Event Details
The “Henna Flea Market” is structured into three distinct zones, each designed to foster a different aspect of this unique discovery journey: “Henna Museum,” “Henna Experience,” and “Henna Shop.” Adding to the excitement, contemporary high school artist MON7A will participate, showcasing their beloved “all-over print” fashion items and hosting an exclusive flea market on the opening day.
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Event Name: Mercari “Henna Flea Market”
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Dates: February 27, 2026 (1:00 PM – 9:00 PM), February 28 & March 1, 2026 (11:00 AM – 9:00 PM)
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Location: OPENBASE SHIBUYA (14-13 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
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Access: 8-minute walk from Shibuya Station Hachiko Exit
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Admission: Free (except for MON7A’s exclusive flea market, which requires advance reservation)
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Special Website: https://jp-news.mercari.com/hennnafleamarket/
Let’s explore the “henna” world awaiting visitors:
Henna Museum: A Tapestry of Passion
The “Henna Museum” brings together the cherished collections of artists and “henna” enthusiasts, from the acclaimed high school artist MON7A to dedicated collectors of erasers and retro games. This section illuminates the unique value found in items often overlooked by mainstream markets, revealing the ‘why’ behind their appeal to passionate collectors. Visitors can delve into the stories of these items and the deep affection that drives their existence.
Exhibits will span diverse categories, including:
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Dams: Giant guardians silently supporting daily life, imbued with stories of submerged villages and human effort.
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Souvenirs: The inexplicable allure of travel mementos that captivate our rationality.
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Fashion: A “henna” closet challenging conventional aesthetics, where ‘ugly sweaters’ become objects of affection.
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Bento: Tiny acts of love discovered in overlooked everyday items.
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Capsule Toys: The thrill of a random draw, a romantic defiance of efficiency and time-performance.
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Gyaru Culture: Celebrating the 2000s subculture that defined its own rules of cool, now experiencing a Reiwa era resurgence.
Notable ‘Henna Collectors’ include (in alphabetical order):
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MON7A (All-over print items)
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Misako Aoki (Lolita fashion)
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Katsufumi Tokunaga (Vintage sneakers)
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Fujita (Retro games)
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Mayupu (Erasers)
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Yoshiki Morishita (Rubber ducks)
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Mero Yamashita (Heisei Retro goods)
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TRADMAN’S BONSAI Team (Bonsai)
Henna Experience: Interact with the Unconventional
The “Henna Experience” zone offers interactive opportunities to delve into new values. Imagine encountering real Gyaru and even taking photos with them at the “Gyaru Dispatch Event” or participating in the “Kokeshi Face Election” to pick your favorite from seemingly identical kokeshi dolls. Another engaging challenge is “Find the Right Remote Control!”, where visitors sift through a pile of remotes to find the correct one. These hands-on activities are designed to awaken new curiosities within each visitor.
Henna Shop: Take Home a Piece of Passion
The “Henna Shop” embodies the true spirit of a flea market, bringing together specialty stores and shops founded by passionate “henna” lovers. Here, visitors can physically hold and purchase these uniquely cherished items, taking home not just an object, but its entire story and the affection it represents.
Featured shops include (in alphabetical order):
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Issenzai (Cactus specialty store)
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Team Omorofujin KAYAC (Volunteer employee’s beloved goods)
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Kamenya Omote (Mask specialty store)
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Takada Kouzou Shoten (Tawashi brush specialty store)
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Ducks (Rubber duck specialty store)
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Hayashi Goods Shop (Forest-related goods)
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Jinbocho Club (80s-90s girls’ culture magazines & goods)
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4BFC (Soccer item specialty store)
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soma (Vintage sneaker specialty store)
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TRADMAN’S BONSAI (Bonsai specialty store)
Gacha Experience: A Keepsake of Curiosity
Visitors receive a special coin upon entry, which can be used to spin a gacha machine after exploring the event. This gacha dispenses original stickers themed around “henna mono”—a charming souvenir to reflect on the unique passions encountered throughout the market.
MON7A’s Exclusive Flea Market
On the opening day, a special flea market will be held by MON7A, the high school artist who has garnered significant attention, especially among Gen Z, and recently made their major debut with Universal Music/EMI Records. MON7A will personally introduce 27 of their cherished personal items to visitors, sharing the unique stories, episodes, and memories behind each piece. Advance reservations are required for participation in this exclusive event. Details can be found on the special website: https://jp-news.mercari.com/hennnafleamarket/
MON7A shared their ‘henna’ passion, stating, ‘I love simple clothes, but I always incorporate all-over print items into my outfits! I like both repeating patterns and completely different patterns connected together. Wearing all-over prints makes me feel like I’m enveloped in the design, and it’s reassuring. When choosing clothes, I discover so many ideas I wouldn’t have thought of myself, which is really fun. It’s less about ‘expressing what’s inside me’ and more like arming myself with patterns and colors. Different eras of clothing make me feel a bit stronger, so I love all-over prints!’ This intimate glimpse into an artist’s personal connection to their belongings perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the ‘Henna Flea Market.’
The “Henna Flea Market” represents Mercari’s innovative approach to rediscovering value in an increasingly algorithm-driven world. By celebrating the ‘love’ embedded in unique items and fostering serendipitous encounters, it promises to inspire a fresh appreciation for personal stories and the joy of unexpected discovery, perhaps even shaping future trends in how we connect with the objects that enrich our lives.
