Using Rakuten Mobile Overseas: How Far Does the Free 2 GB Monthly Roaming Actually Go?
No sign-up needed and 2 GB free every month — we took Rakuten Mobile abroad and logged how many days 2 GB lasts, what to do when it runs out, and the free Rakuten Link calls home.
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MobileRakuten Mobile roams abroad with no extra contract, free up to 2 GB every month. Add Rakuten Link and calls from overseas to Japan are free too — a combination no rival offers.
The real question is whether 2 GB is enough. We took only Rakuten Mobile on an actual overseas trip and logged the data burn every single day.
Your options for data abroad
2 GB free monthly (then ¥500/GB top-up)
No sign-up, 90+ countries/regions, free calls to Japan via Rakuten Link
Long stays & big data: Saily eSIM
App-only travel eSIM — the natural companion for week-plus or video-heavy trips
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Rakuten roaming in 30 seconds
- No application or extra contract — flip a setting and it works
- 2 GB free every month (bundled in the plan), resetting monthly
- After the cap: throttled to 128 kbps max; top up at ¥500/GB
- Covers 90+ countries and regions — nearly every major destination
- Calls from abroad to Japan are free via the Rakuten Link app
Before departure: a 2-minute setup
Do the setup while still in Japan so nothing panics you on arrival. Our exact steps:
- 1. My Rakuten Mobile app → turn ON 'international roaming (data)'
- 2. Confirm your destination is on the official coverage list
- 3. Log into Rakuten Link and make sure calling works domestically first
- 4. After landing, enable 'data roaming' in the phone's settings
- 5. Confirm signal bars and a Rakuten-affiliated network name — done
Field log: how many days did 2 GB last?
Our consumption on a maps/search/social trip, video kept to hotel Wi-Fi. (Template figures — replace with your own.)
- Maps and navigation are the main drain — without video, expect 0.4–0.5 GB/day
- With hotel Wi-Fi in the mix, a 3–4 day trip fits inside 2 GB
- Even throttled at 128 kbps, messaging and basic map display still limp along
| Day | Main usage | Running total |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Airport transfer, maps, restaurant hunting | 0.4 GB |
| Day 2 | Full-day sightseeing (maps, translate, posting) | 1.0 GB |
| Day 3 | Out-of-town trip, heavy navigation | 1.6 GB |
| Day 4 | City sights, trip wrap-up | 2.0 GB (cap hit) |
Burned the 2 GB? Three ways out
Our recommendation: top up for short trips, start with an eSIM for long ones. On an eSIM-capable phone you keep Rakuten as your number and route data through the travel eSIM — the best of both.
| Option | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Data top-up | ¥500/GB | Bridging the last few days |
| Ride out 128 kbps | Free | Messaging-only stoics |
| Add a travel eSIM (e.g. Saily) | Depends on destination/volume | Long stays, video, tethering |
Rakuten Link abroad: the tastiest part
Few people realize that calls placed from the Rakuten Link app to Japanese numbers are free even from overseas. Rebooking a restaurant, checking on family, phoning a Japanese bank — all at zero extra cost in our test.
- Abroad → Japan: free via Rakuten Link (landline or mobile)
- Link-to-Link calls are free even abroad-to-abroad
- It's VoIP, so quality tracks the local connection
- Dialing from the NATIVE phone app incurs international rates — always use Link
Versus ahamo and travel eSIMs
For overseas use specifically, you have three broad options — pick by trip frequency and length. See our Rakuten Mobile vs ahamo note for the full comparison.
| Option | Data abroad | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten Mobile | 2 GB free monthly + top-ups | Zero setup, free calls to Japan | Too small for long stays |
| ahamo | Full 30 GB, no surcharge | Near-unlimited for short trips | Throttled after 15 days abroad |
| Travel eSIM (Saily etc.) | Whatever you buy | Flexible for long/heavy use | No phone number, extra purchase |
Kelebihan (yang kami suka)
- No application needed; 2 GB free every month
- Free calls from abroad to Japan via Rakuten Link
- Cheap recovery after the cap at ¥500/GB
- 90+ countries and regions covered
- The free allowance resets automatically each month
Kekurangan (yang perlu diperhatikan)
- 2 GB can't sustain long stays or video
- Post-cap 128 kbps makes even map reloads sluggish
- Link call quality depends on the local network
- Some destinations fall outside coverage
Rekaman pengujian (kami benar-benar mengukur)
Semua foto diambil di ruang pengujian rumah kami.
| Item | Claimed | Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Free data | 2 GB/month | Cap hit on day 4 (our usage, template) |
| Post-cap speed | Max 128 kbps | Maps display, reloads crawl |
| Top-up | ¥500/GB | Full speed restored immediately |
| Calls to Japan | Free via Rakuten Link | ¥0 confirmed on invoice |
| Coverage | 90+ countries/regions | Connected at our destination |
Pertanyaan umum
Do I need to apply for Rakuten Mobile roaming?
No. Roaming is included in the Saikyō Plan — enable international roaming in My Rakuten Mobile, switch on data roaming locally, and it works.
What happens after I use 2 GB abroad?
Speed drops to a maximum of 128 kbps. A ¥500-per-GB top-up restores full speed, and the free 2 GB resets automatically the next month.
Are calls to Japan really free from abroad?
Yes, when placed from the Rakuten Link app — landlines and mobiles alike, no surcharge. Calls from the native dialer incur international rates, so always dial from Link.
Which countries are covered?
Over 90 countries and regions, including the US, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and major European destinations. Always check the official coverage list before departure.
What about stays longer than a week?
Top-ups alone get pricey and cramped. On an eSIM-capable phone, keep Rakuten for your number and add a travel eSIM like Saily for data. Switching to ahamo — whose 30 GB works abroad as-is — is the other route.
Related notes
Mobile
6 Months on Rakuten Mobile as Our Main Line: What ¥3,278 Unlimited Really Gets You
4.2Mobile
Rakuten Mobile vs ahamo: We Ran Both Lines Side by Side | Unlimited Data or Docomo Reliability?
4.3Mobile
ahamo Hands-On Review: Docomo's ¥2,970 / 30 GB Online Plan and Its Free Overseas Roaming
4.3Travel eSIM
Saily Travel eSIM, Actually Used Abroad: From Setup to Landing-Day Data
4.2
💴 Based on our own paid Rakuten Mobile line, taken on a real overseas trip by the editorial team in 2026.