Why most tourists love to visit the market is because of it chaotic and vibrant atmosphere.
The exciting thing about morning markets is having a chance to meet and talk with the locals. All merchants in morning markets are locally-based people, so it is a great opportunity to talk to them and gather information.
From locally grown vegetables to hand-made folk crafts, being able to buy items directly from the producer or creator is a lot of fun. Below are 10 popular morning markets in Japan.
Hokkaido- Hakodate Morning Market
Started in a small corner of Hakodate-Mae square after WWII and expanded into a 3 hectare market with up to 160 shops.
Open hours: Jan – Apr: 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Some shops are open until 2:00 p.m.)
May – Dec: 5:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Some shops are open until 3:00 p.m.)
Address: 9 Wakamatsu-cho Hakodate-city Hokkaido
Hakodate Morning Market Official Website
Iwate- Mikoda Morning Market
Though only held in the early morning, this large scale morning market offers fresh goods as well as everything from snacks to clothing.
Closed: Monday (Open on Mondays that fall on national holidays from May to Dec)
Open hours: 5:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Address: Mikoda-cho Morioka-city Iwate
Akita- Gojome Morning Market
With over 500 years of history, the Gojome morning market overflows with mountain vegetables and fish from nearby mountains and lakes.
Open days: Days with the numbers 2, 5, 7, and 0 in them. The following special markets also take place: “Festival Market” on May 4, “Bon Market” on Aug 13, and “Year Market” on Dec 31.
Open hours: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Address: Shitamachi street Gojomemachi Akita
Chiba- Katsuura Morning Market
Boasting over 400 years of history, the Katsuura morning market focuses on produce and also features seafood and crafts like bamboo works.
Closed: Wed, Tue in Jun, and Jan 1
Open hours: 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m
Address: Hamakatsuura Katsuura-city Chiba
Niigata- Joetsu Morning Market
Four morning markets with different atmospheres take turns opening on different days in Joetsu City.
Open days: Number 2 and Number 7 Market: days with 2 and 7 in them
Number 4 and Number 9 Market: days with 4 and 9 in them
Number 3 and Number 8 Market: days with 3 and 8 in them
Number 1 Market: days with 1 in them (* Closed: 31of every month)
Open hours: 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Address:
Number 2 and Number 7 Market: 3 Omachi Joestu-city Niigata
Number 4 and Number 9 Market: 4/5 Omachi Joestu-city Nigata
Number 3 and Number 8 Market: 2/3 Chuo Joestu-city Nigata
Number 1 Market: The 3rd ward/the 4th ward Kakizaki-ku Joestu-city Niigata
Ishikawa- Wajima City Morning Market
One of the three largest morning markets in Japan. Has a long history, said to have started as early as the Heian Era. Approx. 340 shops.
Closed: The 10th and 25th of every month
Open hours: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Address: Kawai-cho Wajima-city Ishikawa
Fukui- Shichiken-cyo Morning Market
Boasts 400 years of history. Held in the commercial district amidst the remaining flavor of an old castle city.
Open days: Mar 20 (Vernal Equinox Day) -Dec 31
Open hours: 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Address: Honmachi Motomachi Ono-city Fukui
Gifu- Hida Takayama Morning Market
One of the three largest morning markets in Japan. A morning market with over 200 years of history. Held in two spots: along the Miyagawa river and in front of the “Jinya” (old shogunate outpost).
Open hours: Summer: 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Winter: 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Address: 1 Hachikenmachi Simo-3-nomachi Takayama-city Gifu
Aichi- Toyohashi Morning Market
Said to have started from farmers bringing their produce to this area to sell. Held alternately in 5 different places in the city.
Open days: Number 1 and Number 5 Market: days with 1 and 5 in them
Number 2 and Number 7 Market: days with 2 and 7 in them
Number 3 and Number 8 Market: days with 3 and 8 in them
Number 4 and Number 9 Market: days with 4 and 9 in them
Number 6 and Number 10 Market: days with 6 and 10 in them
Open hours: 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Address: Number 1 and Number 5 Market: Hadahachiman-gu Shrine grounds
Number 2 and Number 7 Market: Matsuyama Park grounds
Number 3 and Number 8 Market: Maehata-cho area
Number 4 and Number 9 Market: Hirokoji 4-5 chome area
Number 6 and Number 10 Market: Tomimoto-cho and Hashira ichiban-cho area
Kochi- Kochi Sunday Market
With over 300 years of history, this Sunday market boasts approx. 500 shops. In addition to Sunday, the market is also held in various places within the city from Tuesday through Friday.
Open days: Sun
Closed: Jan 1-2 and during the Yosakoi festival
Open hours: Apr – Sep: 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Summer time)
Oct – Mar: 6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Winter time)
Address: Otesuji Kochi-city Kochi
Saga- Yobuko Morning Market
In addition to produce, seafood abundantly lines the approx. 200 meter morning market street in the bustling fishing hub of Yobuko.
Closed: Jan 1
Open hours: 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Address: Asaichi Street Yobuko Yobuko-cho Karatsu-city Saga
Resource by JNTO
One Reply to “Experience vitality in Japan, come to visit Morning Market! ”