Ahamo vs Rakuten Mobile Comparison [2026 Guide]: Which Is Better for Foreign Residents in Japan? Price, Data & Real Differences Explained

If you’re living in Japan and thinking about switching to a more affordable mobile plan, you’ve probably come across two major names: ahamo (from NTT Docomo) and Rakuten Mobile. Both are popular among cost-conscious users, but they have some important differences that can make one a much better fit for your lifestyle than the other.

This guide breaks down the key differences between ahamo and Rakuten Mobile — including pricing, data limits, international usability, and bonus point campaigns — to help you make an informed decision.

Quick Summary: Ahamo vs Rakuten Mobile at a Glance

Feature	Ahamo	Rakuten Mobile
Monthly Fee	¥2,970 (20GB) / ¥4,950 (100GB)	¥3,278 (unlimited)
Data Cap	20GB or 100GB	Truly unlimited
Network	Docomo (nationwide)	Rakuten + au (partner)
Overseas Data	20GB included	2GB/day (roaming)
Calls	5-minute free calls	Free via Rakuten Link app
English Support	Limited	Available
Signup Bonus	None currently	Up to 14,000 points via referral

Pricing: Which Plan Is Actually Cheaper?

At first glance, ahamo’s basic plan at ¥2,970/month looks cheaper than Rakuten Mobile’s ¥3,278/month. However, that comparison only holds up if you stay within ahamo’s 20GB data limit.

If you’re a moderate-to-heavy data user — streaming videos, working remotely, or using maps frequently — you could easily exceed 20GB. In that case, you’d need to upgrade to ahamo’s 100GB plan at ¥4,950/month, which is significantly more expensive.

Rakuten Mobile, on the other hand, offers truly unlimited data for a flat ¥3,278/month (tax included). There are no tiered tiers, no throttling surprises, and no worrying about going over your limit. For anyone who regularly uses more than 20GB per month, Rakuten Mobile is simply the better value.

Bottom line on price: If you use under 20GB/month consistently, ahamo is slightly cheaper. If you use more — or just don’t want to track your usage — Rakuten Mobile wins on value.

Network Coverage: Docomo vs Rakuten

This is one of the most commonly asked questions, and it’s worth being honest here.

Ahamo runs on NTT Docomo’s network, which is one of the most extensive and reliable mobile networks in Japan. Rural areas, mountainous regions, subway tunnels — Docomo covers them well. If you travel frequently outside major cities or live in a rural area, ahamo has a clear advantage here.

Rakuten Mobile operates its own network primarily in urban areas, and partners with au (KDDI) to fill in coverage gaps in rural and suburban regions. In cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, Rakuten Mobile’s coverage is generally solid. But in some rural areas or less-populated regions, you may notice weaker signal or occasional fallback to the partner network.

If reliable coverage outside of major cities is a top priority for you, ahamo’s Docomo backbone gives it an edge. That said, for most people living and working in urban Japan, Rakuten Mobile performs perfectly well day to day.

Want to check if coverage has been an issue for others? See real user experiences in our article: Rakuten Mobile No Signal & Connection Issues: Complete Troubleshooting + Coverage Check Guide for Foreign Residents in Japan

Calls and Messaging: Free Calls on Rakuten Link

Both plans offer some form of free calling, but the approach is different.

Ahamo includes 5 minutes of free calls per call, with additional minutes charged at ¥22/30 seconds. If you make frequent long calls, costs can add up.

Rakuten Mobile offers completely free unlimited calls through the Rakuten Link app (available for iOS and Android). As long as you make calls via the app, there’s no charge regardless of duration. For foreign residents who call family or businesses regularly, this is a major practical advantage.

One important note: starting from applications made on or after March 2, 2026, a call of at least 10 seconds or more via the Rakuten Link app is required to become eligible for the signup bonus points. Data-only SIM users are not eligible. So if you’re planning to claim the referral bonus, make sure to actually use the app for a call shortly after activating your SIM.

International Use: Overseas Data and Roaming

Foreign residents in Japan often travel back home or internationally, so this is a relevant factor.

Ahamo shines here with 20GB of overseas roaming data included at no extra charge in over 80 countries and regions. This is a genuine convenience for frequent travelers.

Rakuten Mobile offers 2GB per day of overseas data, which is usable in select countries. It’s sufficient for light use while traveling, but not as seamless as ahamo’s flat 20GB inclusion.

