Introduction: Why Amazon Japan?
If you live outside Japan, you’ve probably thought,
“This product is only available on Amazon Japan!” at least once.
Amazon Japan offers a wide range of unique and high-quality items, such as:
- Japanese skincare and household goods
- Limited-edition anime and gaming merchandise
- Japanese books, manga, and magazines
- Electronics made for the Japanese market (like rice cookers or beauty devices)
However, not everything on Amazon Japan can be shipped internationally.
In this article, we’ll explain why foreign shoppers love Amazon Japan and give you a clear overview of how to start using it from overseas.
1. Why Should You Use Amazon Japan?
- ✅ Massive Product Selection
Many Japanese-exclusive items aren’t available on other Amazon marketplaces like Amazon US or UK. From skincare to anime figures, Amazon Japan has it all. - ✅ Trusted and Reliable
You’re more likely to find authentic, brand-new products with clear shipping options. - ✅ Frequent Sales and Promotions
Amazon Japan runs big events like Prime Day and time-limited deals, making it easy to save money.
2. How Can You Order from Outside Japan?
Unfortunately, not all items on Amazon Japan can be shipped internationally. Here are the two main ways to order:
✔️ Option 1: Buy Items That Support International Shipping
- Look for “This item can be shipped internationally” on the product page
- Some listings are marked with “AmazonGlobal”
- Note: Availability is limited—especially for cosmetics, food, or electronics
✔️ Option 2: Use a Package Forwarding Service
- These services give you a temporary Japanese shipping address
- You order from Amazon Japan, ship it there, and they forward it to your country
- This opens up almost all items for purchase
- You’ll need to pay for shipping and handling fees, but it’s often worth it
(We’ll go into detail about forwarding services in the next post!)
3. Who Should Consider Using It?
- Expats or travelers wanting to access Japanese goods
- People looking for gifts from Japan
- Anime/game fans interested in official merchandise
- Japan lovers who want authentic cultural products
4. Things to Know Before You Order
- The Amazon Japan website is in Japanese (use Google Translate if needed)
- Most payments are made in Japanese yen
- Shipping costs and time may be higher than local Amazon sites
- Returns and exchanges can be difficult across borders
Summary
Even if you live outside Japan, buying from Amazon Japan is easier than you might think.
Thanks to forwarding services and limited international shipping, you can get your hands on all the Japanese items you love.
In this article, we introduced the why and how of shopping from abroad.
Next up, we’ll walk you through how to create an account, find products, and compare shipping options—stay tuned!
🔗 Next Article : 【Part 2】 How to Create an Amazon Japan Account and Search for Products Smoothly
