Oct 19, 2013 - 1 min read

Sabae's Makoto Ichi Festival

Josho-ji Temple's exciting bazaar of antiques and food

By Larry Knipfing

Community writer

A beautiful wooden carving of a god in gold

The bazaar's best location

Vendor selling traditional "Tenugui"

A wooden carving for sale

Selling under the gate

Anyone want to buy a clock?

Two beautiful wooden dolls

Flags advertising the festival, outside the temple

Raised carving of the Goddess of Art, Benten

Copy of a painting by Takamatsu Zuka Kofun shows Chinese and Korean influences in Japan's Asuka Period (538-710)

A vendor selling beautiful brown noren curtains

On the third Sunday of every month (weather permitting), Sabae city and Josho-ji Temple are co-host to the Makoto Ichi Festival. It's a grand event with locals and visitors from near and far coming together to buy and sell antiques, and to eat and drink to their heart's content. The temple yard is huge, but it is bursting at the seams. Like most antique fests, this one has a fair amount of junk, mixed with some genuinely unique pieces. One nice touch is the number of people who dress up in kimono, adding to the atmosphere and fun. Highly recommended!

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Larry Knipfing

By Larry Knipfing

Community writer

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