Tokyo and Yokohama Regional Farmers Markets: Saturday, May 23rd and Sunday, May 24th

Beautiful windy days are upon us with the occasional spate of rain. If one is a seed or a tomato plant, these are good times. The same is true for farmers and gardeners. Good times, indeed. The garden has been producing a prodigious amount of pea pods that never see the light of my kitchen. Instead, they simply get munched as I work along mulching popcorn, squash, tomatoes, and worrying about my zucchini. The markets below promise those same crunchy pods, something delightful strawberries, and all the best that is spring in Japan. Don't miss it.

Earth Day Market

Sunday, May 24th

I could go wax on forever about how great this market is and how important it is for the future of Japanese farming and global food security. Instead, I'll just insist that folks go and see for themselves what great things the market and these innovative growers are doing. This month the market will be a a three-day wonderland of organic and fair trade goodness not to be missed. Come frolic and enjoy!

10am to 4pm, Rain or shine!

Map

Kamakura Farmers Market
Every day
A small local affair featuring Kamakura heirloom fruits and vegetables raised in yet another former capital city, the Kamakura Market is a small but wonderful venue. Head in early to get the best selection and pick up a loaf of Paradise Alley's charcoal infused bread while you're there.
7am until sold out
Map

Futamatagawa Farmers Market - Yokohama
Every Friday
A charming little weekly market tucked conveniently just outside the turnstile at Futamatagawa Station in Yokohama where a nice selection of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables await. Joining them are baked goods, rice, miso, and all the other fixings one might need for the week or just a good snack. Plenty of Kanagawa goodies, too, so be sure to ask!
10am to 6pm
Look for the tables when you step out the gate!

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
Back up and running after a refurbishment of the market space, the Roppongi Farmers Market is as booming and bountiful as ever. Don't miss this chance to meet a grower from Tokyo's very own Kokobunji and sample seasonal bounty.
10am to 4pm (Usually. Do check their website for schedule fluctuations.)
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!

My Review of The Tao of Vegetable Gardening up at Permaculture Magazine

Carol Deppe is one of the best garden writers around. Her books and articles are smart, funny, practical, and reflective. I've learned more from her than almost any other writer, and her books are the ones I turn to again and again. Her latest, The Tao of Vegetable Gardening, proved just as good. You can read my full review of it here at Permaculture Magazine, and then I recommend purchasing your own. It's a worthwhile investment.

Tokyo and Yokohama Regional Farmers Markets: Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th

ReWine at the Victoria Market in Melbourne.
Genius. Pure genius.

Despite a wandering typhoon earlier in the week, the weekend promises reasonably good weather for visiting these charming markets. Cabbage and broccoli should abound along with an early harvest of onions. Strawberries, too, should be in the full, sweet season and will be well worth devouring. Snappu Endou (peas) should also be readily available to satisfy all your snacking needs. And don't forget to pick up a seedling or two for starting a green curtain or a nice little balcony salad garden!

Ebisu Market
Sunday, May 17th

There is a wee bit of an extravaganza at the Ebisu Market this month with their Life is Delicious event. In celebration of the Golden Week holidays, the market is going full-tilt with vegetable and foodly fun. 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.) It's worth noting, too, that Do One Good, an animal NPO will be on hand with some of the cutest dogs ever waiting to go home with you!
11am to 5pm
Map

Koenji Farmer's Market
Saturday, May 16th
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

Nippori Farmer's Market

Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th

Another great market in the city found with a little help from friends, this one is sure to not disappoint. A small but lively market, particularly on Saturday, it is well worth the trip. 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!

10am to 5pm

Oiso Farmers Market
Sunday, May 17th
This little gem of a community shindig is one of the best things going outside of the Earth Day Market, and I don't say that lightly. A nice little community affair started a handful of years ago, it blossomed into a full-on monthly festival that just happens to feature Shonan area produce in its fresh, seasonal form as well as pickled, dried, and prepared-hot-in-a-bowl. In summer it turns into a night market, but in fall it will swing back to regular daylight hours. More than worth the trek down to see what's going on!
10am to 3pm
Oiso Port Building

Kamakura Farmers Market
Every day
A small local affair featuring Kamakura heirloom fruits and vegetables raised in yet another former capital city, the Kamakura Market is a small but wonderful venue. Head in early to get the best selection and pick up a loaf of Paradise Alley's charcoal infused bread while you're there.
7am until sold out
Map

Futamatagawa Farmers Market - Yokohama
Every Friday
A charming little weekly market tucked conveniently just outside the turnstile at Futamatagawa Station in Yokohama where a nice selection of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables await. Joining them are baked goods, rice, miso, and all the other fixings one might need for the week or just a good snack. Plenty of Kanagawa goodies, too, so be sure to ask!
10am to 6pm
Look for the tables when you step out the gate!

