Flea Markets in Japan

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Intro

Flea markets are becoming increasingly popular in Japan, that’s for sure. Usually located near shrines and offering a variety of items ranging from handmade silver jewellery and traditional Asian and Japanese clothing (e.g. kimono) to antique furniture, vintage vinyl and crockery, Japanese flea markets appeal to all kinds of customers, including tourists.

In fact, if you are visiting Japan as a tourist, flea markets are a great place to buy Japanese souvenirs, as you can find everything from handicrafts and antiques to the latest cartoon character merchandise.

In Tokyo, you should be able to find several flea markets every weekend. Three major flea markets are held in Meiji Park, with around 600 vendors; Shinjuku Chuo Park, with around 250 stalls; Yoyogi Park, with more than 800 stalls; and the Oi horse racecourse.

Note that there are two types of vendors at the Tokyo and Yokohama flea markets. Professional vendors are fairly easy to spot as they are usually located in separate areas of the flea market. They also sell high quality antiques & vintage items, and this uniqueness is also reflected in the price. Amateur vendors (many of them Chinese) tend to sell bric-a-brac and cheap clothes, but still manage to attract large crowds of Japanese shoppers and tourists who come to hunt for hidden gems lost in haystacks of dusty junk.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog provides an overview of hundreds of flea markets around the world. For this reason, we have limited time and resources to keep each review up to date with accurate information about the market’s opening days. In the case of flea markets that operate on a relatively regular schedule (Saturday and/or Sunday, last/first Sunday of the month, Monday to Sunday, etc.), the opening dates we provide are accurate.

However, antique fairs in Tokyo and Yokohama operate on a more random schedule. We therefore advise you to check their opening dates before making your travel arrangements. For example, we recommend Best Living Japan, which provides updated information on Japan’s antique markets on a monthly basis, or our flea market map, which lists the best flea markets in Japan. Last but not least, most outdoor markets in Tokyo are usually cancelled when it rains. So please bear this in mind when planning a trip to the flea market.

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