Mercari is a popular online second-hand marketplace in Japan. Since its launch in 2013, it has quickly become an essential app in the everyday lives of Japanese people. Whether it's clothing, electronics, or everyday items, users can easily list and buy products through the website or mobile app. 

The platform is user-friendly and allows for quick and easy transactions, making it extremely popular among Japanese users. In recent years, Mercari has also expanded internationally, with its presence growing in the U.S. and Taiwan, drawing a lot of attention!

In this article, we'll introduce the features of the Mercari platform, the most popular product categories, and the Mercari-related services provided by BEX Market, helping you make it easier to shop for Japanese products!

Platform Features

Mercari’s rapid popularity in Japan can be attributed not only to its convenience and safety but also to how closely it meets user needs. Here are a few key features that make it so popular:

(1) Simple to Use – Anyone Can List Items with Ease

Mercari’s interface is designed to be simple and intuitive, making it easy for first-time users to pick up. All you need to do is take a photo of the product, input basic details, and you’re ready to list it for sale. No professional knowledge or experience is required.

(2) Supports Anonymous Transactions to Protect Personal Information

With Mercari's "Anonymous Shipping Service (匿名配送)", both buyers and sellers can complete transactions without revealing their names or addresses, effectively protecting their privacy.

(3) Items Not Accepted by Regular Secondhand Stores May Sell on Mercari

Except for items prohibited by Mercari’s policies, you can sell almost anything as long as there’s a buyer! For example, "toilet paper rolls" gained attention as a material for Japanese summer homework projects! Additionally, even secondhand clothes or books can attract interested buyers if you clearly describe the item’s condition.

What Are the Prohibited Items on Mercari?

Counterfeit branded goods, food items with safety or hygiene concerns, hazardous materials, and other items are prohibited to ensure a safe and secure trading environment for all users. You can find more details about Mercari's prohibited items at the following link:

禁止されている出品物 (Prohibited Items for Sale)
https://help.jp.mercari.com/guide/articles/259/ 　

(4) Negotiate Prices for More Flexible Transactions

Buyers can send a "Price Negotiation Request" (値下げ依頼) for listed items, proposing their desired purchase price. Sellers can see who made the request and decide whether to accept it. Once accepted, the transaction can be completed at the negotiated price. However, please note that items priced below 300 yen or listed in auction format cannot use the negotiation feature. For more details, please refer to the following link:

値下げ依頼について（About Price Negotiation Request）
https://help.jp.mercari.com/guide/articles/1403/

What Are the Popular Items on Mercari?

The most popular items on Mercari fall into the following categories:
 

• Japanese brand clothing and shoes
• Secondhand luxury items and designer bags
• Anime merchandise and limited edition toys
• Home goods and small appliances
• Textbooks and Japanese learning materials
• Baby and toddler products
• Cameras and photography equipment
• Other rare items that are no longer available in the market or are discontinued

Mercari offers a wide variety of products, with almost everything you can imagine. However, be aware that some items may not be available for international shipping or might not be usable abroad due to differences in specifications (such as voltage issues with electronic products). Be sure to double-check before purchasing. On the flip side, it’s also a great place to hunt for treasures! You might find luxury goods, anime or idol limited edition merchandise, and more, often at prices lower than their original cost. It's definitely worth searching!

Important Notes for Use

Although Mercari is a convenient and popular trading platform, due to the large number of users, scams do occur from time to time. We recommend that you be cautious when making purchases to avoid falling into traps. We’ve put together a Scam Prevention Guide to help you easily avoid common risks: "Mercari Scam Prevention Guide ~Easily Avoid Common Traps!".

Additionally, Mercari has many platform-specific terms and practices that might be confusing for new users. In the article "Decoding Mercari Terms Master the Key Vocabulary for Shopping", we've compiled a list of common terms, including seller ratings and more. Feel free to check it out if you're interested!

Services Provided by BEX Market

To help you complete your transactions on Mercari more smoothly, BEX Market offers a variety of services, including adding product photos, price negotiations, and coordinating shipping methods—saving you the hassle of communicating directly with sellers! For more details, check out: "BEX Market New Services Unveiled! ~Shopping on Mercari and Rakuma, from Price Negotiation to Shipping, All in One Go~".

If you need more information or have any questions, feel free to contact our customer service team!