We got up at 5AM and took a cab across town to the Morioka Morning Market. This is a market that is for the local farmers to sell to restaurants and even more it’s a place for them to meet and chat around small wood stoves. It is open 364 days a year and is open between 5 to 8 AM. At this time the fall harvest has passed and there are mostly root vegetables, like Daikon the size Yule logs and cabbages the size of soccer balls. Lots of community interactions, laughter and stories.
We had a great cup of strong coffee, a taiyaki ( a fish shaped Japanese cake with a sweet bean filling grilled on the spot) and a cup of Matcha. Three different venders, each with a small conversation, an explanation of where we’re from, Ochiro, and how cold the Morning wind was.
In the spring and summer there are more venders.
And a nice walk back to the hotel in the morning sun.
Just in time for the hotel breakfast.
We have a friend, Taichiro who has an organic farm in Northern Japan. I’ll have to look it up and see if he is near you! He sells his product i. A farmers market.
Thanks Merilee! Might have seen him, though we bought only food and drink. -E.