Tomioka Hachiman Shrine (Flea Market)

The Antique Fair at the Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine in Fukagawa, Koto-ku, is held almost every weekend and features around 120 stalls. Twice a month, an antique market is held on the grounds of the shrine, while the flea market is held on two different days.

The Antique Fair and Flea Market at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine may not be as large as other flea markets in the capital, but that means visitors can take their time to look around. As with other flea markets, each stall has its own qualification, and the people who run the stalls are all professionals with their own shops. Some stallholders, for example, can tell you all about valuable Imari porcelain in English.

In addition to Tokyo’s standard flea market offerings of traditional Japanese items such as Imari porcelain, kimonos, toys, traditional household goods, wooden furniture and carpentry tools, some merchants at Tomioka Hachimangu market also sell other collectibles such as 19th century postcards, old books, coins and other rare nostalgic memorabilia.

Historically, Tomioka Hachimangu is the largest Hachiman shrine in Tokyo. It was founded in 1627 in honour of Emperor Ojin (died 310 AD), who was deified as the god of war. Tomioka Hachiman’s festival in mid-August is one of the three major festivals in Tokyo.

The shrine is closely associated with sumo. During the Edo period, the shrine was the official venue for sumo and tournaments were held every spring and winter. The shrine is also proud of its “ichi-no-miya” mikoshi, which is the largest in Kanto and is beautifully decorated with diamonds. The mikoshi is so heavy that it was only carried when it was brought into the shrine. The mikoshi is housed in the building and displayed for visitors.

Visitors to the Antique Fair at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine should also visit the Edo Fukagawa Museum, which displays full-scale models of Edo-era houses and shops.