#128 Flea Markets in Tokyo/Osaka

There are quite a few flea markets around Japan, you’ll just need to look up the calendars and see what ones are on when you visit. Some are weekly but others are only every month or two months.

Tokyo City Flea Market

This market is located a very short walk from Oi-Keibajo-Mae station on the Tokyo Monorail line. It’s 270yen for the 10min ride from Hamamatsucho JR station, so it’s going to be more expensive and a little more awkward than many of the tourist attractions, but if you have free time it’s worth a look.

Unlike many markets, it seems to happen weekly so there’s a good chance of visiting when you come to Japan. There are reportedly over 600 stalls, but admittedly there were quite a few with just piles of clothes (which we can assume will not fit the average Westerner), but out of a few hundred stalls you can always find one with something you like.

It’s worth pointing out that at Japanese markets there is the usual Japanese-level of polite, and the vendors will probably not shout at you or try pressure you into buying something, but also there’s probably going to be little to no bargaining either once they state their price.

Overall I thought this market was okay, I have been to better but I have also been to worse. Visit if you have time, but if there are other attractions on your list maybe consider them before visiting here.

There's a website with dates here https://trx.jp/static/en/tcf/index.html

Osaka Shitennoji Flea Market

The flea market at Shitennoji in Osaka only happens about once monthly around the 21st and 22nd (or closest weekend), so there’s a fair chance that you’ll miss it, but if you can go it’s a gem! 

There were many stalls with very cheap (but also very old and stained) kimono and crappy little Japanese souvenirs and assorted items. The prices were mostly very reasonable, and since there was so much choice I think it would be easy to find some cheap and quirky souvenir items.

Kimono and Yukata stall at Shitennoji

Since it’s located at Shitennoji temple, a fairly major tourist attraction in Osaka, you won’t have to go out of your way to find it either.

The JNTO has a list of some other temples, but the information section has just phone numbers so useless for most people I think, but could be a good place to start looking. http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/attractions/shopping/market/antique.html