Ecommerce marketing in Japan
Go beyond a listing. Drive sales in Japan.
From your own store to Rakuten, Amazon Japan, Yahoo! Shopping and Japan’s online travel agencies, we help global brands set up, optimise and grow online sales in Japan.
LINE
Yahoo! JAPAN
Google
YouTube
TikTok
Instagram
Facebook
X
LinkedIn
Trusted by global brands
Japan shops differently.Your store should too.
Japanese shoppers expect detailed product information, high-quality images, fast delivery and familiar payment options. Many shop through marketplaces like Rakuten, Amazon Japan and Yahoo! Shopping as much as brand websites.
Each marketplace has its own rules, ranking factors and promotions calendar, and a translated listing rarely stands out.
Kindred helps global brands sell in Japan, from setup and listings to promotions, conversion and cross-border payments.
- 3major marketplaces: Rakuten, Amazon Japan and Yahoo! Shopping
- −32%cost per acquisition on a recent paid programme
- +26%revenue from paid media
- 100%native Japanese listings and content
Kindred client results and Japan market facts.
What we offer
Sell in Japan, end to end
Everything from your own store to marketplaces and travel sites, set up and run by our Japanese team.
D2C stores
Your own online store localised for Japanese shoppers, with the UX, content and checkout details that make them buy.
Marketplaces
Listings, content, advertising and promotions on Rakuten, Amazon Japan and Yahoo! Shopping.
Online travel agencies
For travel and hospitality brands, optimised listings and promotions on Japan’s leading OTAs.
Setup & operation
Marketplace store setup, product data, promotions calendar and day-to-day operation on Rakuten, Amazon Japan and travel sites.
Cross-border payments
Advice on the payment methods Japanese shoppers expect, from cards to convenience store payments and digital wallets.
Conversion optimisation
Better product pages, images and checkout journeys that turn more Japanese visitors into buyers.
Explore website CRO & UX →Built for growth in Japan, designed for global brands.
Japan is one of the most rewarding markets in Asia Pacific, and one of the least forgiving. Our Japanese team knows its platforms, consumers and business culture first-hand, and builds paid media that works locally while fitting your global strategy.
Precision
Japanese consumers expect a very high standard of quality. We sweat the details, from flawless ad copy to the subtle, high-context way brands communicate in Japan.
Platform-native
Japan has its own digital rules. We build for the platforms Japanese people actually use, from Yahoo! JAPAN and LINE to X and Instagram, so your brand shows up where they search and scroll.
Trust
Japanese buyers rely on collective trust. Detailed reviews, credible proof and local voices turn early caution into long-term loyalty.
Culture-led
We don't just translate, we transcreate. Your campaigns follow Japan's seasons and cultural moments, from cherry blossom to Golden Week, so the message lands the way it should.
Hyper-local
From Tokyo and Osaka to regional prefectures, Japan is more segmented than it looks. We tailor targeting by region and audience, so your budget goes where demand is highest.
Because we know
A product page that feels clean in English can feel thin and untrustworthy to Japanese shoppers.
List it properly. Then make it sell.
Ecommerce in Japan works when shoppers find the detail, trust and payment options they expect, wherever they shop.
Our four-step process chooses the right channels, sets them up properly, then grows sales with promotions, advertising and conversion work.
Book a discovery call-
Plan
Channels, pricing and calendar.
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Set up
Stores, listings and payments.
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Promote
Ads, promotions and content.
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Optimise
Conversion and repeat sales.
JapanSuccess stories
Hertz: Localised travel stories that scale
A regional creative framework that lifted engagement and performance in Japan and the wider Asia Pacific region.
Kimpton: Launching a global hotel brand in Japan
We supported the launch of the Kimpton brand in Japan and Australia, setting the benchmark for the brand’s regional launches.
Airbnb: Telling Japan’s story to itself
A multi-format campaign made in Japan, for Japan, that reframed travel within the country, not just inbound, alongside creative optimisation that lifted click-through rates by 230%.
monday.com: Quality demand generation in Japan
Brought in after three previous agencies, we rebuilt monday.com’s Japanese search and landing pages around quality leads, lifting sales-qualified leads by 150%.
Book your Japan discovery call
A 30-minute discovery call with our Japan team. Tell us about your goals, where and how you sell in Japan and what’s holding you back. We’ll share a few high-level thoughts on where to focus, then follow up with a tailored proposal.
Book a discovery callAlso in Japan: Japan marketing · Japan PPC · Japan website
Ecommerce in Japan,answered
What global brands ask us about selling online in Japan.
Which ecommerce marketplaces matter in Japan?
Rakuten, Amazon Japan and Yahoo! Shopping are the main marketplaces, alongside brand stores. For travel and hospitality, online travel agencies such as Rakuten Travel, Jalan and Ikyu are important.
Do we need our own Japanese online store?
Not always. Many brands start on marketplaces and add a localised brand store as they grow. We help you choose the right mix for your category and goals.
What payment methods do Japanese shoppers expect?
Credit cards are widely used, but many shoppers also expect options such as convenience store payments and digital wallets. Offering familiar methods can lift conversion.
Can you manage our marketplace advertising?
Yes. We manage advertising and promotions on Japanese marketplaces alongside search and social, so everything works as one plan.
How do we get started?
Book a 30-minute discovery call with our Japan team. We’ll talk through your goals and challenges, share a few high-level thoughts, then follow up with a tailored proposal.