Following our last introduction to Rakuten Ichiba in the "Rakuten Ichiba Shopping Guide ~Easily Buy Japan’s Hottest Products via BEX Market~", this time we’re taking a closer look at another secondhand marketplace from the Rakuten Group — Rakuten Rakuma (楽天ラクマ). 

Rakuten Rakuma is a revamped secondhand marketplace that originally launched as Japan’s first flea market app, “FRIL (フリル),” in July 2012. All monetary transactions are handled by the Rakuten Rakuma platform, allowing users to buy and sell easily and in security.

Key Features of Rakuten Rakuma

Rakuten Rakuma is a secondhand marketplace app with a clean interface and intuitive design, making it easy to use for both beginners and experienced users. 

From listing items to searching and purchasing, the process is simple and user-friendly—you can start using it the same day you install the app. Listing an item is also hassle-free: just snap a photo, enter a description, set a price, and you're good to go. Here are some of Rakuma’s standout features:

• Use and Earn Rakuten Points

Rakuten Rakuma is operated by the Rakuten Group, which means you can use your Rakuten Points to shop—and earn even more points with each transaction. It’s a great way to save on future purchases across the entire Rakuten ecosystem, including Rakuten Ichiba.

• Frequent Promotions and Limited-Time Deals

  Rakuten Rakuma runs limited-time campaigns and special discounts. Whether it’s exclusive offers for new users or promotions on specific product categories, these deals make buying and selling on the platform even more cost-effective.

• Rakuten Rakuma's FREE "Rakuma Authentication Service"(Rakuma最強鑑定)

  Rakuma offers a free brand authentication service, where professional appraisers verify the authenticity of luxury items. This ensures a safe shopping experience for buyers. If an item is found to be counterfeit, the buyer has the option to cancel the transaction. This service significantly reduces the risk of purchasing fake goods.

  
  For more details, check out: "Rakuten Rakuma FREE Luxury Authentication Service ~Safely shop for brand-name products~".

Weekly Ranking of Popular Brands

Rakuten Rakuma releases a weekly ranking of the top 10 most popular brands, giving you a quick look at what’s trending right now. Whether you’re curious about what everyone’s buying or looking to score seasonal must-haves at better prices, be sure to check the latest rankings and stay on top of secondhand trends in Japan!

Rakuma’s Weekly Most Popular Brands

https://fril.jp/ranking 

Common Terms

Here are some Japanese terms you’ll often encounter when using Rakuten Rakuma. Knowing these will help you quickly understand product details and transaction conditions while browsing the platform.

Terms Related to Transaction Safety

※Photo is for reference only

• 本人確認済：Verified identity. The user has completed the platform’s identity verification, enhancing the security of transactions.
• 紛失補償有：Lost item compensation available. The shipping method includes coverage for lost items, allowing you to apply for compensation if the item gets lost during delivery.

Terms Related to Product Information

※Photo is for reference only

• 商品情報: Product Information.
• カテゴリ: Category. The classification or type of product, such as clothing, electronics, beauty, etc.
• サイズ: Size. The size information of the product, e.g., clothing sizes (S/M/L), shoe sizes, etc.
• ブランド: Brand. The brand name of the product, for example, UNIQLO, CHANEL, NIKE, etc.
• 商品の状態: Item Condition. The state or quality of the product, usually indicated as “Brand new,” “Almost new,” “Slightly used,” and so on.
• 配送料の負担: Shipping Cost Responsibility. Indicates who pays the shipping fee — the seller or the buyer.
• 送料込み: Shipping included. The seller pays for shipping.
• 着払い: Cash on delivery. The buyer pays for shipping upon delivery.
• 配送方法: Shipping Method. The way the product will be shipped, such as “Japan Post,” “Simple Rakuma Pack (かんたんラクマパック),” etc.
• 発送日の目安: Estimated Shipping Date. The expected timeframe in which the seller will send the item, commonly “Ships within 1–2 days,” “Ships within 4–7 days,” etc.
• 発送元の地域: Shipping Origin. The region or prefecture from which the item will be shipped (e.g., Tokyo, Osaka), helpful for estimating delivery time.

Rakuten Rakuma Exclusive Shipping Service – “Simple Rakuma Pack” (かんたんラクマパック)

The “Simple Rakuma Pack” (かんたんラクマパック) is an exclusive shipping service offered by Rakuten Rakuma, using Japan Post or Yamato Transport (Kuroneko Yamato). These shipping options come with special discounted rates, making them more affordable. Additionally, they include exclusive lost-item compensation, providing extra security for your transactions.

Lost Item Compensation (ラクマあんしん補償)

If you use the “Simple Rakuma Pack” shipping service and your item is unfortunately lost during transit, Rakuten Rakuma provides a compensation service. As long as the conditions are met, both buyers and sellers can receive reimbursement for the item’s value. The platform will also assist by handling communication and inquiries with the shipping company on your behalf.

Please note that the maximum compensation amount depends on the chosen shipping method, with limits of up to ¥100,000 or ¥300,000.

Types of Items Not Covered by Compensation

The following categories of items are not eligible for lost item compensation, as they are typically prohibited for shipping by Japan Post or Yamato Transport (Kuroneko Yamato), such as:

• Various types of vouchers or securities (e.g., concert tickets, bookstore gift cards, rice coupons, beer vouchers)
• Japan's regional promotion coupons, department store gift certificates, and similar items

To avoid disputes and losses, it is recommended to confirm whether an item qualifies for shipping and compensation before making a purchase.

Other Japanese Online Flea Markets

Besides Rakuten Rakuma, there are other popular online flea markets in Japan, such as Mercari (メルカリ) and Yahoo! Auctions (ヤフオク！), which are also widely used by Japanese shoppers. If you’re interested in these platforms, the following selected articles can help you get started quickly!

Mercari Related Articles

• Mercari Beginner's Guide ~Popular Items, Tips, and BEX Market Services You Need to Know~
• Decoding Mercari Terms~Master the Key Vocabulary for Shopping~
• Mercari Scam Prevention Guide~Easily Avoid Common Traps!~

Yahoo! Auctions Related Articles

• A Complete Guide to Using Japan Yahoo! Auction ~Affordable and Secure Online Shopping Tips~
• Exploring the Yahoo! Auction Glossary~Master the Vocabulary as You Shop~

Services Provided by BEX Market

To help you complete your transactions on Rakuten Rakuma 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 Rakuten 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 support!