Japanese craftsmanship is world-renowned. But for fans of the Japanese handmade aesthetic, it’s not always obvious where to find Japanese handicrafts online. In this short guide we introduce you to one of Japan’s best-kept secrets for tracking down beautiful handcrafted items from the Land of the Rising Sun.
The Difficulty of Finding Handmade Japanese Goods Abroad
Japan is famed for its high quality handmade products. But for people living outside the country, it can be a challenge knowing where to find Japanese handicrafts online. Japanese crafts are typically made by local artisans, who don’t always have access to distribution networks abroad. So for anyone overseas who is a lover of Japanese handicrafts, online shopping can be a bit of a disappointment – if they don’t know where to look.
Wondering where to find Japanese handicrafts online? Let us introduce you to Minne Handmade Market!
About Minne
What is Minne
Minne Handmade Market is an online marketplace that makes shopping for Japanese crafts a total cinch. Here you’ll find traditional Japanese crafts on offer alongside more modern handmade goods. The selection includes everything from bags, wallets, accessories, and jewelry through to candles, furniture and household items. Fashionistas won’t be left wanting either, as there’s plenty of high-quality handmade clothing for adults and kids on offer here, too.
Why not add a touch of ‘mingei’ or Japanese folk art to your home, with Minne’s beautiful selection of tableware and kitchen utensils? In this section you’ll find amazing handmade Japanese ceramics that this country is famous for. Or perhaps you’re in the market for some cute Japanese crafts? No problem; Minne is also a great place to buy Japanese toys and stuffed animals.
Finally, if you are seeking truly unique items, you will definitely want to check out Minne’s antique and vintage section. Minne even sells Japanese craft kits, so you can make some Japan-standard handmade items yourself!
Minne.com is easy to navigate, and items are displayed by means of pleasing minimalist Japanese design. There’s also a highly user-friendly search function that allows filtering of handicrafts by criteria such as price, color, etc. And now searching and buying from Minne is even easier for overseas users, with Minne officially integrated into the ZenMarket platform! Discover Japanese handicrafts online and have them delivered to your home – wherever in the world you might be.
*Interesting fact*
The name "Minne" may sound foreign, but its origins are surprisingly rooted in the Hakata dialect of Japan. In phrases like "Mite minne" or "Yatte minne," it carries the meaning of "Why not take a look?" or "Why not try it together?" This welcoming tone encourages discovery and participation. Additionally, in Swedish, "Minne" means "memory," which perfectly aligns with the platform's mission—offering unique, handmade creations that leave a lasting impression. It's a name that reflects both the warmth of its origins and the memorable experiences it provides.
What product categories are popular on Minne?
On Minne, you'll find a wide variety of handmade creations. Here are the most popular categories on Minne:
- Jewelry & Accessories
- Fashion
- Stationery & Office Supplies
- Toys & Plushies
- Antiques & Vintage Items
- Tableware & ceramics
- Aroma goods & candles
- Craft kits and tools
Whether it’s furniture, clothing, accessories, or a miniature, every item on Minne is crafted with care and passion by someone who puts their heart into their work.
A Note on Product Authenticity
Many products on Minne are designed and handmade by the sellers themselves, ensuring that the items are authentic. However, as many items are unique, it’s essential to check size, color options, and other details of your order before purchasing.
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Why Buy from Minne with ZenMarket
ZenMarket's proxy buying service allows you to easily shop from Minne, giving you access to products that are typically difficult to purchase internationally. Here’s why you should use ZenMarket for your Minne shopping:
- Official Partnership: As an official partner of Minne, ZenMarket provides an optimized shopping experience, ensuring seamless access to all of Minne’s handcrafted products, and support througout the whole purchasing process.
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Simplified Shopping Process: As Minne is integrated into ZenMarket platform, there is no need to create an account on Minne.com. Simply use ZenMarket search bar to find what you need!
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Secure and Reliable Shipping: ZenMarket offers professional packaging services to ensure that your handmade items from Minne are safely delivered to your doorstep. You can also consolidate orders from multiple sellers into one shipment, saving on shipping costs.
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Multilingual Support: ZenMarket provides customer service in 19 languages, including English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and more, making it easy to get assistance if needed.
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How to buy handmade crafts from Minne?
The buying process is very simple! Follow these 5 steps to get your hands on Japanese handmade items!
