Each year, Umekoji Park in Kyoto transforms into the home of the Junkan Festival, a celebration of reuse, recycling, and community action. The event aims to promote a new culture of circulation that reduces waste and reimagines how we consume.
At the heart of the festival is the popular ¥0 Market, where visitors can take home up to three donated clothing items for free. Since its launch in 2022, the market has collected more than 13,800 kilograms of used clothing, with over 14,000 pieces finding new homes. This simple yet powerful initiative has already reduced nearly 384 tons of CO2 emissions, proving that small changes in everyday habits can have a big environmental impact.
Beyond clothing, the festival offers workshops, exhibitions, and stage events designed to inspire sustainable living. Attendees can also enjoy a food court that highlights carefully sourced ingredients, making the day a chance to eat well while learning more about eco-friendly practices. Young people play a key role, with student-run stalls encouraged and supported as part of the movement to empower the next generation to lead on sustainability.
The festival is more than a community gathering, serving as a little experiment in how society can rethink waste. By giving value back to used goods and making sustainability both fun and accessible, Junkan Festival has become a model for how events can contribute to lasting change.
Admission is free, and visitors are encouraged to bring their own bags, bottles, and utensils to further reduce waste. Full details and updates can be found on the official Junkan Festival website.
