Hyakumanben Handicraft Market

Before you go

On the 15th of each month, the precincts of Chion-ji at Hyakumanben host a handmade market, 8:00–16:00, with about 450 stalls — one of Kyoto's largest craft markets. The rule is that every stallholder must be a craftsperson selling their own work in person, so you can talk to makers directly and often place custom orders. Free admission, rain or shine. Closed in August.

Getting there

Venue: 103 Tanaka Monzen-cho, Sakyo Ward — the Chion-ji precincts at Hyakumanben. About a 10-minute walk from Keihan 'Demachiyanagi' Station; or city buses 206 / 7 from JR Kyoto Station to 'Hyakumanben' (organizer's official access page).

Booking

No reservation needed; admission is free. Organizer: Tedukuri-ichi office, tel. 075-771-1631.

Crowds

A large 450-stall craft market, busy; with the 8 a.m. opening, early arrival gets the fullest stalls.

Good for

Handicraft lovers; people who want to talk to makers and order custom work; early risers.

How it differs

The same office's Umekoji market (1st Saturday, about 300 stalls) is in a park; Hyakumanben (15th, about 450 stalls) is in a temple, bigger and earlier. Unlike the antique fairs (Kobo, Tenjin), everything here is new and handmade. The makers-must-staff-their-own-stalls rule makes for a stronger custom-order and conversation culture than ordinary markets.

The organizer is the Tedukuri-ichi office (tel. 075-771-1631), which also runs the Umekoji Park market. The Kyoto City tourist office market list records: the 15th monthly (except August), 8:00–16:00, about 450 stalls. The organizer's access page gives: about a 10-minute walk from Keihan 'Demachiyanagi' Station, or city buses 206 / 7 from JR Kyoto Station to 'Hyakumanben'. The 8 a.m. opening is the earliest among Kyoto's craft markets.