Ultimate Rakuten Shopping Site English Guide—Points & Beyond

Rakuten is one of Japan's largest online e-commerce and retail companies. It has expanded its services to include banking, credit cards, travel, and mobile services.

This article breaks down Rakuten's most popular services in the Rakuten ecosystem to grasp its size fully. 

If you want to learn more about the Rakuten sphere, continue reading this Rakuten Japan English guide.

What is Rakuten in Japan?

Rakuten in Japan is one of the most trusted Japanese e-commerce marketplaces and is ranked among Amazon in online shopping.

The Rakuten Group Inc. offers more than shopping. It also offers banking, travel, and mobile phone services. Each of these and more will be discussed later in the article.

Can foreigners use Rakuten?

Foreigners can use Rakuten. One barrier that may stop foreigners from using their services is needing a Japanese phone number. 

Rakuten accepts major credit card brands but will also accept payments at convenience stores and ATMs, cash on delivery, and Rakuten Points. 

Understanding the Rakuten ecosystem

Rakuten offers various services, from shopping, points, travel, money, and lifestyle offerings.

Here, we highlight their most popular services as part of their larger, integrated Rakuten ecosystem.

Rakuten Ichiba

Think of the Rakuten shopping English site as the Amazon of Japan. Their site, also known as Rakuten Ichiba or Rakuten Market, is Japan's second-largest online marketplace, letting users purchase anything from clothing, food, drinks, daily necessities, beauty, home appliances, and more. 

Although Rakuten is a Japanese shopping site, it offers international shipping with its Rakuten Global Express service.

Additionally, users and small business owners can sell their products online with the Rakuten Merchant Server (RMS), which integrates product pages and product listings for a smoother online store operation.

How do you shop through Rakuten?

Rakuten shopping works similarly to Amazon. You can search for your item in either Japanese or English and click on the item for more information. 

You will need a Rakuten account to check out or to ask questions about the store.

Can you buy from Rakuten Japan?

Rakuten Japan's online shop allows businesses and merchants to sell anything from fashion to home goods. While their main customer base is domestic, international shipping is possible based on the store.

How do I pay on Rakuten Japan?

The specific Rakuten store will demonstrate its preferred payment method. The most popular payment methods in Rakuten, Japan, are credit cards, cash on delivery, bank transfers, and internet banking at the convenience store.

Rakuten Bank

Rakuten Bank ranks among the top Japanese banks. Better yet, it is also one of the best foreigner-friendly bank options.

Opening a Rakuten bank account for foreigners is straightforward, as the application is in English. Once your account is open, you can access it online or with the Rakuten bank app. 

Other important Rakuten banking information includes a 750 yen fee for any overseas remittance, no monthly maintenance fees, and no domestic ATM withdrawal fee for the first seven times.

One of the key benefits of having a Rakuten Bank with a Rakuten Card is that it makes accumulating Rakuten points easier and faster. 

Is Rakuten a good Bank?

Rakuten Bank ranks Japan at the top for banking and finances, offering great points and cashback benefits.

What is the bank code for Rakuten Bank?

Rakuten Bank’s bank code is 0036. Their SWIFT/BIC code for 楽天銀行 is RAKTJPJTXXX.

Rakuten Credit Card

The Rakuten Card is one of Japan's most popular credit cards and one of the easiest for foreigners to receive. 

Some of the main benefits of having a Rakuten Credit Card are:

• 1% cashback points (¥100 = 1 point)

• Rakuten Points can be used at various stores in Japan

• No annual fees for their regular card

• Contactless checkout payments with Visa touch

• Initial credit card limit: ¥700,000 to ¥1,000,000

The Rakuten Card is great for anyone who already uses other services such as phones, banks, and shopping. Use Rakuten's cashback system to save.

Is Rakuten Credit Card free?

Rakuten's regular credit card has no annual fee.

Rakuten Pay

Rakuten Pay and its point card system are among the most popular cashless payment methods in Japan. You must connect your credit card to use Rakuten Pay.

You will receive 1 point for every 100 yen when you use Rakuten Pay. You will receive 1 yen for every 1 Rakuten point when you redeem your points. 

Compared to other point cards in Japan, Rakuten Pay offers the best cashback deals when you connect your Rakuten Bank and Rakuten Card with your Rakuten Pay account. 

Can foreigners use Rakuten Pay?

Rakuten can sign up and use Rakuten Pay. While the Rakuten Pay app has a limited English interface, knowing basic Japanese helps one understand the basic functions. 

How does Rakuten Pay work?

There are three main ways to use Rakuten Pay:

1. Bar code scanning: Present your barcode or QR code at the checkout counter and have it scanned. Your payment is complete.

2. QR code reading: Tap "QR Code Reading" as your payment method and scan the QR code at the checkout counter. Input your amount and choose whether to use your Rakuten Points. Then, your payment is complete.

3. Point card payment: Use your point to pay by tapping on the "Point Card'' when checking out. Then, have your barcode scanned to use your points.

Rakuten Pay allows you to make cashless payments in Japan. 

How to use Rakuten points in a convenience store

To use your Rakuten Points at the conbini, show your Rakuten Point Card to the staff and say “ポイントで支払います (Pointo de shiharaimasu).”

Rakuten Travel

Believe it or not, Rakuten has a travel, accommodation, and hotel reservation service called Rakuten Travel.

Rakuten Travel allows you to book hotels and tours, rent cards, and get airline tickets. It also allows users to share their Rakuten travel experiences through reviews. It combines TripAdvisor's reviews with Booking or Agoda's reservation system in one place. 

Rakuten Travel English site is also available, although it offers limited information on deals, couples, hotel room sizes, and limited reviews.

How does Rakuten Travel work?

Booking a Rakuten Travel is similar to booking on other booking sites, such as Booking or Agoda. Additionally, Rakuten Travel allows travelers to make reservations and pay at the hotel. 

Are Rakuten and Rakuten Travel the same?

Rakuten Travel falls under the Rakuten Group.

Can Rakuten Travel be trusted?

Rakuten Travel is a popular and reliable Japanese hotel booking site. They also have an English Rakuten Travel site; however, it will show limited details of the hotel, room size, and beds.

Rakuten Mobile

Yes, Rakuten offers mobile services for you to use in Japan.

With Rakuten Mobile, you can get a Japanese phone number using a Rakuten SIM or eSim card.

Rakuten Mobile's popular plan includes a family discount plan for up to 3GB for 880 yen per month and an unlimited high-speed data plan for 2,880 yen per month.

One of the main benefits of using Rakuten Mobile is that you can use your Rakuten points to pay your mobile bills to practically 0 yen per month.

What does Rakuten Mobile do?

Rakuten Mobile provides its customers with a Japanese phone number, make phone calls, send text messages, and use their data.

How do I switch to Rakuten Mobile?

If you want to switch to Rakuten Mobile while keeping your current phone number, you will need your mobile number portability (MNP). Contact your current mobile provider for it. When you switch to Rakuten Mobile, use the MNP number and select the plan you would like to use. 

In closing

Rakuten offers various services that can cater to anyone, including online shopping, opening an online shop, banking, traveling, and even mobile services. The Rakuten ecosystem, with its Rakuten Pay point system, makes it an easy way to save in Japan while enjoying what it has to offer.