The demand for authentic Japanese products — from rare anime figures on Mercari to the latest streetwear on ZOZOTOWN — has never been higher. However, for most international shoppers, language barriers and the lack of overseas shipping remain major obstacles.
That’s where Japanese proxy shopping services like Buyee and OneMall come in.
In this guide, we compare the long-established industry leader Buyee with the modern, tech-driven challenger OneMall to help you decide which service offers the best value in 2026.
Buyee: The Established Industry Leader
Operated by Tenso, Inc., Buyee is one of the most well-known names in the Japanese proxy shopping industry. With partnerships covering more than 160 Japanese stores, Buyee provides broad access to niche marketplaces.
- Strengths: Access to a wide range of niche Japanese stores and a long-standing reputation for reliability.
- Weaknesses: Higher overall fees and additional charges for essential services like package consolidation.
OneMall: The Cutting-Edge Challenger
OneMall has rapidly gained popularity by focusing on user experience, transparency, and modern technology. Its goal is simple: make buying from Japan faster, cheaper, and easier for global shoppers.
- Strengths: AI-powered image search, exceptionally low service fees, and a modern mobile-first interface.
- Weaknesses: Fewer niche store integrations than Buyee, while fully supporting major platforms like Mercari, Rakuten, and Amazon Japan.
Side-by-Side Comparison
1. Fee Transparency and Savings
Fees are often the deciding factor when choosing a proxy service.
Buyee: Typically charges a service fee of 300 JPY per order, plus additional payment and consolidation fees.
OneMall: Offers service fees as low as 0–100 JPY and provides free consolidation for up to 6 items, making it far more affordable for multi-item orders.
2. Shopping Experience: AI vs. Keywords
Buyee: Relies mainly on keyword searches and browser extensions to navigate Japanese websites.
OneMall: Uses AI Image Search, allowing users to upload a product screenshot and instantly find matching items across major Japanese marketplaces.
3. Consolidation and Storage
Combining multiple orders into one shipment is the most effective way to reduce international shipping costs.
Buyee: Consolidation is a paid service, and consolidated packages cannot be split.
OneMall: Provides 30 days of free warehouse storage and free consolidation for the first 6 orders.
4. 24/7 Multilingual Customer Support
Buyee: Multilingual support is available primarily via email or ticket systems during business hours.
OneMall: Offers 24/7 multilingual live support, ensuring real-time assistance at any time.
The Verdict: Which Japanese Proxy Service Should You Choose?
Choose Buyee if:
- You need access to very specific niche Japanese stores.
- You prefer the most established brand in the industry.
Choose OneMall if:
- You want the lowest total cost.
- You shop frequently on Mercari or Rakuten.
- You value a modern, AI-powered shopping experience.
- You want 24/7 customer support and peace of mind.
Conclusion
While Buyee remains a reliable option, OneMall stands out as the best choice for shoppers seeking a faster, cheaper, and more modern way to buy from Japan in 2026.
By removing unnecessary fees and introducing powerful AI tools, OneMall has set a new standard for Japanese proxy shopping.
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