Oedo Antique Market at Yoyogi Park and Tokyo International Forum
While the youthful secondhand-clothing-heavy Yoyogi Flea Market is intermittent these days, an antique market in the same park runs once every month with a sister show at the Tokyo International Forum twice a month, and offers a different kind of fare. Its focus is antiques, helping people rediscover the value in old things. You likely find all kinds of time-worn treasures, whether an ukiyo-e print, beautiful ceramics, or a vintage kimono. In its Tokyo International Forum edition, Oedo is the biggest outdoor antique market in Japan.
Yoyogi Flea Market
Despite being one of the oldest flea markets around in Tokyo, the Yoyogi Flea Market has been dubbed the hippest one of them all. Brimming with youngsters and trendsetters, the event draws the younger crowds, with more focus on recycled fashion items. Every once a month, the park organizes an Earth Day market, where it is specific to environmentally friendly items and produce.
Shinagawa Intercity Flea Market
This popular flea market can be found in and around the intercity complex near Shinagawa Station most Sundays of the year. It is easy to access, chock-full of everything from used clothing to kitchen utensils and electronics, partly sheltered in case of inclement weather, and surrounded by a slew of restaurants.
Aoyama Weekly Antique Market
Another regular weekend market worth checking out is in Aoyama Street at the United Nations University (UNU). It has a regular line-up of exhibitors, 70 in total based on the official event website and is held together with the UNU Farmer’s Market. However, do take note that majority of the items sold here are Western antiques. So if you are on the hunt for Japanese vintage, you should look for elsewhere.
Ajinomoto Stadium Flea Market
Deemed as a national event, the locals and tourists alike flock to the Ajinomoto Stadium for the flea market for its sheer size (800 stalls) and shopping options. If you can name it, someone is probably selling it. Buy organic produce, or beautiful dinner bowls, or intricate handicrafts, for a fraction of what you have to pay in the retail shops.
Nogi Shrine Antique Flea Market
Being at a shrine, the Nogi Shrine Antique Flea Market is also small but exceedingly interesting. Originally a crafts fair that morphed into an antique market, the range is fairly broad and vendors offer good quality items such as secondhand clothing, antiques, furniture, ceramics and cooking utensils. The shrine is dedicated to Meiji-era General Nogi who, with his wife, took his own life on the day of the funeral of Emperor Meiji, the house where they died is still in good condition on the grounds.
Akasaka Antique Market at Ark Hills
This Tokyo flea market may be the most upscale of them all, but that does not exclude it from offering a range of fascinating finds for all budgets. Antique dealers co-habit with trendy designers so you will find everything from unique pieces of furniture to handmade earrings and artisanal candles. This very stylish market is open-air but undercover in the Ark Hills complex, meaning the show goes on even when it's raining.
Tips and tricks
Not all flea markets are rain-or-shine, it is best to check out the organizers’ websites a day or two prior to the event and read reviews. Some might be cancelled last minute due to unforeseen circumstances.
Bargaining is possible, and the locals are very polite and courteous about it. Do not push their limits, and ask for a lower and reasonable price kindly.
Bring your own shopping bags. You will not want to carry 1001 plastic bags, and not all vendors will provide a bag.
Bring a hat or umbrella. In the spring or summer, it is bound to get sunny and hot as you shop out in the open. Slap on sunscreen and make sure you do not go home with a burn.