Tokyo Antique Markets
Happy New Year! The Tokyo Antique Markets for January 2016 start off big with both the Yokohama Kimono Ichii and the Antique Jamboree. Both of these markets are three-day events from January 8-10th. Also, January 15 & 16 there is the Setagaya Boroichi, which is always very popular. Bundle up and trek out to find treasures in the New Year!
If you are looking for new items or antique stores, try these great Japanese Arts and Craft stores in Tokyo.
**Please note most outside markets are usually cancelled when raining. Please double-check info below at contact numbers/links to be 100% sure of details. — Best Living Japan
Friday, January 8th – Sunday 10th
The 21st Yokohama Kimono Ichi (Yokohama) – If you are a fabric, kimono or accessory lover you should attend this three-day event at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouses. There are close to 100 vendors selling recycled kimonos and accessories. Make a day trip and visit the Cup Noodles Museumand the Overseas Migration Museum, which are very close to the Red Brick Warehouse. http://www.kottou-roman.jp/kimono/
2. Antique Jamboree (Tokyo Big Site) – Is the largest Japanese, European and American antique and toy collectables show in Japan with over 500 dealers. This show is held twice a year in January and August. There are also antique repair experts at the show who can fix your treasures from ceramics to furniture. This show is a three-day event, but if you want to attend the first day (January 8th) you need to purchase an early bird ticket. • Date: Friday – Sunday, January 8-10th, 2016 • Time: 10:00-17:00 • What is for sale: 500 dealers covering Japanese, European, American and global toy collectables • Price: 1,000 yen day ticket/800 yen advance purchase; 3,000 yen early buyer day/2,000 yen early buyer advanced purchase – tickets for sale at Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, Circle K and Sunkus • Access: Approximately 7 minutes’ walk from Kokusai-Tenjijo Station on the Rinkai Line, or 3 minutes’ walk from Kokusai-Tenjijo-Seimon Station on the Yurikamome line • Address: Tokyo Big Site exhibition hall 1E, 3-11-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan 135-0063 • Phone: 03-5530-1111 (Tokyo Big Site number) • Website: http://home.att.ne.jp/sun/jambokun/antique/e.html
Saturday, January 9th
3. Gokokuji Antique Fair (Otsuka, Tokyo) – The Gokokuji Antique Fair is held every month on the second Saturday. The Gokokuji Temple was built at the wish of Keishoin, the mother of the fifth shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi in 1681. Its main hall is the oldest wooden temple building in Tokyo, that survived the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and WWII. Gokokuji is lovely neighbourhood and temple to visit. This market used to be very busy, however, the past year it seems to have really dropped in the number vendors and shoppers. Easy to get to and a nice Temple to see, but a little chancy on the line-up. • Dates: Saturday, January 9, 2016 • Time: 9:00 – 16:00 • What is for sale: 25-40 sellers of predominately Japanese products • Parking: no • Access: Gokokuji Station on Subway Yurakucho Line • Address: 5-40-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku • Phone: 03-3941-0764 (Shrine #, Japanese language only) • Website: www.gokokuji.or.jp (Shrine website; Japanese language only)
Sunday, January 10th
4. Yasukuni Shrine Antique Fair (Kudanshita, Tokyo) – Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Chiyoda, Tokyo. It was founded by Emperor Meiji and commemorates anyone who died in the service of the Empire of Japan. Not the most impressive market, but entertaining if you are going to see Yasukuni Shrine.times: 9:00 to 16:00. It is held almost every Sunday. • Date: Sunday, January 10th, 11th, 17th, 24th, 31st 2016 • Time: 8:00 to 15:30 • What is for sale: smaller market with 10-20 sellers with odds and ends • Parking: no • Access: 5 min walk from Kudanshita Sta (Tozai, Hanzomon,Toei Lines), 10 mins walk from Iidabashi Sta. (Jr Chuo Line) • Address: 3-1-1 Kidankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo • Phone: (03) 3261-8326 (Shrine # – Japanese language only) • Website: http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/english/index.html
