Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Tokyo Flea Markets

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Tokyo Flea Markets

I will be in Tokyo May 10 - 11, (2nd weekend) and like to visit a flea market. Would love to find Imari or other decorative china pieces...woodblock prints, ...etc. Would appreciate recommendations on where to go. I will be staying in Askausa. Thanks !

Bonjour, Here is a couple of listings of flea markets in Tokyo: http://www.paperlantern.net/fleamarket/ http://www2.dango.ne.jp/kimi/info.html Try to get your hands on this book (I just bought in in Kyoto two weeks ago, it is very good and useful): "Flea Markets of Japan. A Pocket Guide for Antique Buyers" by Theodore Manning http://www.thejapanpage.com/html/book_directory/Detailed/542.shtml There is a huge lot of interesting shopping for craft and some antiques in Asakusa itself, in the small streets and covered arcades around the temple (Asakusa Kannon). A gem I just discovered is the Taito-ku (Taito municipality) museum of traditional craft. It is located in a covered arcade not far from the temple (go to left from the main building, past the amusement center, until you see a small covered gallery. It is in the middle of the alley, on the left side).

Florence - how nice to see you've returned from your trip! How was it? We leave on Wednesday for our first trip to Japan...planned with much help from you. We will be in Kyoto on April 21st. I understand there is an large flea market at a temple there on the 21st of each month. Can you tell me anything about that one?

Bonjour Leslie, The trip was great, although I couldn't do as much as I wanted, since I had to pilot my mom ... I'll try to organise my notes, tickets, pictures, documentation, books and buys, and post a full report. The market on the 21st of each month at the Toji temple is not to be missed. Oneof the oldest flea-market in Japan it predates the Edo era and is called "Kobo San" in memory of Kobo Daishi, founder of the temple, and that day is the anniversary of his death (in the 12th century if my memory serves me). The market combines food, plants, antiques, crafts, etc. The temple is located 10 minutes on foot from the south exit of the station. Entering from this side, you'll find lots of second-hand kimonos, antiques, then craft, food stalls, etc. Take you time to browse, ask the prices, haggle a little, stop for some food and drink. There is even a coffee shop near the plant market at the south-east gate. I've found good second-hand silk kimonos (the most expensive for about yen 2000).

A tip for "the day after" (shopping in fleamarkets): Send your purchases SAL through the post offices: - buy a box ("Yuu-pack") for yen 140 or 200, fill it but don't close it. - check the weight of your package with the scales provided on the desk, making sure it is less than 2 kg (approx. 4 pounds): 2kg is the limit for small packets not subjected to custom declaration. The cost of a 2 kg package is approx. Yen 2000, it will arrive in about 1 - 2 weeks. The main post office in Kyoto is located on the left of the north exit (Karasuma exit). In Tokyo, it is opposite left of the Marunouchi side (the older building) ot Tokyo Station. In Asakusa, it is midway towards Ueno on the right in Asakusa-dori. Nobody should give you a second glance if you make several trips to and from the scale to check the weight of your packages: I've "housetrained" those 3 offices by sending around 2 dozen packs ... ;-)

Florence ... Thank you for your tips! I was able to find the book on Amazon. I was hesitant to go to Japan until I posted last fall ... and your tips were so helpful ...that I went with a friend in November. And... I loved Kyoto and Asakusa so much .... I'm doing a long weekend by myself to Asakusa this spring!