Anamae: The Japanese Registrar and the Issues with Free Professional Domains!

Picking a domain registrar is one of the first and most important steps when setting up your online presence. For many folks in Japan, Onamae.com (run by GMO Internet) might look like a good choice, especially since they have an appealing offer of free professional domains. But my personal experience tells a different story filled with frustration and hidden costs.

My Experience with Onamae.com
I’ve been a customer of Onamae.com for some time, and honestly, it’s been one of the worst experiences I've had with any domain registrar.

Here’s why:

1. Cluttered and Ad-Filled Dashboard
The dashboard is packed with ads and upsells, making it hard to navigate. Every click feels like it’s pushing for a sale rather than helping you manage your domains.

2. Confusing Domain Purchase Process
When buying a domain, there's a pop-up asking if you want a web server. If you accidentally click “Yes,” you're stuck with a hosting plan with no way to cancel or get a refund, even if you reach out to support right away. It really feels like a trap.

3. Misleading Pricing
The upfront cost looks great—but that's just for the first year. When renewal time rolls around, you'll end up paying a lot more than with other registrars. The long-term expense isn’t worth it.

4. DNS Issues Without My Permission
After I updated my nameservers to Cloudflare, I found they added over 200 DNS records without asking me. I wasted hours removing them.

5. Constant Marketing Emails
Get ready for more than 10 marketing emails a day. Even after they suspended my account, I still received them—and since I couldn’t log in, I had no way to unsubscribe. It took a slow support process to finally stop the flood.

6. False Abuse Reports and Account Suspension
My domain was suspended after a false abuse report from Spamhaus. There was no proper investigation or way to appeal. They just shut it down.

The Bigger Picture: This Isn't Just About Onamae.com
It’s worth noting that Onamae.com is part of GMO Internet, which also runs Z.COM, MuuMuu Domain, and Value Domain. Based on what I’ve experienced, I wouldn’t recommend any of them—they all seem to have similar issues.

What to Use Instead?
After leaving Onamae, I switched to other providers like:

- XDomain (by Netowl)
- Spaceship
- Namecheap

These companies provide better support, clearer pricing, and a more straightforward user experience—without the shady upselling and forced plans.

Final Thoughts
Not every domain registrar is the same. I'm sharing this so others can avoid making the same mistake. Many blogs say Onamae is a good choice, but my experience—and that of others—shows it’s not.

Your time and money matter. Don’t waste them on a service that doesn’t prioritize honesty or trust.