What is a Flea Market?

Posted on May 17, 2007 by Dione

In the country where I originally came from we have some car garage sales where old stuffs (usually antique collections, old artifacts) are sold. I was shocked that they also have it here in Japan and they call it a Flea Market. Basically, a flea market is a way of selling your useful and presentable old and new stuff at your house that you don’t use anymore. Japanese people sell them in flea markets where other people may find it useful.

Your trash maybe precious to others: this is the basic logic of Flea Market. They call it flea because you can place your goods in a stand or in mat direct to the ground anywhere in the vicinity of an allowed flea market place. There are many flea market stands in Tokyo, ChibaOne of Japan's 47 prefectures. Located just East of Tokyo and home to such well known sites as Narita International Airport and Tokyo Disney Land., YokohamaJapan's second largest city and the capital of Kanagawa prefecture. and Osaka. One of my favorite is in Yokohama where you get the best, new, useful, creative stuff for your sen-yen (¥1,000) or depends on your budget.

What’s challenging is to negotiate to the owner of the things (seller) for the goods’ price to lower down. Japanese people do Flea Marketing not for business but mainly for hobbies. So they don’t really need money instead they have this as their way of chilling out and meeting other people. The better you negotiate the lesser amount you pay. Most of the sellers are really friendly so it's easy to say "makete kudasai" or discount please.

Goods are available in many varities; shoes, shades, women and men’s clothes and accessories, stuff toys, perfumes, home decorations, food, plants and if you’re lucky – home furniture and fixtures at low, low prices. The only thing to watch out is the schedule of Flea Market Fare, it’s kinda confusing so you need to ask from friends and be updated about this fun activity.