Is it worth buying used goods in Japan? 4 reasons why Japanese people are “addicted” to used goods stores in Japan

If you are living in Japan and want to save on living expenses while still owning quality items, then these second hand store in japan is a destination not to be missed. With a variety of branded clothes, electronics, furniture to books, household appliances, all are kept as new, and the prices are extremely affordable. It is no coincidence that Japanese people are so "addicted" to shopping at secondhand stores. Join T-Connect to discover the reasons and experiences of hunting for secondhand goods like a "native" in the article below!

Is it worth buying things from secondhand stores in Japan?

The answer is yes, it is indeed worth it, and is even considered one of the smartest choices when living in Japan. Here, the culture of buying and selling used goods is not only very popular but also operated in a very professional, transparent and trustworthy manner, especially in the context of escalating prices and increasing environmental awareness.

Shopping at secondhand stores is popular in Japan because:

• Quality like new: Japanese people have a habit of taking very good care of their belongings. Many items are still in their original boxes, complete with accessories, and even unused (new-like condition).
• Very cheap price: Compared to buying new items, used items are often 50% to 90% cheaper, helping you save significantly on living expenses.
• Very diverseFrom clothes, electronics, furniture to books, toys – there is almost nothing that second-hand stores in Japan do not sell.
• Safe and convenient shopping: Major stores inspect, sort, and warrant used items. Some even allow returns if the product is defective.

Popular types of second-hand stores in Japan

In Japan, the second-hand store system is extremely developed, ranging in size from large national chains to small local shops and bustling flea markets. Below are the 3 most popular groups of second-hand stores that you should not miss:

Big chain stores

Large chain stores located throughout Japan, stand out for their thorough product inspection process, clean shopping space, professional staff and transparent warranty policies:

• BookOff: The most famous of the “Off” system, specializing in used books, comics, CDs/DVDs, clothing and small electronic devices.
• HardOff: Paradise for technology and musical instrument enthusiasts – from cameras, game consoles, portable speakers, amplifiers to computers and laptops.
• ModeOff: Store specializing in used fashion, from affordable to branded items such as Uniqlo, GU, Zara, Burberry...
• Off House: Focus on furniture, household appliances (rice cookers, microwaves, vacuum cleaners...), children's products, bicycles, sports equipment.
• 2nd Street: The system features men's and women's fashion, accessories, handbags, shoes - constantly updating new styles.

📌 Advantage: Easy to find, guaranteed goods, regular promotions and tax refund support for foreign tourists.

Small, local shop

If you’re looking for unique, one-of-a-kind items, local thrift stores are a great place to start. These are small, family-run shops often located in residential areas or local markets.

• Prices are significantly cheaper than major chains.
• Rich and sometimes even antique, vintage, traditional Japanese items.
• Friendly, easy to bargain and more intimate shopping experience.

📌 Note: Goods are rarely as carefully sorted or inspected as large chains, so you should check carefully before buying.

Flea Market, second-hand sale event (Flea Market – Flea Market)

Flea markets in Japan usually take place on weekends, concentrated in parks, parking lots or stadiums. This is where people bring their old items to sell directly, so the prices are very "cheap", and you can even bargain.

• You can find everything: from clothes, shoes, books, household items to toys and handmade crafts.
• The atmosphere is bustling and fun, perfect for experiencing local culture.

📌 Some famous markets include:

• Yoyogi Park (Tokyo)
• Osaka Castle Park (Osaka)
• Heiwa Park (Nagoya)
• Ohori Park (Fukuoka)

Some famous second-hand store addresses in big cities

Whether you live in Tokyo, Osaka or Nagoya, Fukuoka, exploring the famous local second-hand stores is always an interesting experience. Here are some addresses of second-hand stores in Japan that are highly rated by the Vietnamese community and international tourists:

Tokyo

As the largest economic and cultural center in Japan, Tokyo has countless second-hand stores ranging from small to large, spread across districts such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara, Ikebukuro... This is the ideal place to hunt for used branded goods, old technology devices, books and even vintage fashion. Notable stores here include:

• BookOff Plus Akihabara: Located right in Akihabara, it is a paradise for people who love books, comics, music CDs and old technology such as game consoles and smartphones. The store here has many floors and is very scientifically arranged.
• 2nd Street Shibuya: Near Shibuya station, suitable for young people who love streetwear fashion, branded accessories, and sneakers.
• ModeOff Shinjuku: With a large space, neatly arranged, reasonable prices, this place sells used clothes, from office wear, casual to vintage brands.
• Kinji Harajuku: Shop specializing in unique second-hand fashion, vintage, cosplay - true Harajuku personality.

Osaka

Osaka is famous for its proximity, reasonable prices and the HardOff – Off House system covering the whole city. In addition to large chain stores, Osaka also regularly organizes flea markets on weekends – where sellers and buyers interact directly. The bustling trading atmosphere, diverse products from household items to antiques make Osaka a favorite destination for those who are passionate about hunting for second-hand goods.

When coming to Osaka, you cannot miss the second-hand stores in Japan such as:

• HardOff & Off House Namba: Large, multi-storey store with a wide range of electronics (HardOff) and furniture, kitchenware, and household appliances (Off House).
• 2nd Street Umeda: This is the ideal place to hunt for used branded clothes, shoes, and handbags. Many shocking sales.
• Osaka Recycle Shop Jam: Local store with lots of electronics and home appliances at low prices. This store is easy to negotiate prices on and the staff are extremely friendly.

