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Free Calls in Japan With Rakuten Link: The 2025 Guide

Complete guide to making unlimited free domestic calls in Japan using Rakuten Link app. Learn what's included, platform differences, international usage, and common gotchas to avoid.

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Last verified: August 22, 2025 (JST)

If you use Rakuten Mobile, you gain access to unlimited domestic calls for free when dialing through the Rakuten Link app—but understanding exactly what "free" includes, which numbers fall outside that category, and how platform differences affect your experience prevents billing surprises and frustration. This isn't magic; it's Internet-based calling using your phone's data connection or Wi-Fi, with your real number showing to recipients and some important exceptions you need to know about.

What Rakuten Link Actually Is

Rakuten Link functions as Rakuten Mobile's calling and messaging app enabling Voice over IP (VoIP) connectivity. When you dial from this app rather than your phone's standard dialer, your normal phone number displays to the recipient and domestic calls become free with specific number exceptions detailed below. Download the app: iOS or Android.

The app uses your phone's Internet connection—either mobile data or Wi-Fi—to carry voice calls rather than traditional cellular voice networks. This Internet-based approach enables the zero-cost calling model while maintaining caller ID functionality that makes you appear as a regular mobile caller to recipients.

What Counts as Free

Calls to Japanese mobile and landline numbers from inside Japan become free when you dial via Rakuten Link with your caller ID showing as usual. The recipient sees your normal mobile number, not some strange Internet calling ID. This includes calls to major carriers (NTT DOCOMO, au, SoftBank) and smaller MVNOs without distinction—if it's a regular Japanese phone number, it's free through Link.

Calls to Japanese numbers while you're abroad remain free if you're in Rakuten's eligible countries and regions list or connected via Wi-Fi where roaming data isn't available. However, you must authenticate the Link app in Japan before traveling internationally—trying to set it up for the first time outside Japan typically fails verification checks.

Between Rakuten Link users calls operate entirely free regardless of location. Importantly, Rakuten Link data usage does not count toward your high-speed data quota under current policy—the app's data consumption doesn't eat into your monthly allowance. This policy could theoretically change with notice, but it's been standard since launch.

If you bypass Rakuten Link and use your phone's standard dialer instead, regular voice rates apply. Domestic calls cost ¥22 per 30 seconds on the standard voice network—expensive enough to make accidentally using the wrong app an unpleasant billing surprise.

What Is Not Free or Not Supported

Understanding the exceptions prevents frustration when calls don't work as expected or charges appear when you anticipated zero cost.

Emergency numbers in Japan such as 110 (police), 118 (maritime emergencies), and 119 (fire/ambulance) cannot be dialed from Rakuten Link. The app automatically switches to your device's default phone app for these calls—a safety feature ensuring emergency calls always work even if Link has connectivity issues. You cannot place emergency calls to foreign destinations via Link while roaming abroad.

Premium or special numbers including 0570 (Navi Dial), 0180 (messaging services), and certain short codes like 188 (consumer hotline), #7119 (medical consultation), #8000, #8008, #8011, #8080 cannot be dialed from Link or are excluded from free calling. See Rakuten's official exclusion list for the complete catalog of restricted numbers.

When you attempt to call these excluded numbers from Link, your phone may automatically switch to the standard dialer—at which point regular per-minute charges apply. If the app doesn't auto-switch, you'll need to manually dial from your regular phone app.

Important Differences: iPhone vs Android

Rakuten Link's feature set differs substantially by platform due to iOS and Android implementing VoIP calling differently at the operating system level.

iPhone limitations: Rakuten Link on iOS does not handle incoming calls or SMS. Incoming calls arrive through the standard iOS phone app instead of Link. When you're overseas, incoming calls to your Japanese number may incur pay-as-you-go roaming charges via the standard phone app depending on your location—Link doesn't intercept them. However, outgoing domestic calls placed from the Link app remain free with the usual excluded number exceptions.

Android functionality: Rakuten Link on Android supports both outgoing and incoming calls through the app. If you dial an excluded number, Android may switch to the standard phone app automatically—watch for this transition to avoid unexpected charges. Incoming calls route through Link maintaining the zero-cost model for domestic callers.

This platform difference matters significantly for iPhone users who need to understand they won't see the same seamless experience Android users enjoy with incoming calls.

International Use At A Glance

Rakuten Link supports specific international usage scenarios with important limitations and requirements.

Authenticate Rakuten Link in Japan before departure—the app requires initial setup and verification from within Japan's borders before it will work internationally. In eligible countries listed on Rakuten's website, you can call Japanese numbers for free from the Link app using local data or Wi-Fi. Calls to international numbers (calling a UK number while in France, for example) use country-based per-minute rates rather than free calling.

For areas outside the eligible country list, use Wi-Fi with Link to place calls back to Japan without incurring roaming charges. Emergency calling abroad is not supported from Link—use the local default dialer and understand you'll pay roaming rates for those calls.

How To Confirm Your Call Is Actually Free

Follow this quick verification process to ensure you're not accidentally incurring charges.

Open the Rakuten Link app—not your standard phone dialer—and enter the number. Confirm you're seeing the Rakuten Link call screen with its distinctive interface before the call connects. If your phone suddenly switches to the standard dialer interface with different visual design, charges may apply. Cancel immediately and re-dial in Link unless you're intentionally calling an excluded number that requires standard dialing.

Watch for the visual difference between interfaces—Rakuten Link has its own distinctive design that looks noticeably different from your phone's built-in dialer.

Quick Setup Tips for New Users

Install the app from iOS or Android app stores. Log in with the Rakuten ID tied to your Rakuten Mobile line—not just any Rakuten account, but specifically the one linked to your mobile service. Complete first-time authentication in Japan with mobile data enabled; the process often fails on Wi-Fi only or through VPNs.

For best results, set up Link with mobile data active rather than Wi-Fi. The service explicitly states it's not guaranteed when connected through a VPN—if you use VPN services regularly, disable them during Link calls to avoid connectivity problems.

Common Questions

Does Rakuten Link use my high-speed data? Rakuten states Link usage does not count toward your high-speed data quota under current policy. This means you can make hours of calls without affecting your monthly data allowance. This policy could change with advance notice, but it's been consistent since service launch.

What happens if I call without Link? Your phone uses the standard voice network and you're billed at regular rates. Domestic calls cost ¥22 per 30 seconds—roughly ¥2,640 per hour, making accidental standard dialer usage an expensive mistake.

Can I text for free? Link supports free in-app messaging between Link users. For SMS to non-Link users, charges and availability depend on your device platform and region. See the app's detailed charge table on Rakuten's official Link page for platform-specific messaging costs.

I tried to call 0570 or 110 in Link and it didn't work. That's expected behavior. Those numbers are excluded from Link or automatically rerouted to the standard dialer where normal charges apply. This isn't a bug—it's intentional design for premium services and emergency numbers.

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