Cheapest Unlimited Plan※2
¥1,078 for up to 3GB, and ¥3,278 for unlimited. Simple plan that adjusts based on your usage.
Save up to ¥4,000/month vs SoftBank, au, and docomo. Save over ¥48,000/year.※2
#1 Communication Service Ranking for Foreign Residents in Japan※1
SIM Card Guide for Foreign Residents 2026
Best Value in Japan with Rakuten Mobile
Simple pricing plan • No contract※2 • Easy English application
✨ Chosen by Foreign Residents in Japan ✨※1
- ✅ Eligible with Residence Card
- ✅ eSIM available — start same day
- ✅ No contract — cancel anytime※2
- ✅ Free domestic calls with Rakuten Link app※4
- ✅ Free contract fee for up to 4 lines※5
- ✅ English & multilingual support available
Is your phone compatible? Check compatible devices →
※1 MMD Research Institute survey "Communication Services for Foreign Residents / April 2025" ↗ Rakuten Mobile Tops MMD Labo Survey as Most Used Mobile Service Among Foreign Residents
※2 Cancellation fee is free for lines used over 1 year. Within 1 year, ¥1,078 for Rakuten SAIKYO Plan.
※3 Speed may be restricted due to fair service provision during peak times and other conditions. Excludes call charges, etc.
※4 When using Rakuten Link. ¥22/30s without Rakuten Link app. Some numbers excluded.
※5 Free contract fee for up to 4 lines. 5th line and beyond will be charged.
Why Rakuten Mobile is Chosen by Foreign Residents
The carrier chosen by many foreign residents including international students, long-term residents, and work visa holders in Japan.※1
Minimal Documents Required
Apply with just a Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate. No Japanese bank account needed. Pay by international credit card (Visa/Mastercard).
Apply in English
Rakuten Mobile's website and app support English. English support via Zoom available when applying. Complete the application online in 15 minutes. Free in-store support from English-speaking staff also available.
2GB International Roaming Monthly at No Extra Charge※3
2GB of international data per month at no extra charge in 100+ countries※3. Convenient when returning home or traveling.
Free Domestic Calls via App
Use the Rakuten Link app for free domestic calls. No need to worry about call charges within Japan.※4
No Contract Lock-in
Month-to-month plan — cancel anytime. No activation fee for up to 4 cumulative lines※5. No cancellation fee for lines used over 1 year※6. Perfect for students or workers with uncertain visa periods.
※1 MMD Research Institute survey "Communication Services for Foreign Residents / April 2025" ↗ Rakuten Mobile Tops MMD Labo Survey as Most Used Mobile Service Among Foreign Residents
※2 As of July 2023. Speed may be restricted due to fair service provision during peak times and other conditions. Excludes call charges, etc.
※3 Counted as plan data usage.
※4 Under Rakuten Link. ¥22/30s without app. Some numbers excluded.
※5 Free for up to 4 cumulative lines. Fee applies from 5th line onwards.
※6 No cancellation fee for lines used over 1 year. For Rakuten SAIKYO Plan, ¥1,078 applies within 1 year.
Rakuten SAIKYO Plan — Pricing
Your monthly bill automatically adjusts based on your data usage. No need to choose a plan.
Rakuten SAIKYO Plan
0 – 3 GB
¥1,078/mo
Light use — maps, messaging, browsing
3 – 20 GB
¥2,178/mo
Regular use — streaming, social media, remote work
20 GB+ (Unlimited)
¥3,278/mo
Heavy use — hotspot, video calls, no limits※1
※1 Speed may be restricted due to fair service provision during peak times and other conditions.
※2 Under Rakuten Link. ¥22/30s without app. Some numbers excluded.
※3 Counted as plan data usage.
※4 Free for up to 4 cumulative lines. Fee applies from 5th line onwards.
※5 No cancellation fee for lines used over 1 year. For Rakuten SAIKYO Plan, ¥1,078 applies within 1 year.
※ All prices include tax. Excludes call charges, etc.
