Fun at Flea Markets in Tokyo
Tokyo is one of the more expensive cities in the world. But that doesn’t necessarily mean there are no good buys. Flea markets are wonderful places to shop for a bargain. The thrill of the hunt for the best deals is so much fun that it’s something you can’t miss. Here are just a few of the flea markets in Tokyo.
Setagaya Boroichi flea market
The flea market along Setagaya Boroichi is held twice a year (both weekends in winter), every January 15-16 and December 15-16. It’s one of Tokyo’s oldest flea markets—over 400 years old.
The Setagaya Boroichi flea market draws thousands of people whenever it opens. Most of the stalls are along Boroichi Dori Street, right in the middle of the old, thatched-roof local magistrate’s residence, Setagaya Daikan Yashiki. About 700 stalls line the street of Setagaya and you can find anything and everything from second-hand kimonos to bric-a-brac. One popular stall sells Daikan Mochi rice cakes.
Yoyogi Flea Market
The Yoyogi flea market started in 1981 and is considered Tokyo’s first modern flea market. It attracts mostly young, fashion-conscious shoppers who don’t mind secondhand clothing. Yoyogi has hundreds of vendors who participate in this monthly event. T
They usually sell used or recycled goods: the purpose of the market is to promote “the environmentally-friendly practice of reselling usable goods rather than throwing them away.” This is the place to find all sorts of styles, from hip attire to vintage clothing, as well as other great finds like vintage vinyl records, toys, and so on. The Yoyogi flea market is held once a month on varying days, so always check beforehand.
If it rains, open-air flea markets are usually cancelled. Dates and hours are subject to change without notice. Other flea markets to check out are those at Meiji Park, Shinjuku Park, and Ajinomoto Stadium.