Jan 27, 2014 - 1 min read

Antique Market at Yasukuni Shrine

Antique pottery and bargain hunting in Tokyo

By Manish Prabhune

Community writer

Every flea market has some specialty and the one at Yasukuni Shrine has many pottery items and paintings which form the major part of the market. The dealers are usually very friendly and some regular dealers even speak English.

Flea markets at other places usually attract hordes of dealers, but at Yasukuni Shrine, the best part is that there are no more than 50-60 dealers. This has kept the crowds relatively low and allows better one-to-one discussions, the basic requirement for bargain talk, and you can have a look at the items you are interested in at your own pace.

The flea market at Yasukuni Shrine positions itself as "real antiques" market. I contemplated buying this piece of display pottery, but at 15000 yen, my wife just pulled me away, even before I got into a bargain discussion.

You can also find old coins, although I am not much of a coin collector and I have never bought them, I I couldn't say anything about authenticity of the same.

I avoid the Yasukuni Shrine flea market in March since the cherry blossom season attracts enormous crowds, but the rest of the year is always fine.

Rare stuff on display: camera lenses and audio recorders

A pot at 1000 yen (post bargaining) and the ornament box at 1200 yen; my living room has many such artifacts collected from the Yasukuni Shrine flea market.

The entrance of Yasukuni Shrine, the statue of Omura Masujiro, founder of the modern Japanese Army. The flea market closes early at 4 p.m., so it's best to go in the morning.

As an Indian resident in Tokyo, I frequently go to Kudanshita, where the Indian embassy is located; for passport matters, celebration of festivals etc. Just next to the embassy is Yasukuni Shrine which I have frequented more than once for the Antique Market held here every Sunday.

It starts early in the morning at 6:00 a.m. next to the parking lot in front of the shrine. If you love pottery, picture frames, Japanese fans etc. and if you are good at bargaining, Yasukuni Antique Market is definitely for you.

More info

Find out more about Yasukuni Shrine.

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Manish Prabhune

By Manish Prabhune

Community writer

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