Marketplaces · Plan fee + commission
Rakuten Ichiba
Japan's large marketplace, with a subscription-plus-commission model and high localisation requirements.
Key facts
| Fee model | Monthly plan fee + category commission + optional options |
|---|---|
| Market | Japan, with a buyer base that values detailed listings and service quality |
| Language | Japanese-language listings and customer support are effectively required |
| Onboarding | Generally requires a Japanese business presence and bank account; confirm current requirements |
| Payouts | JPY, on a monthly settlement cycle |
| Who it suits | Brands prepared to invest in localisation and long-term presence rather than a quick test |
| Last verified | 2026-10-17 |
A storefront, not a listing
Rakuten Ichiba is closer to a mall of individual shops than a single product catalogue. Sellers design a store page, manage their own promotions and are expected to provide a level of detail and service that Japanese buyers associate with the platform.
That makes the barrier higher than a typical marketplace listing, and it makes a half-localised store conspicuous. Machine translation is usually not enough for product pages that carry warranty and usage information.
The entity question comes first
Overseas sellers generally need a Japanese business presence and bank account, or a local partner arrangement. This is an onboarding question, not a marketing one, and it should be resolved before inventory or translation work begins.
Japan's import rules add a second layer: the ¥10,000 customs exemption excludes some categories, and consumption tax applies to imports above the threshold. Model the landed cost before setting a JPY price.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreign seller open a Rakuten store?
Overseas sellers generally need a Japanese business presence and bank account, or a local partnership. Requirements can change, so confirm them directly with Rakuten before committing.
What fees does Rakuten charge?
A monthly plan fee plus a category commission and optional services. The exact structure depends on the plan and category, so use Rakuten's current seller documentation.
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