povo2.0 vs Rakuten Mobile: Price, Top-Up, Points & Which Is Better for Foreign Residents in Japan [2026 Guide]
If you’re a foreign resident in Japan looking to cut your phone bill, you’ve probably come across two popular options: povo2.0 and Rakuten Mobile. Both are known for being budget-friendly and SIM-friendly for non-Japanese users, but they work in very different ways. This guide breaks down everything you need to know — pricing, data plans, point rewards, and overall value — so you can decide which one fits your lifestyle in 2026.
Quick Overview: What Are povo2.0 and Rakuten Mobile?
povo2.0 is au’s self-serve mobile plan. It has a base charge of ¥0/month, but you purchase “topups” (data add-ons) as needed. There’s no automatic monthly data allowance — you pay only when you need it.
Rakuten Mobile is Japan’s fourth major carrier. For a flat ¥3,278/month (tax included), you get truly unlimited data on Rakuten’s own network, with no throttling, no data caps, and no complicated tiers. It also comes with free calls through the Rakuten Link app.
Both are popular with foreign residents because they’re flexible and don’t require long-term contracts. But they suit very different usage patterns.
Pricing Comparison: Month-to-Month Reality
povo2.0 Pricing
| Topup Option | Price (tax included) | Valid Period |
|---|---|---|
| 1GB | ¥390 | 7 days |
| 3GB | ¥990 | 30 days |
| 20GB | ¥2,700 | 30 days |
| 60GB | ¥6,490 | 90 days |
| Unlimited (24hrs) | ¥330 | 1 day |
| No topup (base) | ¥0 | 128Kbps only |
At first glance, the ¥0 base plan looks amazing. But realistically, if you use more than 3–4GB per month (which most smartphone users do), you’ll likely be purchasing the 20GB topup regularly at ¥2,700/month — or combining multiple topups, which adds up quickly.
If you’re a heavy data user — streaming, video calls, Google Maps daily — povo2.0 can easily cost ¥2,700–¥3,500/month with no loyalty rewards.
Rakuten Mobile Pricing
Rakuten Mobile has a single plan:
- ¥3,278/month (tax included) — unlimited data, unlimited Rakuten Link calls
That’s it. No tiers, no topups, no surprise bills. For most regular smartphone users, this is actually competitive with or cheaper than povo2.0 once you factor in consistent data usage.
Bottom line on price: For light users (under 3GB/month), povo2.0 wins. For moderate-to-heavy users, Rakuten Mobile’s flat rate is more predictable and often cheaper overall.
Network Coverage: Where Does Each Work?
povo2.0 runs on au’s network, which has strong 4G/5G coverage across Japan, including rural areas and underground stations.
Rakuten Mobile has its own network covering most major cities and suburbs. In areas outside its own network, it roams on au’s network (with a data cap). Coverage has improved significantly and is solid in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Sapporo.
If you live in a rural area or frequently travel to the Japanese countryside, povo2.0’s au backbone may give you more consistent coverage. If you’re urban-based, Rakuten Mobile’s network is more than sufficient.
Points & Rewards: This Is Where Rakuten Mobile Stands Out
This is a major differentiator that many comparison articles overlook.
povo2.0 Points
povo2.0 does not have a significant ongoing points or rewards program. You occasionally see topup campaigns with au PAY or Ponta points, but there’s no structured loyalty benefit for regular users.
Rakuten Mobile Points
Rakuten Mobile is deeply integrated into the Rakuten Ecosystem — the same platform that includes Rakuten Ichiba (Japan’s largest online shopping mall), Rakuten Pay, Rakuten Bank, Rakuten Travel, and more. Simply being a Rakuten Mobile subscriber boosts your SPU (Super Point Up Program) multiplier, giving you more Rakuten Points on purchases you’re already making.
For foreign residents who shop online or use Rakuten services, this is genuinely valuable. If you use Rakuten Travel for hotel bookings in Japan, your point multiplier goes up significantly. For more detail on maximizing this, see our guide: Rakuten Travel × Rakuten Mobile Point Multiplier: Hotel Booking & Travel Savings Tips for Foreign Residents in Japan [2026 Guide].
The Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral Campaign: Up to 14,000 Points
One of the most compelling reasons to choose Rakuten Mobile right now — especially if you’re switching from another carrier — is the employee referral campaign.
How Many Points Can You Get?
| Application Type | Normal Campaign | Via Employee Referral Link |
|---|---|---|
| MNP (carrier switch) | 13,000 points | 14,000 points |
| New number signup | Not specified | 11,000 points |
Using an employee referral link gets you 1,000 extra points on top of the standard MNP bonus. That’s a meaningful difference — 14,000 Rakuten Points is essentially ¥14,000 you can use on shopping, travel, dining, and more.
