Navibird

What Navibird does

Navibird (株式会社ナビバード), founded in July 2004 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a privately-held cross-border e-commerce operator and one of Japan's pioneers in selling Japanese products to international consumers. The company operates a portfolio of niche e-commerce storefronts — JSHOPPERS.com (fashion, cosmetics, lifestyle goods), JCRAFTS (traditional Japanese crafts), WOAH!JAPAN (souvenirs and popular products), BuySmartJapan (purchasing agency), CharacterPark (character merchandise T-shirts), and 転送JAPAN (Tenso JAPAN, a package forwarding service officially adopted by Rakuten) — targeting overseas consumers, particularly in China, Taiwan, and the United States. The company also operates ドン・キホーテ (Don Quijote) global shopping and 堺刃物 (Sakai Knives) on a commissioned basis, and runs a physical café (CANTEEN) and in-house T-shirt manufacturing (縫製屋).

The company's platform architecture combines multilingual storefronts, international payment processing (notably the first Alipay Global Payment integration by a Japanese e-commerce site in 2007), and proprietary shipping solutions including eCHINA便 (launched May 2020 as a cost-efficient alternative to China-bound international airmail). Wholly-owned subsidiaries in Shanghai (Shanghai Jshoppers Trading Co., Ltd., January 2009) and Taiwan (Taiwan Jshoppers Trading Co., Ltd., December 2008) localize operations in the two largest Japanese export markets.

Navibird runs a hybrid B2B/B2C revenue model. The B2B leg is a consignment marketplace where Japanese suppliers list products on JSHOPPERS.com with no listing fees or monthly fixed costs; orders trigger purchases from suppliers at approximately 50% of retail price, with Navibird retaining the spread to cover marketing, translation, customer service, and platform operations. A ¥100,000 one-time registration fee applies to new suppliers. The B2C leg comprises direct sales through owned storefronts, forwarding/logistics services (including official purchasing agent integrations with Amazon Japan, Yahoo! Shopping, and Rakuten launched 2020-2021), and government-commissioned sites (e.g., JTB West Japan agricultural products, Sakai Knives). The company is led by founder and Representative Director Yamana Kazuya, employs 11-50 people, and has accumulated over 1 million registered members since JSHOPPERS.com's launch in December 2004.

Name

Navibird

Legal name

株式会社ナビバード

Website

https://navibird.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Navibird is a Japan-based cross-border e-commerce operator, founded 2004, running niche storefronts (JSHOPPERS.com, Tenso JAPAN forwarding, JCRAFTS) that help Japanese SMB suppliers sell to international consumers via consignment and provide international shipping logistics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cross-border E-commerce

NAICS

All Other Miscellaneous Retailers (45999), Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (4581)

SIC

Retail-Catalog & Mail-Order Houses (5961)

akta.pro primary industry

International DTC & Brand.com (Global Shipping) (CRAFAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cross-border Marketplaces (Multi-seller) (CRAFAJAA), International Fulfillment, Forwarding & Consolidation Services (CRAFAJAE)

Keywords

• Cross-border ecommerce
• Package forwarding services
• International shipping logistics
• Japanese consumer goods
• Consignment ecommerce platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Osaka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consignment Sales Revenue: Operates on a consignment model where products are listed on JSHOPPERS.com and orders trigger purchases from suppliers. Suppliers receive approximately 50% of retail price, with Navibird retaining the difference to cover marketing, translation, customer service, and platform operations.
2. Forwarding/Logistics Services: Package forwarding and shipping services for Japanese products to overseas customers, including partnerships with SF Express for China delivery.
3. E-commerce Site Operations: Operates multiple B2C sites (JCRAFTS, WOAH!JAPAN, BuySmartJapan, CharacterPark) selling Japanese products directly to international consumers.
4. Supplier Onboarding Fee: First-time suppliers pay a registration fee of 100,000 yen (excluding tax) to join the platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Navibird operates multiple cross-border e-commerce storefronts selling Japanese fashion, cosmetics, traditional crafts, and lifestyle products to international consumers, while providing Japanese suppliers and manufacturers with end-to-end overseas e-commerce support (translation, customer service, payment processing, international shipping) on a consignment basis with no listing or monthly fees. The company also runs a package forwarding service (転送JAPAN, officially adopted by Rakuten), a purchase agency service for major Japanese marketplaces (Amazon, Yahoo, Rakuten, Yafuoku), and an original China-bound shipping service (eCHINA便).

Product overview

Navibirdは越境EC事業を展開するプラットフォーム企業で、複数のECサイトを運用している。主力製品群はJSHOPPERS.com（ファッション、コスメ、雑貨の越境EC）、転送JAPAN（発送代行・代理購入サービス）、JCRAFTS（伝統工芸品EC）、WOAH!JAPAN（お土産・人気商品EC）からなる。加えてBuySmartJapan（購入代行）、CharacterPark（キャラクター商品）、縫製屋（Tシャツ製造）、CANTEEN（カフェ運営）などの関連サービスを展開。中国・台湾に現地法人を設け、国際転送サービスと地元産業の海外展開支援の両面で事業を展開している。

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JSHOPPERS.com: Overseas-oriented online shopping site for Japanese fashion, cosmetics, and goods.
• 転送JAPAN (Tenso JAPAN)
• JCRAFTS
• WOAH!JAPAN
• BuySmartJapan
• CharacterPark
• 堺刃物 (Sakai Knives)
• CANTEEN

