Congratulations on starting your new life in Japan! When you first arrive, you might be wondering about mobile phone contracts and daily shopping.

Do you think, “Online shopping in Japan seems difficult…” or “I don’t really understand the point system…”?

This article is for international visitors who are using or considering Rakuten Mobile. We will explain in an easy-to-understand way how you can save money on your shopping by combining Japan’s largest online shopping mall, “Rakuten Ichiba,” with Rakuten Mobile.

This article is packed with information to make your life in Japan more convenient and affordable!

The Benefits of the “Rakuten Ecosystem” Expanding with Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Ichiba

To talk about the benefits of Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Ichiba, it’s essential to understand the concept of the “Rakuten Ecosystem.” This is a system where you can use various services provided by the Rakuten Group in conjunction, making them more convenient and more rewarding.

As a Rakuten member, you can use a single common ID to access many services like Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Ichiba, and Rakuten Card. And with each service, you can earn and use “Rakuten Points” when you shop or use services.

This system comprehensively covers your life in Japan (communications, shopping, payments, etc.), creating a very convenient cycle where the more you use, the more points you earn, which can then be used for your next purchases or payments. The Rakuten Group boasts over 100 million Rakuten members in Japan and is further expanding this “Rakuten Ecosystem.”

Subscribing to Rakuten Mobile is the first step to easily joining this beneficial “Rakuten Ecosystem.”

What is Rakuten Ichiba? An Online Shop That Makes Shopping in Japan Convenient

Rakuten Ichiba: Japan’s “Everything Store” Online Department Store

Rakuten Ichiba is a hugely popular and massive internet shopping mall in Japan. You can truly find “anything” there, from clothes, electronics, and groceries to daily necessities and even traditional Japanese crafts!

• Shop from Home: Even if you don’t have time to go to a store, you can shop 24/7 from your smartphone or computer.
• Wide Selection: With many stores available, you can compare various types and prices of the same product.
• No Problem if You’re Not Fluent in Japanese: You can use translation functions or choose products by looking at photos. Recently, some stores also offer international shipping.

[How to Use Rakuten Ichiba]
https://event.rakuten.co.jp/beginner

Rakuten Ichiba is Profitable Because You Get “Points”!

When you shop on Rakuten Ichiba, you almost always receive “Rakuten Points.” These points are the key to making your life in Japan more affordable!

• 1 point = 1 yen: Accumulated Rakuten Points can be used for your next purchases on Rakuten Ichiba, for paying your Rakuten Mobile bill, and at “Rakuten Pay” affiliated convenience stores, supermarkets, and other shops across Japan, just like cash.
• Utilize as a “Second Currency”: By skillfully accumulating and using points, you can significantly save on your daily living expenses. It’s like having a “second currency” in Japan.

Rakuten Mobile Subscribers Get +4x Points on Rakuten Ichiba! The SPU Mechanism

If you’re a Rakuten Mobile subscriber, you already hold a “special passport” to make your shopping in Japan more affordable. That’s the “SPU (Super Point Up Program)”!

What is SPU (Super Point Up Program)?

SPU is a system where the more Rakuten services (like Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Card, etc.) you use, the higher the point multiplier you earn when shopping on Rakuten Ichiba. Subscribing to Rakuten Mobile is one of the most powerful conditions for point-up within this SPU.

[SPU (Super Point Up Program)]
https://event.rakuten.co.jp/campaign/point-up/everyday/point/

Simply Subscribing to Rakuten Mobile Gives You “+4x” Points on Rakuten Ichiba!

Just by subscribing to Rakuten Mobile, your point還元率 (point return rate) on Rakuten Ichiba significantly increases. Let’s look at the breakdown:

• Rakuten Ichiba Regular Points: +1x (These are the basic points everyone gets for shopping on Rakuten Ichiba)
• Rakuten Mobile Subscription + Entry: +4x (Includes data-only plans)

Combining these, you get 1x regular points + up to 4x related to Rakuten Mobile = a total of up to 5x points!

