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Tokyo's November Farmer's Markets

November is the beginning of my favorite season wherever I live: winter. I thrive in cooler temperatures and crisp winds. Tokyo's trademark blue skies this time of year are bonus material of the best kind, and if snow crunched underfoot I'd be the happiest of citizens. In lieu of that crunching snow, though, I get what I firmly believe is one of the best growing seasons here. The absolute bounty of greens, fantastic root vegetables, as well as dried fruits and crafty concoctions like miso is an eater's delight. And what better place to find all of these and more than a local farmer's market?

Saturday, November 5
11am to 3pm
A once-a-month outreach effort by the students running a neighborhood grocery featuring fruits and vegetables from independent farmers.


Sunday, November 6 and Sunday, November 20
11am to 5pm
A nice sized market held on the terrace just in front of Ebisu Garden Place that will always be special to me for introducing me to dried natto and tea seedpods.

Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6
Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27
A gem of a market hidden away in one of Tokyo's high-end shopping districts offering seasonal favorites in a way that feels homey yet rather boutique-y.
11am to 5pm

Sadly, it seems this market may no longer exist. I'm in the process of finding out more, and will keep folks updated. It seems a shame, although maybe some of our Mitaka-area farmers could move in and strut their stuff?
11am to 5pm

Sunday, November 20
Another hidden gem, but this time over in Mitaka and of some of the best local organic eats around. Wear your elastic-waist pants and make the trek!
11:30am to 2pm

Sunday, November 27
I could go wax on forever about how great this market is and how important it is for the future of Japanese farming. Instead, I'll just insist that folks go and see for themselves what great things the market and these innovative growers are doing.
10am to 4pm, Rain or shine!

Every Saturday and Sunday in November
A massive weekend affair that is great fun and features a variety of fruits and vegetables and prepared products from all over Japan. Plus, the curry I had during my last visit from one of the vendors was plate-licking good. (I refrained, but only just.)
10am to 4pm

Saturday, November 19
A unique event in the heart of the city that a vegetable loving geek like me wouldn't miss for the world. What better way to get the healthy vitamins and minerals you need to sustain an evening of karaoke and izakaya hopping?
8pm - ?

Every Saturday in October
A recent first visit to this market was well worth the trip for the number of organic growers and getting to meet a Tokyo farmer from just down the tracks in Kokobunji.
10am to 2pm

Every Saturday and Sunday in October
Another nice market not far from the sumo stadium in Ryogoku it's worth casing out for the neighborhood as well as the vendors.
11am to 5pm

Know of a market? Give me a shout and we'll add it to the list!
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