Tokyo Farmers Markets: Saturday, September 21st and Sunday, September 22nd

Tanabata celebrations at the Sendai Morning Market.

Another brilliant line-up of markets this weekend as September steadily rolls its way along to cooler temperatures. Find all you need and then some for all your seasonal fare desires, including those you weren't aware of until arrival at the market!

Ebisu Market
Sunday, September 22nd and 29th

Making up for missing last month apparently, the Ebisu Market is rocking it four (yes, four!) times this month. Don't miss the opportunity to head to a nifty part of the city where on these sweet Sundays you'll find farmers and producers galore. (One even comes from Okutama with a lovely array of vegetables and a vegetable-based spread that will knock your socks off.) Don't miss it!
11am to 5pm
Map

Earth Day Market

Sunday, September 22nd

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!

Map

UN University Market

Every Saturday and Sunday

A massive weekend affair that is great fun and features a variety of fruits and vegetables and prepared products from all over Japan. Plus, there's a most excellent selection of food trucks offering everything from salad to zingy curry to roast chicken to falafel!

10am to 4pm

Map

Roppongi Market

Every Saturday

A first visit to this market was well worth the trek for the number of organic growers and getting to meet a Tokyo farmer from just down the tracks in Kokobunji!

10am to 2pm

Map

Yurakucho Farmer's Market
Every Saturday and Sunday
Smaller than the UNU Market, Yurakacho features a particular region of Japan each week along with an excellent selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables. Growers from nearby Chiba, Kamakura, and Saitama are also on hand to help fill the larder.
11am to 5pm
Directions: Turn left out of Yurakacho station and cross the courtyard toward Tokyo Kouku Keitan. Look for the fun under the overhang!

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

Tokyo's Farmers Markets: Saturday, September 14th and Sunday, September 15th

Dancing vegetable marquis at the Sendai Morning Market.

This weekend is as full of farmers market options as ever! A wide selection of markets means an excellent selection of great growers and producers to meet, talk with, and buy from right here in the city. Find your seasonal fare and then some while I'm wandering about in Hokkaido. I'll be jealous, but back on the scene later this month. Meanwhile, meet, greet, and eat!

Gyre Market

Saturday,  September 14th and Sunday, September 15th (Probably.*)

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

Map
*The Gyre Market schedule and Facebook page remain outdated. I've got messages out to the organizers, and will update as I hear.

Nippori Farmer's Market

Saturday, September 14th and Sunday, September 15th
10am to 5pm
Another great market in the city found with a little help from friends, this one is sure to not disappoint. My first visit was wonderful despite cold temperatures and a smattering of rain. Plus, Tohoku growers are on hand sharing their best-of-the-best, so come on out to be part of the recovery and get something good to eat.
No map, but just head out the east exit and look for the green awnings!

Koenji Farmer's Market
Saturday, September 14th
A new market I spotted while riding the train on a Saturday morning into the city center. That circle of red awnings in front of the Za-Koenji Public Theatre could only mean one thing! Sure enough, I found a small group of area growers and producers, and the bounty surely continues!
11am - 5pm
Map

UN University Night Market

Saturday, September 14th

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?

5pm - 8pm

UN University Market

Every Saturday and Sunday

A massive weekend affair that is great fun and features a variety of fruits and vegetables and prepared products from all over Japan. Plus, there's a most excellent selection of food trucks offering everything from salad to zingy curry to roast chicken to falafel!

10am to 4pm

Map

Roppongi Market

Every Saturday

A first visit to this market was well worth the trek for the number of organic growers and getting to meet a Tokyo farmer from just down the tracks in Kokobunji!

10am to 2pm

Map

Yurakucho Farmer's Market
Every Saturday and Sunday
Smaller than the UNU Market, Yurakacho features a particular region of Japan each week along with an excellent selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables. Growers from nearby Chiba, Kamakura, and Saitama are also on hand to help fill the larder.
11am to 5pm
Directions: Turn left out of Yurakacho station and cross the courtyard toward Tokyo Kouku Keitan. Look for the fun under the overhang!

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

Thursday Snapshot: Dancing Vegetables at Sendai's Morning Market

I've been wanting to go to Sendai's morning market since we took a trip there two years ago. A few blocks from the station and tucked in a side street, it is an absolute delight. While we wandered about admiring and sampling seasonal local fare (try the shiso wrapped onigiri with sweet miso inside) the vegetables started dancing on the marquis. Seriously. Here's the video of what followed in the market's little Tanabata festival.

