Kawagoe Shrine Sale

Kawagoe Shrine Sale

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Last weekend brought a welcome break from the plum rain and also aligned with the elusive Kawagoe Shrine Sale. Instead of falling on the fourth Saturday, the outdoor antique market is held on the 28th of every month regardless of convenience.

The market is held on the grounds of the Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin temple where we rang in the New Year. Vendors crowd into the area in front of the shrine and offer everything from kimonos and figurines to toys and antique tools.

Please enjoy a few photos from the day.

Vintage perfume bottles are popular with collectors around the world.
Vintage perfume bottles are popular with collectors around the world.
Vendors and shoppers crowd into the area inside Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin Temple
Vendors and shoppers crowd into the area inside Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin Temple
Hundreds of gently-used kimonos and yukata for sale. New ones are pretty spendy, but these could be had for around 1,000 yen (less than $10 USD).
Hundreds of gently-used kimonos and yukata for sale. New ones are pretty spendy, but these could be had for around 1,000 yen (less than $10 USD).
Many vendors offered wooden kokeshi dolls. Messages are placed inside and the dolls are given as gifts of friendship.
Many vendors offered wooden kokeshi dolls. Messages are placed inside and the dolls are given as gifts of friendship.
Traditional clay dolls called Hakata ningyō are popular both in Japan and abroad.
Traditional clay dolls called Hakata ningyō are popular both in Japan and abroad.
Miscellaneous handmade dolls and figurines. The guy with the white belly on the left is a Tanuki, often found in shops and restaurants as a very-thorough lucky charm.
Miscellaneous handmade dolls and figurines. The guy with the white belly on the left is a Tanuki, often found in shops and restaurants as a very-thorough lucky charm.
A diorama depicting a winter shrine. Several make-your-own pieces were for sale at this booth.
A diorama depicting a winter shrine. Several make-your-own pieces were for sale at this booth.
Trading cards featuring samurai film stars used to be distributed in packs of chewing gum in 1960s Japan.
Trading cards featuring samurai film stars used to be distributed in packs of chewing gum in 1960s Japan.
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah in a battle for time!
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah in a battle for time!
A box full of cats—maneki neko (beckoning cat) to be specific.
A box full of cats—maneki neko (beckoning cat) to be specific.
A match made in vintage heaven... a Mickey Mouse phone and a Blushing Willy drinking doll (check out a video of Willy in action)
A match made in vintage heaven… a Mickey Mouse phone and a Blushing Willy drinking doll (check out a video of Willy in action)
A traditional decorative mask
A traditional decorative mask
A rather large collection of adult-humor books
A rather large collection of adult-humor books
A mismatch of Japanese toys, dolls and autographed baseballs.
A mismatch of Japanese toys, dolls and autographed baseballs.
An ichimatsu doll. The current style is modeled on dolls created for the friendship doll exchange between the U.S. and Japan during the 1920s.
An ichimatsu doll. The current style is modeled on dolls created for the friendship doll exchange between the U.S. and Japan during the 1920s.
Shopping works up an appetite! Unique green tea soba noodles at nearby Kotobukian. It's served wariko-style, served in three lacquered bowls stacked on top of each other. Our meals included Kawagoe's famous sweet potatoes.
Shopping works up an appetite! Unique green tea soba noodles at nearby Kotobukian. It’s served wariko-style, served in three lacquered bowls stacked on top of each other. Our meals included Kawagoe’s famous sweet potatoes.

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