Thinking about leaving SoftBank for Rakuten Mobile? You’re not alone. Thousands of foreign residents in Japan make this move every year — attracted by the ¥3,278 flat-rate unlimited plan and generous point campaigns. But not everyone walks away happy.
This guide covers the most common regrets people experience after switching from SoftBank to Rakuten Mobile, along with a practical checklist to help you avoid making the same mistakes. If you read this before you switch, you’ll be in a much stronger position to decide whether the move is right for you.
Why People Switch from SoftBank to Rakuten Mobile
Let’s start with the obvious appeal. SoftBank’s unlimited plans typically run ¥6,000–¥9,000 per month depending on your tier and contract. Rakuten Mobile’s single unlimited plan costs just ¥3,278 per month (tax included) — with truly unlimited data, no throttling at 20GB, and no hidden tiers.
That’s a potential saving of ¥30,000–¥70,000 per year. For long-term residents or anyone watching their monthly budget, that number is hard to ignore.
On top of that, Rakuten runs point campaigns for switchers. Through an employee referral link, you can currently receive 14,000 Rakuten Points for MNP (carrier switch), compared to 13,000 points through the standard campaign — that extra 1,000 points is referral-exclusive.
So the financial case is strong. But the regrets are real too.
The Most Common Regrets After Switching from SoftBank to Rakuten Mobile
1. Coverage Gaps in Rural or Indoor Locations
This is the number-one complaint. SoftBank has one of the most mature and geographically dense networks in Japan. Rakuten Mobile’s own network, while expanding, still has gaps — particularly in mountainous areas, basements, and older buildings.
If you live in a major city like Tokyo, Osaka, or Nagoya and spend most of your time above ground, you’ll likely be fine. Rakuten’s population coverage has been expanding steadily — see this overview of Rakuten Mobile’s coverage expansion progress in 2026 for the latest map details.
But if you commute through rural areas, visit family outside the city, or work in a basement office, test your specific routes before committing.
Checklist action: Use Rakuten Mobile’s official coverage checker at your home address, workplace, and regular commute stops. Don’t just check “populated areas” — check your actual locations.
2. Assuming the Rakuten Link App Is Optional
Here is one of the biggest traps for new users — especially for applications made from March 2, 2026 onward.
Under the current rules, you must make a call of 10 seconds or more using the Rakuten Link app to receive your bonus points. A data-only SIM is not eligible. If you sign up and never activate voice calls through the Rakuten Link app, you will not receive the points — regardless of whether you signed up via referral.
Many people discover this only after waiting months and wondering why their points never arrived.
Checklist action: Download the Rakuten Link app immediately after activation. Make a test call of at least 10 seconds to a friend, family member, or even a voicemail service. Do this as early as possible after your application.
3. Misunderstanding the Point Reward Timeline
Rakuten’s point campaign does not deposit all 14,000 points at once. The rewards arrive in 3 installments, starting 4 months after the month in which you used the referral link to log in.
For example: if you click the referral link and log in in June 2026, your first installment will arrive in October 2026. The remaining installments follow in subsequent months.
This surprises many people who expected an immediate payout. The points are still real and valuable — but if you’re counting on them right away, you’ll need to adjust your expectations.
Checklist action: Mark your calendar from the month you log in via referral. Expect the first batch of points roughly 4 months later.
4. Not Realizing the Points Are “Limited-Period Points”
This is a critical detail that many users overlook. The Rakuten Points you receive through this campaign are limited-period points, not regular Rakuten Points.
Limited-period points have an expiration date — they expire sooner than standard points and cannot be used for everything regular points can (for example, they cannot be used on some financial services or transferred). If you let them sit unused, they simply disappear.
This is especially relevant if you’re a foreign resident who doesn’t regularly shop on Rakuten Ichiba or use Rakuten services. You need a plan for how to spend these points before they expire.
Checklist action: Decide in advance how you’ll use your limited-period points. Options include online shopping on Rakuten Ichiba, hotel bookings via Rakuten Travel (which offers useful point multipliers for foreign residents), Rakuten Pay at convenience stores and supermarkets, or digital content services.
5. Not Keeping the SoftBank Number During MNP
Some people cancel their SoftBank line before properly completing the MNP transfer, or they hesitate and open Rakuten as a completely new number to avoid hassle.
