“But this is a food blog” you must be wondering… Well, when a food blog covers these places means it is worth going! If it counts, Tokyo City Flea and especially Ameyoko Street sell delicious food. Read on to find out more…

1. Tokyo City Flea (aka Ohi Racecourse Flea Market)

Tokyo City Flea reins top on our list! Bargain hunters who are willing to go out of the way to find unique and affordable deals, look no further and head to Tokyo City Flea for the best bargains.  Located less than 45 minutes away from Shinjuku, this is a great place to get a glimpse of local life, meet friendly vendors, and courteous shoppers.

Second-hand bags, clothes, accessories can go as low as 100yen (no kidding!).

Tokyo City Flea is held at a huge carpark with an ample space for enthusiastic bargain hunters to move around comfortably. The large space definitely makes it a conducive environment to carefully inspect your items, it also helps that the weather is really a breeze to shop during winter, so whoohoo…no sweat, literally!

Quirky toys like Casper and swinging monkey cracked us up!

 
With more than 300 vendors, this place is highly recommended! we were spoilt for choice and excited at the array of offerings. This is definitely worth visiting, and save some room in your stomach to check out that delicious food along the way!

Hungry? Fret not, many food vendors are here to whip up delicious street food to satisfy your hungry stomach. And yes, these delicious aromatic bites are affordable!

Address: J2-1-2 Katsushima, 140-0012, Tokyo Prefecture (Oikeibajo Station)
When: 9am – 3pm on most on Saturdays and Sundays
Check this schedule before heading down to ensure it is open!

2. Shinjuku Chuo Park Flea Market, Tokyo

For accessibility, go to Chuo Park Flea Market in Shinjuku. Centrally located, it is a short 20-minute walk from Shinjuku JR station.



Interestingly, this flea market has 100 over vendors selling various items from clothes, shoes to ceramics. For better quality items, teapots can cost 2000 yen, bags and branded jackets can each cost 2000 yen - in good condition. We thought the price was a bit steep for flea market setting but this is Tokyo, everything is expensive! Vintage items in mint condition tend to cost less.



If you like an item, be sure to hold on to it! We merely placed the tops we liked on the table for a second while trying other tops and noticed that other Japanese women were playing fastest hands first and were quick to grab the items (which we wanted) and made payment immediately. It was so fast. Yeah, we should have known, they have the most advanced technology so obviously, they learnt a lot about efficiency. Prices were a little to steep at this flea market but a great place to spot what you like and act fast! Good exercise for hand-eye coordination, since you have to quickly pick out something when you see what you like!

Some vendors begin packing their items from 1pm onwards so do come by early to pick out the best bargains.

Address: 2 Chome-11 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo (3-min walk from Shinjuku Station West Exit)
When: 10am – 3pm (Bi-monthly on Saturdays only)
Check out this site before heading down to ensure it is open!

3. Ameyoko Street

Ameyoko Street a busy market street sandwiched between Uneo and Okachimachi Station has one of the best places to get a taste of cheap street food, delicious kebabs and skewered fresh fruits.

Tasty kebab, one of the many street food along Ameyoko street, 600yen. The friendly staff claim they have the tastiest kebab here!

Delicious well marinated beef spicy kebab, topped generously with cheese, melted our hearts <3

A stroll along the streets and you will realise that this place sells affordable clothes and food compared to the more expensive shopping districts in Tokyo. Shops sell various items from sports shoes, bags to tasty snacks and cosmetics. A great place for shopaholics to search for great bargains.

Sales staff putting in the utmost vocal effort shouting to create buzz around their shops. this loud hailer look-alike is not a loud hailer.

If shopping is not your thing, there is still so much to see! You can soak up some culture with a stroll around the crowded streets

Check out Katsuooedo - cheap authentic conveyer belt sushi, which is just around the corner.


Address: The Ameyoko shopping street runs from Ueno to Okachimachi Station