Hi there! I’m a student living in Yokohama, and I was wondering if anyone has their finger to the pulse regarding craft fairs or flea markets where you can find handmade items? I do a lot of cross stitching, sewing, and painting, and I’m interested in setting up a booth. I’ve done it loads of times in the US, and have experience being a vendor. I just have no idea how to find these things, how to apply to be involved, nothing. Obviously in the US I had a community, methods of finding people, ect, but I’m having to start all over in Japan, and would love a point in the right direction! I have easy access to Tokyo, so anything around there or the surrounding areas would be wonderful.
I really appreciate you all! I couldn’t find anything similar when I searched, so if this has been asked before and I missed it, I apologize!!
3 comments
[Handmade in Japan Fes](https://hmj-fes.jp/) just ended 2 weeks back, unfortunately it sounds like exactly what you’re looking for. I went and they had a lot of booths with people selling their handmade items, and a good number of workshops as well. Personally I thought that the quality of products was good, but a lot of the time the prices were ridiculous.
There is a bigger and more international-looking event called [Design Festa](https://designfesta.com/) happening in November. I have never been so I can’t tell you if it’s good or not, but again it sounds like what you’re looking for.
Good luck!
Not Yokohama, but I am a part of the arts and craft fairs taking place in my prefecture. I started by attending a craft marche, and asking who was in charge. After I got into contact with them, I was able to apply to participate. After that, I heard through the grapevine of all the other cool marche taking place and applied to the ones that worked for me!
One thing to keep in mind is the cost of participating and the materials needed. My monthly craft fair is only 600 yen entry and it provides chairs and tables. I have been to some that are outdoor and require you to have your own tent, chairs and tables (and cost usually around 10,000 to enter).
Although I can’t help you find local fairs, if you have any general questions about craft fairs in Japan, I would be happy to answer with my experience.
[https://fmfm.jp/event/](https://fmfm.jp/event/)