Markets

Markets are one of the best places to shop in Japan and certainly where you will find the best prices.

In Toyama city we have a regular monthly market held on the first Sunday of every month from very early in the morning until about 2 in the afternoon – get there at the start for the best bargains, although if your hangover from the night before won’t allow, there is still plenty of good shopping later.

Stalls are varied but the best ones to look at are those selling pottery and Japanese antiques (good presents to take back with you) and those selling secondhand kimonos. One stall that appears quite frequently sells kimonos for 500 yen whilst others can be bought for a couple of thousand if you look around. Flash a nice smile and barter a little and you may be able to get money off.

The market is about 10 minutes by bike from Toyama station. Follow the tram tracks from the main entrance heading away from Nishi-cho and Marier (to the right if you are walking out of the station) and keep going till you see a Sunkus convenience store on the left before you cross the large bridge over the Jinzu river. Just past the Sunkus on the same side of the road is a Jaguar dealership on the corner (next to a green bridge going over the road), cross over the road and take this turning to your left. The market is held in the grounds of a shrine just a couple of minutes walk up this road. If you get a tram from the station, make sure you get on one that is for daigaku mae (大学前) and has a yellow sign in the front. Get off at the stop by Sunkus and follow the directions above.

There are other markets in Toyama so ask your teachers and check the “What’s Happening” guide for details.

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