10 Best Tokyo Flea Markets for Bargain-Hunting

Poste date: Tuesday, April 25, 2023

There are many different ways to experience the culture of a foreign place, but nothing gives quite the same insight into local pop culture, history and everyday life as a flea market. Tokyo has plenty such gatherings (known as "furima" in Japanese) on offer, so whether it’s antiques, local fashion, interesting household items or even fresh produce you’re looking for, you’re bound to find it.

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Wherever you are, it’s fun to spend a few hours on a weekend hunting for anything from one-off pieces by local designers and vintage clothing, to hard-to-find books and–if you’re lucky–Edo period antiques. Here are ten Tokyo flea market mainstays.

10 Tokyo Flea Market Finds in the City

1. Akasaka Antique Market at Ark Hills

This Tokyo flea market may be the most upscale of them all, but that doesn’t exclude it from offering a range of fascinating finds for all budgets. Antique dealers co-habit with trendy designers so you’ll find everything from unique pieces of furniture to handmade earrings and artisanal candles. This very stylish market is open-air but undercover in the Ark Hills complex, meaning the show goes on even when it’s raining.

Date

Last Sunday of the month, from 11:00am

Access

1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Roppongi-Itchome Station, exit 3)

Website

https://www.arkhills.com/en/akasaka-nominoichi/

2. Gokokuji Temple Antique Market

Gokokuji antiques market is held every 2nd Saturday.

Date

Every 2nd Saturday from 7:00 to 15:00

Access

Gokokuji Temple: 5-40-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

Website

http://gokokujikottouichi.g1.xrea.com/

3. Hanazono Shrine Aozora Antique Market

The Hanazono Shrine Aozora Antique Market is held every Sunday morning from around 6:30 until sunset.

Date

Every Sunday

Access

Hanazono Shrine: 5-17-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Website

http://kottou-ichi.jp/

4. Heiwajima Antique Fair at Ryutsu Center

If you are searching for a flea market in Tokyo that focuses on antiques, you are in luck. Heiwajima is the most antique of the antique fairs, not to mention the longest running of its kind in Japan – and it’s big. Several hundred dealers from all over the country gather to sell furniture, textiles, glass, lacquered objects, art prints, jewelry and pottery from eras past, much of it unique and beautiful. This is a great destination for serious antique hunters, but even if that’s not your thing, there are also sellers hawking regular flea market tat.

Date

Check on the website

Access

Tokyo Ryutsu Center Building, 6-1-1 Heiwajima, Ota-ku, Tokyo

Website

https://kottouichi.com/festival.html

5. Kasai Shrine Open-air Antique Market

If you are interested in antiques you will enjoy looking for valuable things.

Date

Every 1st Saturday from 8:00 to 16:00 (except January and November)

Access

6-10-5 Higashikanemachi, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo

Website

http://kasaijinjya.world.coocan.jp/event/kottouiti.html

6. Oedo Antique Market at Yoyogi Park and Tokyo International Forum

At the Tokyo International Forum, this market is held twice a month. Its focus is antiques, helping people rediscover the value in old things. You’re likely to find all kinds of time-worn treasures, whether an ukiyo-e print, beautiful ceramics, or a vintage kimono. In its Tokyo International Forum edition, Oedo is the biggest outdoor antique market in Japan.

Date

Mostly on the 1st and the 3rd Sunday every month

Access

5-1 Marunouchi 3-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Yurakucho Station)

Website

https://www.antique-market.jp/english/

7. Oi Racecourse Tokyo City Flea Market

With about 300 vendors, this Tokyo flea market is one of the biggest in the city and certainly the most regular, running every weekend without fail (unless it rains, since it’s outdoors). Many of the vendors here are professional sellers, offering everything from the smallest to the largest items you can carry home. With this many stalls it’s a solid destination for daily necessities, the latest fashions, rare collector’s items and even some antiques. And for extra convenience, food trucks supply sustenance for the hungry shopper.

Date

Every Saturday and Sunday 9:00-15:00

Access

2-1-2 Katsushima, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, (Oi Keibajomae Station on the Tokyo Monorail)

Website

https://trx.jp/

8. Mottainai Flea Market at Gotanda TOC

The MOTTAINAI Campaign holds "MOTTAINAI Flea Markets" every weekend in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba and other suburbs of Tokyo as a place to propose the effective use of limited resources.

Date

Check the website

Access

TOC Building: 7-22-17 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

Website

http://www.mottainai.info/jp/event/fleama/calendar/

9. Setagaya Park Flea Market

The flea markets held in the Setagaya Park are organized by various groups. They are held on a regular basis so please check the website.

Date

Check the website

Access

Setagaya Park: 1--5-27 Ikejiri, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

Website

https://www.city.setagaya.lg.jp/mokuji/kurashi/004/012/001/d00186908.html

10. Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine Antique Market

This antique flea market is held on the 1st (except January), 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays of each month (except 15th and 28th).

Date

Check the website for details

Access

Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, 1-20-30 Tomioka, Koto-ku, Tokyo

Website

https://kottou-rakuichi.com/about.html

Japanese Flea Market Vocabulary

Many vendors are used to foreigners, even if they don’t speak English, but if you want to interact and get the best price (a little gentle haggling is fine, if done with a smile) it’s best to have a few phrases like the following on hand.

How much [is this]?
[Kore wa] ikura desu ka? (you can simply say, "Ikura desu ka?" as well!)

If I buy two/three/four, is there a discount?
Futatsu/mitsu/yottsu kattara, waribiki dekiasuka?

That’s a bit expensive, isn’t it?
Chotto takai desu ne.

Could you lower the price a bit?
Sukoshi yasuku narimasuka?

Would you accept xx yen?
XX en ni shite moraemasenka?

You drive a hard bargain!
Chotto kibishi desu ne!

Which era/year is this from?
Kore wa itsu no jidai no mono desuka?

Which region/city is this from?
Kore wa doko no mono desuka?

Your Tokyo Flea Market Search is Just Beginning

If you’re looking for a flea market in Tokyo, this list only scratches the surface--please don’t be afraid to keep hunting! There are all sorts of fairs and markets in every ward; even your local neighborhood will probably put on a flea market at least once a year, offering a great opportunity to get to know people as well. Apart from being a fun way to shop for the basics, flea and antique markets hold the promise of rare and one-off items you won’t find elsewhere and authentic souvenirs to take home.