Japan Farmers Markets

Grapes galore this time of year. I found these at the UNU Market, but no need to look far. That low slant of light is back and the sun, like me, is getting up later and going to bed earlier. It feels wonderful to see the new season manifest itself on market tables, too. Squash galore, chestnuts, and those ever-wonderful greens are making their way onto the tables everywhere. Not to mention the first of this year's rice harvests are also arriving. Don't miss your chance to eat some of the freshest of the freshest for everything on the table! Earth Day Market Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th 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

Apple season is upon us at the Market of the Sun! Mid-September has brought along cool breezes in her wake and a welcome drop in humidity. Farmers market tables are full of a wide variety of squash , grapes, nashi , and plums as well as a handful of summer vegetables, too. This is the month of bounty, so don't miss your chance to gather up as many goodies as you can carry. This weekend, in particular, has a nice selection of markets to plan around, so don't miss your chance! Ebisu Market Sunday, September 20th 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! I'd also  recommend a trip to Afuri Ramen  when you&#

Fresh from the rice cooker. So excited it's blurry... I have often thought the bean the most elusive of garden vegetables. Despite a meticulous methodology of harvest – scour from top to bottom visually once, again while parting leaves to peer under and catch stragglers, never take your eyes from the field (one glance at a passing frog or ducking to avoid a low-flying beetle and you lose your place). It wasn’t easy work, but I relished the challenge and found the bean a worthy opponent. Occasionally, one would get past me – in cahoots, I’m sure with the beetle or the frog – to be found lolling fat and over-stuffed with beans, going to seed as it were – swinging from the vine in the shade of the nearby leaves, mocking me.

Glorious baskets of early apples from Black's Orchard. Portage Farmers Market. The most recent typhoon has, quite literally, blown over, and we are left with a bevy of blue sky. The weekend looks to be wondrous for gardening and, of course, visiting one of these lovely markets. Duck owners may be wandering out to Minowa Farms , but I'll be restocking our stores after a month in the US. I'm dreaming of rice, a little scrumptious pumpkin for curry, and perhaps freshly harvested grapes! Market of the Sun Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th The newest of Tokyo's farmers markets,  Market of the Sun  professes to be one of the largest, and this month looks to be all about the grape. 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 Ever

Captured on film at the Portage Farmers Market - Kosak Kohlrabi! August's steamy weather has given way to clouds and rain as typhoon season arrives. Just back from a full month in the US, I'm adapting to higher humidity and temperatures. I'm also resigning myself to a garden in need of attention. Local chokubaijo and farmers markets are showing the change of year, too. We found kuri ( chestnuts ) and squash in addition to the usual summer varieties. Good fun! Ebisu Market Sunday, September 6th and Sunday, September 20th 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! I'd also  recommend a trip to Afuri Ra