How to Create a Mercari Japan Account as a Foreigner: Step-by-Step Guide [2026]
By Furima Navi Team • May 26, 2026 • 10 min read
Quick Answer
To create a Mercari Japan account you need a Japanese phone number (070/080/090), a residence card (在留カード) for identity verification, and a Japanese address. Download the app, register with your phone number, verify via SMS, complete identity verification with your residence card photo, and you are ready to buy and sell.
What You Need Before Starting
- ✓Japanese mobile phone number (070, 080, or 090) — must be able to receive SMS
- ✓Residence card (在留カード) — required for identity verification
- ✓Japanese address — where you currently live
- ✓Email address
How to Get a Japanese Phone Number
| Carrier | Base Cost | Where to Sign Up |
|---|---|---|
| docomo / au / SoftBank | ¥3,000–5,000/month | Store visit with residence card + passport |
| Rakuten Mobile | ¥0–3,278/month | Online or store |
| ahamo / LINEMO | ¥2,178/month | Online only |
| IIJmio | ¥858/month | Online — good for low usage |
| povo 2.0 | ¥0 base + pay per use | App signup — cheapest option |
Step-by-Step Registration
- 1
Download the Mercari app
Search "メルカリ" on iOS App Store or Google Play. The icon is a red "m".
- 2
Tap 新規登録 (New Registration)
Choose signup method: email, Apple ID, Google, or Facebook.
- 3
Enter your details
ニックネーム (Nickname — any name in English is fine), メールアドレス (Email), パスワード (Password — 8+ characters).
- 4
Phone verification (SMS)
Enter your 070/080/090 number. You will receive a 4-digit SMS code. Enter it to continue. Tourist SIMs and data-only SIMs do NOT work.
- 5
Enter your name in katakana
姓 (Last name) and 名 (First name) must be in katakana. Example: John Smith → スミス ジョン. Use Google Translate to convert.
- 6
Enter your birthday
年 (Year) / 月 (Month) / 日 (Day) — dropdown selectors.
- 7
Enter your address
郵便番号 (Postal code, 7 digits) auto-fills prefecture and city. Then enter 番地 (street address) and 建物名 (building name + room number).
Identity Verification (本人確認)
Identity verification is required to sell items and withdraw funds. Without it, you can browse and buy but cannot list anything.
- 1Go to: マイページ (My Page) → 本人確認 (Identity Verification)
- 2Take a photo of the front of your residence card (在留カード)
- 3Take a photo of the back of your residence card
- 4Take a selfie — Mercari checks your face matches the card photo
Processing takes 1–3 business days. Make sure photos are well-lit with no glare on the card surface.
Setting Up Your Profile for Selling
- →Profile photo: optional but significantly increases buyer trust
- →Profile text: use our Profile Generator for ready-made bilingual templates
- →発送元の地域 (Shipping from): set your prefecture so buyers know estimated delivery time
- →振込先口座 (Bank account): required to withdraw sales money — set up after identity verification
Common Registration Problems for Foreigners
"Phone number already registered"
The number was used by a previous owner. Contact Mercari support via ヘルプセンター.
Katakana name errors
Use Google Translate Japanese katakana mode, or copy your name from an official document.
Identity verification rejected
Retake photos in good lighting. Ensure all card text is sharp and fully visible — no shadows or glare.
Cannot find address
Enter your 7-digit postal code first. Prefecture and city auto-fill, then adjust the street address manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use Mercari Japan with a tourist visa?
A: Technically possible if you have a Japanese phone number, but selling is limited without identity verification which requires a residence card.
Q: Can I use an English name on Mercari?
A: Your nickname can be anything in English, but your legal name must match your residence card and must be entered in katakana.
Q: How long does identity verification take?
A: Usually 1–3 business days. Ensure photos are well-lit with all card text clearly readable.
Q: Can I use my overseas credit card?
A: Some international Visa/Mastercard cards work for purchases, but a Japanese bank account is required to withdraw money from sales.
Q: Is Mercari available in English?
A: Partial English support launched January 2026, but most of the app is still in Japanese. Our tools help you navigate it.