1. Search for Minne products on ZenMarket
Visit ZenMarket, open Minne's dedicated page under the Recommended stores tab and search for products using relevant keywords, or browse through categories. To get the best results, we recommend that you enter a Japanese name or keyword. Check out our handy tools to help find Japanese products online.
You can also paste product links directly from Minne's website into ZenMarket’s search bar. Chrome users can right-click and select "Translate to English" to make it easier to navigate the site.
Once you have selected your product, just copy the link and paste it to ZenMarket search bar.
2. Confirm product information and details
When you find a product you like, make sure you check the product details, including price, and product conditions, etc.
Check the "Product Description" section carefully. Please ask us to liaise with the seller for more information if you are unsure.
On the same page you can also check the approximate costs of the international shipping. Choose your country from the dropdown, insert the approximate weight of the parcel and choose the shipping method to see the results. Please, remember, that since accurate international shipping prices are not available beforehand, we cannot provide you with a precise quote until the item is packed at our warehouse.
*If you have any questions about the product, please feel free to contact our customer service for confirmation. We can ask questions to the seller on your behalf. We will do our best to provide as much information to you as possible, but we may not be able to provide 100% accurate answers.
3. Enter the desired color, quantity, etc.
If necessary, please enter product details such as style, color and quantity in the "Comments" box for confirmation.
4. Add to ZenMarket shopping cart
Since Minne is integrated with ZenMarket, just click the button "Add to Cart" button and the item will be added to your ZenMarket cart.
NOTE: You will need to be logged in to your ZenMarket account for this process to work.
▼Check my account: You will see that the items have been added to your shopping cart and our team will review and confirm them for you and provide you with a quote.
After reviewing the products, a quote will appear, including:
- Product price
- Shipping fee within Japan (if applicable)
- 500 yen service fee.
If you want to cancel an item, just click the trash can symbol 🗑️ on the far right side of the window to cancel the product!
If you wish to cancel an item, please cancel before you pay for an item.
5. Pay for the item
Once you are ready to pay, you can click on "ADD FUNDS" to deposit money into your ZenMarket account. There are many payment methods such as credit card, bank transfer or Paypal, but if you want to save on payment fees, we suggest using Wise. Wise Payment fees are less than 1% of your deposit amount!
Once you have added funds to your account, you can officially place your order by clicking the Pay button.
After payment, the status of your product(s) in your cart will change to "Awaiting Buying." The ZenMarket team will order the products and deliver them to their warehouse. Once the product is bought, go to "Parcels" in your account. Select the items you want to consolidate and click "Create Parcel". Add your address and shipping preferences. Then click on the "create package" button. Detailed instructions on how to create a parcel can be found on the ZenMarket website.
You can find more details on how to create parcel and ship with ZenMarket here.
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Purchase FAQ
Check out some frequently asked questions our customers have about ordering handcraft goods from Japan.
Shop handcraft goods from Japan
Q. Do I need a Japanese account to shop on Minne?
No, ZenMarket handles the purchase on your behalf, so you don’t need to create a Minne account.
Q. What is the approximate shipping cost for sending items from Japan?
The international shipping costs fill be fixed after the necessary measurements and packaged your items (according to your chosen shipping method), we cannot provide you with an accurate quote until the item is shipped to our warehouse. However, you can use the shipping calculator to estimate the shipping cost, time, and limitations of different shipping methods before placing your order.
Q. Can ZenMarket combine multiple orders from different Minne sellers?
Yes, ZenMarket can consolidate your orders from different sellers into one package, saving you on international shipping costs.
Q. I am worried that my handcrafted goods will be damaged during shipping, can I request a package reinforcement service?
Yes! In general, we will take into account the fragility, size, etc. of your item when we consolidate it and pack it carefully. In most cases, our packages are strong enough to withstand the impacts and collisions you would expect from general handling and delivery.
If your product is very fragile, heavy, or large in size, you are concerned about the safety of your item, or you just want some extra protection, you can order our reinforcement service for just an extra 1,000 yen.
Add a touch of Japan’s rich artisan culture to your life by exploring Minne through ZenMarket. From handmade jewelry to vintage treasures, Minne brings Japan’s unique aesthetic and quality craftsmanship to you—no matter where you are. Start your journey with Minne today and discover the artistry that makes each item unforgettable!