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
Back up and running after a refurbishment of the market space, the Roppongi Farmers Market is as booming and bountiful as ever. Don't miss this chance to meet a grower from Tokyo's very own Kokobunji and sample seasonal bounty.
10am to 4pm (Usually. Do check their website for schedule fluctuations.)
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: Fleabane Daisy

Always a favorite flower, I caught this little cluster on a recent sunrise hike with a friend. They are one of the handful of volunteer plants I try to not weed out of the garden or anywhere else. They are far too cheerful to remove.

The Benefits of Mulch

Note the grass clipping mulch on the ends of the rows.

A friend who recently took up gardening mentioned she had a weed problem. “We just can’t keep up with them,” she said with an exasperated sigh. “They reappear as fast as we pull them out.”

When I asked whether or not she used mulch, she said no. “What’s that?” she asked, and I began a little talk about bare soil and why it shouldn't be allowed.

Soil is our greatest resource, and as gardeners and farmers we should not squander it. Like water, soil should be protected and used wisely. Mulch is an easy way to do that. Mulching a growing space large or small has a number of advantages.

Mulch suppresses weeds. A thick layer of organic mulch will smother any weeds or weed seeds loitering in the soil. Growers particularly worried about weeds can put down a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard first, and then pile the mulch on top. Weeds that do appear will be easy to spot and pull out with relative ease. Once pulled, the offending plant can be laid on top of the organic mulch to decompose and add its nutrients back into the soil it came from. 

Mulch regulates soil temperature. A good thick layer of mulch keeps soils cool on hot days and helps retain warmth as temperatures drop. Soil that is too hot can desiccate seeds, as well as overheat and subsequently stress plants. Winter gardeners will experience less frost heave that can damage plants, too.

Mulch helps retain moisture. A well-mulched growing space requires less watering, especially once plants are established. Unprotected soil gets baked hard, which makes it difficult for plant roots to grow in, much less to find the water and nutrients they need. It also makes it difficult for water and nutrients to move along, carried as they are by the various microscopic community members that live in the soil. Soft, crumbly soil makes all of that possible.

Mulch protects soil from wind and water erosion. Soil, as I mentioned earlier, is our greatest resource. Protecting it is a gardener and farmers first duty. Unmulched soil is more likely to blow away on the wind or wash away in the rain. Soil that is not in your garden bed doesn’t do much good for the plants. If it lands in waterways or gets vacuumed up from the neighbor’s living room rug, it’s wasted opportunity. Rebuilding soil is hard work and takes time. Protecting it with a layer of mulch means building on what is already there and making the most of what you have. 

Mulch can be either organic (grass clippings, leaves, sawdust, old weeds not gone to seed, hay or straw) or inorganic (black plastic, rocks, or landscape cloth). Organic mulches can also take the form of living mulches: low-growing plants like alyssum, purslane, clovers, or corn mache. These can be edible or help attract pollinators and predators that will help with gardening above ground. (See this review of The Holistic Orchard by Michael Phillips for some brilliant ideas.) It serves to suppress weeds, regulate soil temperature, and protect soil. However, as convenient as inorganic mulches might be, organic mulches are the logical choice.

Organic mulches are a soil builder. Layered on top of the soil, organic mulch makes a nice home for worms and all the other creatures that keep soil healthy, bring nutrients to the root ends, and protect plants from disease and predators. (If you don’t believe me, take a look at Teaming with Microbes, and you’ll never look at your soil the same again. Read a review here.) At the end of the season, organic mulch can be tilled in or, better yet, simply layered in for the next season. In this manner, the mulch provides the organic buffet those little soil-building creatures desire. As they go about their little daily lives eating, pooping, and chasing each other, they leave behind a trail of nutrients that eventually put the tomato on the table.

It is only fair to say that a case can be made for inorganic mulches. Black plastic is a miracle tool for warming the soil in early spring or when growing winter vegetables. Landscape cloth lets water through and effectively suppresses weeds. The problem with these items, though, is that they are expensive, petroleum-based products that are difficult to dispose of at the end of the season. This increases the carbon footprint of a growing space. Even if that doesn’t much matter, the toxic gases released when they are burned should. And if that isn’t an issue, then I’ll refer back to the previous paragraph that starts “Organic mulches are a soil builder.” I’d also add that they are often free. 

