4 Must See Markets in Japan
One of our favorite things to do wherever we travel is to go to the local markets. The more authentic the better! I want to be where the local restaurant owners are grabbing their supplies and hopefully grab a few local, onsite snacks in the process. We hit 4 great markets in Japan:
Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo
This famous fish market is moving soon so I really will just have to go back to Tokyo and see how the new location feels. This place is crazy. Liz and I “accidentally” wandered into the warehouse area and the scene was exactly as I would have imagined in the market the moves fresh seafood to the army of sushi and seafood restaurants of all calibers in the biggest food city on earth. I wouldn’t recommend the self-guided back lot tour, but the market itself is pretty cool and between the giant, hanging, whole dried tarpon and the bins and bins of tiny translucent fish used to give certain dishes their signature briny sea flavor you can find really fresh, really cheap Sushi. Like oversized 8-piece tuna rolls for $2 cheap. If you go in the morning, you’ll also find delicacies like $50-$100/pc super-selected melons and grapes, and little sweet egg squares on rice (kind of like Tamago).
Miyagawa and Jinya-Mae Morning Markets, Takayama
These are actually two completely separate markets, but they are only a short 10-min walk from each other in the sleepy mountain hub town of Takayama. The Jinya-Mae market is one of the oldest markets in Japan and is held in front of a small shrine. It’s neat, but very small and mostly local produce. We picked up some phenomenal apples for very cheap. There’s also a great little diner/café off the NW corner of the market – since most places in Takayama do NOT open early, this is critical information.
If you are crunched for time for whatever reason I would spend my time at the Miyagawa Market. This is on the street just over from the old edo-period houses that make Takayama famous and along the Miyagawa River. There’s a dichotomy you have to deal with at this market, but either option is good. If you go early, there will be fewer vendors. If you go late there will be more vendors, but also more tourists. To be honest, I think it was a little more fun when it was busy. One side of the street is more touristy shops with plenty of little rice cakes and candies to sample. The side closer to the river is lined with handicrafts, and fried snacks. We had some little waffle-like custard and apple cakes and the “famous” squid balls. Oh yeah, and if you are in the market around 10, you’ll be there when my favorite Beef Bun stand in Japan opens. Especially if the morning is chilly, your life will never be the same.
Nishiki Market, Kyoto
I saved the best for last. Nishiki has it all…
The local families and restaurant owners are there buying many of the same items in bulk that were for sale in Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market. On top of all the fresh fish, squid, octopus etc. there was plenty of local produce from apples to HUGE eggplants, squash and cucumber absolutely slathered in Miso paste.
As opposed to Tsukiji Fish Market, this is not a place you need to get to early. Spend an early morning at one of the busy temples and come here after for treats. The bigger shops open around 10 and you can peruse local cast iron wares, lotions and skin care products, and watch master craftsmen hone razor-sharp Japanese chef’s knives and razor blades.
The small stalls are open for snacking and this is where we found (and ate) the greatest variety of weird, stereotypical market foods. I ate squid on a stick, sashimi skewers, tiny donuts, white bean cakes, and fried squid with Japanese peppers that make your tongue tingle and go numb in spots. We loved this market so much, that we had to go back a second time. It’s also close to Tokyo Station and a bunch of great Ramen spots.