- Tokyo Flea Markets

If you have some spare time on weekends, but not much money, visit flea markets in Tokyo. Every weekend, at least one flea market of a decent size is held somewhere in central Tokyo. You might bump into something special that you've never expected.

Finding souvenirs:

Flea market might be a good place to buy Japanese souvenirs, since all sorts of Japanese goods, from handicrafts or antiques to the latest cartoon charactor goods, are there.

There might be things not worth buying, but finding good things out of them, is like treasure hunting. If you're lucky, you might find a right souvenir for a price lot cheaper than you buy in souvenir shops.

SAYONARA SALE :

Leaving Tokyo? Then, how about selling your things you don't need anymore ?

Among English speaking people in Japan, this kind of selling is called 'sayonara sale'. (Sayonara means goodbye in Japanese as most of you know)

Putting up a stall in a major flea market costs like 2000-3000 yen/day, so making a large benefit out of a sayonara sale is not easy. But municipalities in Japan usually require some amount of payment for large sized wastes to be collected, so isn't it much better for you to at least make some money out it?

And most of all, spending a day at your own stall and negotiating with the locals, should be a good way to spend your time in Tokyo that is drawing to an end.


Major flea markets and the schedules :

Flea markets at Meiji-koen, Yoyogi-koen, Shinjuku-chuo-koen ('koen' means park) and Oi horse race track is well known for the size and popularity.

You can check the schedules and the details of each market at Paperlantern.net' Event finder. (choose 'Flea market' from the pulldown menu at the center of the page)


Salvation Army Bazaar:

Salvation Army Bazaar is another option to find cheap and good things. Held every Saturday from 9:00am to 2:00pm at Suginami district.

Address:2-21-2 Wada Suginami-ku, Tokyo-to, 10minutes from Fujimidai Station, Subway Marunouchi line. Their Website is http://familystore.salvationarmy.or.jp (only in Japanese)