Dec. 15, 2022 UPDATE
Ennichi (Tenjin-san) Market
- 縁日（天神さん） -Traveler Friendly
Staff at the booths don't speak English, but it is nice enjoying the atmosphere. Rare items are available, too.
Information
Japanese only
Languages spoken
Japanese only
Period25th of every month
VenueKitano Tenmangu Shrine
Story & Recommendation
A huge flea market at the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
At the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, the 25th of every month is known as Tenjin-san.
This is because Sugawara no Michizane, the founder and enshrined god of the shrine, was born and died on the 25th.
Started over 400 years ago, the Ennichi Market kicks off at around 6 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. While heading to the market in the morning might let you sift in peace and score a few bargains, coming after sunset will treat you to the incredible scene of the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine’s main hall illuminated by over 350 stone lanterns and 250 paper lanterns.
The atmosphere at the shrine around this time is a complete 180 from the bustling, lively, and slightly frantic, atmosphere of midday.
Every month, the market is visited by around 50 to 60 thousand people, so expect a crowd.
January (the first market san of the year), February (peak plum blossom season), June (Sugawara no Michizane’s birthday) and December (the last market of the year) are the most crowded with about 150,000 people expected to visit the market.
This is because Sugawara no Michizane, the founder and enshrined god of the shrine, was born and died on the 25th.
Started over 400 years ago, the Ennichi Market kicks off at around 6 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. While heading to the market in the morning might let you sift in peace and score a few bargains, coming after sunset will treat you to the incredible scene of the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine’s main hall illuminated by over 350 stone lanterns and 250 paper lanterns.
The atmosphere at the shrine around this time is a complete 180 from the bustling, lively, and slightly frantic, atmosphere of midday.
Every month, the market is visited by around 50 to 60 thousand people, so expect a crowd.
January (the first market san of the year), February (peak plum blossom season), June (Sugawara no Michizane’s birthday) and December (the last market of the year) are the most crowded with about 150,000 people expected to visit the market.
1Highlight
Antiques Stalls
If the Ennichi Market is famous for anything, its antiques stalls.
Selling old Japanese pottery, second-hand clothes, jewelry and everything in between, the Ennichi Market’s stalls can be the perfect place to shop for antiques as despite Kyoto’s abundance of antique stores, they can feel quite unwelcoming as a traveler.
Enjoy chatting to the stall owners as well and see if you can’t practice your bargaining chops as well.
2Highlight
Kimono
Many stalls at the Ennichi Market sell antique or repaired kimono.
Sizes and prices vary between kimono, so if you find one that catches your eye, be sure to ask the stall owner how much and how big/small it is.
3Let's join!
Shooting Gallery
Makeshift shooting gallery stalls are a festival pastime in Japanese loved by people of all ages.
If you’re a good enough shot, you might be able to snag yourself a toy or funky looking snack.
4Let's join!
Food Stalls
After you’ve grown tired of walking around, take a break and head to one of the stalls for some Japanese soul food, like takoyaki, yaki soba noodles, karaage fried chicken and even oden.
Everything is sold in relatively small portions so even if you can’t find somewhere to sit, you can still eat while wandering around.
