Omicho Market

Kanazawa's Pride

It is the largest fresh food market of the place.

Why do people need to visit wet markets?

What is there to see; to speak?

When the tour guide says we go; we go see.

If you cannot see any logic behind the visit; look into the finer qualities of how the Japanese live out their values.

 The moment we were led to the parking lot, we smelled discipline and orderliness. The vehicles, well parked in allocated space, showed how polite the drivers were. Our coach fell into the space too and we alighted with the same discipline.

On descent, we notice how well separated the garbage was; each according to its use. Then I noticed a special cigarette disposal container. They seem to think of the greatest details on earth.

Why am I showing this crossing space? It is because the polite drivers all stopped their vehicles in good behaviour allowing us to get across to the market. I was last but nevertheless they patiently waited for me.

It is not surprising to see herbs of all sorts being planted and displayed for locals and foreigners to appreciate. They are careful people; thoughtful too.

The calm morning was greeted by local vendors who were hoping to have the first business from us. Notice the ice cream figurines? Macha and wasabi ones are popular among us.

All along the walkway were stalls of this nature offering goods both sweet and savory. The sweet ones are indeed memorable but the savory ones can cause discomfort to sensitive stomachs as they are pickled.

The wet market is actually quite dry. Believe me when dad commented that he had yet to see a single fly hovering the uncooked meats and vegetables and it is summer by the way. The products must be fresh and well kept. It was a pleasant stroll just like the one in Kazakhstan except it was winter there then. If this is earmarked as a must see spot for the tourist industry in Kanazawa, it must then be a place to be worthwhile a visit. I am not sure if I want to bring anyone around the wet markets in Petaling Jaya.

Pork, beef and chicken are the main meats but not horse meat. Well packed and handled, the Japanese are a fortunate lot for maintaining high hygiene and cleanliness. It is such a pleasure to do marketing.

Surrounded by seas Japan is surely home to fishes of all kinds some of which we have never seen let alone name. The shell fish family ; crabs, lobsters and prawns are fresh and of top quality. Some fish species are alive and you get a swimming catch.

Salmon is really of top notch here; Japan being an exporter of it to the hungry world.

I believe this is the anchovy species. So gigantic and if we were to deep fry you can imagine the taste in your mouth. The catch in Japan is beyond compare.

Oh I was so amazed at the ice shaving machine seen here. It is old fashioned but nevertheless still in good order for use. Hahaha to see it here. They must be offering some ice cream shavings of local taste here. In the refrigerator are frozen sea food of a hundred choices; scallops included. Some of our tour mates bought but Mr Lau never believes in them; so nothing for me.

Mr Lau only believes in what he sees in front of him. So, the Omicho Market is another experience to be kept and blogged so that I will remember it in my older days.

Besides the wet market food, there were some other stalls offering clothes and foot wear for the local consumers. But "the made in Japan" products are still of commendable quality albeit sold in a not so up market ethos. I managed to get a couple of them for daily use and they look good !

The Omicho Market Expereince.