Rakuten Mobile: A Comprehensive Review for International Travelers

Rakuten Mobile Review: The Ultimate Guide Before You Switch

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Navigating Japan’s mobile carrier landscape can be a challenge, with three giants—Docomo, au, and SoftBank—dominating for decades. But in 2020, a new contender entered the ring with a promise of simplicity, affordability, and digital-first innovation. That contender is Rakuten Mobile. If you’re living in or traveling to Japan, you’ve likely heard the buzz, but you’re probably asking the big questions: Is it any good? Can you trust it? This comprehensive rakuten mobile review will break down everything you need to know.

From its revolutionary pricing model to its network performance and English support, we’ll cover all the critical details. We aim to provide an unbiased, in-depth rakuten review to help you decide if this disruptive carrier is the right choice for your needs.

Table of Contents

What Is Rakuten Mobile and How Does It Work?

So, what is Rakuten Mobile? Launched by the e-commerce giant Rakuten, it is Japan’s fourth major mobile network operator (MNO). Unlike its competitors, Rakuten built its network from the ground up as the world’s first fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network. This modern infrastructure is a key reason it can offer such competitive pricing.

Now for the next question: how does Rakuten Mobile work? It operates on a dual-network system. In major cities and increasingly across the country, your phone connects directly to Rakuten’s own network. In areas where Rakuten’s towers are not yet built, your service seamlessly switches to a partner network.

For a long time, people have asked, what network does rakuten mobile use for its roaming partner? The answer is KDDI’s “au” network, one of Japan’s most extensive and reliable networks. This ensures that even if you’re outside Rakuten’s native coverage, you still have a strong connection. So, which network does Rakuten Mobile use? It’s a combination of its own growing network and the established au network, giving users broad coverage from day one.

Rakuten Mobile Plans: A Deep Dive into the “Saikyo Plan”

Simplicity is at the core of Rakuten’s offering. Instead of a confusing array of options, they center everything on a single, flexible plan: the Rakuten Saikyo Plan. This is one of the main highlights in many rakuten mobile reviews.

The beauty of the rakuten mobile plans lies in its tiered pricing, which automatically adjusts to your monthly data consumption:

  • 0 to 3GB: ¥1,078 (tax included)
  • 3GB to 20GB: ¥2,178 (tax included)
  • Over 20GB: ¥3,278 (tax included) for truly unlimited data.

This means if you have a light-usage month, you pay less. If you need to stream, game, or tether heavily, you get rakuten mobile unlimited data on the Rakuten network for a flat, affordable fee. This rakuten unlimited plan is a game-changer compared to the often expensive unlimited options from other carriers.

Furthermore, all domestic calls and texts are free when using the dedicated Rakuten Link app, which uses data or Wi-Fi to make calls instead of the traditional cellular network.

Network Coverage and Performance: Is Rakuten Mobile Good?

This is the million-yen question. Is Rakuten Mobile good in Japan? The answer depends heavily on your location. In major metropolitan areas like Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, Rakuten’s native network is robust, fast, and constantly expanding. Users in these areas often report excellent speeds and a very reliable connection. The carrier is also aggressively rolling out its 5G network, so the question of is Rakuten Mobile 5G is a definite yes, with coverage growing daily.

However, in more rural or mountainous regions, the service relies more on the partner au network. While this provides excellent coverage, some users have historically reported slower speeds when roaming. This has led to mixed experiences and is often the source of any discussion about is Rakuten Mobile bad. That said, Rakuten has made significant improvements to its partner network agreement, removing previous data speed caps and making the experience more seamless. For the vast majority of people living in populated areas, the network is more than sufficient.

A Lifeline for Expats and Tourists: Rakuten Mobile for Foreigners

Rakuten has earned a stellar reputation among the international community in Japan, and for good reason. The entire sign-up process can be completed online in English, making rakuten mobile for foreigners an incredibly accessible option.

The availability of rakuten mobile english support is a significant advantage. While not all store staff may be fluent, the online application and support website are fully translated, removing a major barrier for non-Japanese speakers.

For visitors, the flexibility is a huge plus. You can easily get a rakuten sim card for tourist use by signing up for the monthly plan and simply canceling it before you leave, as there are no long-term contracts. Alternatively, the rakuten esim tourist option allows you to activate a plan on a compatible phone without needing a physical SIM card. Getting a rakuten esim japan plan is often faster and more convenient for travelers. You can get either a physical rakuten mobile sim card or opt for the digital eSIM.

Staying Connected Abroad: International Roaming and Pocket WiFi

One of Rakuten Mobile’s standout features is its generous rakuten mobile international roaming policy. Subscribers get 2GB of free high-speed data per month in over 70 designated countries and regions. This is included with the standard plan at no extra cost, making it perfect for short trips abroad without the need to buy a separate travel SIM.

