“It would be so much easier if I could keep using my Japanese number even while I'm living overseas.” Rakuten Mobile comes fairly close to that wish. It includes a set amount of international roaming at no extra charge, and with the Rakuten Link app, calls to Japanese numbers are free through the app. In this article, we look at Rakuten Mobile as an option for keeping a Japanese number active while spending time abroad, from the perspective of someone living overseas.
- Rakuten Mobile lets you keep and use a Japanese number while abroad
- International roaming is included up to 2 GB/month with no extra charge; speeds are throttled after that
- Standard line calls/SMS aren't included abroad, but app-based calls via Rakuten Link are free
- For more than 2 GB or longer stays, pairing it with a data-only eSIM is the practical choice
- It's economical for light use but can get pricey depending on how you use it — best suited to keeping a number alive
- Rakuten Mobile's strength is that it “works abroad up to a set amount as-is, plus free calls to Japanese numbers via Rakuten Link,” which makes it easy to keep a Japanese number useful even overseas.
- International roaming is included up to 2 GB/month at no extra charge (check the official site for eligible countries and conditions). Once you pass 2 GB, speeds are throttled, so topping up with a data eSIM is the practical move during data-heavy periods.
- Depending on how you use it, it can cost more than ultra-cheap number-keeper plans. Whether it suits you comes down to your goal for keeping the number and how much data you use.
The information in this article is based on official information as of June 2026. Pricing, the countries/data/conditions for international roaming, and Rakuten Link's specifications may change, so please check the official Rakuten Mobile website before signing up.
How Rakuten Mobile's pricing works
Rakuten Mobile's pricing is tiered by how much data you use. As a rough guide, it's about ¥1,078 up to 3 GB, ¥2,178 up to 20 GB, and ¥3,278 above that (all tax included, as of June 2026 — confirm current pricing on the official site). If you use it minimally just to keep a number, you'll stay in the lowest tier. It also supports eSIM, which you can issue online.
International roaming and Rakuten Link
Rakuten Mobile lets you use data up to 2 GB/month at no extra charge even abroad (check the official site for eligible countries and conditions). Beyond 2 GB, speeds are throttled, so if you use a lot of data overseas, topping up with a separate data-only eSIM keeps things comfortable. With the Rakuten Link app, calls to Japanese numbers are free through the app. Note that standard calls and SMS that don't go through Rakuten Link are handled differently, so it's wise to check the specifics separately — especially for things like receiving verification (OTP) SMS.
| What to check | Key point (as of June 2026 — verify officially) |
|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Up to 3 GB ¥1,078 / up to 20 GB ¥2,178 / above that ¥3,278 |
| International roaming | Up to 2 GB/month at no extra charge (throttled after that) |
| Eligible countries/conditions | Check eligible countries and data allowance officially |
| Rakuten Link | Free calls to Japanese numbers / standard calls and SMS are separate |
| SMS verification | Whether you can receive it also depends on the service's own setup |
| eSIM | Supported |
Rakuten Mobile's “2 GB abroad as-is” is genuinely handy for short trips and light use. On the other hand, for longer stays or data-heavy activities like streaming video, 2 GB runs out quickly. It works well to split the roles: Rakuten for keeping the number and light everyday connectivity, and a data eSIM to cover the periods when you use a lot of data.
Comparison points beyond price (for people living abroad)
- Does it just work abroad? Rakuten's advantage is that it works up to a set amount with no extra setup.
- Usability as a verification number: you can hold onto a Japanese number, and calls are free via Rakuten Link. Whether SMS comes through also depends on the service's setup.
- Ease of covering a data shortfall: beyond 2 GB, adding a data eSIM keeps things comfortable.
- Cost balance: cheap for light use, but it can get pricey depending on how you use it.
Who this approach suits — and who it doesn't
A good fit if you…
- Want to keep a Japanese number active — and actually use it — while abroad
- Make a lot of calls to Japan and want to lean on Rakuten Link
- Want it to just work during trips back to Japan or longer stays there
Probably not for you if you…
- Want the absolute lowest cost to keep a number (ultra-cheap number-keeper plans may fit better)
- Regularly use well over 2 GB of data abroad each month
- Want to keep your bill as flat and minimal as possible
Splitting roles between Rakuten Mobile and a data eSIM
| Role | Handled by |
|---|---|
| Phone number / calls to Japan | Rakuten Mobile (Rakuten Link) |
| Light data abroad (up to 2 GB) | Rakuten Mobile's international roaming |
| Heavier data / longer stays | Data-only eSIM |
| Internet during trips back to Japan | A data-only eSIM, just for the days you need it |
When you only want to add data for the periods you'll use more than 2 GB, a data-only eSIM is one option. Bloomy's data plans come in 1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, and 20 GB (please check coverage for your area). Note that Bloomy is a data-only eSIM — it does not provide a phone number, SMS, or voice calls. A fair-usage policy applies, and connection quality varies depending on the local network, your device, and the area. Pricing is shown in USD; please confirm the current price at the time of purchase.
Common mistakes (avoidable if you check in advance)
- Going over 2 GB abroad and getting throttled without realizing it: top up with an eSIM during heavy-use periods.
- Confusing Rakuten Link with standard calls and SMS: check receipt of verification (OTP) SMS separately.
- Not checking eligible countries and conditions: confirm officially whether the country you're staying in is covered.
What to do next
- Check on the official Rakuten Mobile site whether your destination is covered by international roaming
- Understand the difference between Rakuten Link and standard calls/SMS
- Estimate how much data you'll use abroad, and if it's likely to exceed 2 GB, consider pairing it with an eSIM
- For SMS verification, also check the service's own setup and have a backup verification method ready
Summary
Rakuten Mobile makes it relatively easy to keep a Japanese number active while using it abroad. Its strengths are 2 GB of international roaming at no extra charge plus free calls to Japan via Rakuten Link — though it's less suited to heavy data use beyond 2 GB or to people prioritizing the lowest possible cost. It works well to split the roles: Rakuten for keeping the number and light connectivity, and a data eSIM for the periods when you use a lot of data.
This article is intended as general information. Rakuten Mobile's pricing, the countries/data/conditions for international roaming, and Rakuten Link's specifications change over time. Please check the official Rakuten Mobile website before you actually sign up. This does not guarantee that you will be able to receive Japanese SMS while abroad.