[Feel the Difference with an Example!]
If you spend 10,000 yen on Rakuten Ichiba in a month,
Normally you would get 100 points, but as a Rakuten Mobile subscriber, you could potentially get up to 500 points!
This is as beneficial as effectively lowering your monthly communication fees.
You can use the earned Rakuten Points on services like Rakuten Ichiba, or even for your monthly Rakuten Mobile payments!

Further Point Up with Rakuten Card! Smart Combination Tactics

As you live longer in Japan, you’ll find more situations where a credit card is necessary. That’s why we recommend “Rakuten Card.”

What are Rakuten Card Features?

Rakuten Card is a very popular credit card in Japan, used by many people. It’s characterized by being annual fee-free (for standard Rakuten Cards) and easy to accumulate points.

• Build Credit History in Japan: Having a credit card allows you to build a credit history in Japan.
• Convenient When Overseas Cards Don’t Work: In Japan, some online services and stores may not accept credit cards issued overseas. Having a Rakuten Card ensures peace of mind.

[Rakuten Card FAQ (English)]
https://support.rakuten-card.jp/category/show/531?site_domain=guest

Shopping on Rakuten Ichiba with Rakuten Card Gets You an Additional “+2x” Points!

The points you earn with Rakuten Mobile (up to 5x) will increase by an additional +2x when you shop on Rakuten Ichiba using a Rakuten Card!

[Feel the Difference with an Example!]
Rakuten Mobile Subscription (+4x) + Rakuten Card Usage (+2x) + Regular Points (+1x) = A total of up to 7x points!
If you spend 10,000 yen in a month, you could potentially get up to 700 points!

※The SPU multipliers above are as of March 2026. Conditions may change, so please always check the official website.

For Those Who Rarely Use Rakuten Ichiba: Why You Should Start Now?

You might think, “I don’t usually do much online shopping, so this doesn’t concern me…” However, if you’re a Rakuten Mobile subscriber, not using Rakuten Ichiba means you’re missing out!

• Wide Variety of Daily Necessities and Groceries: You can buy everyday items like toilet paper, detergent, rice, and water on Rakuten Ichiba. This saves you the trouble of carrying heavy bags and also earns you points.
• Furusato Nozei (Hometown Tax Donation) is Also Eligible: Japan’s unique “Furusato Nozei” can also be processed through Rakuten Ichiba, and you’ll earn points. This allows you to support local regions and receive special products while reducing your actual tax burden.
• Many Ways to Use Accumulated Points: Earned points can be used not only for shopping on Rakuten Ichiba but also for paying your Rakuten Mobile bill and at various stores across Japan (Rakuten Pay affiliated stores) like restaurants and convenience stores. Using points like cash directly helps you save on living expenses in Japan.

As a Rakuten Mobile subscriber, you’ll start saving from your very first purchase, so why not give it a try?

Important SPU Notes to Be Aware Of

While SPU offers great benefits, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

• Point Earning Cap: There may be a monthly cap on the points you can earn through SPU. If you plan to shop a lot, check the maximum amount.
• Point Types and Expiry Dates: Points awarded include “Regular Points” and “Limited-Time Points.” Limited-Time Points often have shorter expiry dates, so make sure to use them promptly.
• Exclusions: Some products or services may not be eligible for SPU point increases.
• Conditions May Change: SPU multipliers and conditions can change at Rakuten’s discretion. Make it a habit to regularly check the official websites of Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Ichiba for the latest information. If you’re not comfortable with Japanese, use translation tools.

Summary: Make Your Life in Japan Smarter and More Affordable with Rakuten Mobile + Rakuten Ichiba!

Subscribing to Rakuten Mobile not only helps you save on communication costs but also brings significant benefits to your shopping on Rakuten Ichiba. Rakuten Ichiba is a convenient service where you can find everything you need for life in Japan and earn Rakuten Points to make it even more affordable.

Take this opportunity to smartly utilize Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Ichiba, and enjoy a clever and comfortable life in Japan!

※ The information in this article is current as of March 2026. SPU conditions, point earning rates, Rakuten Card application requirements, and details of each service may change. Please always check the official websites of Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Ichiba for the latest information.

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