EVENT:
Mottainai Market
date:
November 14, 2026
TIME:
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
LOCATION:
House of Pacific Relations
International Lawn
Balboa Park
A MARKETPLACE OF WASTE & WHIMSY
Cleanup Kitsune’s Mottainai Market is an immersive circular marketplace where creativity, community and sustainability come together.
Inspired by the Japanese concept of mottainai, an expression of regret when something useful is wasted, the market invites children and adults alike to rethink what we throw away and discover the possibilities hidden in the things around us.
Through art, food, play and hands-on experiences, Mottainai Market demonstrates that taking care of our planet can be creative, empowering and fun.
RETHINK • REUSE • CREATE • CONNECT
Meet waste-conscious artists, upcycling retailers, vegan chefs, regenerative farmers, local nonprofits and community organizations working toward a more sustainable future.
DISCOVER
Explore creative ways to reduce waste and live more sustainably.CREATE
Turn discarded materials into art, crafts and something entirely new.TASTE
Enjoy plant-forward food while learning how our choices connect to the environment.CONNECT
Meet local organizations, makers and neighbors working to create healthier communities.
A BETTER WAY TO WASTE
At the heart of Mottainai Market is a simple idea: what we call “waste” still has value.
Rooted in the story and mission of Cleanup Kitsune, the market combines traditional wisdom with modern solutions to help visitors become more mindful consumers and more thoughtful stewards of nature.
Come curious. Make something. Learn something. Waste a little less.