Products and services

• JSHOPPERS.com Flagship cross-border e-commerce site (targeting China and other overseas markets) selling Japanese fashion, cosmetics, and miscellaneous lifestyle goods to international consumers at competitive market prices. Operates on a consignment basis with Japanese suppliers (approximately 50% wholesale rate).
• 転送JAPAN (Tenso JAPAN) Package forwarding and purchase agency service that ships Japanese online shopping products to overseas customers. Officially adopted by Rakuten for overseas shipping; also provides purchase agency (注文代行) services for Amazon Japan, Yahoo Shopping, Rakuten, and Yafuoku (Yahoo Auctions).
• JCRAFTS Cross-border e-commerce site promoting traditional Japanese craftsmanship and crafts to international consumers. Co-developed with Nihon Unisys and linked with Kanto Block traditional crafts exhibitions and other regional craft projects.
• WOAH!JAPAN Cross-border e-commerce site selling Japanese souvenirs and popular products to overseas consumers.
• BuySmartJapan Purchase agency service that lets international customers buy products sold in Japan and ship them worldwide at safe, simple, low-cost rates.
• CharacterPark E-commerce site selling official character merchandise T-shirts (Mickey, Snoopy, etc.) and unique original T-shirts designed by Navibird's designers.
• 縫製屋 (Houseiya) Manufacturing and service business for original printed T-shirts, including pattern creation, sewing/processing, sample production, and name replacement.
• CANTEEN Direct-operated cafe near Hommachi/Sakaisuji-Hommachi station in Osaka, offering stylish cafe fare and affordable lunches, providing safe, secure, and healthy meals.
• 堺刃物 (Sakai Knives) Overseas-oriented e-commerce site for Japanese chef knives, operated by Navibird on commission from the Sakai City Industrial Promotion Center, expanding Sakai's traditional knife industry cross-border.
• Don Quijote Global Shopping (ドン・キホーテ グローバルショッピング) Global shopping site for Don Quijote, the famous Japanese discount retailer. Products sold at the same low in-store prices without Japanese consumption tax, with direct shipment from Japan.
• eCHINA便 (eCHINA Mail) Navibird's original alternative shipping service to China, replacing international airmail (航空小包), delivering parcels in 1 week to 10 days at reasonable rates.
• B2B Cross-border E-commerce Operational Support Comprehensive support service for Japanese manufacturers and retailers to launch and operate overseas e-commerce businesses. Includes platform hosting, product translation, multilingual customer service, international payment processing, and end-to-end cross-border logistics, on a consignment basis with no listing fees and no monthly fixed costs.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.

• SF ExpresscoreTechnology or IntegrationExpanded business collaboration with China's largest international express company SF Express to enhance safe, secure, and speedy delivery services for cross-border shipments
• Alibaba GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected as World Top 30 Sites at Alibaba's Internet Manager Conference; first Japanese company to achieve this recognition. Represents significant partnership validation and business development opportunity.
• JTB West JapancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned to operate cross-border e-commerce site for agricultural products; Navibird handles operations, promotion, and logistics
• RakutencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial forwarding service partner for Rakuten's overseas sales, providing shipping and forwarding services to Rakuten merchants selling internationally
• Recruit LifestylemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Recruit's e-commerce sites including Akasugu, Ponpare Mall, and E-ruca for forwarding services
• Amazon JapanmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmazon partnered with Navibird for purchasing agent (order intermediary) service
• Yahoo JapanmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYahoo partnered with Navibird for purchasing agent (order intermediary) service
• SBI VeriTranscoreTechnology or IntegrationTook over JCB Global Shopping site operations management from SBI VeriTrans; partnered for Buy-J.com overseas e-commerce mall operations
• Sakai City Industry Promotion CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned to operate overseas e-commerce site for Sakai knives, managing operations and international sales
• Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured in 2015 SME White Paper; selected for 300 Smiling SMEs program; collaborated on Kansai regional product promotion initiatives

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Jauce: Japan-based proxy buying service specializing in Yahoo! JAPAN Auctions and other Japanese marketplaces for international buyers. Comparable to Navibird's purchasing agency and forwarding offerings.
• ZenPlus: Cross-border marketplace focused on Japanese products for international buyers. Direct competitor to JSHOPPERS.com in aggregating Japanese suppliers and shipping internationally.
• J-Subculture: Japan-based e-commerce exporter specializing in anime, manga, and otaku goods for international buyers. Comparable niche vertical to CharacterPark and JCRAFTS in cross-border Japanese specialty retail.
• CDJapan: Long-established Japanese e-commerce export retailer focused on anime, manga, music, and Japanese goods. Comparable niche product focus to JCRAFTS and CharacterPark for international fans of Japanese products.
• Buyee (Beenos): Japanese cross-border proxy-buying and forwarding service operated by Beenos. Closely comparable to Navibird's BuySmartJapan and Tenso services, both enabling international consumers to purchase from Japanese e-commerce sites.
• FROM JAPAN: Japanese proxy shopping and forwarding service for international consumers. Overlaps directly with Tenso/BuySmartJapan for cross-border parcel forwarding from Japan.
• Neokyo: Japanese proxy shopping and forwarding service for international consumers. Direct competitor to Tenso in the cross-border package forwarding and purchasing agency space.

Broad incumbents

• Amazon Japan (Amazon Global): Amazon's Japan storefront with international shipping options. Navibird operates Amazon purchasing agent services, while Amazon's direct global shipping competes with Navibird's cross-border marketplace model.
• AliExpress (Alibaba Group): Global cross-border marketplace operated by Alibaba. Recognized Navibird in 2009 and remains a critical channel; competes as a broad cross-border incumbent serving similar Japanese-product-seeking consumers.
• Rakuten International: Japan's largest e-commerce platform with global storefronts. Navibird's Tenso is officially adopted as Rakuten's overseas shipping partner, but Rakuten's own cross-border initiatives overlap with Navibird's intermediation layer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/kotapon_shiba
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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Navibird