Getting a Phone in Japan
No phone, no bank account, everything in Japanese? We've walked 50+ people through this. Here's the cheat sheet.
¥14,000
bonus points
5 min
to lock it in
#1
carrier for foreigners
You just got to Japan. No phone service. Google Maps won't load. You can't order food, call a taxi, or read anything. Everyone says "get a SIM" but nobody mentions you need a bank account first — which takes weeks.
We work at Rakuten and we've seen this exact situation dozens of times. Here's the shortcut we figured out: you can lock in a ¥14,000 signup bonus right now — before you have a bank account — with just an email address. Then finish the actual signup when you're ready.
8 min read. First action takes 5 minutes. No bank account needed.
Lock in your bonus — takes 5 minutes
Through our employee referral, you get up to ¥14,000 in Rakuten Points. Signing up on your own gives you about ¥2,000. That's ¥9,000–¥12,000 you'd leave on the table.
You don't need a bank account or Japanese credit card for this step. Just an email. You're not signing up for anything yet — you're just bookmarking your bonus. You have about 2 months to finish the actual application.
Get Your Bonus →Free. Opens Rakuten's login page. Log in or create an account to lock in your referral bonus.
※ Conditions apply including referral URL login before application and service activation. Points awarded in installments starting 4 months after referral login.
Wait, what is Rakuten?
Fair question. Rakuten is Japan's largest internet company — think of it as Japan's Amazon. Founded in 1997, over 100 million members in Japan, 1.9 billion users worldwide. You may have seen the logo on the jerseys of a top European football club.
Rakuten Mobile is their phone carrier. 10 million subscribers as of December 2025. Among foreign residents in Japan, it's the #1 most used carrier at 21% market share — nearly double the #2. Customer satisfaction ranked #1 for 3 years running.
One plan. Pay for what you use:
Up to 3GB
¥1,078
/month
3–20GB
¥2,178
/month
20GB–unlimited
¥3,278
/month
Can I sign up?
Quick check. You need all three for the full application (Phase 2), but for Phase 1 (locking your bonus), you only need the email.
How the bonus works
Rakuten runs a referral program. When you sign up through someone's link, both of you get points. Through our employee referral, you get the maximum bonus.
Earn up to
¥14,000
in points
Without referral
With our link
Points are awarded in installments starting 4 months after referral link login. 1 point = ¥1, usable at convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, and for phone bill payment. Over 1.2 million locations across Japan.
Already had Rakuten Mobile before? You're still eligible if you cancelled and re-subscribe. The referral bonus applies to returning subscribers too.
The 2-phase approach
Here's the problem: to get a phone, you need a bank account. To get a bank account, you often need an address and some time. So we split the process in two.
Phase 1: Lock your bonus (today, 5 min)
You only need an email address.
Open our referral link
Click here to open the referral page — This takes you to Rakuten's official login page.
Create your Rakuten ID (or log in)
If you don't have one yet, click "Rakuten Member Registration." The page supports English, Japanese, and Chinese — look for the language toggle at the top. You'll need:
- Email address
- Password (6+ characters)
- First and last name
Confirm the referral is linked
After logging in, you should see a confirmation page mentioning the referral campaign. That's it — your bonus is locked. Bookmark this guide for Phase 2.
Phase 2: Actually subscribe (when ready, ~15 min)
You need: Residence Card + Japanese bank account or credit card. Typically 1–2 weeks after arriving.
Go to Rakuten Mobile
Visit network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp and click "お申し込み" (Apply). Log in with the same Rakuten ID from Phase 1.
Choose your plan
There's only one plan (Rakuten Strongest Plan). Pick your SIM type: eSIM if your phone supports it (fastest — activate instantly), or physical SIM if not.
Identity verification
Upload photos of your Residence Card (front and back). The AI verification usually takes a few minutes. If it fails, you can also verify at one of the physical stores — 162 of them have AI translation devices for non-Japanese speakers.
Payment setup
Enter your Japanese bank account or credit card. Most banks take 1–2 weeks to set up an account after you register at your ward office. Some, like Rakuten Bank, can be opened online.
Activate your SIM
eSIM: Follow the on-screen QR code setup. Takes 5 minutes. Physical SIM: Arrives in 1–3 days by mail. Insert and restart your phone.
After you're set up
A few things to do once your SIM is active:
Install Rakuten Link
Make all calls through this app — domestic calls are free, and international calls to 70+ countries are free. If you call from the regular phone app, you'll be charged.
Set up My Rakuten Mobile
to check your data usage and bill. The app has English support.
Use your points
The bonus points start coming in about 4 months after your referral login. Use them at convenience stores, supermarkets, or put them toward your monthly bill. No conversion needed — just link Rakuten Pay to your Rakuten account.
Check SPU status
If you shop on Rakuten Ichiba (Japan's largest e-commerce platform), being a Rakuten Mobile subscriber boosts your point earning rate. It adds up fast if you buy daily necessities online.
Rakuten Official Guides
Deep dives into the ecosystem based on official specs.
More Guides for Life in Japan
Each guide covers a topic you'll face in your first weeks. Written by people who work at Rakuten and have been through it.
Your First Week in Japan
Day-by-day checklist from airport to settled.
Opening a Bank Account
Which banks accept foreigners and how.
Ward Office Registration
What to do on day 1 at your local city hall.
Japan SIM Card Options
Comparing carriers on cost and English support.
Rakuten Points Guide
How to earn, spend, and maximize points.