4 min read
How to Tell Real Makita Tools from Fakes: A Buyer's Guide for Japan Listings
Learn how to spot genuine Makita cordless drill-drivers: markings, battery platform checks, packaging clues and seller red flags before you buy from Japan.
A guide for Japan buyers & resellers
Smarter guides for hunting Japanese deals
Tips for shopping Japan's marketplaces, avoiding risks, and JapanScanner updates.
Market Analysis
Nanbu Cast Iron Teapot Prices: Maker-Marked vs Unmarked on Mercari Japan
Asking-price analysis of Nanbu cast iron teapots on Mercari Japan: how condition, bundles and maker marks shape prices, and what collectors should check before buying.
5 min read
Read the full article →Deal-hunting guides & playbooks
Tips, experience and fresh updates from the Japanese second-hand market
6 min read
Used Pilot Custom 743 Buying Guide: Nib Condition, Ink Feed and Restoration Risks
How to judge a used Pilot Custom 743 or Japanese fountain pen: nib grading, ink-feed checks, restoration risks and what seller asking prices really tell you.
5 min read
Japanese Vintage Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck Buying Guide: Belt, Head and Motor Checks
A practical buying guide for used Japanese open-reel tape decks. Learn how to check belts, heads and motors before you buy, with asking-price context from Japanese listings.
5 min read
Technics SL-1200 Used Buying Checklist: Pitch, Motor and Cartridge Checks
A practical checklist for buying a used Technics SL-1200 from Japan. Covers pitch control, motor, cartridge and what to ask the seller before you pay.
5 min read
Vintage Sony Walkman Cassette Player Buying Checklist for Japan Purchases
A practical checklist for testing used Sony Walkman cassette players from Japan, covering belts, heads, motors, battery corrosion and what seller asking prices really mean.
4 min read
Momotaro Jeans Used Buying Guide: Sizing, Model Codes and Fading Checks
How to judge used Momotaro jeans from Japan: read sizing, decode model codes, check fading and compare asking prices before you buy from a Japanese seller.
4 min read
Topre Keyboard Buying Guide Japan: Compare Used Models and Switches
Compare used Topre keyboard models and switch types on Japanese marketplaces, with asking-price data from Mercari Japan to help you choose the right board.
4 min read
How to Buy Used Famicom Games from Japan: A Hypothetical Buyer's Walkthrough
Learn how to buy used Famicom games from Japan through Mercari and a proxy service, with a worked example on spotting reproductions and reading condition photos.
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