Rakuten Employee Referral Campaign Now Live
Earn up to 14,000 Points by Applying via Referral Link※1
Apply through the referral link on this page and receive up to 14,000 Rakuten Points.
Points can be used for mobile payments and shopping on Rakuten Pay.
※1 Conditions apply, such as logging in via the referral campaign URL or starting service use before applying. Points will be awarded in installments starting four months after the referral login month.
14,000 pts
MNP (Number Transfer)
Switching from docomo, au, SoftBank or another carrier? Keep your existing number.
11,000 pts
New Contract
Getting a Japanese phone number for the first time. Apply with a new number.
How to Qualify for Points
- Apply and enter the campaign via the referral link below (log in with your Rakuten ID)
- Start using your Rakuten Mobile plan — by the end of the month, two months after entry
- Make an outgoing call of 10 seconds or more using the Rakuten Link app※ — by the end of the month, two months after entry
Points are distributed in installments starting 4 months after the referral login month.
※ Step 3 Rakuten Link call condition: some numbers excluded.
See the campaign page for the latest details.
※ Step 3 Rakuten Link call condition: some numbers excluded.
See the campaign page for the latest details.
Who is This For?
International Students
Studying in Japan for 1–4 years? No-contract low-cost plan, English app, and international calls at great rates via Rakuten Link.
Work Visa Holders
Moving to Japan for work? Use your existing phone and complete setup in 15 minutes. No activation fee for up to 4 cumulative lines.
Long-Term Residents
Living in Japan long-term? One affordable easy-to-use plan. No need to switch plans based on data usage. 99.9% population coverage with industry-leading network.※
Frequent Visitors
Come to Japan regularly? Keep your Rakuten Mobile SIM between visits. Maintain your number from as little as ¥1,078/month.
※ As of June 2023. Population coverage rate is calculated based on areas where communication is possible in more than 50% of approximately 500m grid segments used in the national census.
How to Apply as a Foreign National — Step by Step
Complete the entire process online in about 15 minutes.
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Prepare What You Need
You need: Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate · Credit/debit card (Visa/Mastercard) · Rakuten ID (Rakuten account). If you don't have a Rakuten ID, you can create one for free via the application link.
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Apply via Referral Link
📱 Check if your phone is compatible
Most SIM-unlocked phones are supported. Check compatible devices on the official site ↗Start your application via the referral link on this page (required to qualify for the point campaign). Select the Rakuten SAIKYO Plan — pricing auto-adjusts to your monthly usage.
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Identity Verification (IC Chip Reading)
Use the my Rakuten Mobile app to scan the IC chip on your Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate with an NFC-compatible smartphone. If your phone does not support NFC, you can also verify by mailing a copy of your Juminhyo (resident record) or apply in person at a store.
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Receive SIM or eSIM
Choose a physical SIM (delivered in 3–5 days) or an eSIM (instant). eSIM is the fastest option, compatible with the latest iPhones and Android devices.
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Activate & Connect
Follow the in-app English instructions to activate your SIM. Download the Rakuten Link app for free domestic calls (some numbers excluded). You're ready to go in minutes.
Apply for Rakuten Mobile (with referral campaign) →
Detailed application instructions are available on the campaign page.
Carrier Comparison
Approximate monthly pricing (tax included) for unlimited plans.
| Carrier | Monthly Cost (tax incl.) | Data |
|---|---|---|
| Rakuten Mobile Rakuten SAIKYO Plan |
¥1,078–3,278 | Up to unlimited ※Speed may be restricted due to fair service provision during peak times and other conditions. |
| docomo docomo MAX |
¥5,698–8,448 | Up to unlimited |
| SoftBank Merihari Unlimited Plus |
¥5,775–7,425 | Up to unlimited |
| au (KDDI) Unlimited Data MAX+ 5G/4G |
¥5,588–7,238 | Up to unlimited |
※ Information as of publication date. Discounts may apply via various campaigns.
※ Excludes call charges, etc.
See detailed comparison including Y!mobile, ahamo & Sakura Mobile →
Network Coverage
Population coverage rate 99.9%※1
Industry-leading network covering all of Japan※2
Check signal in your area on the official coverage map.
