Here is the list of online auction sites in Japan.
Looking for something great as eBay or Craigslist?
eBay is non-existent but Craigslist is quite big with foreign people in Japan. You are expected to use some Japanese if you want to use Japanese auction sites. So...if you look for something, first try Craigslist for Japan. We also have the list of Japanese shopping sites.
We show you the major auction websites in Japan and how to use them and what you need to be careful with.
mercari
Free to use the service.
How to use:
If you want to buy
Make your account
You search what you want
Check the conditions of terms from the seller (seller tends to have their own rules e.g. a buyer needs to contact the seller first, not clicking "buy now" bottom.)
When the seller allows on her/his terms, you can usually negotiate the price on the comment area
During the communication, the seller keeps the product for you by changing the product photo to [ XYZ 様専用/only for Ms.Mr XYZ ]
Check the review of the seller, check the product if it is really what you want
You press [購入する/Buy now] andto buy
As written above, if you see [ XYZ 様専用/only for Ms.Mr XYZ ], you should not buy it.
Otamart
Are you into anime stuff?
We have this website to find so many anime/manga related items in Japan, having not only manga anime but also game, Dojinshi, cosplay items.
It is a major flea market platform. The platform is very similar to Mercari.
If you want to buy. The tips are very similar to Mercari.
Make your account
You search what you want
Check the conditions of terms from the seller (seller tends to have their own rules e.g. a buyer needs to contact the seller first, not clicking "buy now" bottom.)
When the seller allows on her/his terms, you can usually negotiate the price on the comment area
During the communication, the seller keeps the product for you by changing the product photo to [ XYZ 様専用/only for Ms.Mr XYZ ]
Check the review of the seller, check the product if it is really what you want
You press [購入する/Buy now] andto buy
As written above, if you see [ XYZ 様専用/only for Ms.Mr XYZ ], you should not buy it.
mobaok
This is the second biggest auction site after Yahoo Auction. It is owned by a major internet service company, DeNA.
It is 330JPY per month (incl. tax) to use (if you use iTunes or google play payment, 360JPY per month (incl. tax)).
You can use credit card, several Japanese mobile phone payment such as Au pay, bank transfer.
No charge except for the monthly fee.
How to use:
If you want to buy
Make your account
You search what you want
Check the conditions of terms from the seller
Check the review of the seller, check the product if it is really what you want
You press [入札する/Bid] and put the price you want to pay and press [入札する/Bid]
Once you press [入札する/Bid], you can not cancel your bid
JiMoTY
It is free to use.
This is a classified ad site. You must register to buy or sell incl. contacting each other. It is a Craigslist in Japan. There are event info, job, lesson on the platform.Like Cragslist, you find many free stuff.
If you look for some special items such as rare anime figure or so, you may want to check other sites.
How to use:
You can log in using your facebook, docomo mobile phone account, or register with your email.
If you want to buy
Make your account
You search what you want
Check the conditions of terms from the seller incl. where the seller is located
Check the review of the seller/if the ID of the seller verified (some just verified by SMS, some verified with a appropriate licence etc. The more, the safer (feel!))
You contact the seller from the form
You can chat with the seller on the platform e.g. how to pay/how to get it delivered/shipment method/hand carry etc.
Yahoo auction
This is the biggest auction site in Japan. It is owned by Softbank group.
You can find almost everything including car and house!
