Eastern European Antique Goods Come to Mind First

The Higashikanda neighborhood, where MARKTE—a shop specializing in German-born goods—is located, was once a prominent textile wholesale district during the Edo period and retains a vibrant atmosphere today. However, following the collapse of the bubble economy, this area, rich in history but with many old buildings, has drifted away from the economic center, giving a sense of being left behind within Tokyo despite its charm.

Yet, this neighborhood has begun to change in recent years. The old buildings, previously overlooked from a real estate perspective, possess a robust structure, a unique ambiance, ample space, and, most importantly, relatively low rents. What were once considered disadvantages due to their age are now becoming advantages, drawing young creators to Tokyo's eastern districts.



The "Agata Takezawa Building," where MARKTE is housed, is no exception. It had been largely vacant in recent years. Now, however, it is becoming a lively hub, with galleries, cafes, restaurants, and ateliers coexisting under one roof. This area is also an ideal location for experimenting with "conversion"—the repurposing of vacant warehouses and office spaces in central Tokyo, where the contradictory phenomena of overpopulation and depopulation occur simultaneously, into residences, shops, or galleries.

Now, regarding the shop itself, when one thinks of MARKTE, a colorful雑貨店 (zakka-ten, variety store), antique goods from Eastern Europe likely come to mind first. Upon entering, one sees antique items from the former East and West German eras, vintage tableware and fabrics, eco-bags with colorful logos, and posters. You might even encounter rare finds like vintage German Playmobil toys.



Unique original products are also available, such as T-shirts printed with the shop's logo, "Big Bag Lights"—lamps used on fishing boats with five times the lifespan of regular bulbs, enhanced with messages—and plug straps made from recycled German electrical outlets. Freitags bags, a popular brand, are also curated and displayed.

As MARKTE is directed by Riddle Design Bank, which engages in a wide range of activities including graphic design, product design, book editing, and event organization, its selection is remarkably diverse. Among the offerings, "sockmates," German-born stuffed toys made from socks, are a particular favorite of MARKTE's manager, Taro Tsukamoto. These handmade, one-of-a-kind plush toys, with their unique and charming personalities and the soft feel of high-quality wool, are sure to become cherished items for relaxation in private rooms or offices.

Since its previous location in Komagome, the shop has retained its enjoyable, open-air market-like atmosphere, true to its name. This enjoyment, perhaps, stems from the goods collected by the owner himself, which seem to speak to us of the lives of people in their native lands, offering a glimpse into their daily existence.

A nostalgic ambiance permeates the store, underscored by a subtle current of joy derived from design ideas that enrich everyday life, seamlessly integrated into the ordinary. This resonates with the neighborhood's resurgence, which, despite being left behind by the economic center, is attracting renewed attention from a perspective distinct from mere nostalgia for old things. True richness cannot be measured by newness or relative value. This shop seems to teach us just that.