Ah, flea markets, where you learn what you’re really made of. Do you walk out empty handed, or do you go home with a bag of assorted bric-a-brac, a vintage tuxedo, and a dubious-looking talisman from a foreign land that you were assured had mystical luck-bringing properties?

“Flea markets” are popular across Japan. In Hiroshima, as elsewhere in the country, they can cover a lot of territory, from exquisite antiques and delightful handmade jewelry to junk that households can’t wait to offload.

At their best, these markets offer not only bargains, but a chance to interact with locals in a festive and family-friendly atmosphere. Folks manning stalls range from one-time participants clearing out their closets to professional dealers, and there’s often food and drink for sale, along with a corner for performances. Many of these flea markets crop up only occasionally, so it’s always worth taking a quick look. Here is a selection of places to head to in the Hiroshima area.

Senda Wasshoi Matsuri Flea Market

This is one of the bigger and most popular markets in town, held each month in Higashi Senda park on the former grounds of Hiroshima University. Emphasis here is on the “matsuri” element of the event’s name: the organizers really do try to create a festive atmosphere. There is a wide variety of vendors selling a range of collectables and vintage fashion, plus food stalls and live performances. If you’re on the hunt for bargains, be warned that the gates open at 7:00 a.m. and other avid buyers arrive early to snap up the best of what’s on offer.

Web site: http://sendawasshoi.web.fc2.com/

Trunk Market

An occasional weekend market held in Fukuromachi Park in the city center, Hiroshima’s Trunk Market attracts hipsters and collectors alike. It’s known for offering up high quality artisanal and designer goods from across the country rather than clear-out bargains, so be expected to know your stuff. Stalls are arranged in a circle, so it’s easy to navigate your way around the site, and you can often find an array of interesting local characters here. It’s a good place to pick up rare finds and there are also kiosks serving up food and drink.

Address: 9 Fukuromachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima 732-0063
Web site: https://jl-db.nfaj.go.jp/en/location/340100389/

Ebisu-cho Flea Market

Ebisu-cho is a famed narrow street in Hiroshima where you can find a variety of interesting secondhand shops selling the likes of furniture, books, clothing, and ornamental goods. Traders here are fond of pooling together and advertising flea markets where they bring goods out into the street, allowing shoppers to peruse in a more festive atmosphere. Among the retailers commonly taking part are Gemisch (a central European secondhand store selling handmade crafts), Nice Nonsense Books, and Pine Tree (a vintage clothing store selling items from across the world).

Web site: http://www.ebisu.or.jp/ (in Japanese)

By bongo vongo (Flea Market Sign) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons