Japanese Flea Market Survival Guide
Everything foreigners need to know about selling on Mercari, Yahoo Auctions & Rakuma. Avoid mistakes, get good reviews, and sell like a local.
Last updated: March 2026
📌 TL;DR
Surviving Japanese flea markets as a foreigner requires understanding 5 unwritten rules: send greetings, ship in 24 hours, never haggle below 10%, respond within hours, always close with thanks. This guide covers all of them plus account setup, payment, and tax rules.
🙏 1. The Aisatsu Protocol (Greeting Messages)
In Japan, communication is everything. Unlike eBay or Amazon where you might never message the seller, Japanese flea market platforms expect greetings at every stage of the transaction.
⚠️ Key Rule
No message = rude. Even a simple thank you makes a huge difference in your reviews.
When to Send Messages:
💡 Pro Tip
Use our Message Generator to get perfect Japanese greetings for every situation. Copy-paste ready!
📌 2. Understanding 取り置き (Toriioki - Reservation)
取り置き means "reservation hold." A buyer asks you to hold an item for them until payday or until they can purchase.
✅ If You Accept
- • Set a clear deadline (e.g., "until March 15")
- • Add "【〇〇様専用】" to the title
- • Keep the listing active but reserved
❌ If You Decline
- • Be polite: "申し訳ございませんが..."
- • You're not obligated to hold
- • First come, first served is fine
⚠️ Warning
取り置き is not officially supported by Mercari. If someone else buys your reserved item, the platform will side with the actual buyer. It's a social custom, not a rule.
⚡ 3. 即購入 vs コメント必須 (Buying Rules)
You'll see these terms in listing descriptions. They tell you the seller's preference for how you should buy.
⚡ 即購入OK (Sokukou OK)
"Immediate purchase OK"
- • Buy without commenting first
- • No need to ask "May I buy?"
- • This is the official Mercari standard
💬 コメント必須 (Comment Hissu)
"Comment required before purchase"
- • Comment "購入希望です" first
- • Wait for seller's reply
- • Used for negotiation or reservations
🤔 What If I Buy Without Commenting?
Technically, you're within your rights. Mercari's official rule is 即購入OK. However, some sellers might be annoyed and give you a neutral review. Check the description before buying to avoid conflict.
💰 4. Price Negotiation Etiquette
Haggling is common and expected on Japanese flea markets. But there are unwritten rules.
✅ Good Negotiation
- • Ask for 10-20% off maximum
- • Be polite: "お値下げ可能でしょうか？"
- • Give a specific number, not "cheaper"
- • Accept "no" gracefully
❌ Bad Negotiation
- • Asking for 50% off (insulting)
- • Lowballing: "半額になりますか？"
- • Negotiating on already-cheap items
- • Pushing after seller declines
💡 The Magic Phrase
「コメント失礼します。こちら〇〇円で購入できませんか？ご検討お願いします。」
"Excuse me for commenting. Would you sell this for ¥XX? Please consider it."
Use our Message Generator for perfect negotiation messages.
⏰ 5. Response Time Expectations
Japanese buyers and sellers expect fast responses. This isn't eBay where you can reply in 24 hours.
| Action | Expected Time | Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Reply to questions | Within a few hours | Same day is OK |
| Message after purchase | Within 30 minutes | Within hours |
| Ship after purchase | 1-2 days | Check your listing promise |
| Leave review | Same day as receiving | Within 2-3 days |
⚠️ Slow Response = Bad Reviews
Many negative reviews mention "返信が遅い" (slow replies). If you can't respond quickly, mention it in your profile: "仕事の都合で返信が遅くなる場合があります"
⭐ 6. The Review System
Reviews are mutual on Japanese platforms. Both buyer and seller rate each other. This creates accountability.
Smooth transaction, polite communication
OK but something was off
Problems, rude, or no communication
💡 Review Timing
On Mercari, payment is held until both parties leave reviews. Sellers: leave your review immediately after buyer does. Buyers: don't delay—the seller is waiting for their money!
How to Get Good Reviews
- ✓ Send messages at every stage
- ✓ Ship quickly (within your stated timeframe)
- ✓ Pack items carefully
- ✓ Be honest in your descriptions
- ✓ Respond to questions promptly
📦 7. Shipping Methods Explained
Japanese shipping is efficient and cheap. Here are the main options for Mercari sellers:
| Method | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| ネコポス (Nekopos) | ¥210 | Small items, A4, 3cm thick |
| ゆうパケット | ¥230 | Post office drop-off option |
| ゆうパケットポスト | ¥215 | Mailbox drop, very convenient |
| 宅急便コンパクト | ¥450+ | Thicker items, special box needed |
| 宅急便 (60-160) | ¥750-1,700 | Large items |
💡 Pro Tip
Use our Shipping Calculator to find the cheapest option for your item size.
🚫 8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Always message after purchase and after receiving. No exceptions.
Reply within hours, not days. Japanese users expect speed.
Asking for 50% off is insulting. Stick to 10-20% discounts.
Japanese buyers expect careful packaging. Use bubble wrap, clean boxes.
Check if seller wants コメント必須 before buying.
The seller doesn't get paid until you review. Don't make them wait.