Recommended reading

The Resilient Gardener by Carol Deppe also has some excellent thoughts on mulching in various climates and on various types of mulches to try. Frankly, I recommend anything by her that you can find.

Lasagna Gardening by Patricia Lanza is a fantastic method for building a gardening with great soil in relatively short order. 

Teaming with Microbes: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web by Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis will rock your world with what it reveals about the soil beneath your feet, flowers, and vegetables.

The Holistic Orchard by Michael Phillips is not just for orchardists or those with fruit trees. Phillips offers a number of excellent ideas that can be applied beyond the apple tree.

Tokyo and Yokohama Regional Farmers Markets: Saturday, May 9th and Sunday, May 10th

A selection of lovely citrus along the Shimanami Kaido.

Fields and gardens all around are planted or nearly so, which means market tables will be full to bursting with all sorts of goodies. Don't miss this opportunity to wander out into the city to find something seasonally scrumptious for dinner or for later in the week. We just returned from a bike trip on the Shimanami Kaido where we ate some of the most amazing citrus ever. You can find samples of this at the Roppongi and UNU Markets, by the way. Don't miss it!

Market of the Sun
Saturday, May 9th and Sunday, May 10th
The newest of Tokyo's farmers markets, Market of the Sun professes to be one of the largest, and this month looks to have a bit of an Italian theme, too. Cheese, anyone?. A short walk from Tsukiji Market and its wonderful surrounds, it's worth a stop for a selection of foodly and crafty items that rivals that at the UNU Market.
10am to 4pm
No map but step out of Kachidoki Station exits A4a and A4b

Kamakura Farmers Market
Every day
A small local affair featuring Kamakura heirloom fruits and vegetables raised in yet another former capital city, the Kamakura Market is a small but wonderful venue. Head in early to get the best selection and pick up a loaf of Paradise Alley's charcoal infused bread while you're there.
7am until sold out
Map

Futamatagawa Farmers Market - Yokohama
Every Friday
A charming little weekly market tucked conveniently just outside the turnstile at Futamatagawa Station in Yokohama where a nice selection of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables await. Joining them are baked goods, rice, miso, and all the other fixings one might need for the week or just a good snack. Plenty of Kanagawa goodies, too, so be sure to ask!
10am to 6pm
Look for the tables when you step out the gate!

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
Back up and running after a refurbishment of the market space, the Roppongi Farmers Market is as booming and bountiful as ever. Don't miss this chance to meet a grower from Tokyo's very own Kokobunji and sample seasonal bounty.
10am to 4pm (Usually. Do check their website for schedule fluctuations.)
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: Drying Squid in Ito

Drying squid on the street.
Ito, Japan.

Back in February or March we took a short trip to Ito to stay at the K's House Hostel and Onsen. There isn't much, frankly, going on in Ito, but the hostel itself was worth the trip. We did take a wander about the town, and we spotted fish drying everywhere. Plenty of neighborhood cats did, too, which is why the screen is over the top. The finished product is delicious.

Reprise: Satoyama: The Wild Edge of Japanese Farming

Spring at Hamma Farm in Nara, Japan.
One of the best places on Earth.

This article first appeared at EcoWaza in the summer of 2010. Inspired by my work on a Tokyo organic farm and visits with other farmers around the country and at farmers markets, I was glad to delve a bit deeper into the topic. There is still so much to learn, but thankfully, it is a pleasure to get out, get my hands dirty, and find out what's happening. - JB

Traditional farming in Japan has a wild edge.  Adjacent to the carefully tended rice fields and rows of vegetables is an area rich with life.  Birds dive over the trees and fields, catching insects, while bees drone from one flower to the next. Trees of all types and sizes move in the wind, and a fox pauses in his afternoon stroll to listen for a mouse feeding on a fallen berry in the underbrush. Moss breaks down the stump of a tree cut for firewood, while microorganisms in the soil work from the bottom to help the process along. The juxtaposition of such wilderness seems at odds with the razor straight rows of rice and vegetables growing nearby, and at first appears rather un-Japanese. In reality, though, it is perhaps as Japanese as miso, rice, or sake. It is satoyama.

