Are you looking for a mobile carrier in Japan? The previous article below introduced the basic plans of docomo and au. Rakuten Mobile is another mobile carrier and is one of the four main carriers along with docomo, Softbank, and au.
In this article, we will guide you through the basic plans that Rakuten Mobile offers. For those who are not familiar with Rakuten, it is a Japanese electronic commerce and online retail company. It was founded in 1997 by Hiroshi Mikitani and has since grown to become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Currently, they operate a diverse range of services, such as the Rakuten marketplace, financial services, and travel.
Please be aware that the prices listed below represent the base fees, which may be subject to change based on ongoing campaigns or the discount options you choose to apply.
*the main photo by pixabay
Table of Contents
Rakuten Mobile
Rakuten Mobile offers two main plans: the Rakuten Saikyo Plan and the Rakuten Saikyo Plan (Data Type). Both plans have a monthly fee of 2,980 yen (excluding tax) for unlimited data communication, with the potential for decreased speed depending on the environment. If monthly data usage is less than 3GB, the payment automatically reduces to 980 yen (excluding tax). The primary distinction lies in voice communication capabilities.
#1 Rakuten Saikyo Plan
- Allows voice communications, providing traditional phone call functionality.
- Suitable for users who require standard voice calling features.
- Emergency calls to services like 119 or 110 are supported.
#2 Rakuten Saikyo Plan (Data Type)
- Only allows voice communication through apps such as LINE.
- Not suitable for emergency calls like 119 or 110 as traditional voice calling is restricted.
- Payment can be made exclusively through Rakuten Card for this plan.
It’s important to consider these differences when choosing between the two plans, depending on individual preferences and communication needs.
*The following information is based on the Rakuten Mobile official page. For details, please refer to this page.
| Plan | Rakuten Saikyo Plan | Rakuten Saikyo Plan (Data Type) |
|---|---|---|
|
Internet Connection |
✔︎ |
✔︎ |
|
SMS |
✔︎ |
✔︎ |
|
Voice communication |
✔︎ |
✖️ |
|
Calls using app such as LINE |
✔︎ |
✔︎ |
|
Payment |
Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Bank Transfer etc |
Only by Rakuten Card |
Rakuten 最強プラン (Rakuten Saikyo Plan)
The main feature of this plan is that the monthly fee is 2,980 yen (excluding tax) for unlimited data communication (speed may decrease depending on the environment). However, if you use less than 3GB in a particular month, the payment will automatically be reduced to 980 yen (excluding tax). It also includes the following features:
- The monthly payment amount is determined based on the data usage. Even though the speed may decrease depending on the environment, the plan offers unlimited data for 2,980 yen (excluding tax). For usage over 3GB up to 20GB, the cost is 1,980 yen (excluding tax), and for up to 3GB, the cost is 980 yen (excluding tax).
- Free high-speed data up to 2GB overseas: International roaming is free for up to 2 GB per month, applicable to 71 countries and regions. For further details, please refer to the official page.
- If you use the app called Rakuten Link, domestic calls are free. Additionally, international calls to Japanese phone numbers are also free. Please note that certain numbers may not be supported. When not using the app, a 30-second call costs 22 yen. For further details, please refer to this page.
In addition, when you use both Rakuten Credit Card and Rakuten Mobile together, you can pay your mobile bill with Rakuten Points. There are also additional benefits, such as earning points more easily than usual when purchasing daily necessities on Rakuten Ichiba (marketplace). This is one of the distinctive features of the service.
*Please refer to the official page for further details. (Please note that some of the web page is available in Japanese only, so please use your browser’s translation feature.)
Rakuten 最強プラン データタイプ(Rakuten Saikyo Plan Data Type)
This plan is characterized by being suitable for data communication only, and it does not support voice calls. Therefore, it is a convenient plan for those who want to use it as a second mobile phone for data usage. It has following features.
- Like the ordinal Rakuten Saikyo plan, the monthly payment amount is determined based on the data usage. Even though the speed may decrease depending on the environment, the plan offers unlimited data for 2,980 yen (excluding tax). For usage over 3GB up to 20GB, the cost is 1,980 yen (excluding tax), and for up to 3GB, the cost is 980 yen (excluding tax).
- Since regular phone calls are not possible, the basic mode of communication relies on using apps like LINE. Therefore, it is important to note that certain emergency situations, such as calling an ambulance, may not be possible.
*Please refer to the official page for further details. (Please note that web page is available in Japanese only, so please use your browser’s translation feature.)
Key Takeaways
Introduction to Rakuten Mobile:
- Rakuten Mobile is one of Japan’s four main mobile carriers, alongside Docomo, Softbank, and au.
- Founded in 1997, Rakuten is a prominent Japanese e-commerce and online retail company offering diverse services.
Rakuten 最強プラン (Rakuten Saikyo Plan):
- Monthly fee of 2,980 yen (excluding tax) for unlimited data communication, with potential speed variations depending on the environment.
- Automatic reduction to 980 yen (excluding tax) if data usage is less than 3GB in a month.
- Additional features include tiered pricing for data usage, free high-speed data (2GB) for international roaming in 71 countries, and free domestic/international calls via the Rakuten Link app.
Rakuten 最強プラン データタイプ (Rakuten Saikyo Plan Data Type):
- Designed for data communication only, making it suitable as a second mobile phone for data usage.
- Similar pricing structure to the regular Rakuten Saikyo Plan, with unlimited data for 2,980 yen (excluding tax) and tiered pricing based on data usage.
- Important to note: This plan does not support voice calls, and communication relies on apps like LINE. Emergency situations may pose limitations.
