Mercari Trend Report: Sales of 'Time Locking Containers' to Physically Limit Smartphone Use Increase 1.3x vs 2024, with Gen Z Accounting for Over Half of Transactions
Mercari's April 2026 Trend Report reveals a significant rise in digital detox interest. Transactions for 'Time Locking Containers' grew 1.3x year-on-year, driven largely by Gen Z seeking to curb smartphone addiction. Analog cameras are also seeing a resurgence as consumers value 'waiting time' as a luxury experience.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 20:10
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 00:02 (3h 52m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 00:45 (43 min after Collected)
Mercari, Inc. presents its April Trend Report.
[TOPICS]
- 'Digital Detox' becomes a search trend during long holidays, with search volume peaking during Golden Week, New Year's, and spring breaks.
- Transaction volume for 'Time Locking Containers' increased approximately 1.3 times compared to 2024, with Gen Z accounting for more than half of these transactions.
- 'Instant Camera' transactions have expanded across all generations, growing about 2.3 times in four years. In March 2026, Gen Z transactions for instant cameras rose 120.9% month-on-month.
- In the 'Film Camera' popular brand rankings, domestic manufacturers dominate the top 5, with 'Fujifilm' taking the overwhelming first place.
1. 'Digital Detox' as a Long Holiday Search Trend
Digital detox refers to the practice of distancing oneself from digital devices like smartphones to relieve stress caused by information overload. It aims to focus on real-world experiences and face-to-face communication away from the online noise.
On Mercari, monthly searches for 'digital detox' tend to rise during long holidays like Golden Week and New Year's, suggesting a movement to intentionally set aside time away from digital equipment during extended breaks.
2. 'Time Locking Container' Transactions Increase 1.3x
As contact time with digital devices through social media and video viewing increases, more people, especially among the younger generation, are feeling daily 'smartphone fatigue.' New ways of spending time, such as 'smartphone-free travel,' are gaining attention. In this context, 'Time Locking Containers'—storage boxes that remain locked until a set time—are being used as physical tools to support smartphone distancing.
Transactions for these containers on Mercari increased by about 1.3 times from 2024 to 2025. By generation, those in their 10s and 20s accounted for 58.6% of all transactions in 2025. This suggests a strong intention among the youth to break the habit of constant smartphone use through physical mechanisms.
3. 'Instant Camera' Transactions Expand Across All Generations
There is also a shift toward analog cameras during spring break and travel seasons. Transactions for 'Instant Cameras,' which print photos immediately after shooting, have been increasing annually, hitting a record high in 2025—about 2.3 times the volume in 2021. Gen Z is particularly active, with transactions in March 2026 (graduation trip season) reaching 120.9% of the previous month. Similarly, 'Film Cameras' saw a 120.5% month-on-month growth among Gen Z. This trend highlights a preference for analog 'one-shot' experiences and the excitement of 'waiting time' for development, contrasted with the instant editing and sharing of smartphones.
[TOPICS]
- 'Digital Detox' becomes a search trend during long holidays, with search volume peaking during Golden Week, New Year's, and spring breaks.
- Transaction volume for 'Time Locking Containers' increased approximately 1.3 times compared to 2024, with Gen Z accounting for more than half of these transactions.
- 'Instant Camera' transactions have expanded across all generations, growing about 2.3 times in four years. In March 2026, Gen Z transactions for instant cameras rose 120.9% month-on-month.
- In the 'Film Camera' popular brand rankings, domestic manufacturers dominate the top 5, with 'Fujifilm' taking the overwhelming first place.
1. 'Digital Detox' as a Long Holiday Search Trend
Digital detox refers to the practice of distancing oneself from digital devices like smartphones to relieve stress caused by information overload. It aims to focus on real-world experiences and face-to-face communication away from the online noise.
On Mercari, monthly searches for 'digital detox' tend to rise during long holidays like Golden Week and New Year's, suggesting a movement to intentionally set aside time away from digital equipment during extended breaks.
2. 'Time Locking Container' Transactions Increase 1.3x
As contact time with digital devices through social media and video viewing increases, more people, especially among the younger generation, are feeling daily 'smartphone fatigue.' New ways of spending time, such as 'smartphone-free travel,' are gaining attention. In this context, 'Time Locking Containers'—storage boxes that remain locked until a set time—are being used as physical tools to support smartphone distancing.
Transactions for these containers on Mercari increased by about 1.3 times from 2024 to 2025. By generation, those in their 10s and 20s accounted for 58.6% of all transactions in 2025. This suggests a strong intention among the youth to break the habit of constant smartphone use through physical mechanisms.
3. 'Instant Camera' Transactions Expand Across All Generations
There is also a shift toward analog cameras during spring break and travel seasons. Transactions for 'Instant Cameras,' which print photos immediately after shooting, have been increasing annually, hitting a record high in 2025—about 2.3 times the volume in 2021. Gen Z is particularly active, with transactions in March 2026 (graduation trip season) reaching 120.9% of the previous month. Similarly, 'Film Cameras' saw a 120.5% month-on-month growth among Gen Z. This trend highlights a preference for analog 'one-shot' experiences and the excitement of 'waiting time' for development, contrasted with the instant editing and sharing of smartphones.