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📦 Amazon Japan + Rakuten: Online Shopping Tips for Foreigners

Japan's two biggest e-commerce platforms — Amazon.co.jp and Rakuten.co.jp — offer a wide variety of products, and many sellers ship domestically at lightning speed. Here's how to make the most of them as a foreigner in Japan!

🚚 Delivery Speeds

• Amazon Japan

  • ✅ Amazon Prime offers same-day or next-day delivery in major cities.

  • 🚚 Standard delivery usually takes 1–3 days.

  • 🏠 Delivery lockers & convenience store pickups are available.

• Rakuten

  • 🚛 Shipping speeds vary by seller (Rakuten is more of a marketplace).

  • ⏱ Check the “発送予定日” (Estimated Shipping Date) carefully.

💳 Payment Options

• Amazon Japan

  • Credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, JCB, etc.)

  • Convenience store payment (コンビニ支払い)

  • Gift cards / Amazon balance

  • Cash-on-delivery (代引き)

• Rakuten

  • Same as above, but also supports:

    • Rakuten Pay

    • Rakuten Card (for point benefits)

    • Bank transfer (銀行振込) in some cases

🌐 Navigating Japanese Sites

• Use a browser with automatic translation (Chrome recommended)

• Search in both English and Japanese for more results

  • Example: Try both “backpack” and “リュック”

• Use filters like:

  • 送料無料 (Free Shipping)

  • 即日発送 (Ships today)

  • 在庫あり (In stock)

🎁 Bonus Tips

• Create an account to save addresses and get shipping updates

• Some Amazon items are labeled as “international shipping available”

• On Rakuten, check seller ratings and item reviews carefully

• Use Rakuten points for future discounts