Literally translated as arable or livable (sato) mountain (yama), satoyama is most often associated with rice farming and forestry and can take many shapes and forms in the Japanese agricultural landscape. The most common definition is of a half-wild, half-managed space that acts as a transition between cultivated fields and the wilderness just beyond.  The word first appeared in writing in 1759 when Hyoemon Terauchi, a forester, used it to describe the area around a rural mountain village's agricultural fields.   The forest provided fuel and food for the nearby human community who in turn manage it through use. Cutting and trimming trees selectively for fuel, as well as construction and craft, allowed sunlight through to the forest floor, and kept enthusiastic members, such as bamboo, from creating a monoculture that bullied out more reticent forest members, like asparagus that want a bit more space and time to grow and reproduce. Harvesting edible wild plants (sansai), such as warabi and fuki, had a similar effect while providing some of the first tastes of fresh greenery in the spring. Chestnut (tochi) gathered in the fall offered an alternative source of protein and could be stored in case of lean harvests. New trees would be planted and seedlings encouraged, and some fruits and plants would be left as seed for the following year. Leaves gathered in the fall from the  diversity of trees would be spread on the rice fields to break down gradually through the winter months and replenish nutrients used up during the last growing season.  Yet, enough would be left on the forest floor to protect and feed the plants, animals and insects there, too.  Birds and insects returning in the spring and frogs and early blooming plants emerging from winter hibernation would find food, shelter, and a safe place to start anew.

Satoyama's underlying premise is one of balance and sustainability. Techniques developed over the course of multiple generations work in conjunction with the seasonal rhythm's and needs of the natural community in that particular area, and create a place that wildlife can depend on for its survival. The result is a unique natural environment that supports members large and small.  Too much harvesting and the delicate network of systems the human and natural communities rely on will break down. Wood will run out. No trimming or cutting will result in domination by one species leading to the decline and or demise of others. The early spring flower is no longer there, causing pollinating insects to eventually seek another location. The bird that relies on these insects to feed its young is forced to go elsewhere. A crop pest, also kept in check by the birds, is now free to roam the fields. In satoyama, each community is inextricably linked to the other. Humans are not separate, but rather part of the same whole: the world in which we live.

Growing and encouraging wildlife to support human food crops – annual ones like corn or tomatoes and perennial ones such as mikan or persimmon – is not as revolutionary as it might sound. Seeds and plants found in the forest were planted and cultivated in space carved from wilderness.  Observation and experimentation over time expanded the variety of food crops. as well as the area to grow them. It is only within the last hundred years that farming shifted from it's small-scale organic and natural roots to a giant weed-free sterile environment supported primarily by chemicals. Renewed interest in satoyama began in the 1960's in Japan about the time the world began questioning 'modern farming'. Others, like Masanobu Fukuoka, whose natural farming techniques developed over a lifetime on his small family farm in Shikouku, began working with nature's systems to grow food sustainably. Today, permaculture farmers and land stewardship advocates strive to rediscover ways of living and growing that collaborate with and learn from nature. Such efforts draw on the same sustainable principles traditional Japanese farmers and foresters practiced in satoyama to achieve balance with their environment.

These efforts result not just in knowing which mushroom to harvest or which tree to cut. The partnership with nature of satoyama requires the sharing of knowledge between human community members. As one generation passes information and skills to the next, the relationship between the human and natural community deepens. Traditions, crafts, and skills are taught and shared from farmer to carpenter to carver to healer to hunter to gatherer. Forest, stream, and field are seen in the light of the variety of living creatures that call them home and the beauty they create. The intimate understanding underlying satoyama's sustainable practices means this wild edge becomes home, not just to pollinators and a source for building materials, but a place of creative inspiration, joy, tradition, and wonder.

Developing Satoyama Sense

Satoyama – a bit of wildness on the edge of ordered human space – never seems far away in Japan. Even on the streets of the country's largest cities a diversity of plants in pots, gardens, green-ways, and parks support urban wildlife of all sizes and varieties. And while urban dwellers don't have ready access to hectares of rice fields and forest, it is possible to connect to the natural world and develop 'satoyama sense.' Here are a few ways to get started:

