Found the flea market!

The park next to our dorm has had a lot of 'festivals' lately. I decided to actually go to one today and imagine my surprise when it actually turned out to be a market/flea market!

That's the main, large section. There were a few other stalls scattered close by.

Most sellers were selling food. But there were also books, and clothing.

I've really got to stop taking videos....Anyway, this is the old way of pounding mochi. Mochi is essentially rice pounded into a thick dough-like substance. This is actually harder than you'd think to do. The mochi gets sticky and you've really got to pound it. I'm always amazed at the person who flips and moves the mochi: they've gotta watch out for the hammer!

I got some great finds! My adorable cat was only a 100yen ($1.20) and the cloth kaban (bag) and furosiki were only 10yen each ($0.12). The cat was a really good find considering I was about to buy one just like him the other day for 1000yen ($12)!

 

Yay for Japanese flea markets!