Omicho Market is the covered food market of Kanazawa, in Ishikawa, and has been called the city's kitchen since the Edo period. More than 170 shops and restaurants line its narrow lanes: fishmongers with catch from the Sea of Japan, greengrocers with local fruit and vegetables, sweet shops, and small counters serving seafood bowls, sushi and grilled skewers. Residents still do their daily shopping here, next to visitors. The market is a 15-minute walk from JR Kanazawa Station and close to Kanazawa Castle, so it fits easily into a day of sightseeing.
A market with about 300 years of history
Omicho Market grew up in the Edo period, when Kanazawa was a castle town of the Kaga clan. Sources give different founding years, but they agree that it has supplied the city's food for roughly 300 years. Vendors gathered here from the middle of the Edo period to trade fish and seafood, and the market is still known as Kanazawa's Kitchen.
It stands near Kanazawa Castle and is lined with more than 170 shops. On weekdays it draws around 20,000 visitors a day, and on weekends around 30,000. Local residents remain part of that crowd. Unlike some famous markets elsewhere in Japan, Omicho is mostly about food, with few souvenir stalls.
What the stalls sell
Seafood is the main trade. Much of the catch comes from the Sea of Japan and the Port of Ono. Yellowtail and shrimp are sold all year. Crab appears from November, and the snow crab season runs from November to March. You will also see oysters, scallops, uni, octopus, sashimi-grade fish and dried fish used to make dashi.
Other stalls sell Kaga vegetables and other local produce, fruit, dried and marine products, meat from the Noto Peninsula, sweets, sake, flowers, clothing and household goods. Look for Iro Zuke, grilled fish on a skewer with an amber glaze of mild, sweet Noto soy sauce. Fruit juice served with the straw pushed straight into the fruit is another popular stop. Many shops hand out small samples, which is an easy way to choose a snack or a souvenir.
Eating at the market
Seafood bowls (kaisendon) are the local speciality: rice topped with raw seafood such as snow crab, sweet shrimp and eel. One restaurant lists a bowl with nodoguro fish and miso soup at 2,900 yen. Fish-head miso soup (ara-jiru) is a common side. Sushi counters and small restaurants sit among the stalls. There is also a restaurant section on the second floor, and the connected Omicho Ichibakan building holds more seafood restaurants.
For something quicker, the Yaki-Yaki Corner serves grilled seafood and meat on sticks. Other stands sell Noto beef nigiri, oysters, crab and uni. Kanazawa oden and Kanazawa curry are popular too, and gold leaf soft cream is a local sweet. Vegetarian menus are hard to find in the restaurants, but the produce shops are a good source of fruit and vegetables.
Planning the visit
From JR Kanazawa Station the market is a 15-minute walk or about nine minutes by bus. It is a short walk from the main sights, including Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en, so it works well for breakfast or lunch before or after them. Opening hours vary by shop and restaurant.
Lunchtime is the busiest period, and queues form at the most sought-after restaurants. The lanes are covered, so rain does not interrupt a visit. Free KANAZAWA FREE Wi-Fi is available here, and registering with an email address is required. The market has a wheelchair accessible entrance and restroom, and paid parking. Many vendors are friendly even when there is a language barrier, and gestures usually get the order across.
Perguntas frequentes
Is there an entry fee for Omicho Market?
No. You can walk through the market without paying and only spend money if you decide to taste or buy something.
How do I get to Omicho Market from Kanazawa Station?
It is a 15-minute walk from JR Kanazawa Station, or about nine minutes by bus.
When is the best time to visit?
Go in the morning, when the stalls are fully open. Lunchtime is the busiest period, with queues at popular restaurants.
What should I eat at Omicho Market?
Kaisendon, a rice bowl with raw seafood, is the local speciality. Oysters, crab, uni, grilled skewers and Noto beef nigiri are also popular, and crab is best between November and March.
Can I pay by card at Omicho Market?
Many stalls accept cards and mobile payments, but some small shops may not. It is sensible to carry some cash.
Is Omicho Market suitable for vegetarians?
Restaurants rarely have vegetarian menus. The market is still a good place to buy fresh fruit, vegetables and local specialities.
