Japan Farmers Markets

Tudashi Sasaki and his apprentice, Masanao Miyawaki, at the Oasis 21 Organic Farmers Asaichi in Nagoya. One of the best farmers markets around and well worth a visit if you are in Nagoya on a Saturday morning. A prolonged rainy season or just, you know, climate change, has kept the worst of summer's heat at bay for a few blessed weeks. Fields are damp and things slow to grow and tough to harvest, but this Midwesterner has been enjoying it. According to my neighbor, summer may be on its way, but we shall see. In the meantime, this week's bevy of markets is here to tempt and distract with tasty delights of the season and plenty of fun. Head on out and see what you can find! Koenji Farmers Market Saturday, July 20* 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 b

Futoshi Ota of Ome Farm at the UNU Market. Don't miss their amazing honey and beets! The weather may be unseasonably cool, but only the tomatoes are complaining. The rest of us are enjoying the reprieve from the heat and humidity yet to come. Take this opportunity to visit one of these great markets and get the ingredients for jamming, pickling, or just plain old eating. A visit to the market is one of the best ways to celebrate the season! Market of the Sun Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14 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 Kachidoke Station at Exits A4a or A4b and look for the tents. Koenji Farmers Market Saturday, July 20* Spotted a handful of years ago while