Kyoto has a few major shrine sales each month – two at Toji Temple just south of the train station and one in the northern end of the city at the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. The two very big markets have been happening on the grounds of the shrines for centuries. I think it is well worth planning a visit to Kyoto to include one!

1st Sunday of the Month

  • Garakuta ichi at Toji – 15 minute walk south of Kyoto Station or take the Kintetsu Railway local train one stop from Kyoto Station to Toji Station. Walk two blocks west. This is a much smaller market than the other two (about 80 dealers), but it is focussed exclusively on antiques. My first choice for serious antiquing.

21st of the Month

  • Kobo-ichi at Toji- 15 minute walk south of Kyoto Station or take the Kintetsu Railway local train one stop from Kyoto Station to Toji Station. Walk two blocks west. This is a huge market with over 1000 vendors selling everything from antiques to crafts to vegetables.

25th of the Month

  • Tenjin ichi – Another very large market on the grounds of historic Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in the Nishijin area of Kyoto, selling antiques and other merchandise. Take Keifuku Railways train to Kita no Hakubaicho, walk two blocks along Imadegawa Dori or the number 59 bus from Shijo or Sanjo in downtown Kyoto.

Ongoing updated information on shrine sales and antique shows can always be found on the “Shrine Sales” tab at the top of the blog.