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In Japanese, mottainai is what you say when something useful goes to waste. It’s a gentle expression of regret, and it carries an invitation: look again at what you were about to throw away. On Saturday, November 14, that idea becomes a marketplace.
A Marketplace of Waste and Whimsy
Cleanup Kitsune’s Mottainai Market is an immersive circular marketplace on the House of Pacific Relations International Lawn. Cleanup Kitsune, the presenting partner, is known around San Diego for its costumed, kitsune-masked cleanup crews who turn litter pickup into performance art. The market grows out of that same mission: making care for the planet creative and fun.
You’ll meet waste-conscious artists, upcycling retailers, vegan chefs, regenerative farmers, local nonprofits and community organizations working toward a more sustainable future.
Things to Do
- Discover practical ways to reduce waste and live more sustainably.
- Create art, crafts and something new from discarded materials.
- Taste plant-forward food and learn how food choices connect to the environment.
- Connect with neighbors, makers and organizations working for healthier communities.
Activities are designed for kids and adults alike, so bring the whole family.
Also on the International Lawn
GREEN×EXPO 2027: Yokohama hosts the International Horticultural Expo from March 19 to September 26, 2027. Stop by to learn what our sister city is preparing.
Kankyō Enikki youth exhibition: environmental picture diaries created by young artists, sharing how they see the natural world around them.
Go Mottainai All Day
Help us keep the whole festival low-waste. Bring a reusable water bottle and shopping bag, and start your morning with CleanPic, the team cleanup competition from 10:00 to 11:00 AM.
Details
- Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Location: House of Pacific Relations International Lawn, Balboa Park
- Admission: Free
Come curious. Make something. Learn something. Waste a little less.
