Secondhand Shopping in Japan: Save Money & Get Quality

The Secondhand Culture in Japan

Japan is a paradise for secondhand goods. Unlike in Indonesia where used items are often associated with low quality, secondhand goods in Japan are sold in excellent condition—sometimes almost like new. Japanese people take great care of their belongings, and the "mottainai" (don't be wasteful) culture has allowed the secondhand market to thrive.

Physical Secondhand Stores (Recycle Shops)

Hard Off: An Indonesian Favorite

Hard Off and Off House are the largest recycle shop chains, selling almost everything:

• Hard Off: Electronics, musical instruments, gadgets, games - prices start from 100 yen
• Off House: Clothing, household items, furniture - a set of kitchenware can be 2,000-5,000 yen
• Junk corner: Untested items, priced at 100-500 yen. Many of them still work!
• Tips: Visit branches in residential areas (not city centers) for cheaper prices and more stock

Online Marketplace Apps

Mercari - The Most Popular

• It's like the "Tokopedia" of Japanese secondhand goods
• Prices are set by the seller, and negotiation is possible
• Anonymous shipping (匿名配送) is available for privacy
• Fee: 10% commission from the seller
• Download on the App Store/Play Store, register with a Japanese phone number

Yahoo! Auction (ヤフオク)

• Auction system, where you can get items for very low prices
• More suitable for collectibles and electronics
• Requires a Yahoo! Japan ID and sometimes a Premium membership (508 yen/month)

Jimoty

• A local giving/selling platform (like Craigslist)
• LOTS of FREE items (0 yen) - people who are moving often give away furniture
• Self-pickup (meet the seller directly)
• Very popular around the moving season (March-April)

What to Buy Secondhand

• Bicycles (自転車): New ones cost 15,000-30,000 yen, while secondhand ones at recycle shops are 3,000-8,000 yen. Make sure to get the anti-theft registration (防犯登録).
• Home appliances: Rice cooker, microwave, vacuum cleaner - 1,000-5,000 yen at Hard Off vs. 5,000-20,000 yen new.
• Furniture: Tables, chairs, shelves - many are available for free on Jimoty during moving season.
• Winter clothing: Branded jackets for 1,000-3,000 yen at 2nd Street vs. 10,000+ yen new.
• Books and manga: 100-300 yen per book at Book Off, great for practicing reading Japanese.
• Game consoles and games: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation - 30-50% cheaper than new.

Events and Flea Markets

• Flea Market (フリーマーケット): Held in parks and public venues, especially on weekends. Check the schedule at fmfm.jp.
• Sayonara Sale: Foreigners who are returning to their home countries often hold garage sales. Check Indonesian community Facebook groups.
• City Recycle Centers: Some cities have recycling centers that sell items at very low prices.

Saving Money at 100-Yen Shops

These aren't secondhand, but they are very helpful for saving money:

• Daiso: The largest, with almost everything for 100 yen (+tax). Kitchenware, stationery, storage items.
• Seria: More stylish designs, quality household products.
• Can Do: Similar to Daiso, sometimes has unique products.
• Tips: Basic cooking utensils (spatula, small pot, bowls) from a 100-yen shop are sufficient to start with.

Secondhand Shopping Tips for Indonesians

• Check the moving season (March-April) - The stock of used goods explodes because many people are moving.
• Don't be shy - In Japan, shopping secondhand is normal and even trendy (especially vintage fashion).
• Check electronics - Hard Off labels the condition (A: very good, B: good, C: minor defects, Junk: untested).
• Register on Mercari early - The sooner you register, the more you can take advantage of coupons and new user promotions.
• Sell your items too - When you're returning home or moving, sell your things on Mercari or Jimoty. Other Indonesians will surely need them.

By taking advantage of Japan's secondhand market, you can save hundreds of thousands of yen, especially in the first few months when setup costs are very high. The quality of secondhand goods in Japan is unquestionable.