Summer Weekend Flea Market- Ario Sapporo

Occasion: 'Treasure' hunting

When: One fine summer Sunday morning 10am- 2pm

Venue: Ario Sapporo Shopping Mall, Outdoor Arena

Address: Sapporo- Shi, Higashi-ku, Kita 7 Higashi 9

Sapporo during summer time brings you quite a number of weekend flea markets that are organised at several designated places. I visited one a few weekends ago with Lan. If you are interested to find out where is the next flea market going to be, you can download the "What's on in Sapporo" monthly English newsletter (PDF format) published by the Hokkaido's International Women Association (HIWA) by clicking here.

The one we visited that day was located at Ario Sapporo Shopping Mall (the next flea market is to be held on September 10). We weren't looking for anything in particular and was just browsing around to see what's offered there. It can be really fun when you find something of a 'gem' or 'treasure' in flea markets such as these where the price for the item you fancy costs only a fraction of the original price.

Here was how the flea market we went to that day looked like. 

It was a hot summer day but it didn't deterred the crowd flocking by
to check out the sale items and great bargains

Ario Sapporo is a new shopping mall located at the former site of Sapporo Breweries. Hence, once you are there, you can see gorgeous red brick buildings that used to be the grand brewery hall of the famous Sapporo Beer. 

The background depicts the gorgeous brewery chimney during
it's good old glory days

The 'stores' are all situated on the ground 

People bargaining and treasure hunting 

Some of the pre-loved toys being offered on site

Someone else's rubbish may be another one's treasure (:

Loving the poplar trees at the back (:

Some of the items are new and unused and some are used but
still in good condition. Note the mini portable sewing machine
in pink at the top centre of this pic.. i wanted to get it for myself but
decided against it in the end.. sigh..

Children's clothes on sale.. this what they call 'hand- me-down' clothes?!
Except that, you need to pay a minimal amount for these clothes

House hold appliances are also being sold here

I took a slow stroll along the market and just stopped over at stalls that have items that attracted my eyes. At that moment, I wasn't looking for anything in particular. This makes my experience even more fun when I discovered hidden treasures amidst all the items in the market. (:

Some of the 'gems' that made moi a very happy girl that day were as below:

these zipper bracelet was a brand new item from Claire's
I found it with its' plastic and price tag still intact!! (:
Retail price: ¥800
Got it for: ¥50 *jumping around the room in joy*

Yellow fun mini 'iPod' inspired pouch
Retail price: Unknown
Got it for: ¥10 (are you freaking kidding me?!!)

This pouch is too cute to resist!!
Also got it for ¥10!! ( I KNOW!! I can't believe it either!)

NOW...... this is the ultimate 'treasure' i found that day...
CDs!!!!!! I love music so imagine how happy I was to find these babies!!
Retail price: ¥1500- ¥2000
Got these for: ¥200 for all 3 CDs (can i faint now? hehe)

So yes... please go visit an upcoming flea market in Sapporo and start hunting for hidden 'treasures'. It can be real fun cos I truly believe one man's rubbish can be another's treasure. So do give all these pre loved or new unused item a home where the new owner will show it much love than its previous owner. Everyone needs to be appreciated so this goes the same for toys, accessories, CDs, electrical appliances or even books. (:

It also can be identified as a way of recycling what you do not need and pass it on to others that may find better usage in these items. So, by shopping in a flea market, you are doing your part in making the world a better place through your effort in recycling... LOL.. okay.. I slightly exaggerated on that part but I still think it is a plausible reason (:

So go and have fun and enjoy your lil 'treasure' hunting while at it!!

"What is your best price? It's the treasure hunt that makes it fun." 

~Shelia Strong~