Nagoya

As a major industrial city in Japan, Nagoya tends to integrate second-hand stores into large shopping malls or shopping areas. This allows shoppers to both go shopping and visit reputable second-hand shops without having to travel far. Nagoya also has many used household appliances and furniture, which is very suitable for people who have just moved house or students living independently.

Check out these second-hand stores in Nagoya:

• Off House Sakae: The store features furniture, household appliances, fans, rice cookers, vacuum cleaners, etc. Near the city center, easy to move around.
• HardOff Aeon Mall Atsuta: This place has a lot of old technology devices, computer accessories, convenient for those who want to combine shopping and hunting for old items.
• 2nd Street Nagoya Osu: Diverse fashion items, often have unique vintage items. Very close to the shopping area so convenient to go out and shop.

Fukuoka

Fukuoka is not as crowded as Tokyo or Osaka, but it is one of the youngest, most dynamic and affordable cities in Japan. Second-hand stores in Fukuoka are concentrated around the Tenjin and Hakata areas – near universities and the downtown area. This is an ideal place to find clothes, textbooks, and small electronics at “cheap” prices. With a large international student community, stores often have English instructions, creating a friendly feeling for foreigners:

• BookOff Tenjin: This store is near a busy shopping center, has a variety of books, comics, discs, small electronic devices.
• 2nd Street Hakata: Located near Hakata Station, this store specializes in clothing, accessories, backpacks, and handbags – especially suitable for students and young office workers.
• Fukuoka Reuse Mart: Local thrift store with a wide variety of household products and furniture. Affordable prices, you can find “strange” items that are rarely found elsewhere.

Dos and Don'ts of Buying at Thrift Stores

When you walk into a second-hand store in Japan, you may be overwhelmed by thousands of attractive items at surprisingly “bargain” prices. However, not all of them are worth taking home. To shop smart and avoid “losing money and getting into trouble,” you need to know clearly which items you should buy and which items you should avoid or consider carefully.

Things to buy

Below are the types of products that many buyers consider to be worth the money - worth buying - worth experiencing:

• Japanese fashion and designer clothing: You can find everything from affordable items like Uniqlo, GU, Zara to high-end items like Burberry, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, priced at only 10-30% of new items, many items are still new with tags.
• Electronice device: such as cameras, headphones, bluetooth speakers, game consoles (PS4, Nintendo Switch), phones, old laptops. Chains like HardOff and BookOff often check the functions carefully before displaying, and divide the product status levels (A, B, C...).
• Houseware: such as rice cookers, vacuum cleaners, microwaves, electric kettles, hot pots, hair dryers... very suitable for international students, people who have just moved house or live short-term. Prices range from a few hundred to a few thousand yen, good quality, stable operation.
• Books, comics, CDs/DVDs: Books here cost only 100-300 yen/book, the paper quality is still good, so it is very suitable for buying Japanese learning books, novels, manga, JLPT textbooks, or Japanese movies and music CDs.
• Toys, accessories, decorative items: such as teddy bears, legos, Japanese toys for children, anime models, home decoration items...

Things to consider when buying

However, not every secondhand item in a Japanese thrift store is a “good deal”. Here is a list of items you should think twice before buying from a Japanese thrift store, especially if safety and hygiene are a priority:

• Mattress, pillow, bedding: It is difficult to ensure absolute hygiene, and may harbor fine dust, bacteria, or allergies.
• Cosmetics that have been opened or have an unknown expiration date: Very easy to cause skin irritation and infection; should buy new to ensure safety.
• Food, packaged food: You need to carefully check the expiry date and packaging condition. Absolutely avoid expired or opened products.
• Helmets, protective gear: Although it looks new, the internal structure may be damaged and no longer safe and hygienic.
• Electronic equipment is too old or of unknown origin: High risk of damage, no warranty, components are difficult to replace.
• Personal belongings: such as razors, electric toothbrushes, combs, massagers. These items are prone to bacteria and are difficult to clean thoroughly, so you should buy new ones if you use them for a long time.
• Underwear, socks, cloth masks: Most people should not buy this type of used item due to personal hygiene concerns.

Tips for hunting for cheap quality items at second-hand stores in Japan

When shopping at second-hand stores in Japan, to avoid getting lost in the sea of ​​second-hand goods and to choose a real bargain, you should remember the following tips:

• Go early morning or midweek: When there are few people, it's easy to choose new items on display before they "disappear".
• Find the sale corner (セールコーナー – sale corner): Many stores have a “clearance” corner, with prices ranging from 100-500 yen, making them a great bargain.
• Prioritize large chain stores when buying expensive items: For electronic devices and household appliances, choose a place with a warranty like BookOff, HardOff, 2nd Street for more peace of mind.
• Ask carefully about return and warranty policy: Some products can be returned if defective, especially electronics and branded clothing.
• Check the product carefully before buying: Check for scratches, test directly if it is an electronic item or clothing. Don't hesitate to ask the support staff to check the device.
• Don't be afraid to ask the staff about “inventory” (在庫 – zaiko): Many items are not on display but are in stock. If you know what you are looking for, just ask.

With quality beyond expectations, reasonable prices and a transparent buying and selling system, second-hand stores in Japan are not only a destination for thrift lovers but also a “treasure trove” for those who love to hunt for unique and cheap branded goods. Whether you are an international student, a worker or simply want to explore an interesting part of Japanese culture, try stepping into the world of second-hand stores in Japan once, who knows, you might find a “destined” item just for you.

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