If you open as a new signup, you receive 11,000 points (still good) but lose the full 14,000-point MNP bonus. More importantly, you lose your existing phone number — which creates headaches for banking apps, LINE verification, and professional contacts.
Checklist action: Always do MNP (number portability) rather than signing up fresh, unless you genuinely do not need your current number. Get your MNP transfer code from SoftBank before you start the Rakuten application.
6. Missing the 7-Day Login Window for the Referral Bonus
If you click a referral link but don’t complete your application immediately, the referral can still count — but only if you log in via the referral URL within 7 days of your application.
Some people click a referral link days before they’re ready to apply, then return later without the link — and miss the bonus entirely.
Checklist action: Save the referral link and use it again when you’re ready to complete your application. The login timing matters, not just the click.
7. Underestimating the Difference in Customer Support
SoftBank has brick-and-mortar stores across Japan with Japanese-speaking staff. Some locations offer multilingual support. Rakuten Mobile operates primarily online and through chat support.
For foreign residents who are not fully comfortable navigating Japanese-language support or troubleshooting technical issues independently, this can be a genuine frustration.
Checklist action: Before switching, browse Rakuten Mobile’s website and try using their chat support once to gauge your comfort level. Their English-language resources have improved but are still limited compared to carrier stores.
8. Forgetting to Check SoftBank Contract Lock-In Conditions
SoftBank may have early termination fees depending on your contract type, especially if you’re on a device installment plan with a bundled service discount.
Checklist action: Contact SoftBank or check your My SoftBank account to confirm whether you have any active installment agreements or contract commitments. Calculate whether any termination fees offset the savings from switching.
Situations Where Switching Makes Very Good Sense
To balance the caution above, here are scenarios where making the switch is often an excellent decision:
- You live and work in a major urban area with solid Rakuten coverage
- You’re on a high SoftBank plan and want to cut your monthly bill significantly
- You actively use Rakuten services (shopping, travel, pay) and can use limited-period points easily
- You want to add a second or third line at the same flat rate — Rakuten allows up to 5 lines per person
- You’re considering replacing your home internet — a growing number of users find that Rakuten Mobile’s unlimited data plan alone is sufficient. If that interests you, this article on going smartphone-only and canceling home internet is worth reading before you decide.
Quick Checklist: How to Avoid Regrets When Switching from SoftBank
Before you switch, go through this list:
- Check coverage at your home, workplace, and regular routes using Rakuten’s coverage map
- Confirm no SoftBank lock-in fees through My SoftBank or by calling their support line
- Get your MNP transfer code from SoftBank (valid for 15 days)
- Use the referral link at application time — don’t click it and return later without it
- Log in via the referral URL within 7 days of application if not done immediately
- Download Rakuten Link app immediately after activation
- Make a voice call of 10+ seconds via Rakuten Link to qualify for points (mandatory from March 2, 2026)
- Plan how to use limited-period points before they expire
- Note that points arrive in 3 installments, starting 4 months after your referral login month
A Note on Re-Contracts and Additional Lines
One less-known benefit of the employee referral campaign: re-contracts and second or additional lines are also eligible for the point bonus. This is exclusive to the employee referral — the standard friend referral does not cover these cases.
So if you previously had Rakuten Mobile, left, and are considering returning — or if you want to add a family line — this campaign still applies to you.
How to Apply with the Employee Referral
If you’ve read through the checklist and feel confident about the switch, here’s how to proceed properly:
- Visit the referral link to log in or create your Rakuten account: https://r10.to/henTIE
- Confirm you are logged in via this URL before starting your application
- Select MNP if transferring your SoftBank number (recommended for 14,000 points)
- Complete the application and SIM activation
- Download the Rakuten Link app and make a call of 10 seconds or more
If you don’t complete the application immediately, return to the same link within 7 days and log in again before finishing.
Final Thoughts
Switching from SoftBank to Rakuten Mobile can be a smart financial decision — especially with the current employee referral campaign offering up to 14,000 points for MNP transfers. But the regrets people experience are almost always avoidable with a little preparation.
Coverage is the one factor you genuinely need to verify for your own situation. Everything else — the point rules, the Rakuten Link requirement, the limited-period point expiry, the installment timing — can be managed once you understand how the system works.
Take the checklist seriously, use the referral link properly, and you’ll be in a strong position to enjoy the savings without the headaches.