Japan Farmers Markets

Ryuhei Tanaka with his amazing norabo paste at the annual Vege&Fork Market.  A wet weekend is forecast, but these markets will be going unless things get particularly dodgy. Just think: if you brave the weather, there will be more of those first tomatoes fresh off the vine for you to snag. You'll also find plenty of growers and producers happy to chat about recipes and just about anything else. Each of these markets offers a fair bit of cover, too, so you won't suffer too much as you shop. See you at the market! Kamome Marche Saturday, June 22 Set on the upper level of the Yokohama Bay Quarter, this little market offers nice variety given its size. Vendors from Yamanashi, Yokohama, and other parts of Kanagawa brave the steady ocean breeze and offer everything up from fruit to wine to fresh vegetables. 11am - 5pm Map Kamakura Farmers Market Every day This market is an absolute treasure of a small local affair featuring Kamakura heirloom fruits and vegetables

Kichijoji's Harmonica Yokocho Market in colder weather. Worth waking up for! Welcome to the most farmers-markety weekend of the month! There is no shortage of great markets to visit this weekend, so whichever you choose will make you infinitely happy. There is a forecast for rain on Saturday (at the moment, anyway) so be sure to bring an umbrella with you that day. Regardless, charge on out to see what edible treasures there are to be found! Koenji Farmers Market Saturday, June 15* Spotted a handful of years ago while riding the Chuo Line,  this little market  is still going strong. A circle of red awnings in front of the  Za-Koenji Public Theatre  marks the spot where friendly folks with good food and interesting stories await. *A wee bit of a best guess here as they haven't updated  their blog  yet. Do check before making the trip over there. I haven't been wrong yet about the date, but there is always a first time for everything. 11am - 6pm Map Oiso Farmers

Michihiro Maruyama and his amazing brussel sprouts at Eat Local Kobe! The first of the spring-summer rains are falling as I sit down to post this week's list of markets. This rain is a welcome guest to gardens and fields alike. It will also draw out the ajisai (hydrangea) that are so much more remarkable than expected. I used to think of them as an old lady flower (Sorry, Mom!), but they are true works of art everywhere I turn. Meanwhile, as the rain falls and an office assistant naps in my lap, I offer this list to inspire your foodly creativity and satisfy your seasonal cravings. Market of the Sun Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9 Market of the Sun (a.k.a. Taiyo Marche)  professes to be one of the largest, and it is certainly a good one. 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 Kach