Important Details About These Points
Before you get too excited, here are the key rules you need to understand:
1. Points are “limited-period points” (期間限定ポイント) These are NOT regular Rakuten Points. Limited-period points have an earlier expiration date than standard points. You’ll need to use them promptly after they’re awarded. Plan ahead — whether that’s online shopping on Rakuten Ichiba, paying utility bills via Rakuten Pay, or booking accommodation on Rakuten Travel.
2. Points are paid in 3 installments The points are not all awarded at once. They’re distributed in three separate installments, starting 4 months after the month you first log in via the referral link. Budget your point usage accordingly.
3. A phone call is required to receive points (from March 2, 2026) If you apply from March 2, 2026 onward, you must make at least one call of 10 seconds or more using the Rakuten Link app to qualify for the points. Data-only SIM users are not eligible. This is a simple step — just call a friend or even Rakuten customer service — but don’t skip it.
4. Login timing matters You need to log in via the referral URL within 7 days of your application. If you miss this window, you won’t be counted as a referral. If you apply directly and realize you forgot, you have a 7-day grace period to log in via the referral link and still qualify.
Who Is Eligible? (Broader Than You Might Expect)
This is an important point that surprises many people: re-contracts and 2nd or additional lines are also eligible under the employee referral campaign. This is an exclusive feature of employee referrals — it’s not available through the standard friend referral program.
In practice, this means:
- If you left Rakuten Mobile before and want to come back, you can still get 14,000 points (MNP) or 11,000 points (new number)
- If you already have one Rakuten Mobile line and want to add a second line for a family member or a work number, that line is also eligible
- Up to 5 lines per person can benefit from this campaign
Switching from Another Carrier: MNP Made Simple
If you’re currently on SoftBank, au, docomo, or another MVNO and considering a switch, MNP (Mobile Number Portability) lets you keep your existing phone number. The process is straightforward:
- Get your MNP transfer code from your current carrier (usually done online or via their app)
- Apply to Rakuten Mobile using the referral link
- Log in within 7 days of application
- Make a 10-second+ call via Rakuten Link app
- Await your point installments starting around month 4
If you’re coming from SoftBank specifically and want to know what to watch out for, this guide covers common pitfalls: Regrets After Switching from SoftBank to Rakuten Mobile: Reasons, Checklist & How to Avoid Failure [2026 Guide].
Side-by-Side Summary: povo2.0 vs Rakuten Mobile
| Category | povo2.0 | Rakuten Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost (regular user) | ¥2,700–¥3,500+ | ¥3,278 (fixed) |
| Data | Pay-per-use topups | Truly unlimited |
| Calls | Charged separately | Free via Rakuten Link |
| Network | au (nationwide) | Rakuten + au roaming |
| Points/Rewards | Minimal | Rakuten SPU + signup bonus |
| Signup bonus | None | Up to 14,000 points (referral) |
| Contract | None | None |
| Best for | Very light/irregular users | Regular-to-heavy users |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose povo2.0 if:
- You use very little data (under 2–3GB/month consistently)
- You need a backup SIM for travel or emergencies
- You want a ¥0/month option for months when you don’t use your phone much
- You frequently travel to rural Japan and need strong coverage
Choose Rakuten Mobile if:
- You use 5GB+ of data per month
- You want a predictable, fixed monthly bill
- You’re active in the Rakuten ecosystem and want points on everything
- You’re switching from another carrier and want to earn 14,000 points upfront
- You want free unlimited calls (via Rakuten Link)
- You’re adding a second line for yourself or a family member
For most foreign residents in Japan who use their phone regularly for maps, social media, streaming, and video calls, Rakuten Mobile offers better overall value — especially when you factor in the signup point bonus and long-term SPU benefits.
How to Apply via Employee Referral
If you’ve decided Rakuten Mobile is right for you, applying through an employee referral link is straightforward and gets you the maximum available points.
Here’s the employee referral link: 👉 Apply here for up to 14,000 points (MNP) or 11,000 points (new number)
A few reminders before you apply:
- Make sure to log in via the referral link within 7 days of your application
- After activation, make a call of 10 seconds or more via the Rakuten Link app to qualify (required for applications from March 2, 2026)
- Your points will arrive in 3 installments starting from month 4
- Points are limited-period points — check your expiry date and use them before they expire
Whether you’re switching via MNP, signing up with a new number, re-contracting, or adding a second line, this referral campaign has you covered. Take your time, read the conditions carefully, and make the switch when it works best for you.