Kanto · TokyoMarket
Hundreds of stalls of antiques, plants and street food take over a Setagaya street in a market that has run for more than four centuries.
Overview
The Setagaya Boro-ichi is one of Tokyo’s oldest markets, with roots going back to 1578. Twice a year, in December and January, a normally quiet Setagaya street becomes a dense corridor of around 700 stalls selling antiques, old kimono, plants, tools, bric-a-brac and street food.
The market is designated an intangible folk cultural asset of Tokyo, and browsing it is a plunge into old-Edo commercial life.
When & Where
The December session is held on the 15th and 16th, and a January session follows on the 15th and 16th; the 2026 winter market therefore falls on December 15 and 16, roughly 9:00 to 20:00. It takes place along Boro-ichi-dori in Setagaya 1-chome.
Nearest station: Tokyu Setagaya Line Setagaya or Kamimachi Station.
Getting There
Take the Tokyu Setagaya Line, a small tram line branching from Sangenjaya, to Setagaya or Kamimachi Station; the market street is right beside the stops. From central Tokyo, reach Sangenjaya on the Denentoshi Line and change to the tram.
What to Expect
Stalls run wall to wall for several hundred metres, mixing genuine antiques and folk crafts with everyday second-hand goods and seasonal plants. A local speciality is daikan-mochi, warm rice cakes sold only during the market, and the winter street-food aromas are part of the appeal.
Tickets & Access
Admission is free. Bring cash, as many stalls do not take cards, and haggling in good humour is part of the fun.
Tips for Visitors
Go early for the best pick of antiques, or later for a livelier crowd; weekends and the December dates are busiest. Dress warmly for the winter cold and be ready for slow, shoulder-to-shoulder shuffling through the narrow lanes.
Access and Map
| Dates | December 15–16, 2026 (also January 15–16), ~9:00–20:00 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Boro-ichi-dori, Setagaya 1-chome, Setagaya, Tokyo |
| Access | Beside Tokyu Setagaya Line Setagaya / Kamimachi stations |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | Setagaya City (Boro-ichi) |
Source: Setagaya City (Boro-ichi)
Image: Photo: Abasaa / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
