Japanese auction houses list are like giant car supermarkets where vehicles find new owners. Imagine a place where thousands of cars – from tiny city runabouts to rugged mountain trucks – line up for their next adventure. For car buyers worldwide, these auctions are treasure troves of quality vehicles at fair prices.
Let’s explore all 132 official auction houses across Japan, including what makes each one special. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or seasoned importer, this guide is your roadmap to Japan’s unique car marketplace.
How Japanese Auctions Work?
Think of an auction house as a giant trading playground:
- Sellers bring cars they don’t need anymore
- Inspectors give each car a “health check” (called a grade)
- Buyers bid against each other to win the car
- The winner ships their new car home!
Why people love them:
- You can find rare cars not sold elsewhere
- Prices are usually lower than dealerships
- Every car’s problems are clearly listed
Japan’s 5 Major Auction Groups
1. USS Auto Auctions (16 Locations)
Japan’s largest network – sells 1 of every 3 auctioned cars!
🔹 Specialty: All car types (family cars, trucks, sports cars)
🔹 Recognize them by: Blue auction sheets
| Location | Special Focus |
|---|---|
| USS Tokyo | Luxury & sports cars |
| USS Sapporo | Snow-ready 4×4 vehicles |
| USS Fukuoka | Mini “kei” cars |
| USS R-Nagoya | Repaired accident cars only |
2. JU Auctions (Japan Used Car) (66 Locations)
The biggest network – has auctions in nearly every Japanese town!
🔹 Specialty: Local favorites (mountain cars, beach vehicles)
Interesting JU Locations:
- JU Okinawa: Convertibles and open-top cars
- JU Hokkaido: Vehicles with extra heaters
- JU Tokyo: Electric and hybrid cars
- JU Osaka: Delivery vans and work trucks
3. TAA (Toyota Auto Auction) (10 Locations)
Founded by Toyota – famous for strict inspections
🔹 Specialty: Hybrid cars and near-new vehicles
Top TAA Spots:
- TAA Yokohama (largest hybrid selection)
- TAA Hiroshima (best for Mazda cars)
- TAA Kyushu (affordable family cars)
4. Manufacturer Auctions
Honda Auto Auction (6 locations):
- Specializes in fuel-efficient cars
- All vehicles get 3rd-party inspections
Nissan Auto Auction (4 locations):
- Famous for Nissan Leaf electric cars
- Provides 360-degree interior photos
Specialty Auction Houses
For Repaired Cars
- ZeroCarsele: Specializes in flood-damaged cars
- USS R-Nagoya: Only sells professionally repaired accident cars
- ARAI VT: Best for fixed commercial vans
For Budget Buyers
- HERO AA: Cars under $5,000
- KCAA Yamaguchi: Tiny “kei” cars for small budgets
Online-Only Auctions
- Bay AUC: No physical lot – 100% digital
- SOGO Internet: Construction equipment auctions
Understanding Auction Grades
Every car gets a “report card” with:
Number Grade:
- 6 = Brand new (rare!)
- 5 = Like new (tiny scratches)
- 4 = Good condition (small dents)
- 3 = Okay condition (needs some work)
- 2/R = Repaired after accident
Symbols:
- 🚗 = Regular car
- 🚙 = Kei car (mini vehicle)
- 🚚 = Truck/Commercial
Complete List: 132 Japanese Auction Houses List
Here’s every official auction house, listed alphabetically:
- 253-8401 (Mystery auction!)
- AEP Nyusatsu
- ARAI Bayside (Boats & marine vehicles)
- ARAI Oyama (Commercial trucks)
- ARAI Sendai (Northeast Japan specialist)
- ARAI Sogo Kikai (Construction equipment)
- ARAI VT (Repaired commercial vans)
- Aucnet (Luxury cars online)
- BAY AUC (100% online auction)
- CAA Chubu (Central Japan network)
- CAA Gifu (Local Gifu auctions)
- CAA Tohoku (Northern Japan network)
- CAA Tokyo (Tokyo area cars)
- HAA Kobe (Honda dealer network)
- HERO AA (Budget cars under $5k)
- Honda AA Hokkaido (Snow-ready Hondas)
- Honda AA Kansai (Osaka/Kyoto region)
- Honda AA Kyushu (Southern Japan)
- Honda AA Nagoya (Central Japan)
- Honda AA Sendai (Northern specialists)
- Honda AA Tokyo (Metropolitan area)
- IAA Osaka (International exports)
- ISUZU IMA Kobe (Isuzu trucks)
- ISUZU IMA Kyusyu (Southern trucks)
- IZUSU IMA Tokyo (Tokyo truck center)
- JAA (General vehicles)
- JU Aichi (Local Aichi prefecture)
- JU Aomori (Northern tip specialists)
- JU Chiba (Tokyo Bay area)
- JU Fukui (Coastal region cars)
- JU Fukuoka (Kyushu market leader)
- JU Fukushima (Reconstruction zone)
- JU Gifu (Mountainous region)
- JU Gunma (Rural vehicles)
- JU Hiroshima (Mazda hometown)
- JU Hokkaido (Snow vehicles)
- JU Ibaraki (Tokyo outskirts)
- JU Ishikawa (Sea coast cars)
- JU Kanagawa (Yokohama region)
- JU Kumamoto (Volcanic area specialists)
- JU Mie (Ise Bay region)
- JU Miyagi (Sendai metro area)
- JU Miyazaki (Tropical climate cars)
- JU Nagano (Mountain driving specialists)
- JU Nagasaki (Historic port city)
- JU Nara (Ancient capital region)
- JU Niigata (Snow country experts)
- JU Oita (Hot spring resort area)
- JU Okinawa (Tropical convertibles)
- JU Saitama (Tokyo commuter cars)
- JU Shimane (Rural Japan specialists)
- JU Shizuoka (Mount Fuji views!)
- JU Tochigi (Countryside vehicles)
- JU Tokyo (Metropolis specialists)
- JU Toyama (Alpine region)
- JU Yamagata (Fruit farming region)
- JU Yamaguchi (Southern tip)
- JU Yamanashi (Vineyard country)
- KCAA Fukuoka (Kei car specialists)
- KCAA Kyoto (Historic city)
- KCAA Minami Kyushu 2nd (Southern islands)
- KCAA MinamiKyuusyu (Tropical vehicles)
- KCAA Yamaguchi (Budget mini cars)
- LAA Okayama (Seto Inland Sea)
- LAA Shikoku (Island vehicles)
- LUM Fukuoka (Online + physical)
- LUM Hokkaido (Northern online)
- LUM Kobe (Port city specialists)
- LUM Nagoya (Central Japan)
- LUM Tokyo (Metro digital)
- MIRIVE Aichi (Local Aichi)
- MIRIVE Osaka (Kansai digital)
- MIRIVE Saitama (Tokyo area)
- MOTA A (Motorcycle auctions)
- MOTA B (Motorcycle auctions)
- NAA Fukuoka (Nissan Kyushu)
- NAA Nagoya (Central Nissan)
- NAA Osaka (Western Japan)
- NAA Tokyo (Eastern Nissan)
- NISSAN Osaka AA (Official Nissan)
- NPS bid Club Fukuoka (Business network)
- NPS bid Club Osaka (Dealer network)
- NPS bid Club Sendai (Northern dealers)
- NPS bid Club Tochigi (Country dealers)
- NPS bid Club Tokyo (Metro dealers)
- NPS bid Club Tomakomai (Hokkaido)
- ORIX bid Club Atsugi (Kanagawa)
- ORIX bid Club Fukuoka (Kyushu)
- ORIX bid Club Kobe (Hyogo)
- ORIX bid Club Sendai (Miyagi)
- SOGO Internet (Heavy equipment)
- SOGO Narita1 (Chiba airport)
- SOGO Narita2 (Chiba airport)
- SOGO Narita3 (Chiba airport)
- SOGO Tomakomai (Hokkaido)
- SUZUKI AA Hamamatsu (Suzuki HQ)
- Sapporo AA (Hokkaido specialists)
- TAA Chubu (Central Toyota)
- TAA Hiroshima (Mazda region)
- TAA Hokkaido (Northern Toyota)
- TAA Hyogo (Kobe area)
- TAA Kanto (Tokyo region)
- TAA Kinki (Osaka/Kyoto)
- TAA Kyushu (Southern Toyota)
- TAA Minami Kyushu (Tropical)
- TAA Shikoku (Island specialists)
- TAA Tohoku (Northern)
- TAA Yokohama (Major port)
- USS Fukuoka (Southern hub)
- USS Gunma (Country vehicles)
- USS Hokuriku (Sea coast)
- USS Kobe (Port city)
- USS Kyushu (Island specialists)
- USS Nagoya (Central Japan)
- USS Niigata (Snow country)
- USS Okayama (Seto Inland)
- USS Osaka (Western hub)
- USS R-Nagoya (Repaired cars only)
- USS Saitama (Tokyo suburbs)
- USS Sapporo (Hokkaido HQ)
- USS Shizuoka (Mount Fuji)
- USS Tohoku (Northern Japan)
- USS Tokyo (World’s largest)
- USS Yokohama (Main port)
- ZIP Osaka (Online auctions)
- ZIP Tokyo (Digital metro)
- ZeroCarsele Chiba (Salvage cars)
- ZeroCarsele Hakata (Fukuoka)
- ZeroCarsele Hokkaido (Northern salvage)
- ZeroCarsele Osaka (Kansai)
- ZeroCarsele Sendai (Tohoku)
- ZeroCarsele Syonan (Tokyo area)
Smart Buyer Tips
Choosing Your Auction
- For electric cars: Try NAA Fukuoka or TAA Yokohama
- For snow vehicles: Visit USS Sapporo or JU Niigata
- For budget buys: Check HERO AA or JU Miyazaki
- For repaired projects: ZeroCarsele or USS R-Nagoya
Shipping Savvy
Cars from near ports cost less to ship:
- Under 50km to port: Save $300+
- Port proximity champions:
- USS Yokohama (9km to port)
- TAA Yokohama (12km)
- JU Chiba (18km)
Why This List Matters
Japan’s auction houses connect cars with new homes worldwide. This complete list helps you:
- Verify auction names on paperwork
- Find regional specialists
- Avoid fake auctions
- Locate rare vehicles
Bookmark this guide for your next car hunt! Remember: The best deals come from understanding where and how to look. Happy bidding!
(Note: Auction house specialties may change. Verify current focus before bidding.) Always verify auction sheet before buying cars.