Quick Answer: Mercari is Japan's leading online marketplace where individuals buy and sell used items and things they no longer need. You can list clothes, books, household goods, and more—or shop from other users' listings. The app supports English display and partial auto-translation, and it's useful for decluttering, moving, or preparing to leave Japan.
What is Mercari?
Mercari is a flea-market (furima) app in Japan where individuals list items and other users buy them. Its official materials describe it as Japan's largest flea-market service, and it is one of the most common ways to buy and sell used goods and unwanted items between individuals.
Beyond selling your own things, you can also buy from other users' listings. Because you can pass items that still have life in them on to someone who needs them instead of throwing them away, Mercari is handy when you want to declutter your home, or when you are moving or preparing to leave Japan.
Items that are costly or troublesome to throw away can be easier to part with when they sell—though listing something never guarantees it will sell.
What overseas service is it similar to?
If you have used eBay or Facebook Marketplace abroad, think of Mercari as a similar online marketplace: individuals post items, and other users purchase them.
If you are looking for that kind of service in Japan, Mercari is the best-known option. Unlike Etsy, which centers on handmade goods, it carries a wide range of everyday used items—clothes, books, household goods, and more.
What can you sell or buy?
On Mercari, you will commonly see items such as:
- Clothes, shoes, and bags
- Books, manga, CDs, and games
- Cameras, musical instruments, and hobby gear
- Kitchenware and household goods
- Furniture and home appliances
- Collectibles
When selling, choose items you own and can describe accurately. Some products are prohibited or restricted for legal or safety reasons, so check Mercari's official rules before listing.
Is it usable for foreign residents in Japan?
Mercari supports switching between Japanese and English display. In English mode, product titles and descriptions can be auto-translated into English.
English support is limited to certain screens and features, however. Mercari's official guidance also asks users in Japan to use Japanese for comments and transaction messages. Short Japanese phrases plus a translation app often make communication easier.
This article assumes you are using the Japan version of Mercari while living in Japan.
What is anonymous shipping?
With eligible Mercari shipping methods (メルカリ便), sellers and buyers can ship items without directly sharing names, addresses, or phone numbers—this is anonymous shipping.
Anonymous shipping has conditions. When you list or buy, check the shipping options shown at checkout and Mercari's latest official guidance.
How do selling and buying work?
To sell, you register photos, a description, price, and other details, then list the item. After someone buys it, you pack and ship the item; once ratings are complete on both sides, the transaction is finished.
To buy, you search for items, review photos, descriptions, price, and shipping terms, then complete purchase and payment. When the item arrives, you check its condition and confirm receipt.
At checkout, multiple payment methods are available—credit cards, convenience-store or ATM payment, carrier billing, Mercari balance (Merpay), and others. Available methods and fees may change, so confirm on the purchase screen and in Mercari's official guides.
Detailed how-to guides for listing and buying are covered in separate articles.
What the author has experienced
The author uses Mercari regularly in daily life. They have also traded with foreign users, and friends who are not Japanese use Mercari as well.
Transaction messages are mostly in Japanese, but short Japanese plus a translation app has been enough to complete trades without major problems. This reflects the author's and their acquaintances' experience; it does not guarantee the same outcome for every transaction.
Can you use an invite code?
When registering for Mercari, you may be able to enter an invite code. The author's code is NYSKGG.
When a referral through this code is completed, both the new registrant and the author may receive points or other benefits. Benefit details and conditions can change, so check the registration screen and Mercari's latest official guidance.
What to read next
This page introduces what Mercari is. Step-by-step guides are split into these topics:
- How to list and sell items on Mercari
- How to buy items on Mercari
We will link to each article from this section once they are published. Until then, check operation details and the latest terms in the Mercari Guide (Japanese).
Frequently asked questions
Is Mercari only for selling?
No. You can list your own items to sell and also search for and buy items from other users.
Can I use it entirely in English?
Some screens and product information are available in English. The app and web support English display and auto-translation of product titles and descriptions, but comments and transaction messages are mostly in Japanese. Use a translation app when needed.
Is it the same as eBay or Facebook Marketplace?
The core idea is similar—individuals buying and selling online. Registration, payment, shipping, and ratings work under Mercari's own rules, however. When using Mercari in Japan, check Mercari's guidelines.
Can I trade without sharing my address?
With eligible Mercari shipping methods (メルカリ便), you can use anonymous shipping. Names, addresses, and phone numbers are not shared directly with the other party, but conditions apply—confirm before each transaction.
Sources
- Mercari News — How to use Mercari (checked 2026-07-19) — Basic service overview, including selling unwanted items and buying products
- Mercari News — Using Mercari in English (checked 2026-07-19) — English display, auto-translation, supported scope, and message language guidance
- Mercari Guide — Anonymous shipping (checked 2026-07-19) — How shipping works without sharing personal details, and eligibility
- Mercari Guide — Payment methods (checked 2026-07-19) — List of payment options at purchase
- Mercari Guide — Prohibited items (checked 2026-07-19) — Official list of prohibited and restricted listings
- Mercari Guide — Invite points (checked 2026-07-19) — Official guidance on invite codes and referral benefits