New technologies and products appear one after another, and the pace of trends can feel fast. But that doesn’t mean we throw away or forget old things.
When it comes to events for people who truly love old things, flea markets come to mind.
In Hayashima Town, the first Hayashima Mushiro Flea Market was held in April 2025, and the second was held as soon as September.
I went along to check it out, so here’s my report.
The information in this article was current when it was published in September 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the Hayashima Mushiro Flea Market?
The Hayashima Mushiro Flea Market is a new event in Hayashima Town, with its first market held on Sunday, April 20, 2025. It was decided that the event would be held twice a year, and the second market took place on Sunday, September 7 of the same year.
It is organized by the Hayashima Town Tourism Association.
It aims to become a regular event, following Hayashima’s major events, the Hayashima Sakura Festival and the Hayashima-Kurashiki Igusa Mat Festival.
Many shops come from outside the town and prefecture. The venue is lined with booths selling old tools, antique Japanese and Western tableware, miscellaneous goods, and crafts, as well as food and workshops, making it an event that adults and children alike can enjoy.
Starting this time, booths from local Hayashima Town businesses were also added, launching an initiative to help visitors learn about the area.
![[Held September 7 (Sun)] Second Hayashima Mushiro Flea Market — A flea market in Hayashima Town featuring Showa-era retro antiques, food, and local specialties](https://media.kuratoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/26131354/nominoichi_01-485x364.jpg)
The second market
As at the first market, a long line had formed beside Hayashima Town Hall, behind the venue, before 10 a.m., the event’s start time.
During the interview, Hayashima Town Tourism Association chair Katsushi Sato told me that many of the people lining up before the event starts are avid fans of old tools.
My family arrived at the venue at 11 a.m., about an hour after it started.
It was bustling with lots of visitors.
At the venue entrance was a booth run by the Hayashima Town Tourism Association. It was great to see them promoting igusa to visitors.
Speaking of Hayashima Town, across from the main venue was a Hayashima Town Tourism Association booth with eight vendors. It had a local feel and a festive atmosphere, which was lovely in its own way.
As for the main venue, the shops were much closer together than last time, and the aisles were narrower. When I asked the Tourism Association chair, they said, “We deliberately made the aisles narrower than last time.” The number of vendors must have increased accordingly.
From the Writer
You might think flea markets only attract a particular kind of person, but the Hayashima Mushiro Flea Market draws many families and has a different atmosphere from other flea markets. The fact that National Route 2 runs through the center of Hayashima Town also means that many visitors come from outside the prefecture.
The owner of Tabibito Shaya, who had a food booth, said, “There are a lot of people here from Fukuyama today.” I’m sure many people came from other areas, too.
The Hayashima Mushiro Flea Market is held twice a year. If the next event, the third market, follows the same schedule as this year, it will be held in April 2026.
It has only been held twice so far, but it already feels like a regular event. I’m looking forward to the next one.
The 2nd Hayashima Mat Flea Market Information
| Name | The 2nd Hayashima Mat Flea Market |
|---|---|
| Date | September 7, 2025 (Sunday), 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. |
| Location | 356-1 Maegata, Hayashima Town, Tsukubo District (behind Hayashima Town Hall) |
| Admission (tax included) | Actual costs |
| Website | Hayashima Mat Flea Market Instagram |
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