If international travel is frequent and data-heavy for you, ahamo has a notable advantage.

Here’s where Rakuten Mobile pulls ahead in a big way for new signups: the employee referral campaign.

How Much Can You Get?

By signing up through an employee referral link, you can receive:

14,000 points if you switch via MNP (number portability from another carrier)
11,000 points if you sign up with a new number

For comparison, the standard (non-referral) MNP campaign offers 13,000 points — so using a referral link gives you an extra 1,000 points on top.

These points can be used across the wide Rakuten ecosystem — shopping on Rakuten Ichiba, travel bookings, and more — making them genuinely useful in everyday life.

Important Details About the Points

There are a few things to keep in mind so you don’t miss out:

Points are awarded in 3 installments, starting 4 months after the month you logged in via the referral link.
The points are “limited-period points” — not regular Rakuten points. This means they have a shorter expiration window. Make sure to use them promptly once they arrive, or they will expire before you can spend them.
Re-contracts and second/additional lines are also eligible for the employee referral bonus — this is an exclusive benefit not available through the regular friend referral program.
Maximum of 5 lines per person are eligible.
Login rescue rule: If you apply and log in to the referral URL within 7 days of your application date, it still counts as a qualifying referral.

For a deeper dive into how Rakuten’s point system works and what to do if points don’t arrive, check out: Rakuten Mobile Points Not Received? [2026 Guide] Reasons, How to Check & Solutions for Foreign Residents in Japan

English Support and Accessibility for Foreign Residents

One often-overlooked factor for non-Japanese speakers living in Japan is language support.

Ahamo is a Japanese-language service with limited English support. The app and website are primarily in Japanese, and customer support is mainly available in Japanese.

Rakuten Mobile offers more foreigner-friendly options. Their website has English support pages, and the signup process can be completed more easily in English. For foreign residents who aren’t yet fully comfortable with Japanese, Rakuten Mobile tends to be more accessible.

Who Should Choose Ahamo?

Ahamo is a good fit if:

You use under 20GB of data per month reliably
You frequently travel internationally and want simple overseas roaming
You live or work in a rural area where Docomo’s coverage is important
You prefer a plan backed by one of Japan’s most established carriers

Who Should Choose Rakuten Mobile?

Rakuten Mobile is likely the better choice if:

You’re a heavy data user (or just want unlimited without thinking about it)
You make frequent or long calls and want them free via Rakuten Link
You want to earn Rakuten points and use them within the Rakuten ecosystem
You’re signing up via MNP and want to take advantage of the 14,000 point referral bonus
You have multiple lines to set up (re-contracts and additional lines also qualify)
You prefer English-accessible support as a foreign resident

Thinking About Switching? A Few Things to Consider First

Switching mobile carriers is a meaningful decision, and it’s worth going in with realistic expectations. Rakuten Mobile offers excellent value, but like any carrier, it’s not perfect for everyone — coverage experience can vary depending on where you live and work.

If you want to read honest, real-world experiences from other foreign residents who have switched, it’s worth a look at: Rakuten Mobile Regrets & Real Failure Stories [2026 Guide]: What People Noticed After Switching — Honest Review for Foreign Residents in Japan

Being informed before you switch is always a good idea.

Final Verdict: Ahamo vs Rakuten Mobile

Both plans are solid choices and represent a significant improvement over Japan’s older, expensive carrier contracts. The “right” answer depends on your individual usage habits and priorities.

That said, for unlimited data at a flat rate with a meaningful signup bonus, Rakuten Mobile offers exceptional value — especially when signing up through a referral link that adds extra points to your reward.

If you’ve decided that Rakuten Mobile is the right fit, signing up through an employee referral link is straightforward and gives you access to the higher point bonus.

Here’s a quick checklist before you apply:

✅ Prepare your residence card (在留カード) and a Japanese credit or debit card
✅ Make sure to log in via the referral link before or within 7 days of applying
✅ After activation, make at least one call of 10 seconds or longer via the Rakuten Link app (required for applications from March 2, 2026 onward)
✅ Use your limited-period points promptly once they arrive — don’t let them expire

You can sign up using the employee referral link here: 👉 Apply via Employee Referral Link (14,000pt for MNP / 11,000pt for new signup)

Take your time to compare, and choose the plan that genuinely fits your life in Japan.