Making the Smart Switch: How Rakuten Mobile Simplified My Life in Japan

I was getting frustrated with paying around ¥8,000 every month with my previous carrier. It just didn't align with my actual phone usage patterns.

The real deal-breaker was the data throttling—hitting that limit and watching your connection slow to a crawl was incredibly frustrating, especially when you're trying to get work done or stay connected with family back home.

The difference has been substantial. My bill is now just ¥1,980 (¥2,178 incl. tax)* for up to 20GB of data.

Some months I use less, so I end up paying even less. It's made my monthly budgeting much more predictable, which is something you really appreciate when living abroad.

Absolutely! Before, I was constantly monitoring my data usage, especially when I wanted to stream videos or catch up on social media.

Now, I can freely use YouTube, check Facebook, or scroll through Instagram without that nagging worry about exceeding my data limit. That peace of mind is invaluable when you're living in a foreign country and staying connected is crucial.

The international roaming capabilities have exceeded my expectations, particularly during my trips back to the States. They provide 2GB of free data*, which covered my entire two-week visit home.

Between that and readily available Wi-Fi, I never had to worry about staying connected or getting hit with those notorious roaming charges that used to be a constant concern.

The performance has been consistently reliable. Rakuten Link worked flawlessly for staying in touch with colleagues and friends in Japan, and the data connection remained stable throughout my travels.

What really stood out was getting this level of service without the usual international roaming fees—it's made a huge difference for expats who travel regularly.

You know, after experiencing these benefits firsthand, especially with international travel, I knew it could help other expats in similar situations.

Most of my international colleagues frequently travel between Japan and their home countries, and they were dealing with the same frustrations I had—complicated plans and unexpected roaming charges. The clear pricing, reliable service, and easy international connection really resonated with them. It's the kind of practical solution that just makes sense for our lifestyle here.

The straightforward pricing structure and unlimited data* are major advantages.

Many newcomers to Japan find traditional mobile plans here overwhelming and confusing, but Rakuten Mobile keeps things refreshingly simple and transparent. The free calling through Rakuten Link** is another significant benefit for my daily communication needs.

Several of my colleagues have switched over after hearing about my experience.

They're particularly impressed with how well the Rakuten services work together—using points for shopping, dining out, and everyday expenses. The integration with services like Rakuten Ichiba and Rakuten Gurunavi has helped them get more value out of their spending here in Japan.

I'd tell them that Rakuten Mobile offers an excellent combination of straightforward pricing and practical benefits through their point system.

For expats specifically, having access to English support and user-friendly service makes a huge difference when you're still finding your feet in Japan. The pricing is clear—¥2,980 (¥3,278 incl. tax) for unlimited data*—and the point system adds real value to your daily life here.