Japan is a country that’s drenched in tradition; famed for its delicious food, fascinating culture, and unique ability to seamlessly blend old and new. But, you may have noticed that it’s also a county that’s pretty far away from London. So, if you fancy immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, tastes and traditions of the Land of the Rising Sun, but you’re not so keen on the thought of spending 14 hours (and a whole lot of cash) getting there, fear not.
This weekend, Londoners won’t require a plane ticket in order to be transported to the streets of Tokyo, because a trusty Oyster Card will suffice. That’s right, folks. Lower Stable Street in Coal Drops Yard is – yet again – being transformed into a traditional shōtengai street market. But this time, the bustling Pan-Asian market will also come with a nice big dollop of Christmas cheer.
Coal Drops Yard’s shōtengai market pays homage to the vibrant street markets, frequently found in Japan. The cobbled street will be bursting at the seams with a carefully-curated selection of independent and family-run market stalls. Christmas shoppers can avoid the last minute dash to Oxford Street, and peacefully peruse a plethora of market stalls instead.
The stalls will be offering a gorgeous array of items, from food and fashion to textiles and trinkets. So, whether you’re ticking people off your Christmas shopping list, or you just fancy treating yourself this festive season; there’s bound to be something that hits the brief.
There will also be a scrumptious selection of food vendors at the market, dishing up some delicious delicacies. The food traders are constantly changing but the line-up usually features some of the best London-based Pan-Asian business around. Previous shōtengai markets at Coal Drop Yards have seen the mouthwatering likes of Rise Bakery Bar serving up Japanese bread, Okan London dishing up okonomiyaki, and Takoyaki Iseji filling the rumbing tummies of hungry shoppers with some hearty Japanese soul food.
The Christmas shōtengai market will be taking place on Lower Stable Street in Coal Drops Yard from December 18 to December 21. It’ll be open from 12pm to 7pm on Thursday and Friday, and from 11am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Find out more and plan your visit here.