Ome Daruma Market 青梅だるま市

Note: The 2023 installment of this event has already taken place.

The Ome Daruma Market is held on January 12 every year. It's a winter tradition that dates back to the first Ome markets, which began sometime in the 15th or 16th century. Originally, mayudama (cocoon dolls) were sold to promote the local silk industry. By the 1800s, they had been replaced by lucky daruma dolls.

This year, the market takes place on a Saturday, and the Kyu-Ome Kaido (Old Ome Highway) will be closed to all traffic except pedestrians. Many stalls sell daruma dolls, and the area is packed with both local residents and visitors from different parts of Japan.