🚀 9. Getting Started as a Foreigner
Selling on Mercari as a non-Japanese person is possible — many expats do it successfully. Here is what you need to know before your first listing.
📱 Account Verification
Mercari Japan requires a Japanese phone number for SMS verification. If you have a Japanese SIM (including prepaid), you can register. Foreign numbers are not accepted.
- • Japanese phone number required for registration
- • Profile photo strongly recommended (builds trust)
- • Real name required for bank withdrawal setup
- • For selling above ¥10,000/month: identity verification (identity card scan)
🏦 Payment Setup
To receive money from sales, you need a Japanese bank account linked to your Mercari account. Most major Japanese banks work (JP Post Bank, Rakuten Bank, SMBC, etc.).
No Japanese bank yet? Use a friend or partner — sales balance stays in-app until you withdraw.
🌐 Language Barrier
Mercari Japan has limited English support. Most menus are Japanese. Use our Message Generator for communication and Chrome/Safari auto-translate for navigation.
📋 10. The 5 Unwritten Rules
These rules are not written anywhere on Mercari. But break them and you will get bad reviews, get ignored, or get reported. Every experienced Japanese user follows these without thinking.
Rule 1: Always Send a Greeting
Message within minutes of purchasing. Message after shipping. Message after receiving. Silence at any stage is considered rude.
Rule 2: Ship Within 24 Hours
Japanese buyers expect next-day shipping. If you cannot ship immediately, say so before the buyer purchases. Delays without notice = bad review.
Rule 3: Never Ask for More Than 10-15% Off
Asking for 50% off is insulting. Asking for 10-15% is normal. If the seller says no, accept it gracefully. Never push twice.
Rule 4: Respond Within Hours, Not Days
Japanese users check their phones constantly. A 24-hour response delay is unusual. Being unresponsive signals unreliability.
Rule 5: Always Close With Thanks
After a transaction, always send a final thank-you message before leaving a review. This closes the deal on good terms and almost guarantees a positive review in return.
⚠️ 11. Red Flags: Problematic Buyers
Most transactions are smooth. But some buyer behaviors are warning signs. Knowing these helps you decide whether to proceed or politely cancel before problems start.
🚩 High-Risk Signs
- Zero reviews, no profile photo — new accounts that buy expensive items immediately
- Rushes you to ship — messaging repeatedly before you confirm the transaction
- Asks to move off-platform — wants to pay via LINE Pay or bank transfer directly
- Many negative reviews — visible on their profile page
- Requests unusual packaging — e.g., "no box, just wrap in plastic"
⚡ Watch Carefully
- Multiple cancel history — check their review history for cancelled transactions
- Immediate aggressive discount requests — asks 50%+ off right after purchase
- Vague questions about shipping — asks what carrier you use before purchase
- Requests specific address format — unusual for domestic shipping
What to Do
If a buyer raises red flags, you can cancel before shipping. Message them politely: 「誠に申し訳ございませんが、諸事情によりキャンセルのご対応をお願いできますでしょうか」 (I sincerely apologize, but may I request a cancellation due to circumstances). Cancellations affect both parties' metrics, so use only when necessary.
💴 12. Getting Paid as a Foreigner
Mercari holds your earnings in a Mercari wallet until you request a withdrawal. For foreigners, getting money out requires a Japanese bank account.
How Mercari Pays You
- Buyer marks item received and reviews
- Funds released to your Mercari balance (takes 1-3 days)
- You request a withdrawal (振込申請) from the app
- Transfer arrives within 1-5 business days
- Minimum withdrawal: ¥200. Fee: ¥200 per withdrawal (free over ¥10,000)
Japanese Banks That Work Well for Foreigners
- • JP Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) — easiest for residents, many ATMs
- • Rakuten Bank — full English app, online setup
- • SBI Sumishin Net Bank — English support, online-only
- • Seven Bank — convenient for foreigners, 7-Eleven ATMs
No Japanese Bank Account?
Your balance stays in the Mercari app. You can use it to buy items on Mercari, or apply for a Mercari prepaid card (Mercari ポイント). Opening a Japanese bank account is strongly recommended for regular selling.
🧾 13. Tax Rules for Non-Japanese Sellers
Tax rules in Japan apply based on your residency status, not nationality. If you live in Japan with a valid residency, you are subject to the same rules as Japanese citizens.
The information below is general guidance only. Consult a licensed tax accountant (税理士) or your country's embassy for personal advice.
The ¥200,000 Rule
If your total profit (not sales revenue) from side income in a calendar year exceeds ¥200,000, you are required to file a tax return (確定申告). This applies to employed residents.
For self-employed or business income situations, different thresholds apply. Profit = sales price minus item cost and fees.
What Counts as Taxable
- • Selling items you bought specifically to resell: taxable business income
- • Selling personal belongings you own: generally non-taxable under ¥500,000/item for misc income
- • Regular high-volume selling: likely treated as business income regardless of what you sell
Practical Tips
- • Track every transaction: date, sale price, purchase price, fees
- • Keep receipts for items you bought to resell
- • Use our Profit Calculator to track net profit accurately
- • Filing deadline: typically mid-March for the previous year
- • Many tax offices have multilingual support — call ahead to arrange