For those who need more data or want to connect multiple devices, Rakuten also offers a rakuten mobile pocket wifi device. This portable hotspot, often simply called rakuten pocket wifi, runs on the same mobile network. A rakuten pocket wifi review would highlight its convenience and affordability, providing a dedicated rakuten wifi connection for your laptop, tablet, and other gadgets whether you’re at home or on the go in Japan.

Phones, eSIM, and Device Compatibility

You can bring your own device to Rakuten Mobile, but it’s crucial to check the list of rakuten mobile compatible phones on their official website first. Most modern, unlocked iPhones and a wide range of Android devices are fully compatible.

Rakuten also sells a selection of devices directly. You can purchase the latest iPhone or a budget-friendly Android rakuten phone. They even have their own line of affordable devices, and a rakuten hand review, for instance, would note its compact size and solid performance for its price point.

The carrier was an early adopter of eSIM technology. So, does Rakuten Mobile support eSIM? Absolutely. Setting up a rakuten mobile esim is a simple process done entirely online by scanning a QR code. This makes switching to their service incredibly fast. If you get a new phone, the rakuten esim transfer process is also straightforward. Learning how to transfer rakuten esim to new phone can be done through your “my Rakuten Mobile” account dashboard, ensuring a smooth transition. The convenience of a rakuten esim cannot be overstated.

The Application and Customer Service Experience

The question of how to apply rakuten mobile is easily answered: you can do it online or in person at a Rakuten Mobile shop. The online process is highly recommended for its convenience and English interface. You’ll need a valid residence card (for foreigners living in Japan) and a credit card.

Customer service is another important factor. Rakuten offers support via phone, chat, and in-store. While in-person English support can be hit-or-miss depending on the location, the official rakuten mobile english support through their online channels and phone lines is generally helpful. Many users seek out rakuten mobile customer service english options and find the chat support to be the most efficient method for resolving issues.

Should you decide to leave, the process to cancel rakuten mobile is free of charge and can be done online through your account, reflecting the company’s no-contract, no-hassle philosophy.

Rakuten Mobile Pros and Cons: A Quick Summary

To make your decision easier, here is a breakdown of the rakuten pros and cons:

Pros:

  • Affordable and Simple Pricing: The Saikyo Plan is transparent and cost-effective.
  • Unlimited Data: True unlimited high-speed data on the Rakuten network is a huge selling point.
  • Free Domestic Calls: The Rakuten Link app saves you a lot of money on calls.
  • Generous International Roaming: 2GB of free data abroad per month is an incredible value.
  • No Contracts or Cancellation Fees: Maximum flexibility for users.
  • Good English Support: The online application and support are foreigner-friendly.

Cons:

  • Developing Network: Native coverage in rural areas is still catching up to the big three.
  • App-Dependent Free Calls: You must use the Rakuten Link app for free calls, which some find inconvenient.
  • Customer Service Varies: While English support exists, the quality can be inconsistent, particularly in stores.

The Final Verdict: Is Rakuten Worth It?

After a thorough review, the verdict on is rakuten worth it is a resounding yes for a large majority of users. If you live in a city or a well-populated area, the combination of low cost, unlimited data, and valuable perks like international roaming is almost impossible to beat. The service is rakuten reliable for daily use, from streaming to navigation.

This review rakuten concludes that the value proposition is exceptionally strong. For budget-conscious individuals, tech-savvy users, foreigners living in Japan, and frequent travelers, Rakuten Mobile is an excellent choice. As we look at rakuten reviews, the network continues to improve, making it an even more compelling option. The rakuten mobile sim or eSIM is a gateway to one of the most competitively priced mobile plans in the developed world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rakuten Mobile good Reddit?
General sentiment on platforms like Reddit is largely positive, especially concerning the price and unlimited data. Many users share tips on how to maximize the service. However, you’ll also find threads discussing coverage issues in specific rural locations, reflecting the balanced view that performance is location-dependent.

Is Rakuten legit?
Yes, absolutely. Rakuten legit status is unquestionable. It is the fourth official Mobile Network Operator (MNO) in Japan, fully licensed and regulated by the Japanese government, putting it on the same level as Docomo, au, and SoftBank.

Is Rakuten safe?
Yes, is Rakuten safe is a common question, and the answer is positive. As a major telecommunications company in Japan, Rakuten Mobile adheres to strict security and privacy standards to protect customer data. Its network infrastructure is modern and secure.

What is the Rakuten Mobile usage like for data?
The rakuten mobile usage for data is designed to be worry-free. You can use as much data as you want on Rakuten’s native network without any speed throttling for a flat fee of ¥3,278 per month. If you use less than 20GB, your bill is automatically lower, making it flexible for all types of users.

Does Rakuten Mobile have English support?
Yes, does Rakuten Mobile have English support is one of its key strengths for the international community. The official website, application process, and customer chat/phone support are all available in English, which is a significant advantage over many of its competitors.