September Farmers Markets in Tokyo

Yukiko Ishigaki of Suzuya, an awesome beanery, at the Sendai Morning Market.

September heralds the beginning of autumn with its torrent of typhoons, the planting of winter vegetables, and the gradual arrival of new crops. Chestnuts, sweet potatoes, and togarashi (hot peppers) join the squash already on the scene. The first rice of the year should be hitting the tables, too, this month, which is always exciting. (I'm looking forward to duck with mine!) Tomatoes and corn are winding down, but eggplant will be running strong until November. Oh, my stomach is already growling and I've not even touched on apples and nashi (Japanese pears).

Ebisu Market
Sunday, September 1st, 8th,  22nd, and 29th

Making up for missing last month apparently, the Ebisu Market is rocking it four (yes, four!) times this month. Don't miss the opportunity to head to a nifty part of the city where on these sweet Sundays you'll find farmers and producers galore. (One even comes from Okutama with a lovely array of vegetables and a vegetable-based spread that will knock your socks off.) Don't miss it!
11am to 5pm
Map

Gyre Market

Saturday,  September 14th and Sunday, September 15th (Probably.*)

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

Map
*The Gyre Market schedule and Facebook page remain outdated. I've got messages out to the organizers, and will update as I hear.

Earth Day Market

Sunday, September 22nd

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!

Map

Nippori Farmer's Market
Saturday, September 14th and Sunday, September 15th
10am to 5pm
Another great market in the city found with a little help from friends, this one is sure to not disappoint. My first visit was wonderful despite cold temperatures and a smattering of rain. Plus, Tohoku growers are on hand sharing their best-of-the-best, so come on out to be part of the recovery and get something good to eat.
No map, but just head out the east exit and look for the green awnings!

Koenji Farmer's Market
Saturday, September 14th
A new market I spotted while riding the train on a Saturday morning into the city center. That circle of red awnings in front of the Za-Koenji Public Theatre could only mean one thing! Sure enough, I found a small group of area growers and producers, and the bounty surely continues!
11am - 5pm
Map

UN University Night Market

Saturday, September 14th

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?

5pm - 8pm

UN University Market

Every Saturday and Sunday

A massive weekend affair that is great fun and features a variety of fruits and vegetables and prepared products from all over Japan. Plus, there's a most excellent selection of food trucks offering everything from salad to zingy curry to roast chicken to falafel!

10am to 4pm

Map

Roppongi Market

Every Saturday

A first visit to this market was well worth the trek for the number of organic growers and getting to meet a Tokyo farmer from just down the tracks in Kokobunji!

10am to 2pm

Map

Yurakucho Farmer's Market
Every Saturday and Sunday
Smaller than the UNU Market, Yurakacho features a particular region of Japan each week along with an excellent selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables. Growers from nearby Chiba, Kamakura, and Saitama are also on hand to help fill the larder.
11am to 5pm
Directions: Turn left out of Yurakacho station and cross the courtyard toward Tokyo Kouku Keitan. Look for the fun under the overhang!

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

Thursday Snapshot: Buddha and the Butterfly

Toudaiji, Nara Park

Nara Park may be full of tourists and deer, but there is no denying the grandeur and beauty of the buildings there. Not least among these is Toudaiji with its magnificent Buddha. Even though I have visited him a number of times I never tire of his face. Or the friendly butterfly that graces the  pot of lotus blooming near him.

Exergy House article up at Ecotowaza!

A suido (small canal) where edible plants and animals live filters water at Amekaze House.

The first time I really thought and wrote about sustainable building practices was after a visit to Square One. Our friends, Toby and Maiko Weymiller, held a straw-bale building workshop that another friend suggested we join. I was fascinated by the ideas and the people I met there. Since then I've looked around at the world with new eyes and other friends have put me on the scent of other great ideas.

Such is the case with the Amekaze House in Koganei. Reina Otsuka, chief leader and motivator at Ecotowaza, asked if I would attend a tour of the house and write about it. It was extraordinary, and again I'm seeing the world with new eyes. You can read the first part of the article over at Ecotowaza and then check out the next part on Friday, September 6th. Amazing.