Sunday Antique Market
Perhaps it is time for a useful post? People sometimes ask me to recommend things to do in Tokyo and one of the ideas I usually give is the Sunday antique markets. There’s a whole bunch of them all around Tokyo most Sunday afternoons, the only trick is to figuring out which one is on at which time. I have a few favorites, the markets at Ueno Shinobazu Koen, Yasukuni Shrine, Togo Shrine, Hanazono Shrine and this one, at the Yurakucho Internationl Forum, for example, the Oedo Antique Fair (大江戸骨董市). Yesterday on my way somewhere else I passed through the weekly market and had time to take a few photos. I agree – terrible photos and nothing creative here at all. Just some snaps to show you what it looks like. Next time I go I’ll try to get some nicer shots of the actual antiques.
There’s a useful, although incomplete list of craft fairs, antique markets and flea markets on this web calendar, in Japanese only. And one more similar calendar here. Fun trivia – in Japanese the word Flea and Free is written exactly the same in Katakana, leading many Japanese to believe that the term “flea market” is actually “free market”. So don’t be surprised if someone talks about “free markets”.
Also, if you are into antiques and in Tokyo in December, don’t miss the Heiwajima Antique Show, the oldest antique market in Japan, December 16, 17 and 18 this year.
Thanks for the list. I found one in Machida too (a big one.) I’m sure my mother won’t be interested since she is trying to get rid of her stuff now, but my daughter would love to roam there with delight if she gets to go there.
Perhaps your daughter and your mother could combine forces and set up their own booth? (^-^)
Why? wonterfull photo, all the time! If I was there…how many Yen I could lost!!! ;O_o
Thank you so much.
Cri
Haha…. thank you Cri, and welcome to the blog! I know, I have to hold my wallet tight. Better not to bring any money at all!
Yay! I love Japanese flea markets because everything is in wonderful condition… Japanese don’t have the audacity to sell junk at expensive prices… unlike the flea markets of another country which shall remain unnamed…
Haha… I totally agree. But I really do wish that Japanese valued their old stuff even higher than they do. You should see the garbage collection days around Tokyo. I can’t imagine what it is like in the countryside!
Oh ..love flea markets! I went to the one we have here pretty often when I was a kid with my parents and grandpa, now I go with whoever wants to come with me
I am sure you have excellent markets! Actually, if I was you I would start buying and selling wholesale to Japanese dealers. Japanese are crazy for the antiques from your country right now!
I love the concept of antiques (my Mom and Aunts are antiquing freaks). It’s the opportunity for goods to have a new life, a great place to gather new (to you) ideas, and a nice place to sip your coffee while browsing for some finds.
I think the perspective of the photos make you seem super tall (almost giant like, puny mortals, muhahahaha). But the last one made me chuckle, I may just be in a silly mood though.
Wow, you are lucky to have a family of antique freaks! For me antiques is not only a hobby, but also a way to foster human beings into learning to value the worth of physical objects. It’s even ecologically defensible!
Haha… I am quite short actually, but having a wide angle lens pointed slightly downwards really does make it look like you are towering above everyone around! Good catch!
I’m most likely shorter than you, so you’d still be bigger than me in all likelihood.
Oh that’s good to know about wide angles lens, yay I learned something!!! Thanks
Haha… I’ll believe it when I see it! (^-^)