available right now.

Ready to Check If Rakuten Mobile Works for You?

If you’ve decided the benefits outweigh the demerits for your situation, the referral link below gets you the maximum available points — 14,000 points for MNP, 11,000 points for new signup — which is 1,000 points more than the standard campaign.

👉 Apply via Employee Referral Link (Maximum Points)

Take your time, check the coverage map for your area first, and if it looks good — the math is genuinely in your favor.