• Plant. Plant a few pots of flowers and edibles and see what wildlife comes around. Or even jump right in and get a mini satoyama box for the balcony!
• Learn. Find a good reference book and learn the names of nearby trees, flowers, bugs, and wild grasses. Don't capture or pick, but leave these new acquaintances in their place and see who their friends are, what they do for fun. A good starter might be Nature in Tokyo: A Guide to Plants and Animals in and around Tokyo by Kevin Short for a basic overview. 
• Walk and observe. Walk nearby roads, alleys, and paths to see what grows, flies, swims, and even crawls. See how the landscape – crafted from pots or a small plot of earth – fosters life of all kinds. 
• Experiment. Add an edible plant to the flower garden. Why not? Herbs and vegetables go well with flowers, and some flowers, like nasturtiums and violas, are as edible as they are pretty!
• Talk. Talk to gardeners to find more about what they grow. From ornamentals like tulips to edibles such as shiso, most likely there is a good story to be found. It might turn out to be a secret ingredient in a favorite dish!
• Tour. Visit a farm or growing region to see how wild life is part of what's growing there. Organizations such as The Satoyama Initiative and Totoro's Forest support the existence of satoyama in Tokyo, Japan, and the world over to help reestablish a partnership with nature

May Farmers Markets in Tokyo and Yokohama Regions

Cute dog and a big basket of Laciento kale at Tas Farm Gate in Hobart, Tasmania.
Life is good, indeed.

Spring is in full swing on these glorious, sun-filled days. Gardens and fields all around are us are filling with seedlings, and each day they appear greener than the last. The first of the onions have appeared, which surely means that tomatoes and eggplant will follow in reasonably short order. However, spring treats like nanohana and snap peas still abound, so don't hesitate to scoop them up while they still fill the tables. See you at the market!

Ebisu Market
Saturday, May 2nd through Wednesday, May 6th and Sunday, May 17th

There is a wee bit of an extravaganza at the Ebisu Market this month with their Life is Delicious event. In celebration of the Golden Week holidays, the market is going full-tilt with vegetable and foodly fun. 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.) It's worth noting, too, that Do One Good, an animal NPO will be on hand with some of the cutest dogs ever waiting to go home with you!
11am to 5pm
Map

Market of the Sun
Saturday, May 9th and Sunday, May 10th
The newest of Tokyo's farmers markets, Market of the Sun professes to be one of the largest, and this month looks to have a bit of an Italian theme, too. Cheese, anyone?. A short walk from Tsukiji Market and its wonderful surrounds, it's worth a stop for a selection of foodly and crafty items that rivals that at the UNU Market.
10am to 4pm
No map but step out of Kachidoki Station exits A4a and A4b

Koenji Farmer's Market
Saturday, May 16th
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

Nippori Farmer's Market

Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th

Another great market in the city found with a little help from friends, this one is sure to not disappoint. A small but lively market, particularly on Saturday, it is well worth the trip. 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!

10am to 5pm

Oiso Farmers Market
Sunday, May 17th
This little gem of a community shindig is one of the best things going outside of the Earth Day Market, and I don't say that lightly. A nice little community affair started a handful of years ago, it blossomed into a full-on monthly festival that just happens to feature Shonan area produce in its fresh, seasonal form as well as pickled, dried, and prepared-hot-in-a-bowl. In summer it turns into a night market, but in fall it will swing back to regular daylight hours. More than worth the trek down to see what's going on!
10am to 3pm
Oiso Port Building

Earth Day Market

Sunday, May 24th

I could go wax on forever about how great this market is and how important it is for the future of Japanese farming and global food security. Instead, I'll just insist that folks go and see for themselves what great things the market and these innovative growers are doing. This month the market will be a a three-day wonderland of organic and fair trade goodness not to be missed. Come frolic and enjoy!

10am to 4pm, Rain or shine!

Map

Kamakura Farmers Market
Every day
A small local affair featuring Kamakura heirloom fruits and vegetables raised in yet another former capital city, the Kamakura Market is a small but wonderful venue. Head in early to get the best selection and pick up a loaf of Paradise Alley's charcoal infused bread while you're there.
7am until sold out
Map

Futamatagawa Farmers Market - Yokohama
Every Friday
A charming little weekly market tucked conveniently just outside the turnstile at Futamatagawa Station in Yokohama where a nice selection of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables await. Joining them are baked goods, rice, miso, and all the other fixings one might need for the week or just a good snack. Plenty of Kanagawa goodies, too, so be sure to ask!
10am to 6pm
Look for the tables when you step out the gate!

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
Back up and running after a refurbishment of the market space, the Roppongi Farmers Market is as booming and bountiful as ever. Don't miss this chance to meet a grower from Tokyo's very own Kokobunji and sample seasonal bounty.
10am to 4pm (Usually. Do check their website for schedule fluctuations.)
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!