I tend to appear at temples and shrines from the backside for some reason. After getting off the Tanimachi line (9-Chome station), I walked up the back-roads and a set of stairs to the red gates. The grounds on the side of Ikutama have several smaller shrines, and really a different look and feel than other shrines. Although this shrine is not the original, Ikutama is historically one of the oldest shrines in Osaka, with a look and set-up different than other shrines. After looking around, I visited the Flea Market, open on the 8th of every month, always starting at the entrance of the shrines. Ikutama Shrine in Osaka and Toyokuni Shrine in Kyoto both have Flea Markets on the 8th, but Ikutama had vendors with much older product, where Toyokuni had handmade and different types of vendors. If you get time, visit them both, they open early around 7am to 8am, but start to close up around 2pm to 3pm. You can do it! That said, there was roughly a dozen vendors, and they definitely specialized in older, beyond vintage items. I found a photo album which was dated 1916, and that wasn't even the oldest photos. Old ceramics, home goods, magazines, and a variety of other items can be found in these piles, which can be a bit disorganized at times. One older man I was buying from, was at other stalls playing around with his wooden katana, and toy guns another man was selling. I found a few treasures, which included lantern charms and wooden Kabuki-type masks, but depending on what you're looking for, you might be surprised. On this note, around this time of the month, flea markets aren't as plentiful as the second half of the month. The last week of every month seems to have the most markets available, and some of those are just massive in scope--it could take hours to visit each vendor. Still, as a smaller flea market, this had charm with it's people and what they had to offer.

Every year, they celebrate Ikutama festival around mid July. There's a lot of local stalls lined up along the way, a great way to experience the local flair. From children dressed in yukata trying to fish out gold fishes from mini ponds, to expert Takoyaki street vendors, it's really amazing fun! Around 5 in the evening, they started to play drums & the parade starts making its' way from the Main Street back to the shrine. Floats made out of wood carrying children drummers dressed in traditional costumes, parading as the sun slowly sets at the back. Do arrange a trip in summer if you don't mind the heat. Have fun!