Starting university in Japan this April? You need mobile service for orientation, campus life, and staying in touch with family back home.
Get up to 13,000 Rakuten Points in referral benefits → https://www.japanmobileguide.com/referral
April 2026: Japan's Academic Year Start
Japanese universities traditionally start in April. You'll receive your residence card at airport immigration when you arrive on your student visa. That card is required for signing up for mobile service—you cannot apply before landing in Japan.
Why Choose Rakuten Mobile for Students
For international students, Rakuten Mobile offers a perfect combination of affordability and convenience. If you're 22 or under, you'll automatically receive the SAIKYO Youth Discount, which takes ¥110 off your monthly bill. This brings the entry-level 3GB plan down to just ¥858 per month—truly student-friendly pricing. The eSIM activation process is remarkably quick, taking anywhere from 3 minutes to same-day completion with eKYC verification.
Language barriers won't be an issue either, as Rakuten Mobile provides comprehensive English support through their phone line (0800-805-0805), website, and mobile app. Perhaps most importantly for students, there's no contract commitment, giving you the flexibility to adjust your plan during semester breaks or if you decide to study abroad.
How the Referral Benefits Work
Our referral link provides up to 13,000 Rakuten Points, worth approximately ¥13,000. For students managing a tight budget, this represents substantial savings. At the youth-discounted rate of ¥858 per month for 3GB usage, those points effectively cover more than your entire first year of service. Even if you need more data—¥2,068 monthly for 20GB or ¥3,168 for unlimited—you're still getting 6 months or 4 months of coverage respectively. This means you can focus on settling into university life and making friends without worrying about mobile costs during your critical first semester.
Start with referral benefits → https://www.japanmobileguide.com/referral
When to Apply: Your Timeline
The best time to apply is within your first day or two after arriving in Japan. You'll receive your residence card immediately at airport immigration, which is the key document you need. From your hotel or temporary housing, connect to WiFi and complete your online application. If you apply on a weekday, you can typically get approved the same day or by the next business day.
During orientation week, take time to test your service in the places you'll frequent most. Walk around campus to verify coverage works well in classrooms and common areas. Check your apartment or dorm connection, and start testing whether you can comfortably stay under 3GB by taking advantage of campus WiFi. This early testing period helps you understand your actual usage patterns before you're fully immersed in classes.
What You Need to Apply
Before starting your application, gather a few essential items. First, verify that your phone is compatible by checking https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/en/product/byod/. Your student visa residence card, which you'll receive at airport immigration upon arrival, serves as your identification. For payment, try your foreign credit card first—many international cards work fine—though you can also set up a Japanese bank account if needed. Finally, ensure you have access to a stable WiFi connection for downloading your eSIM profile and completing the setup process.
Fast Setup Steps
The entire setup process is straightforward and can be completed from your accommodation. Start by verifying your phone's compatibility at the BYOD checker, then navigate to https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/en/ to begin your application in English. You'll complete eKYC verification by uploading a photo of your residence card and recording a quick selfie video. Approval typically happens within 1-2 hours on weekdays, after which you'll install the eSIM profile over WiFi. Once installed, test everything by making a call, checking your data connection, and sending an SMS to ensure the service is working properly.
Student Life Data Management
Staying under 3GB to maximize your youth discount benefits is easier than you might think with a smart WiFi strategy. Most universities offer free WiFi throughout campus—in libraries, classrooms, and cafeterias—so take advantage of it whenever you're studying. At your apartment or dorm, use WiFi to download videos, music, and app updates rather than eating into your mobile data. You'll also find free city WiFi available at many train stations, convenience stores, and cafes around Japan. The Rakuten Mobile app makes monitoring simple by showing your real-time data consumption, helping you stay aware of your usage patterns.
Of course, there are situations where you might need more data. If you take a part-time job that requires navigation or delivery apps, your data needs will increase. Campus WiFi that's unreliable or heavily restricted can also push you toward higher usage. Heavy social media use or frequent video calls with family abroad will naturally consume more data as well. The beauty of Rakuten Mobile's pay-as-you-go pricing is that you're only charged for what you actually use each month—there's no penalty for occasionally going over 3GB when your situation requires it.
Coverage Verification for Campus Life
Before signing up with our referral link, take a few minutes to verify coverage at the locations that will define your daily student life. Check your university campus at https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/area/ by entering the campus address. Verify your student apartment or dorm by inputting your specific address into the coverage map. If you already know where you'll be working part-time, check that location as well. Don't forget to verify coverage at the stations you'll use for your commute by checking https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/area/station/. The good news is that most major universities throughout Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and other cities have solid Rakuten Mobile coverage.
Common Issues & Quick Fixes
If your foreign credit card payment fails, don't worry—try multiple cards if you have them, as success rates vary significantly by card issuer. Should all your cards fail, plan to open a Japanese bank account during orientation week, where many banks offer specialized student accounts designed for international students.
When eKYC verification seems delayed, the most common issue is photo quality. Ensure your residence card photos are clear with all text fully readable, and record your selfie video in good lighting conditions. Applications submitted on weekdays typically process much faster than weekend submissions.
Finding that your data usage is higher than expected? Start by disabling automatic app updates and background refresh on your phone, and commit to downloading content only over WiFi. The Rakuten Mobile app allows you to track your usage daily, helping you identify which apps are consuming the most data.
For staying in touch with family abroad, consider using apps like LINE, WhatsApp, or Skype over WiFi for free international calls rather than using your phone minutes, which can be expensive for international calling.
Youth Discount Details
If you're 22 years old or younger, you automatically receive ¥110 off your monthly bill through the youth discount program. This brings the 0-3GB tier down from ¥968 to just ¥858 per month. The 3-20GB tier drops from ¥2,068 to ¥1,958 monthly, and even the unlimited plan becomes more affordable at ¥3,058 instead of ¥3,168. This discount continues providing savings until you turn 23. When you combine this with the 13,000 referral points, your entire first year is essentially covered if you stick with the 3GB tier—perfect for budget-conscious students.
Quick Reference Links
Keep these essential resources easily accessible throughout your time in Japan. Check device compatibility at https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/en/product/byod/, verify coverage at https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/area/, and access the full English site at https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/en/. English-speaking customer service is available by calling 0800-805-0805 between 9:00 and 17:00 JST.
Ready to sign up with 13,000 Rakuten Points in referral benefits? → https://www.japanmobileguide.com/referral
Final Notes
Studying abroad is expensive, but mobile service doesn't have to be a major cost. With Rakuten Mobile's youth discount, 13,000 referral points, and smart use of campus WiFi, you can keep this expense to ¥968/month or less throughout your first year.
The eSIM setup is fast enough to complete during orientation week, and English support means you won't struggle with language barriers during setup. Focus on your studies and new experiences in Japan—your phone service is sorted.