For many fans of Japanese idols or anime, treasure hunting on Japanese websites is both super fun and exciting. Whether you're looking for limited-edition acrylic stands, adorable photo cards, or the itabag of your dreams, knowing a few useful Japanese keywords can greatly boost your search efficiency and help you quickly find what you love!

This article compiles a wide range of useful product names and on-site cheering gear, complete with the original Japanese terms, romaji (romanized spelling), and common abbreviations. It’s designed to help you search easily on Japanese platforms like Mercari, Yahoo! Auctions, Animate, Rakuten Ichiba, and more. Whether you’re a beginner in Japanese or a seasoned fan, this guide will help you discover your own treasure trove of merch!

Japanese Keywords

Next, we’ll organize the most common and useful Japanese keywords based on different types of merchandise, making it easier for you to quickly search for the items you want. Each keyword entry will be presented in the following format:

English name: Japanese (romaji) (commonly used Japanese abbreviation, if any) (abbreviation in romaji)
 

Keychains & Badges

• Rubber Phone Strap: ラバーストラップ (Raba-Sutorappu)（ラバスト）(Rabasuto)
• Acrylic Keychain: アクリルキーホルダー (Akuriru Ki-horuda-)（アクキー）(Akuki-)
• Round Metal Badge: 缶バッジ (Kan bacchi)
• Acrylic Charm: アクリルチャーム (Akuriru Cha-mu)
• Wooden Keychain: 木製キーホルダー (Mokusei Ki-horuda-)

Photocards, Photos & Collectibles

• Photocard / Trading Card :トレーディングカード (Tore-dexingu Ka-do)（トレカ）(Toreka)
• Photo: 生写真 (Nama Shashin)
• Polaroid (Instax-style photo): チェキ (Cheki)
• Sticker: ステッカー (Sutekka-)

Plushies & Display Items

• Plush Toy / Doll: ぬいぐるみ (Nuigurumi)（ぬい）(Nui)
• Taking Photos with Plushies: ぬい撮り (Nui dori)
• Acrylic Standee: アクリルスタンド (Akuriru Sutando)（アクスタ）(Akusuta)
• Acrylic Photo Frame: アクリルフレーム (Akuriru Fure-mu)
• Figure: フィギュア (Figyua)
• Chibi-Style Figure (Nendoroid): ねんどろいど (Nendoroido)
• Paper Model / Paper Goods: ペーパークラフト (Pe-pa-kurafuto)
• Diorama / Scene Display Box: ジオラマ (Jiorama)

Cheering & Concert Goods

• Wristband: リストバンド (Risuto Bando)
• Lightstick: ペンライト (Pen Raito)
• Scarf Towel: マフラータオル (Mafura- Taoru)
• Glow Stick: サイリウム (Sairiumu) / ケミカルライト (Kemikaru Raito)
• Happi Coat (Festival Jacket): はっぴ (Happi)
• Uchiwa Fan: うちわ (Uchiwa)
• Cheering Uchiwa Fan: 応援うちわ (Ouen Uchiwa)
• Cheering Signboard: 応援ボード (Ouen Bo-do)
• Live Concert Goods: ライブグッズ (Raibu Guzzu)

Tickets & Storage Items

• E-Ticket: 電子チケット (Denshi Chiketto)
• Photocard Sleeve / Case:トレカケース (Toreka Ke-su)
• Transparent Card Binder / Organizer: カードファイル (Ka-do Fairu)
• Ticket Holder: チケットホルダー (Chiketto Horuda-)
• Clear File Folder: クリアファイル (Kuria Fairu)
• Merch Pouch / Organizer Bag: グッズポーチ (Guzzu Po-chi)
• Acrylic Storage Box: アクリルケース (Akuriru Ke-su)

Other Merch & Miscellaneous Goods

• Random Pack / Blind Pack: ブラインドパック (Buraindo Pakku)
• Random Box / Blind Box: ブラインドボックス (Buraindo Bokkusu)
• Random Merch goods: ランダムグッズ (Randamu Guzzu)
• Body Pillow: 抱き枕 (Dakimakura)
• Character Coin Purse: キャラクターコインケース (Kyarakuta- Koin Ke-su)
• Itabag / Itabag Style Bag: 痛バッグ (Ita baggu)
• Character Tote Bag: キャラバッグ (Kyara Baggu)
• Character Printed T-Shirt: キャラTシャツ (Kyara T-shatsu)
• Character Makeup Pouch: キャラポーチ (Kyara Po-chi)

Useful Keywords to Combine in Your Searches

Besides the names of various merchandise, there are also some common keywords you can use when searching on Japanese websites to help you filter results more accurately. 

For example, you might want to look for terms like “ unopened,” “ complete set,” “ secondhand,” or “ event limited.” These Japanese keywords often appear in product titles or descriptions. Learning them can greatly improve your search efficiency and reduce the chances of surprises!

• Currently Available: 発売中 (Hatsubai-chuu)
• New Release: 新発売 (Shinhatsubai)
• New Product: 新商品 (Shinshohin)
• Pre-order: 予約 (Yoyaku)
• Pre-orders Accepted Now: 予約受付中 (Yoyaku-uketsuke-chuu)
• Brand New Product: 新品 (Shinpin)
• Sold Out: 完売 (Kanbai)
• Discontinued / Out of Print: 廃盤 (Haiban)
• Secondhand / Used: 中古 (Chuuko)
• Complete Set: コンプ (Konpu)（＝コンプリートcomplete）
• Single Pull / Single Item Sale: バラ売り (Bara Uri)
• Unopened / Sealed: 未開封 (Mikaihou)
• Display Item: 展示品 (Tenjihin)
• Lucky Bag: 福袋 (Fukubukuro)
• Bonus Item / Special Gift: 特典 (Tokuten)
• Limited Edition: 限定 (Gentei)
• Event Limited: イベント限定 (Ibento Gentei)
• Lottery Item / Draw Item: 抽選 (Chuusen)

Useful Search Phrases: How to Combine Japanese Keywords for Effective Searching!

After learning the various product names and common terms, the next most important step is how to actually search! Below are some common and super practical keyword combination patterns. 

Just insert the name of the character or series you’re looking for (such as a character name, group name, or anime title) into the “OO” spot, and you can immediately try searching on Japanese websites.

Whether you want to find acrylic stands, photocards, badges, or specifically look for “unopened,” “secondhand,” or “limited edition” items, these combinations will help you target your search precisely and avoid being flooded with unrelated products!

Desired Item: Japanese Search Phrase (Additional Notes, if any)

• Search for OO acrylic stand: OO アクスタ
• Search for unopened OO photocards: OO トレカ 未開封
• Search for secondhand OO merch: OO グッズ 中古
• Search for a complete set of OO badges: OO 缶バッジ コンプ (「コンプ」=Complete)
• Search for event-limited OO items: OO イベント限定
• Search for OO lottery bonus items: OO 抽選 特典 (Such as trading cards, postcards)
• Search for OO collaboration merchandise: OO コラボ グッズ
• Search for OO character goods: OO キャラグッズ
• Search for newly released OO merch: OO 新作 グッズ
• Search for OO cheering lightsticks: OO ペンライト

By mastering these practical Japanese product names, abbreviations, common keywords, and search phrases, even if you don’t understand Japanese, you’ll be able to smoothly hunt for and find your favorite idol or anime merch on Japanese websites. Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or an experienced overseas fan, we hope this guide becomes a helpful tool for your online shopping adventures.

If you find this guide useful, feel free to share it with friends who also love collecting and following idols and anime!