Posted on May 20th, 2025

Day 4 & 5 in Tokyo - Wandering in the Rain: Tokyo’s Flea Market Detour & Antique Finds

🗓️ Day 4 – May 19

We had initially considered a day trip to Mount Fuji, but with no easy travel options and poor weather in the forecast, we pivoted. What began as a plan for a flea market hop turned into an unexpected but rewarding day of antique discovery and cozy shopping—umbrella in hand.

🌧️ A Rainy Start: Flea Market Plans Washed Out

🏨 Departure: Bespoke Hotel Shinjuku

We left our hotel late morning, borrowing umbrellas and picking up a quick breakfast from a local grocery store.

🛍️ Destination: Shinjuku Chuo Park Flea Market

• 🕐 Walked ~50 minutes through steady rain
• ❌ Sadly, the flea market was closed due to weather

With flea markets off the table, we regrouped and decided to look for indoor antique shops instead.

🚶 Strolling Through Neighborhoods: A Scenic Rainy Walk

Our journey took us on foot from Shinjuku to Shimokitazawa—a trek that lasted about an hour and wove through:

• Nishi-Shinjuku – Tokyo’s sleek skyscraper hub
• Hatagaya & Daita – Quieter residential districts dotted with hidden cafes and shops

Despite the rain, the walk gave us a charming look at Tokyo’s urban patchwork, from gleaming towers to cozy alleys.

🏺 Antique Yamamoto Shoten (Shimokitazawa)

This third-generation antique store offers a beautifully curated selection of Japanese pieces from the Meiji, Taisho, and early Shōwa periods.

🎁 My Finds:

1. Blue-and-white porcelain plate
   Features a phoenix (hō-ō) surrounded by chrysanthemums and swirling scrolls
   Likely dated from late Meiji to early Shōwa (c. 1890–1940s)
2. Rustic clay shot glass
   A small, antique piece chosen as a gift for my son

🛍️ Vintage Browsing & the Ramen Dilemma

We browsed a few more vintage clothing shops, though we didn’t find anything quite as exciting as the previous day.

When hunger set in, we struggled to settle on a spot for lunch—many ramen shops had similar menus, none of which really appealed to us.

🍜 Back to Shinjuku

Eventually, we returned to Shinjuku and had a late lunch at the same Chinese restaurant we’d enjoyed the night before. Reliable and satisfying.

👘 Pajama Pursuits: A Comfort Quest

Back at the hotel, we were smitten with the white cotton kimono-style pajamas provided daily. They were:

• Crisp
• Comfortable
• …And sadly not for sale (I asked)

Not one to give up easily, one of my daughters found a local store in Shinjuku selling a striped pajama set.

• 💴 Price: ¥1,900 each
• I chose a pink set—not traditional, but delightfully cozy

✈️ Day 5 – May 18: Off to Seoul

We checked out of our hotel and caught the train to Narita Airport for our 1:20 PM Asiana Airlines flight to Seoul, Republic of Korea.

• 🛫 Flight time: ~90 minutes
• ✨ Smooth, comfortable, and efficient

We landed at Incheon International Airport energized and ready for the next chapter of our East Asian journey.

Final Thoughts

What began as a rain-dampened flea market adventure turned into a deeply enjoyable day of antique hunting, vintage exploration, and cozy comforts. Tokyo had more surprises in store—even in the drizzle.