Japan Farmers Markets

The Roppongi Market! It's hard to believe, but July is drifting away with some sun and an unexpected amount of rain. My tomatoes remain joyous, although I will be away while most of them ripen. Luckily, a friend has agreed to eat them while I'm gone. She may also get the watermelon, but I figure that's only fair. It's better than having it go to waste. The farmer's markets, however, roll on! Don't miss these great regular ones happening this weekend, and remember the Kamakura Farmers Market is actually best during the week! 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 Ebisu Market Every Sunday Ebisu Market management are going all-out th

Takashi and C-chan Arai on the farm. I am so very pleased to announce that my essay, "Growing Home in Tokyo", is included in the latest collection of essays from Tales from a Small Planet - A Cup of Culture and a Pinch of Crisis . I wrote, of course, about how I landed on an organic farm in Tokyo and how my years there shaped my experience here. Japan is my second home in great part because of the hours and days spent working side by side with the Arai family. They and their farm are more dear to me than a few paragraphs can express, and that's not even counting all those awesome recipes I learned. So, please consider buying it or asking your library to buy it. I might mention, too, that it makes a great gift.

The Minowa's and their most excellent rice at the Earth Day Farmers Market. As July winds its way out with a little rain, some heat, and a healthy dose of humidity, the farmers markets carry on. This is the peak of summer harvest, and those harvest will only continue to grow until we turn our attention more fully to winter. Don't be shy to head out to one of the best in the city, the Earth Day Market, along with a fine selection of regular markets that offer plenty of goodness every week. Enjoy! Earth Day Market Saturday, July 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. Come find some good food and fun and enjoy! 10am to 4pm, Rain or shine! Map Kamakura Farmers Market Every day A small local affair featuring Kamakura he

Baird's good beer at the Takadanobaba Taproom. It is no secret that I am something of a beer fan. I've never brewed my own, but I do enjoy the beverages other take the time to craft. Even more, I enjoy writing about those brews and sharing what I discover. Read my review of Baird Beer's Takadanobaba Taproom at Metropolis and then head on over there to do a little delicious work of your own.

The Roppongi Ark Hills Market in full swing! Welcome to the most farmers-markety weekend of the month! It is well worth hopping out to one of these lovely affairs to see what's going on in terms of food, music, workshops, and other foodly hijinks. The Nippori Market, as covered by Martin Frid earlier this week , is one of the best ones going. It may be small, but it is big on charm, selection, and fun. Don't miss it. Koenji Farmer's Market Saturday, July 16th A new market I spotted while riding the train a few years ago on a Saturday morning into the city center is still going strong. 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, July 16th and Sunday, July 17th Another great market in the city found with a little help from friends, this one is sure

Martin J. Frid is an old friend and fellow lover of good food and farmers. He also happens to be deeply involved in the Nippori Marche, one of the best little monthly markets in the city. Martin offered this guest post as an update on what's happening there and to bring an insider's perspective. Enjoy! - JB Kimura-san's most amazing vegetables always attract a crowd! I work part-time at Nippori Marche and thought I'd talk a bit about what it takes to help run a (small) market one weekend a month in Tokyo. As Joan points out in her fabulous monthly listing of events and farmers markets, this is a lively event with a focus on good food and fresh fruit and vegetables. It all started six years ago, when the good people who own the event square in Nippori joined up with Arakawa-ku and decided that they wanted to create opportunities for farmers to meet their customers directly, in a city that doesn't have a lot of event squares with available space for this kind

Scrumptious biwa at the Nagoya Organic Farmers Market. Hot times, indeed, these days. Summer's bounty is rolling in so it's time to break out recipes for pesto, Maan's beans and tomatoes , Maan's potato salad , and whatever other glorious things can be conjured up from so many lovely vegetables. See you at the market! Earth Day Market - Kichijoji Saturday, July 9th and Sunday, July 10th One of Tokyo's best markets goes on the road to one of the best spots on the city's west side. Don't miss this organic opportunity to meet some of the coolest people doing important work for our world and our food. 10am to 4pm Innokashira Park Market of the Sun Saturday, July 9th and Sunday, July 10th The newest of Tokyo's farmers markets at two years old,  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 sele

Why tulips in July? Read the essay and find out. Living in a foreign country is a ripe opportunity for seeing the differences in cultures. Most people relish and marvel at them, and it goes without saying that there are moments where all of us living as foreigners in a foreign land complain about them, too. One of the things, though, that has struck me since the beginning are the similarities. I am often astounded and humbled by the fact that all mother's believe their children are geniuses, that all grandmothers have way too much stuff in their houses, and that all farmers are eager to share the stories behind the food they grow. I see it every day, and it puts the truth to what I previously thought was just a lame cliche: People are people. So, here is my essay at Metropolis . Enjoy.

Melons and more at Roppongi's Ark Hills Market. Summer is upon us in all its hot and humid glory. Pick up ingredients for a cool summer meal or tasty beverage (child-friendly or adult) to help keep things cool. Summer crops - tomatoes, goya, eggplant, cucumbers, and onions - abound, and can be paired with all that fresh garlic that should just be emerging from its long slumber now. Enjoy! Earth Day Market - Kichijoji Saturday, July 9th and Sunday, July 10th One of Tokyo's best markets goes on the road to one of the best spots on the city's west side. Don't miss this organic opportunity to meet some of the coolest people doing important work for our world and our food. 10am to 4pm Innokashira Park Market of the Sun Saturday, July 9th and Sunday, July 10th The newest of Tokyo's farmers markets at two years old,  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 a