Find Vintage Treasures at Antique Markets in the Suburbs of Tokyo!
The old adage that "one man's junk is another man's treasure" is still alive and well in Tokyo's thriving markets. You can usually find at least several flea and antique markets, sometimes called "shrine sales" as they are often held on temple grounds, around the city on any given weekend.
Besides the big markets held in popular tourist areas such Shinjuku and Yoyogi, there are many smaller local markets scattered across various Tokyo neighborhoods that have great finds waiting to be had! Rather than dishing out money for expensive items at a souvenir store, these antique and flea markets are a great place to get unique and pieces of Japanese history for a fraction of the price.
One such local antique market is the monthly Takahata Fudo Gozare-ichi in Hino City in the western suburbs of Tokyo. Held every third Sunday of the month on the premises of the Takahata Fudo-son Kongo-ji Temple (one of the oldest temples in the Kanto region), the market is very convenient to get to. It is only a 5-minute walk from the Takahata-Fudo Station, which is about 30 minutes from Shinjuku Station on the Keio line.
The Takahata Fudo Gozare-ichi was started about 30 years ago by Mr. Kokune, the shop owners of a nearby antique store. Every month, around 80 antique dealers from Tokyo and other nearby cities gather to showcase a diverse selection of traditional Japanese antiques at the market.
As you approach the main entrance to the temple, you will find a myriad of small shops and stalls peddling their goods. Some are stalls comprised simply of small items such as porcelain cups and plates spread across mats and boxes on stone stairs or the gravel floor.
Fancy some previously loved kimonos and other traditional Japanese textiles for less than 1000 yen?
Have a field day picking out your favorite porcelain bowls, plates or cups from amongst hundreds of different designs and sizes!
The "Gozare" of the market's name means that "as long as it is old, anything goes." In addition to vintage kimonos, traditional ceramics, and porcelain tableware, the Takahata Fudo Antique Market even showcases goods such as old machinery, everyday "junk" and various timeworn antiques that even Japanese people themselves may not know the use for. But that just adds to the fun of finding something special...
Browsing through the stalls, you might even find some great bargains with valuable collector's items amongst the vintage timepieces and telephones on display.
Several stalls offer old katana swords, record players, ancient coins, teapots and even occasionally military memorabilia for sale.
A mixed selection of small furniture and ornamental pieces for decorating the home are also up for grabs.
Alternatively, one could get creative with boxes of recycled glass bottles and jars too.
Ultimately, a shrine sale would not be complete without some religious relics for visitors to take home with them.
With everything from antique tea ceremony bowls and traditional ornaments to secondhand fashion for just a few hundred yen, the Takahata Fudo Antique Market is definitely worth the trip. You can even conveniently make a visit to the Takahata Fudo Temple before or after browsing the market stalls. The Takahata Fudo Temple holds many cultural assets, including some designated as Important Cultural Properties. In fact, a special rendition of the Takahata Fudo Antique Market is held annually at the end of April in conjunction with the Takahata Fudo Temple's Spring National Treasure Festival.
Takahata Fudo Antique Market Gozare-ichi
Market Dates: Third Sunday of every month
Opening Time: 7:00 - 16:00
Number of Merchants: Approximately 80 sellers
Address: Takahata Fudo-son Kongo-ji Temple (733 Takahata, Hino City, Tokyo)
Access: 5 min walk from Takahata Fudo Station on the Keio Line
Phone: 090-3314-1994 (Ms. Kokune; English available)
Website: http://www.takahatafudoson.or.jp/
https://kanagawa-antique-market.crayonsite.net/
It doesn't stop there either, there are many markets to enjoy across the city so if you are thinking about something different to do on the weekend, how about some bargain hunting for original antiques at some of Tokyo's local neighborhood markets? You just never know what treasures you may find!
Other Recommended Tokyo Suburb Antique Markets to Explore
Machida Tenmangu "Garakuta" Antique Market
Market Dates: First day of every month (held rain or shine; market dates in January and November may be different)
Opening Time: 7:00 - 15:00
Number of Merchants: Approximately 130 sellers
Address: Machida Tenmangu Shrine（1-21-5 Haramachida, Machida City, Tokyo）
Access: 8 minute walk from Machida Station （Odakyu line） / 5 Minute Walk from Machida Station (JR Yokosuka line)
Phone: 090-3314-1994（English Available）
Website: https://kanagawa-antique-market.crayonsite.net/
Tama Antique Market
Market Dates: Fourth Sunday of every month (not held in August)
Opening Time: 7:00 - 15:00 (may change in case of rain)
Number of Merchants: 25~40 sellers
Address: Tachikawa Suwa Shrine (1-5-15 Shibasaki-cho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo)
Access: 8 minute walk from the South Exit of Tachikawa Station
Phone: 042‐522‐5806（Japanese Language Only）
Website: http://blog.livedoor.jp/tamakottouichi/
Hachioji Handicraft Market (held at the same time as the Antique Market)
Market Dates: Second Saturday of every month (not held in August)
Opening Time: 10:00 - 15:00 (Handicraft Market); 09:00 - 15:00 (Antique Market)
Address: Hachioji Fujimori Park (2-2 Daimachi, Hachioji City, Tokyo)
Number of Merchants: 25~40 sellers
Access: 20 minute walk from JR Hachioji Station; 15 minute walk from Nishi-Hachioji Station, 8 minute walk from Yamada Station on the Keio Takao Line.
Phone: 042-628-2933 （Japanese only）
Website: http://www.abbey-road.net/
*This article was posted on the Life in Tokyo website operated by the Tokyo International Communication Committee on February 25, 2019.