Chock Full of Fresh Ingredients! Five Popular Farmers' Markets in Tokyo

1. Taiyo no Marche (Kachidoki)

This is one of Japan\'s largest city markets where the whole family can enjoy "eating, buying, learning and experiencing" together. It is held one weekend a month, with roughly 20,000 people visiting over each two-day period. There are stalls by approximately 100 farms and restaurants from around the country so visitors can purchase fresh, seasonal vegetables as well as processed foods while enjoying conversations with the producers. There are also a variety of events and workshops, so be sure to check them out.

Schedule: Monthly on the second Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

2. Farmer\'s Market @UNU (Aoyama)

This is a famous market that is held in the plaza in front of United Nations University in Aoyama. Held under the concept of "Life with Farm," it has more than 70 stalls by farmers from all around Japan. There is a wide variety of products, ranging from fruits and vegetables to breads, sweets, and organic ingredients. There are also food trucks and coffee shops so you can enjoy an open-air meal. There are also non-food shops such as ones selling flowers and herbs, a bookstore on wheels, and even a barber (stores subject to change). There is also a stage with live performances by a variety of musicians.

Schedule: Every Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

3. Hills Marche (Akasaka)

This is a popular morning market that started in 2009. It is held in ARK Karajan Place of Akasaka ARK Hills. The concept is "a market where you can meet the producers." There is a wide selection of products, ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the source to cut flowers, potted plants and flowers, processed items such as jams, wines, and miscellaneous goods. There are many foreign-owned companies and embassies in the area, so the market is frequented by visitors of various nationalities and many of the salespeople are proficient in English.

Schedule: Every Saturday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

4. Kotsu Kaikan Marche (Yurakucho)

This is a popular market held in a convenient location right in front of JR Yurakucho Station. It is held in a covered area so it is not affected by the rain. There are 20 to 30 stalls on the weekend, selling primarily foodstuffs such as vegetables, rice and seasonal fruit direct from the source. There are also shops such as a bakery (subject to change) with an eat-in area. It is smaller than other markets, which means you can take your time to see each and every stall.

Schedule: Every Saturday and Sunday, National Holidays, 11:30 am - 5:30 pm

5. Harmonica Yokocho Morning Market (Kichijoji)

Harmonica Yokocho is a shopping street packed with more than 100 shops that retains a retro atmosphere. The monthly morning market here started in 2011, partly to help support restoration efforts after the Great East Japan Earthquake.
The stalls include ones selling vegetables, sweets, handmade goods and antiques, as well as unique ones such as fortune tellers and knife sharpening services. There is also the opportunity to enjoy breakfast in-between shopping. You can buy food and eat on the go or sit in the shops and eat. There are some items only available at the morning market, so it is worth getting up early to visit.

Schedule: Monthly on the third Sunday, 7:00 am - 10:00 am

One of the joys of farmers\' markets is the interaction with the sellers. They are fun to just walk around in, so be sure to visit!