Recycling Archives | Tokyo Cheapo

Tokyo flea markets are awesome places for bargain hunting. And there’s no shortage of them -- you’ll find something happening on almost every Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday throughout the year. You can fork out wads of cash for fancy souvenirs at soulless stores, or, you can riffle through the stalls of a flea market and find all sorts of awesome (and original) items for a fraction of the price. Here is our pick of top Tokyo flea markets to explore for mind-blowing bargains, as well as a few tips. Note: The smaller markets can be a bit hit and miss -- buzzing one month, dead the next. 1. Mottainai Flea Market A cool little flea market with a focus on secondhand clothes. The organizers hope to reduce wastefulness (mottainai in Japanese) through their event and run it as part of a larger program to promote sustainability. You can sometimes find books, CDs, and DVDs. Tip: Say "Ikura desu ka?" when you want to ask how much something is. If that's the extent of your Japanese, smile and nod when they rattle off a reply. 2. Ohi Racecourse Flea Market Also known as the Tokyo City Flea Market, the Ohi Racecourse Flea Market is one of the biggest and most popular markets, with 300–600 vendors. Unlike a lot of the other Tokyo flea markets, it has a regular schedule. Tip: Say "Chotto takai desu ne" when you want to say, "It's a bit expensive." 3. Shinjuku Chuo Park Flea Market This centrally-located Tokyo flea market has around 200 vendors and a reputation for “vintage” stuff like antiques, previously-loved household items, and other things considered old and interesting. In between browsing the stalls, you can nip up to the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to see the (free!) view over Tokyo. Be warned, the dates are sporadic. Tip: Say "Yasuku naranai?" when you want to say, "Won't you make it a bit cheaper?". Don't expect too much, though; Japan isn't exactly a hub of hardcore haggling. 4. Heiwajima Antiques Fair Heiwajima Antiques Fair is advertised as being the oldest and most famous antique fair in Japan. It's held five times a year and has around 280 dealers. They sell an impressive range of antiques, including Noh masks, tapestries, and kimono. You can not film or take pictures inside the building. Tip: Say "Ni-ko kattara, waribiki arimasu ka?" when you want to say, "If I buy two, is there a discount?" 5. Yoyogi Park Flea Market(s) Yoyogi was long home to one of Tokyo’s oldest and most hipster-ish monthly flea markets. 800 vendors, all peddling secondhand goods, with lots of recycled fashion. But since then, the schedule has become rather erratic. Generally, they are now weekend events every few months. Look out for our event listings to keep up to date. Tip: Say "Ni hyaku en, dou desu ka?" when you want to say, "How about two hundred yen?" 6. The "Best Flea Market" (Yurakucho) This market may not 100% live up to its name, but it's well worth a visit nonetheless (it's also sometimes just called the Tokyo International Forum Flea Market). You can expect over 200 vendors, flogging a range of goods as diverse as antiques and home arts and crafts. Tip: Say "Kore kudasai" when you want to say, "I'll take this one." 7. Ajinomoto Stadium BIG Flea Market This is indeed a big one, and a goodie too! Expect close to 800 (yep, you read that right) stalls, selling everything from fresh organic veggies to handcrafts, previously loved attire, toys, and antiques. There's a roughly entrance fee ( for early-bird admission), but if you make even one purchase, it's worth it. Tip: Say "Kibishii desune" when you want to say, "You're tough/strict" (you drive a hard bargain -- say it with a smile!). 8. Machida Tenmangu Antique Fair A small open-air flea market with 120 or so vendors. Vibey and popular, this is a good one to visit if you're a fan of Japanese antiques. Expect vintage kimono, tableware, furniture, and decor from decades past. The market is held on the grounds of a shrine, which is popular among students seeking a spot of divine intervention in their exams. Tip: Say "Okane ga tarinai!" and look sad when you want to say, "I don't have enough money!" 9. Kawaii Flea Market Translating to the "cute" flea market, this one is aimed at women, with clothing, handmade and secondhand kawaii stuff, and antiques on sale. Expect anywhere from 120 to 200 vendors. The Kawaii markets are held in Ikebukuro. Tip: Say "Chotto kangaemasu" when you want to say, "I'll think about it." 10. Tokyo Romantic Market (Shibuya) This flea market has around 100 stalls featuring Asian, Western, and other "antiques and vintages," as well as "handicrafts, fine art, folk art, folk tools, organic foods, flowers, and more." Worth dropping by if you're in Shibuya when it's on. Bonus: Tomioka Hachiman Shrine Antiques Market Head over to the the Monzennakacho neighborhood on East side of Tokyo for the Sunday Tomioka Hachimangū antique and flea market. This major shrine hosts a popular antique market which usually happens on the first, second, fourth, and fifth Sunday of each month. If you'd help for buying a discounted samurai sword, are a bit shy about haggling, or just like to be accompanied by a Geisha guide whilst you browse, to show you around the Tomioka Hachiman Antiques market. FAQs What can I buy at a Tokyo flea market? Keen on a previously loved kimono for just ? How about an antique tea ceremony bowl? Secondhand fashion for a few hundred yen? You can also find CDs and DVDs, books, vinyls, coffee presses, random military stuff, and much, much more. Where can I find and research more Tokyo markets? Here's a schedule for all sorts of flea markets in the Tokyo and Saitama areas. It's in Japanese, but is super useful to bookmark and auto-translate. This small flea markets site has a few different listings, and here's a good resource for local flea markets with a focus on antiques. If you're into all things old, check out our Guide to Japanese Souvenir Antiques to see what's on offer at some of the markets (as well as where else you can go for bargain finds). For other types of markets, have a look at our post on Tokyo Street Markets and our Mini Guide to Tokyo Farmers Markets. What's the oldest flea market in Japan? If you're around in December or/and January, don't miss the Setagaya Boroichi -- a designated cultural asset and a flea market that's been going strong for over 400 years! What happens if it rains? Or if it is too hot? If the weather is iffy, Tokyo flea markets often get canceled -- unless they are under cover or indoors (for example, the Ohi Racecourse Flea Market is outdoors but under cover, and continues in the event of light rain). Many of the outdoor Tokyo flea markets are pretty dead during the summer months (especially July and August) due to the sometimes unbearable heat and humidity. While they don’t necessarily get canceled, it might just be one or two lonely vendors sticking it out. What time do Tokyo flea markets start? Things start early in secondhand land and so many vendors call it a day and start packing up around lunchtime (even when the market is still officially open) -- so get there early! How can I recycle clothes in Japan? If you're looking to offload some clothes of your own, you can do that at some of the venues listed above -- read our article on clothes recycling in Tokyo for more on that mission. Can you haggle at flea markets in Japan? Haggling is not done often in Japan, but it does happen in flea markets if done gently, just don't be pushy. We've included some useful Japanese phrases to use when you want to get a discount throughout this article, or you can for the Tomioka Hachiman market who'll show you how to haggle in Japan. What happened to the Shinjuku Mitsui Building Flea Market? Many hapless Cheapos search for the famed Shinjuku Nomura Building Flea Market, but it seems to have stopped operating back in 2005. Sadly, its successor, the Shinjuku Mitsui Building Flea Market, also wrapped up in mid-March, 2019. While we do our best to ensure it's correct, information is subject to change. This post is regularly updated. Last updated in March 2024.

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