"John R. Yamamoto- Wilson" <john@rarebooksinjapan.com> wrote in message news:<bf7u49$2h86$1@kanna.cc.sophia.ac.jp>...
> > There's a flea market there that often has some interesting
> > antiques; I can try to find out when that is, if you want.
> 
> Yes, please! Not that I've been down that way (Himeji) for years.
> 
> Anyone else got any info on flea/antique markets in their area?

I'll try to dig that up; I've got it someplace. There used to be an
old book store on the main drag, on the left as you walk North towards
the castle, and another one inside the shotengai near the castle park.
If you're in that area, I'd look that up. Actually, Himeji has a
pretty good international center (www.himeji-iec.or.jp/index_en.html);
I'd contact them about the flea market (that's what I'll do). Also,
more towards Kobe, but do you know about the large underground flea
market-esque shopping area under the tracks at Motomachi station (JR)?
It used to be pretty good, but even ten years ago the antiques were
giving way to stores selling cheaper new stuff, or recycled gomi
(where I found a very cool carpenter's plane one time).

John W.