Sun, Aug
10

Mottainai Flea Market

9:30am – 2:00pm
Free

As the name suggests, this little market is all about reducing waste and wastefulness — the perfect antidote to Tokyo’s shop-till-you-drop culture. It’s a good place to pick up snazzy secondhand clothes for cheap-cheap, as well as DVDs, CDs (remember those?), books, and other odds and ends.

What happens?

Mostly private sellers lay out their wares on a tarp for inspection, and bargaining is definitely part of the game. Depending whether they have sold enough or have just had enough of selling, things usually wrap up earlier than the announced 4 p.m. closing time. Most of the venues have restaurants and bars around for a well-deserved break after shopping.

The market moves around Tokyo, sometimes even over the same weekend. The time is usually 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., give or take an hour or two.

Suggested Activity
Get Tickets To the Samurai Restaurant in Shinjuku (Up to 30% Off)
Experience one of the craziest, most colorful places in Tokyo — the all-new Samurai Restaurant, from the creators of the Robot Restaurant. Get your tickets and sit back for a wild show of lasers, lights, samurai, dancers and other uniquely Japanese weirdness.

Upcoming dates and locations in 2025

The flea market takes place on August 10 at the Gotanda TOC Building.

From September 13 to 14 and again on November 3, it will move to Nakano Central Park.

Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.

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