How to Buy from Japan

Sanrio collectors in the USA love to complain: Why is overseas Sanrio merch so much cuter? It’s true—Japanese Sanrio products offer a unique aesthetic that’s different from what’s licensed and produced for North American fans. While some US retailers, like Miniso and BoxLunch, offer leveled-up Hello Kitty and Friends merch with stronger themes and more interesting color palettes, some of us still crave that sugary-sweet kawaii merch that’s exclusive to Japan.

But shopping for Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, or other Sanrio characters online can be tricky. You might encounter a few challenges when buying Sanrio online, such as:

  • Outrageously high shipping costs
  • Inflated product prices
  • Sites that don’t offer overseas shipping
  • Risk of buying bootleg products

But don’t worry! There are some relatively easy and much safer ways to get your hands on those special Sanrio releases.

Option 1: Sanrio.com – Official Sanrio Store for North America

The official Sanrio website is a good place to start. It offers a curated selection of Sanrio products shipped directly to North America. The site is fully English-language and easy to navigate, so you can shop for your favorite Sanrio characters without any hassle.

However, there are a couple of limitations. Sanrio.com doesn’t stock every Japanese release or feature every Sanrio character. You’ll find both US and Japanese releases, so it’s a great option if you’re aiming for a balanced collection. Still, if you’re seeking exclusive Japanese items, Sanrio.com might not have everything you’re looking for.

Option 2: Buying Sanrio Products Through Proxy Websites

If you’re looking for exclusive Japanese Sanrio merchandise that Sanrio.com doesn’t offer, proxy websites are the way to go. These services allow you to shop directly from Japanese online stores that don’t usually ship overseas. The proxy acts as a middleman—buying items for you, holding them in Japan, and then shipping them to you in the US. This is how you can access those limited-edition Sanrio releases, vintage characters, and rare collectibles that are otherwise hard to find.

Two of the best proxy websites for buying Sanrio products from Japan are ZenMarket and Buyee. Here’s how they work:

  • ZenMarket: My personal go-to! ZenMarket lets you browse Japanese online stores like Rakuten and Yahoo! Auctions. Once you’ve picked your items, ZenMarket buys them on your behalf and stores them in their warehouse. After that, they’ll ship your purchases directly to your address in the US.
  • Buyee: Buyee is another excellent proxy service. It’s similar to ZenMarket but offers a wider selection of auction sites, making it ideal for collectors hunting rare or limited-edition Sanrio items. While Buyee’s service fees tend to be slightly higher than ZenMarket’s, they often offer discounts on international shipping, which can save you money. Their website is also super user-friendly, so you don’t need to worry about any language barriers.

Both ZenMarket and Buyee offer English-language interfaces, so navigating their platforms is easy. Although shipping fees from Japan can be a bit pricier than buying domestically, trust me—it’s totally worth it for those Japan-only Sanrio releases that you can’t find anywhere else.

I recommend shopping as you please, then getting your items shipped all at once every few months. That way, you can pay one lump shipping cost and open a GIANT haul of goodies!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a Hello Kitty collector or a Kuromi enthusiast, buying Sanrio merch from Japan opens up a world of kawaii goodies you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you stick with Sanrio.com for a well-rounded collection or go the extra mile with a proxy service like ZenMarket or Buyee, you’re bound to find something that makes your Sanrio collection extra special.