9 best Osaka markets for vintage fashion, rare finds and retro knick-knacks

Expo ’70 Commemorative Park is home to two of Osaka’s most popular and best-attended flea markets, one in its Festival Square and one in its East Square. The Expo Garage Sale is noted for the wide range of goods its vendors sell. Expect handmade items, accessories, antiques, bric-a-brac, and plenty of second-hand and vintage clothes. 

Most importantly, expect bargains. The organisers pride themselves on the market being a true-to-its-name ‘out of the garage’ sale. That means you’ll need to bring cash, and that bargaining – albeit politely – is encouraged. If you prioritise low prices over being particular about the products, know that in the afternoon, the crowding calms down and many of the amateur vendors lower their prices. 

The market also attracts food trucks, and the park has several cafés and restaurants so there are plenty of options for a picnic in the park. The Expo Garage Sale takes place up to three times a month but on irregular dates and is subject to weather conditions, so make sure to check the website for an up-to-date schedule.

Shitennoji Temple hosts a bi-monthly weekend market on the first Sunday of the month, from 9am to 3pm, rain or shine. Held at the temple’s Nishiju Gate square, the market features vendors selling handmade crafts, secondhand goods, fresh produce and food products like honey from local beekeepers.

Cafés are also often part of the scene, dealing in freshly brewed coffee, beans and a variety of baked goods, while food trucks offer opportunities for a hot picnic meal. In addition, the market often has storytelling events and a toy corner to amuse the little ones, as well as the occasional yoga session – all of which are free to enjoy. If you’re looking to shop though, don’t forget to bring cash.

Every Sunday, the central boulevard of Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park hosts Seseragi Marche, a relaxed, family-friendly market surrounded by the greenery of one of Osaka’s most beloved urban parks. From 9am to 4pm, visitors can browse a rotating line-up of local vendors offering everything from fresh seasonal produce and handmade crafts to hot meals and sweet treats from colourful food trucks.

The stalls change weekly, so there’s always something new to discover. But expect to find anything from fragrant karaage, tacos and even pizza alongside crêpes and baked goods. When the weather is good, the atmosphere feels more like a picnic than a market: visitors spread out under the trees, dogs roaming along the paths, and live music or local community events often add to the charm. The market is the perfect complement to an easy Sunday in nature without leaving the city.

This second-hand market at Hattori Ryokuchi Park’s East Central Square is perfect for anyone looking to pick up a bargain while spending the day in one of Osaka’s best parks. The market showcases goods from more than 100 professional and amateur vendors. There’s plenty of variety on offer, from second-hand clothing, household goods and home décor to toys and anime collectibles. This makes it perfect for both those looking for everyday items and collectors on the hunt for something a little more special. 

Meanwhile, Hattori Ryokuchi may not be Osaka’s biggest park, but it is one of its most varied. It has the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses, a botanical garden home to a Dutch windmill and seasonal flowers that bloom all year round, and the bamboo forests of Mt Inari. Since the Ryokuchi Garage Sale isn’t the largest market that Osaka has to offer either, pairing it up with half a day in the park works perfectly. There’s even a super sento nearby where you can enjoy a soak after a day of strolling and shopping.

The Expo Vintage Market is Osaka’s biggest vintage and antiques market. Held at Expo ’70 Commemorative Park’s East Square, the three-day market takes on a festival feel, with more than 150 stalls, food and drink, and live music. Weather permitting it takes place twice a year, in spring and autumn. 

The market specialises in antiques, with almost a hundred stalls dedicated to finds with good old-fashioned charm – from swanky Scandinavian furniture, delicate china and glassware to Mexican Zapotec rugs and extensive collections of memorabilia and Americana.

Around 30 of the stalls are for second-hand clothing, but don’t expect the kind of bulk-bought clothes you find in many vintage shops. Instead, the festival is a place for vendors who take pride in personally purchasing the pieces they sell and the price that comes with that. Speaking of money, many of the vendors do accept cards, but to be on the safe side remember to bring cash.  

The variety of items available at the market is also reflected in the food and drink on offer. In between bargain hunting you can sample baked goods, pizza and burgers, or a drink from one of the craft breweries, cocktail bars or speciality coffee roasters on site.

Hidden among the high-rises of Umeda, Tsuyutenjin Shrine – affectionately known as Ohatsu Tenjin – hosts one of Osaka’s most charming flea markets on the first and third Friday of every month.

The market is modest in size, but its convenient location makes it a must-visit for treasure hunters looking for something a bit more down-to-earth compared to the commercial bustle of central Osaka. On any given week there can be between 10 to 20 vendors set up beneath the shrine’s stone lanterns, offering a mix of antiques, pottery, retro and Showa-era goods.

The atmosphere is quietly magical. The 1,300-year-old shrine, dedicated to the deities of love and good fortune, is best known for the tragic tale of Ohatsu and Tokubei – Japan’s own Romeo and Juliet. Today, couples visit to hang heart-shaped ema (wish plaques) and pray for lasting love before browsing the market’s retro curiosities.

The Oizumi Ryokuchi Garage Sale in the city of Sakai in southern Osaka prefecture comes with a community feel. Among locals it has something of a treasure hunting status, with lots of thrift clothing, handmade items, toys and miscellaneous everyday items. 

It also hosts independent shops from around the neighbourhood, a particular highlight among which are the greengrocers selling what’s in season, with the November event famous for persimmons. The market usually has around 200 booths, plus a few food trucks for a pick-me-up. As with many of Osaka’s markets, it’s best to bring cash.

Held on the 13th of every month, this local market brings new energy to the peaceful grounds of Kamitsu Shrine, a small but charming sanctuary tucked away at the end of the Juso shopping street. Among the trees and smaller shrines, visitors can browse stalls selling fresh produce, flowers, handmade crafts and antiques, while enjoying the relaxed, community feel that makes this event a local favourite.

The shrine itself is dedicated to deities associated with family well-being, business success and good fortune and there’s often a fortune-telling stall, making it an ideal spot to reflect and set intentions before exploring the market.

Osaka’s Business Incubator Association actively organises sustainable shopping bonanzas in the Kansai region. Among their five regular locations in Osaka – in addition to venues across Hyogo and Nara – the Icora Mall in Izumisano is perhaps the most convenient for out-of-towners.

Here, the market takes place every first, third and fifth Sunday of the month, starting from 9.30am. From out-of-vehicle stores to little stalls, you’ll find a wide range of sellers hawking everything from clothing, shoes and bags to home appliances, ceramics and wooden furniture.

Keep an eye out especially for antiques, vintage electronics and appliances, and beautiful home décor items. Be sure to carry cash, and note that as the market is held outdoors, it might be cancelled in the event of rain or inclement weather.