The Kottou Antique Fair was always held in June… before the pandemic. It was cancelled between 2020 and 2022, but – for the first time in four year – it is scheduled for 2023. However, it is on in October, for the first time.
Kottou Antique Fair
The Kottou, 骨董, means antique in Japanese. So the antique antique fair! But is is also the word for knickknacks, bric-a-brac, curio, oddity and rarity. This fair is usually on in June, which is rainy season but it is also the season for antique fairs in Japan. The benefit of the one in the Super Arena was that it is indoors and you could escape the probability of rain! Not so necessary this year as the fair will be held in October!
Because this is the first time in four years that the fair will be on, unfortunately, I am not sure yet if it will be on the same scale as before the pandemic, when more than 200 antique shops / sellers participated annually. Usually around 230 stalls were available. They are still recruiting sellers for this year so the final figures have not yet been announced.
This will be the 35th annual Kottou Antique Fair at the Saitama Super Arena. Although the 34th never actually went ahead due to the pandemic! It will be on, as always, on weekdays: Tuesday October 17th and Wednesday 18th 2023, between 11 am and 5 pm each day. It is held at the Community Arena, which is the main arena in the stadium.
Saitama Super Arena, which is also called Tamaari Town, is a large indoor and outdoor venue in Saitama City, close to and commutable from Tokyo. They host several major seasonal events during the year.
>>Also coming up at Saitama Super Arena; the annual autumn beer festival in September<<
Information
Event: Saitama Super Arena Kottou Antique Fair さいたまスーパーアリーナ骨董アンティークフェア
Date: Tuesday October 17th and Wednesday October 18th 2023
Time: from 11 am to 5 pm both days
Cost: there is no admission fee. Bring some yen to pick up some antiques!
Venue: Community Arena, 8 Shintoshin, Chuo Ward, Saitama, 330-0081. View on Google Maps.
Access
Saitama Super Arena is a 2 minute walk from JR Saitama Shintoshin Station, about a 7 minute walk from JR Kitayono Station and there is parking available. However, the car parks are often crowded and costs 400 円 for the first hour and 200 円 for every subsequent hour. As the area gets very congested, they recommend that you come by public transport.
oh wow an antique festival? cue Japanese Antiques Roadshow!