Free: All time
There are definitely no shortage of antique and flea markets in Tokyo. Many of these are held on the weekend on temple or shrine grounds. Technically not “free” if you plan to buy things, visiting these flea markets itself doesn’t cost you anything. Get a glimpse of Tokyo of the past through the various items sold at these flea markets. Vendors usually begin setting up at dawn and by 3pm in the afternoon, they’re starting to wrap up. Be sure not to arrive too late in the day. Also, check weather forecast before going. Since the markets are outdoors, they may be cancelled in bad weather.
Website: www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/travel/practical/kottou.html
Photo credit: Andurinha, Ryan Mcbride
Some of antique & flea markets in Tokyo:
Arai Yakushi Temple
Address: 5-3-5, Arai, Nakano-ku, Tokyo
Opening hours: Feb-Dec Sun 6am – 3:30pm
Phone: +81 03-3386-1355
Direction: Train Seibu-Shinjuku LIne to Araiyakushi-mae Station; Train JR Chuo LIne to Nakano Station north exit
Nogi Shrine
Address: 8-11-27 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Opening hours: Mar-Dec 2nd Sun 6am – 3:30pm
Phone: +81 03-3478-3001
Direction: Subway Chiyoda Line to Nogizaka Station, Exit 1
Yasukuni Shrine
Address: 3-1-1 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Opening hours: Every Sun 8am – 3:30pm
Phone: +81 090-2723-0687
Direction: Subway Tozai, Hanzomon and Toei Shinjuku Lines to Kudanshita Station; Train JR Chuo Line to Iidabashi Station
Hanazono Shrine
Address: 5-17-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Opening hours: Every Sun 6am – 3pm (Antique markets will be closed on Feb. 3rd, 2013, and days of “Reitai-sai” festival in May & “Tori-no-ichi” fair in Nov)
Phone: +81 03-3209-5265
Direction: Subway Marunouchi and Toei Shinjuku Lines to Shinjuku-sanchome Station; JR Yamanote and Chuo Lines to Shinjuku Station east exit
Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine
Address: 1-20-3 Tomioka, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Opening hours: Every Sun (except for the 15th & 28th) 6am – 3pm
Phone: +81 0276-38-3417
Direction: Subway Tozai and Toei Oedo Lines to Monzen-Nakacho Station
Gotokokuji Temple
Address: 5-40-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Opening hours: Every 2nd Sat 8am – 3pm
Phone: +81 044-977-0210
Direction: Subway Yurakucho Line to Gokokuji Station
Takahatafudo
Address: 733 Takahata, Hino-shi, Tokyo
Opening hours: Every 3rd Sun 7am – 4pm
Phone: +81 090-3314-1994
Direction: Train Keio Line to Takahatafudo Station
