Best freelance, gig and earning platforms in Japan
CrowdWorks describes itself as Japan's No. 1 online talent matching platform, with about 7.4 million registered workers in fiscal 2025, while Lancers takes a 16.5% system fee from workers and Coconala runs a skills marketplace. For resale, Yahoo! Auctions charges sellers 10% of the winning bid and Yahoo! Fleamarket, formerly PayPay Flea Market, charges 5% of the sale price. Demae-can pays gig delivery partners a JPY 400 base fee per delivery plus boosts, while Wolt pulled out of Japan in 2026. For overseas clients, PayPal accounts in Japan can receive payments, free for personal payments without currency conversion but with a 4% markup when a payment is converted. Upwork pays to Japanese bank accounts in yen (JPY) for USD 0.99 per withdrawal, and Fiverr pays via PayPal or Payoneer. PayPay covers everyday mobile payments. Practical tip: a salaried employee with one employer whose other income, such as freelance earnings, exceeds JPY 200,000 in a year must file a final tax return.
Updated · how we verify platforms
Japan at a glance
Platform types: 5 marketplaces, 3 freelance sites, 2 microtask sites, 1 big marketplace, 1 delivery platform, 1 ride platform, 1 task platform, 1 tutoring platform and 1 payment receiving platform
How they pay out: Bank transfer (13), PayPal (2)
Which global platforms accept people in Japan? See all 35 confirmed, and how to get paid →
Compare at a glance
| Platform | Type | Fees / commission | Pays via | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Coconala
|
Skill marketplace | 22% commission incl tax | Bank transfer (Japan) | 2012 |
CrowdWorks
|
Freelance marketplace | Tiered system fee 5-20% | Bank transfer (Japan) | 2011 |
Lancers
|
Freelance marketplace | Flat 16.5% system fee incl tax | Bank transfer (Japan) | 2008 |
Yahoo! Fleamarket
|
Resale marketplace | 5% selling fee (rebranded to Yahoo! Fleamarket Nov 2023) | PayPay balance, bank transfer | 2019 |
Pinkoi
|
Handmade marketplace | 15% service fee + NT$15 per-order fee | Bank transfer | 2011 |
Rakuma
|
Resale marketplace | Tiered selling fee 4.5-10% by sales record | Bank transfer, Rakuten Cash | 2012 |
Rakuten Ichiba
|
Online marketplace | Setup + monthly plan (Y25,000-130,000) + 2-7% system fee | Bank transfer (Japan) | 1997 |
Yahoo! Auctions Japan
|
Classifieds marketplace | 10% final value fee (flat since June 2024) | PayPay, bank transfer | 1999 |
Jimoty
|
Classifieds marketplace | Free listings, 5% fee for optional online payment | Cash in person, bank withdrawal | 2011 |
Demae-can
|
Food delivery app | Paid per delivery: JPY 400 base + boosts | Bank transfer | 1999 |
GO Japan
|
Ride-hailing app | Drivers are taxi-company employees on salary | Salary via employing taxi company | 2020 |
ANYTIMES
|
Local services marketplace | 15% system fee on completed tasks | Paid via platform | 2013 |
NativeCamp
|
Tutoring platform | $2.50-9 per 25-min lesson | Bank transfer, PayPal, Payoneer bi-monthly | 2015 |
Macromill
|
Survey and microtask site | Points per survey redeemable | Bank transfer, gift cards | 2000 |
Rakuten Insight
|
Survey and microtask site | Points per survey (~$0.50-5) | PayPal, gift vouchers, Rakuten points | 1997 |
PayPay
|
Payments and wallet | Free P2P, bank withdrawal 100 JPY | Bank transfer to Japanese account | 2018 |
CoconalaJapan skill marketplace where individuals sell knowledge and services - from design to consultations. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
coconala.com52 viewsCrowdWorksJapan largest crowdsourcing marketplace, connecting companies with freelancers for development, design, writing, and admin work. Listed on t…
crowdworks.co.jp51 viewsLancersThe first crowdsourcing service in Japan, matching freelancers with projects across writing, design, development, and business support. A pi…
lancers.jp66 viewsYahoo! FleamarketA Japanese flea-market app where users sell used items and get paid via PayPay.
paypayfleamarket.yahoo.co.jp48 viewsPinkoiAn Asian marketplace where designers and makers sell original handmade and design goods.
pinkoi.com44 viewsRakumaA Japanese flea-market app (Rakuten Rakuma) where people sell secondhand goods.
fril.jp39 viewsRakuten IchibaJapan giant marketplace where merchants open storefronts inside the Rakuten ecosystem and its loyalty points economy.
rakuten.co.jp47 viewsYahoo! Auctions JapanAuction or fixed-price sell on Japan biggest auction platform.
auctions.yahoo.co.jp40 viewsJimotyPost free local listings to sell second-hand goods and offer services.
jmty.jp39 viewsDemae-canRegister as a delivery partner and earn per order across Japan.
demae-can.com45 viewsGO JapanEarn as a licensed taxi driver via Japan leading taxi-dispatch app.
go.goinc.jp39 viewsANYTIMESOffer skills (cleaning, assembly, moving, lessons, pet care) to neighbours for pay.
any-times.com46 viewsNativeCampTeach English on demand to Japanese students with flexible hours.
nativecamp.net45 viewsMacromillAnswer market-research surveys for points redeemable as cash or gift cards.
macromill.com53 viewsRakuten InsightEarn cash and gift cards completing Rakuten surveys.
insight.rakuten.com52 viewsPayPayReceive and hold payments on Japan dominant QR wallet.
paypay.ne.jp53 viewsFrequently asked questions
What are the best freelance and gig platforms in Japan?
CrowdWorks and Lancers for general freelance projects, Coconala for selling skills as listed services, Demae-can for food delivery work, and Yahoo! Auctions or Yahoo! Fleamarket for resale. Upwork and Fiverr connect freelancers in Japan with overseas clients.
How do freelancers in Japan get paid by international clients?
Upwork pays to Japanese bank accounts in JPY through Direct to Local Bank for USD 0.99 per withdrawal, and also supports PayPal and Payoneer. Fiverr pays through PayPal (no fee, USD 1 minimum), bank transfer via Payoneer (USD 1 fee) or a Payoneer account (USD 3 fee).
Does PayPal work in Japan?
Yes. PayPal accounts in Japan can send and receive payments. Receiving personal payments is free when no currency conversion is involved, and PayPal adds a 4% markup to the base exchange rate when a payment is converted. A JPY 200 card verification charge is refunded once identity confirmation is completed.
Can people in Japan work on Upwork and Fiverr?
Yes. Upwork lists Japan (JPY) for Direct to Local Bank withdrawals, and the bank account name must match your verified Upwork name. Fiverr sellers must be at least 18 to withdraw, and withdrawals are capped at USD 5,000 per transaction.
Do you need to file a tax return for side income in Japan?
Often yes. Japan's National Tax Agency says an employee paid by one employer, with all salary subject to withholding, must file a final tax return (kakutei shinkoku) when other income, excluding salary and retirement income, exceeds JPY 200,000 in the year.