Nov. 12, 2018 UPDATE

The Best Ways to Find Antiques in Kyoto

What are antiques to you? Are they something to be left in the attic, or do you still use them every day? There are many different ways of looking at antiques, but many people in Japan think of antiques as something you could use every day.

In fact there are of course some rare antiques valued in the hundreds of thousands or even millions, and you may feel reluctant to enter the world of shops or people that deal with only those kinds of objects.

However, originally in Japan, antiques are not purely decorative objects never to be touched.
They are "things that are close at hand every day", to be treasured but also to be carefully and continually used on a daily basis. Of course, the cost is a stretch compared to the crockery and furniture that we can so easily buy. However, considering the cost performance, their color does not fade for 100 or 200 years; on the contrary, antiques that have a long history and are even more rich and tasteful than when they are new will be tens of times better.

Food or sake served in antique dishes or cups is delicious. I think that it may be thanks to the hands of many people it has passed through. The hands of the people who carefully made each and every one, the hands of the former owners who carefully used it, and the hands of the people kept it until passing it on to the next owner, it is deeply embued with the memories of various people. Doesn’t something taste more delicious because the thought is subtly conveyed of someone treasuring a particular object? Antiques are truly fascinating.

This time, we bring you how to enjoy such "antiques for everyday use". You might wonder "why antiques in Kyoto?", but actually it is “antiques because it’s Kyoto.” The reason is that Kyoto has an abundance of ways to enjoy antiques: two major antique fairs held every month; antique shops that you can enter casually; Teramachi-dori, which is a street famous for art; and Kyoto Grand Antique Fair, the largest antique fair in western Japan. If you take the time to visit Kyoto, why not try touching the antiques of Kyoto? In several parts based on different themes, let’s find out how to enjoy antiques!
Part 1THE TWO BIG ANTIQUE MARKETS in KYOTO
Did you know that Kyoto’s most historic temples and shrines hold big events each month? These are colloquially referred to as Kobosan and Tenjinsan. Kobosan and Tenjinsan are Kyoto’s two largest antique and flea markets, with both having upwards of 1,000 shops exhibiting and several tens of thousands of visitors. Not only do they have antiques on view, but you will find trees and shrubbery, handmade craft goods, and even pickled foods, fruit, and …
Part 2When it comes to antique shops in Kyoto, these are the signature destinations!
Once you’ve experienced antiques at a range of events, your next step should be seeking out your very own favorite antique shop! In this section, we showcase five antique shops that carry the genuine article but are approachable and easy to make your way into. Since days of old, Kyoto has been a city where a wide range of high quality items of all sorts can be found. Naturally, antiques are no exception …
Part 3LET’S TERAMACHI WALK!
If you take a slight turn from Oike-dori, which is located right in front of Kyoto City Hall and is lively and crowded, there is a place with a quiet and relaxed atmosphere that will make the hustle and bustle of Oike-dori hustle and bustle feel like a fabrication. That is “Teramachi Street,” which we introduce today. Teramachi Street is a nostalgic and retro town where local people run shops and local people gather. Actually …
Part 4Discover Hidden Treasures at the Antique Grand Fair in Kyoto!
Next up is the final chapter in the antique lover’s journey to Kyoto. Visit the Antique Grand Fair and discover some hidden treasures! The Kyoto Antique Grand Fair is the top antique market in Western Japan. Around 30,000 visitors visit this large antique market during the three days it is held in search of rare treasures that cannot be found anywhere else! Antique lovers …
Share

Page Top