JAN 15 & 16 in 2023 - A big antique market will be held in Tokyo!!! Who can say No to a treasure hunt? There is a flea market featuring antiques on most weekends. Check out the vintage kimonos, porcelain plates (Arita and Imari), and antique Japanese dolls. I'll tell you more about the story behind these items. They sometimes have Western antiques, too. Market size varies (10 to 250 stalls). Join me on a treasure hunt! Antiquing is fun!
Your hotel (Central Tokyo or Yokohama only) OR at a train station (Central Tokyo)
1st day of the month
One or two Sundays a month
One Sunday a month
Annual festival held on December 15 & 16 and January 15 & 16.
*Includes a visit to a heritage samurai house (Daikan Yashiki).
Most Sundays in warmer weather; less frequently held in the winter.
Most Saturdays (temporarily suspended due to the pandemic).
Seasonal
NOTE: I can check antique market schedules for you when we plan your itinerary.
At the final destinatio or at a pre-agreed place in Central Tokyo
Guide fee
The following are PAID IN CASH on the tour date/s:
= Transportation fee (you & guide)
= Lunch / food / drinks / entrance fee, if necessary (you & guide)
= tour extension 5,000JPY/hour
The size of the market is different from place to place. Some of them can house 10 stalls; others 250 stalls.
Flea market schedules are subject to weather conditions and other factors. We’ll agree on a Plan B (e.g., alternative 4-hour tour) just in case the market is canceled. Please note that some venues are in the suburbs of Tokyo. That’s at least an hour's train ride away from Central Tokyo.
We can also find Western antiques in some markets.
Let's go treasure hunting together!
Due to the seasonal nature of flea markets, please contact the guide for market schedules before booking. Meet-up = Central Tokyo and Yokohama only
Multiple-day bookings are encouraged. I might have greater flexibility in opening closed slots in this case. Let's talk about it. Send me a message! :‑)
MORE INFO:
= We use public transportation (train, subway, bus and/or taxi) in my tours as it's the best way to see the city.
= A custom tour = Please book at least SIX HOURS = 45,000JPY
= The meet-up time marks the official start of the tour.
= Hotel pick-ups = only in Central Tokyo, Yokohama, and a few hotels in Kawasaki.
= Four-hour tours available = Tokyo, Harajuku & Shibuya, Odaiba, Shinjuku, Ueno, Yokohama, and antique flea market. Please check out the corresponding tour pages.
“Shinjuku, Cherry Blossoms, and Shopping!”
If you're looking for a customized tour, reach out to Toshi. She was flexible, organized, and very pleasant company. I had a day to myself in Tokyo while my husband was at a conference. I booked a custom tour with Toshi, and am so glad that I did! Our trip was at the tail end of cherry blossom season, so weren't seeing very many blossoms near our hotel. Toshi took me to the Shinjuku Gyoen Garden where there were other varieties in full bloom. It was beautiful! I'm an artist and had scouted out a couple of art supply stores before our trip. Toshi advised which ones would be feasible to visit during our timeframe, and then offered suggestions of other things we could do/see in the area near the shops. We saw some 'hidden gems', including a local Shinto shrine, Godzilla, and Omoide Yokocho. Toshi was constantly sharing information about the area and its history as we explored. She made sure I was comfortable, filled the role of interpreter, and ensured I had a great day. Thank you, Toshi!
Toshi H.
(126 reviews)Arigato, Annie! I also had a wonderful time with you. So glad that we managed to hit the places you wanted to visit - shopping, cherry blossoms and sightseeing. Please come back here in late November to see the fall foliage. I'm sure it will give you a lot of inspiration for your paintings. Hope to see you again.
“Great tour with Toshi, excellent knowledge, and covered all the key sites”
We arranged to meet Toshi at the station and were immediately put at ease after meeting Toshi. Her knowledge and English were excellent and we experienced many aspects of Yokohama. We enjoyed a Chinese lunch (inexpensive) in China Town followed by a taxi ride to Sankeien Gardens. Again Toshi had very good knowledge of the most interesting aspects of the garden . In summary, we can highly recommend Toshi to provide an excellent private tour of Yokohama.
Toshi H.
(126 reviews)Thank you, Peter! It was a pleasure meeting you and your wife. Yokohama is one of my favorite places as the bay area is postcard pretty. Yokohama being historically significant yet considered a trend setter makes it very interesting to many visitors. Take care and I hope to tour you to other places in the future!
“Great custom tour”
We highly recommend Toshi. We asked for a customized tour for me and wife. A tour that would match our preferences and abilities. Toshi planned and executed just the right tour for us. She even adjusted it on the fly when needed. Toshi proved to be a knowledgeable guide well versed in the history of Japan in general and Tokyo in particular. She is also great fun to spend time with.
Toshi H.
(126 reviews)Thank you very much, Ami! I'm truly delighted to have you here in Tokyo. We were able to see a variety of places in one day. Our day began with a sense of reverence at Meiji-jingu Shrine. At Harajuku, we witnessed the vibrant fashion trends among the youth. Asakusa provided us with a unique blend of traditional charm and bustling energy. The Imperial Palace stood majestically beside the business district. Tokyo is full of surprises, isn't it? I sincerely hope you continue your Japanese adventure filled with joy and excitement. Enjoy the rest of your Japan adventure! Please take care of yourself.