Written by TC Team
The over-400-year-old Boroichi (rag market) takes place in Setagaya on January 15 and 16 and again at the end of the year on December 15 and 16.
What to expect
Boroichi is an enormous flea market at which more than 700 vendors sell a variety of used goods, antiques, handicrafts, religious artefacts, and food to approximately 200,000 visitors.
Any Cheapos looking to outfit their apartment, pick up an interesting Japanese knick-knack (think kokeshi dolls for ¥1,000), or just take some interesting photos should definitely take a look at this market.
Tips for heading to Boroichi Market
Heres some hot tips to make your trip easier.
- Make sure you bring sufficient cash. Few, if any, of the stalls will take electronic payment and the small amount of nearby convenience stores all had long lines for the ATM last time we were there.
- Come with an empty stomach! There’s heaps of food stalls with tasty street food to munch on as you wander around including the popular daikan mochi.
- Wear comfy shoes and give yourself time to browse. The market spans the roughly 1km Boroichi street and numerous side streets so you can spend as much as a couple of hours walking and browsing.
- Tens of thousands of people visit each day so consider heading early if you’d rather avoid peak crowds.
Schedule
The market will be running from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with closing usually marked by exploding firecrackers.
If you miss this one, there is another Boroichi (the first of the year) on the 15th and 16th of December.
How to get there
The market is located on Boroichi Dōri which starts next to Kamimachi Station and runs through to Setagaya Station — both on the quaint, light rail Setagaya Line.
