Japan Farmers Markets

Not at a market, but in the field with two Mita-san's in Okayama! The end of the month may be upon us, but thankfully there are a number of wonderful markets happening this weekend. Venture out to find the latest delectable treats from field and orchard and even something new, including mukago (seed potatoes for yamaimo) . This season's first rice is still rolling in, so don't be shy about scooping up the freshest and best! Earth Day Market Sunday, November 26 I could wax on forever about how great this market is and how important it is for the future of Japanese farming and global food security. However, 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! 10am to 4pm, Rain or shine Map Kamome Marche Saturday, November 25 Set on the upper level of the Yokohama Bay Quarter, this little market offers nice variety given its size. Vendors from Yamanashi, Y

Isn't that beautiful? Freshly harvested rice from a tambo art project. Good news! Project Sammu Tambo Art in Chiba has made the rice from this year's project available for hungry art lovers! Send them a note (English ok) via their Facebook page , and they will get in touch to send along some tasty grains. Let it feed your creativity! (Japanese, borrowed from Project Sammu Tambo Art, follows English.) Rice from our tambo art project is for sale! The harvest is over and the threshing is done. Thank you for your help and support this year. We had a good harvest and have decided to make it available! Organic rice, weeded by hand by the farmer and volunteers in the heat of summer, and harvested by the farmer and volunteers in the cool of autumn, it is bound to be delicious. We can't bear the thought of all that work and fun going to waste. Try some and then join us next year to be part of the next masterpiece! 5kg 2,500 yen 10kg 5,000 yen (+ shipping) Thank y

Orcharding family at Onomichi Daidokoro Market . A day of rain and a day of sun are predicted for this weekend, and hungry shoppers shouldn't hesitate to head out for the bounty that is autumn in Japan. Sweet potatoes in all shapes, sizes and colors, will be available, and who can resist a homemade daikon pickle? (Or is that just me?) Snuggle up with some kaboucha (squash) for a steaming bowl of soup or whip a vibrant bowl of greens to ward off the colds that seem to be making the whole world sniffle just now. Either way, see you at the market! Kichijoji Harmonica Yokocho Asaichi Sunday, November 19 Early birds on Tokyo's west side should count themselves lucky to find  this little market  in the warren of shops just north of the station. While fruits and veg are a bit lacking, the market is big on craftsmen and women doing interesting work, excellent baked goods, miso, rice, and other tasty treats. It's worth noting that a number of places offer breakfast dea

Organic treats at the Greenmarket Sumida! Autumn is in full swing, and as the leaves turn and fall it is time to look and see what delights are on offer at the farmers' markets around the area. Sweet potatoes and satoimo are on offer, and the last of the eggplant can still be found, too. The UNU Market is having a sake festival of sorts this weekend, and Taiyo Marche (Market of the Sun) will surely have a number of seasonal delights, too. Happy eating! Market of the Sun Sunday, November 11 and Monday, November 12 One of Tokyo's newer markets,  Market of the Sun (a.k.a. Taiyo Marche) , professes to be one of the largest. A short walk from Tsukiji Market and its wonderful surrounds, this market is worth a visit for its lovely selection of foodly and crafty items that rivals the goodies found at the UNU Market. 10am to 4pm Step out of Kachidoke Station at Exits A4a or A4b and look for the tents. Kamakura Farmers Market Every day This market is an absolute tr

The food from HealthyTokyo upon arrival. A few weeks ago I was contacted by HealthyTokyo , a somewhat new company on the food delivery and lifestyle scene here in Japan, to see if I might be interested in trying one of their frozen organic meals. I'm a big advocate of getting people to eat well, and while I would prefer that people go to farmers markets , sign up for a CSA, or cook using raw ingredients, I well remember my own early forays into such things. Some days, I ordered pizza or invited myself to a friend's house for dinner. I know how it goes, so I decided to give it a whirl. I chose the Back to School Set - Japanese Obento Lunch Box as the included dishes sounded good. The Food Chicken Teriyaki The Chicken Teriyaki was tender and tasty and cooked up pretty easily. I'm not a big boil-in-the-bag fan as hot plastic freaks me out a bit, but I was pleased with the results. I cooked all of it up in one go as my husband and I shared it, which worked out

Hirayama Rice Farm and Hirayama-san at the Greenmarket Sumida. Full moons and cooling temperatures are characteristic of these shortening days. The markets now feature new rice and plenty of lovely sweet potatoes, which are perfect for roasting or popping in soups. Look for mabiki of daikon, a seasonal favorite that makes use of the thinned plants , and some early kabu, too. Take advantage of these bright days to explore and taste something new! Greenmarket Sumida Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5 Just over the bridge from Senso-ji is the newest market in the heart of the city. A collaborative effort between the local government and the same folks who manage Market of the Sun and Yokohama's Kitanaka Marche,  Greenmarket Sumida  aims to fill the supermarket gap in this old neighborhood. An excellent selection of food trucks nourish weary shoppers while the Beer Truck is often on hand to slake their thirst. 10am to 4pm Asakusa Station Exit the station and cross