5. Hanazono Shrine Antique Fair (Shinjuku, Tokyo) – Hanazono Shrine is the largest shrine in Shinjuku district and is known as the guardian of Shinjuku. It was established during the Edo period. Interesting selection of antiques from coins to some small furniture. The Antique Fair is held 2 to 3 times each month on Sundays. • Date: Sunday, January 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st 2016 • Time: 9:00 to 16:00 • What is for sale: between 25-30 sellers wide selection of antiques • Parking: no • Access: 3 min walk from Shinjuku-Sanchome Sta (Marunocuhi Line); 7 min walk from Shinjuku Sta. (Yamanote and Chuo Lines) • Address: 5-17-3 Shinjuku, Tokyo • Phone: 03-3209-5265 (Shrine # – Japanese language only) • Website: http://www.hanazono-jinja.or.jp/mt/top/ (Shrine site, no English)
6. Fussa Shichifukujin Antique Fair (Fussa, Tokyo) – The Fussa Antique Fair takes place at Kumagawa Shrine in Fussa every second Sunday. Kumagawa Shrine is located about an hour outside of downtown Tokyo. The Shrine has a history of 1,200 years, and its main hall which is believed to have been built-in 1597 is a designated tangible cultural asset of Tokyo.You can also see stone statues of all the seven gods of Shichifukujin (Seven Deities of Good Fortunes) inside the shrine compound.
• Date: Sunday, January 10th, 2016 • Time: 6:00 – 15:00 • What is for sale: 35 sellers of Japanese household items and crafts • Parking: no • Access: 10 min walk from Kumagawa Station on JR Itsukaichi Line from Haijima • Address: Kumagawa Shrine, 658-1 Kumagawa, Fussa, Tokyo 197-0003 • Phone: 042-551-0720 (Kumagawa Shrine – Japanese language only)
Monday, January 11th (National Holiday – Coming of Age Day)
7. O-Edo Antique Market (Yoyogi, Tokyo) – Not to be mistaken for the O-edo market held at the International Forum in Yurakucho. This market is managed by the same organizer but in Yoyogi. Not only will you find a nice selection of antiques but also crafts and other homewares. Enjoy some wonderful shopping and then have a great lunch in Harajuku at Little Bird Restaurant or visit the Farmers Market over near Omotesando. • Date: Monday, January 11th, 2016 • Times: 9:00 – 16:00 • What is for sale: about 100 sellers of Japanese antiques and and crafts • Parking: public paid parking on the street • Access: Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote or Chiyoda Lines • Address: Yoyogi Park • Phone: 03-6407-6011 (Japanese language only) • Website: www.antique-market.jp/english
8. Yasukuni Shrine Antique Fair (Kudanshita, Tokyo) – see #4 above
Wednesday, Janaury 13th
9. Machida Tenmangu Antique Fair – Machida Tenmangu Garakuta Kotto-ichi (Antique Fair at Machida Tenmangu Shrine) is held on the first of every month (exception in January and November to accommodate festivals). This is a large fair with over 120 sellers operating from dawn to dusk, also a hearty bunch since the Fair is outside but not cancelled due to rain.
• Date: Wednesday, January 13th, 2016 • Time: dawn to dusk • What is for sale: 120 sellers with all genre of antiques • Access: Machida Station on JR Yokohama Line and Odakyu Line (35 minutes by express train from Shinjuku Station) • Address: 1-21-5 Haramachida, Machida-shi, Tokyo • Phone: 042-722-2325 (Shrine # – Japanese language only) • Website: n/a
Friday, January 15th
10. Setagaya Boroichi – Flea Market (Setagaya) – Over 700 stalls selling everything and the kitchen sink. Get off at Setagaya station and walk Boroichi Dori to Kamimachi Station. Plan for 2-3 hours to see the entire street. Very crowded so not recommend for children. This event only happens twice a year December and January. • Date: Friday and Saturday, January 15-16th, 2016 • Time: 9am-9pm • Address: 1-15 to 1-27 Setagaya, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo • Access: Kamimachi Station (Tokyu Seta