※1 As of June 2023. Population coverage rate is calculated based on areas where communication is possible in more than 50% of approximately 500m grid segments used in the national census.
※2 Connection may be difficult inside buildings and in some areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners sign up for Rakuten Mobile?
Yes! Foreign nationals with a Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate and a Japanese address can sign up. A credit/debit card and Rakuten ID are also required.
What documents are needed to apply?
- ID document (one of the following) — Residence Card / Special Permanent Resident Certificate
- NFC-compatible smartphone — for IC chip identity verification. If not supported, you can also verify by mailing a copy of your resident record (Juminhyo).
- Payment method (one of the following)
- Credit card (recommended)
- Japanese debit card
- Bank account auto-pay also available
- Rakuten ID & password — free to create via the application link
Can I apply at a store? Is English support available?
Yes, you can apply at any Rakuten Mobile shop nationwide. Rakuten Mobile is chosen by many foreign residents (MMD Research Institute 2025 ↗), and many stores have English-speaking staff, so even those not confident in Japanese can apply with peace of mind.
The following ID documents are accepted at stores:
- Residence Card
- Special Permanent Resident Certificate
- Diplomatic Identification Card (Certificate of Residential Address also required)
Does my phone bought overseas work?
Yes, most SIM-unlocked phones are compatible. iPhones and Android flagships are generally supported.
How much is the Rakuten SAIKYO Plan?
One plan with pricing that automatically changes based on monthly data usage:
- 0–3GB: ¥1,078/month (tax included)
- 3–20GB: ¥2,178/month (tax included)
- Over 20GB (unlimited): ¥3,278/month (tax included)※1
Monthly cap is ¥3,278. No need to choose a plan yourself.
What is the Rakuten Link app?
Rakuten Link is a free calling and messaging app provided by Rakuten Mobile. Using Rakuten Link makes domestic calls and SMS free※2.
Calling from the standard phone app costs ¥22/30 seconds. We strongly recommend downloading Rakuten Link.
Is it available nationwide in Japan? Can I use it overseas?
99.9% population coverage※3 means you can use it all across Japan. Note that connection may be difficult inside buildings.
Also, 2GB of international data per month at no extra charge in 100+ countries※4. Use it during trips home or while traveling.
Can I cancel anytime? What if I return home?
Yes, you can cancel anytime. No cancellation fee for lines used over 1 year※5. Cancel via the my Rakuten Mobile app.
After returning home, you can keep your number from as little as ¥1,078/month. 2GB international roaming per month at no extra charge in 100+ countries is also available overseas※4.
※1 Speed may be restricted due to fair service provision during peak times and other conditions. Excludes call charges, etc.
※2 Under Rakuten Link. ¥22/30s without app. Some numbers excluded.
※3 As of June 2023. Population coverage rate is calculated based on areas where communication is possible in more than 50% of approximately 500m grid segments used in the national census.
※4 Counted as plan data usage.
※5 No cancellation fee for lines used over 1 year. For Rakuten SAIKYO Plan, ¥1,078 applies within 1 year.
Ready to Apply for Rakuten Mobile?
✨ Chosen by Foreign Residents in Japan ✨※1. Apply online in 15 minutes. No contract.
Apply for Rakuten Mobile (with referral campaign)Unlimited data ¥3,278※2 • From ¥1,078/month • Cancel anytime※3
※1 MMD Research Institute survey "Communication Services for Foreign Residents / April 2025" ↗ Rakuten Mobile Tops MMD Labo Survey as Most Used Mobile Service Among Foreign Residents ※2 Speed may be restricted due to fair service provision during peak times and other conditions. Excludes call charges, etc. ※3 No cancellation fee for lines used over 1 year. For Rakuten SAIKYO Plan, ¥1,078 applies within 1 year.
About This Site
This guide is run by a Rakuten Group employee. All information is based on official Rakuten Mobile sources and aims to help foreign nationals in Japan sign up smoothly.
※ Plans and pricing subject to change. See the official site for details ↗