Jan 25, 2016 - 1 min read

Tenth Day New Year's Market

Plenty of charms to buy for the New Year!

By Danielle Markewicz

Community writer

Aizu Wakamatsu's "Tookaichi" or "Tenth Day Market" takes over downtown streets with stalls selling good luck charms, traditional toys, and plenty of local specialty foods on January 10th of every year.

Daruma of various sizes wrapped in plastic to protect them from the rain.

Huddled in raincoats and under umbrellas, locals wait in line for delicious street food.

A traditional Aizu good luck charm, called "okiagarikoboshi," which translates in English to "knock-down, stand-up small doll." Different colours denote different protections offered by the charm. Every year, locals buy the same number of charms as the members in their family, plus one additional one if they are hoping for a new child.

A variant of the traditional okiagarikoboshi, decorated with Aizu "momen," a woven cloth from the area.

There are other stalls selling things such as spices.

Bright pinwheels add a splash of colour to a dreary rainy day.

Traditional New Year's decorations for sale.

A small portable shrine selling good luck charms and accepting donations.

Even the local glasses shop is getting into the spirit of the festival with this lovely window display.

This was the third time I've had the opportunity to visit the New Year's market in Aizu Wakamatsu. It only comes around once a year, so it's a blink-and-you-miss it chance to see the downtown area transformed into a wonderful shopping area, with plenty of stalls and visitors crowding the streets. Take a look for yourself!

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Danielle Markewicz

By Danielle Markewicz

Community writer

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Kim Bergström

Kim Bergström 7 years ago

I love the explanation behind those small dolls. A lovely tradition!

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Victoria Vlisides

Victoria Vlisides 10 years ago

Looks interesting enough !

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