In Tokyo, it becomes cold day by day. The year-end of 2012 is coming soon.
The month of December is the busiest season for food markets, because during this season Japanese locals have some big events such as Christmas party, year end party and new year family gathering. Then this month's feature by About Food in Japan is "food MARKET" in Tokyo.
As our series of posts last year, Tsukiji fish market is very well known among tourists. But it is not only Tsukiji Market in Tokyo. We will introduce a few other markets of Tokyo on this month.
By the way, for those who plan to visit Tsukiji Market, please keep in mind that tsuna auction observation area is close out from tourists until 19 January 2013 for security reason due to the busiest season for professional dealers.
For more information, please check announcement in English:
http://www.shijou.metro.tokyo.jp/english/market/tsukiji.html
Well, let's back to a market introduction for today's post, Ota Market.
Ota Market is the largest market in Japan for fruit & vegetable and flower products, locating the bay side of West Tokyo, between Haneda Airport and central town. The share dealt by Ota Market is around a half of bussiness in Tokyo for these fresh products from land. While Tsukiji Market is the largest for fishery products, Ota Market also has fish & seasfood area.
Among all wholesale food markets in Tokyo, only Ota Market set up "Visitor Course" where tourists are welcomed to visit and watch inside of the wholesale market.
Let's see the largest market in Japan, following the visitor course with photos.
First how to get there, it will be easier to take a public bus from JR Omori station (two stops away from Shinagawa).
- The bus to Ota Market (大田市場) departs from East Exit bus terminal next to train station, every 30 minutes or more during early morning.
- It takes around 20 minutes from Omori train station to Ota Market.
- The last stop is for the start point of Visitor Course, while the bus stops at 3 points in the market.
We put a link for the bus time table here for your information.
From Omori Station to Ota Market Weekday (平日) & Saturday (土曜日)
http://timetablenavi.keikyu-bus.co.jp/dia/timetable/web/51121/1140261011/25/
After 20 minutes, you will arrive Ota Market.
First, go inside to this building (事務棟/Jimuto, Office wing)
in front of the bus stop.
The visitor course starts from the second floor of this building.
On the floor, visitor center is also located.
But it will open only from 9a.m.
No entrance fee is required.
If you arrive ealier than 9 a.m., no one would be there to help you.
Anyway, feel free to have the tour by own!
The visitor course starts from this passage way connecting
between the office wing and market main area.
Some information at the market is available in English, Korean and Chinese.
The visitor course goes around Fruit Wing then to Fisheries Wing.
Here is the Fruit & Vegetable Wing, the largest market in Japan!
Vegetable and fruit auction can be found between 6:50a.m. to around 7:30a.m.
It's the best timing to visit Ota Market.
We can see fruit auction behind the stand.
Small scale of auction is also taken place here and there.
We found Melon auction!
Melon is considered as a product in Summer season in general.
But during Winter, the fruit is dealt mainly as very expensive gift.
Many of these box are for an autumn icon "sweet potato."
All box and products are neatly piled up!!
Please don't miss the sign for Visitor Courtse (見学者コース) on the floor or steps.
The route takes you to the top roof of the Wings toward Fisheries Wing.
Although fisheries area is not so big here unlike Tsukiji Market,
some similar scenes can be found from the Visitor Course on the upper floor.
Big scallops are ready for sale!!
Finally it reaches to the end of Visitor Course for two wings, Vegetable & Fruit, Fisheries.
Let's go back to the start point, Office Wing.
On the way back, if you are lucky....
you will see Mt. Fuji from the roof top parking area.
If you are interested in Flower market, out of Food category though,
it is also on the Visitor Course.
Flowe Wing is about 5 minutes away from the Vegetable & Fruit market.
Make sure the way on the map at the Market's entrance gate.
Going through under the highway, here it is the entrance of Flower Market.
Flower Auction is made with very modern computer system.
The market is also supported by amazing and modern logistics system.
Flowers in box are automatically running around the market.
We found some seasonal products for December,
christmas tree and traditional New year decoration.
If you have a tour through from Vegetable Wing to Flower Wing since early morning, you must be hungry, like we did.
Let's go back to the start point, Offic Wing (Jimuto, 事務棟) for Vegetable & Fruit market to find some nice breakfast.
We will introduce a couple of Japanese restaurants in Ota Market on the next post.
To be continue....
Ota Market Official site - http://www.shijou.metro.tokyo.jp/english/market/ota.html
Related posts :
about Tsukiji Fish Market
http://aboutfoodinjapan.weblogs.jp/blog/2011/04/tsukiji-market.html
about restaurants in Ota Market
http://aboutfoodinjapan.weblogs.jp/blog/2012/12/what-to-have-at-ota-market.html
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