Taste of Kanazawa: Omicho Market & Higashi Chaya Review

Kanazawa, it’s almost like a place along Japan’s coast that promises a certain type of appeal. What sort of appeal? Well, maybe picture fresh seafood and old places with so much history attached to them. So, when you think about visiting Kanazawa, two places should jump to mind right away. They’re both very popular, very great: Omicho Market and Higashi Chaya District. I found myself wandering through them recently, and what I thought might be useful would be to give a personal review. That, along with providing tips so your future trip might even turn out more enjoyable than mine. Fair?

First Stop: Omicho Market

Omicho Market, often thought of as “Kanazawa’s Kitchen,” is that energetic spot you need to check out. It’s brimming with stands which seem to feature anything your stomach might crave. More than that, you could possibly find whatever special stuff the area has to offer, locally. Think: seafood pulled fresh from the Sea of Japan, vegetables people tend with dedication nearby, and a certain vibe that you aren’t likely to find anywhere else. It is, in a way, something special. So, here’s a little of my insight on how to experience Omicho Market to the fullest.

Freshness That Stands Out

Right when you step inside, there is like this vibrant show of sea treasures. There is snow crab which is displayed prominently. It has these glistening cuts of tuna, and a variety of shellfish you likely don’t recognize if, like your’s truly, you come from some inland location. Anyway, I took a wander and, it’s almost like the quality really does talk for itself. I stopped at a vendor which seemed popular with the locals, arguably the best bet when figuring out which is better than which. And then? I decided to try some uni (sea urchin). The taste? It was quite rich, just slightly briny, melting almost like butter. That alone made the visit worth it. Actually.

Snacking Through the Market

Besides purchasing ingredients, Omicho Market has stalls so you can snack a bit while you walk around. Now, it is pretty neat because these stands often have specialized grilled seafood skewers or tempura. Also, you can try croquettes stuffed with local delicacies. As I was saying, I noticed this stand selling grilled oysters, still in their shell. Each oyster had this splash of soy sauce, which you should squeeze a bit of lemon juice on if you want an amazing, wonderful and memorable snack. Anyway, there, you watch them get grilled and, let me tell you, I wasn’t disappointed when I downed those bivalves. Those little sacs of flavor really delivered. Actually.

A Feast for the Eyes (and Camera)

What is pretty great when you stroll around is all the ways they present each vendor’s stuff, like, well, I can’t imagine there is another market that really displays what they got any better than this. Take photos. Take tons of them! You see these neatly piled fruits, each that seem so ready for their closeup. You get seafood arranged artfully as they sit on beds of ice, as if waiting for some food magazine to feature them. Honestly, I bet some actually end up there! I think I took way too many photos because I basically ended up stopping every few steps just to try to take another pic of all the colors and general organized mayhem on display.

Tips for Visiting Omicho Market

You might be curious to hear how to best visit the market? What would be some good tips for doing that? As a matter of fact, after learning how the market works, I think these little tips might serve you well: Get there early. A lot of people do that! If you go that little bit earlier, that tends to mean smaller crowds. This helps ensure that the best choices are still available, ready to be bought by somebody such as yourself. Then again, later could also mean smaller prices and those discounts might matter for you. If you’re a bargain hunter that can certainly sway things! Bring cash. Now, there has to be some of the vendors that might take credit, that a bit more rare to find, I would say. So you’re likely to be a little happier if you just make sure you take the money you need from the bank. Ask questions! The vendors will not only be nice and polite. You’re going to also be able to learn stuff too, very likely. It is useful if you are a foodie like me. The locals know so much about what’s good to eat that you could try a lot of things. Very neat.

Next Up: Higashi Chaya District

Once you’ve had your fill from eating all sorts of stuff, consider moving onto the Higashi Chaya District, what someone might consider a beautifully well-preserved geisha district. It provides that nice shift from the market’s lively buzz with traditional charm. Anyway, what that district has going for it are these historic wooden buildings and teahouses. It is just, arguably, nice to take it slow when you decide to wander around the old streets. Anyway, here is what you could consider seeing:

Strolling Through History

The minute you walk into Higashi Chaya, so you get taken back. Back to a past with so many links to Japanese heritage. See these well-preserved wooden buildings that line the streets? So, many of them were once teahouses. During old times, these old places had geishas performing here. Geishas would basically host various important guests. Then again, even with today’s slightly modernized spin, this still brings an air of simple elegance that makes the place like, I dunno, somehow feel almost dreamlike, in a way.

Tea and Gold Leaf

Higashi Chaya stands out because it really lets you sample unique cultural specialties. For one, it has tea ceremonies. They show those a certain grace and refinement. Then again, the tea you might expect to see can often take place with something different: gold leaf. Now, you might not realize that Kanazawa has gold leaf production and this district features this unique aspect through shops. Shops such as these allow you to purchase different items that are covered with gold. Items might include anything such as sweets and crafts. Anyway, I stopped at a tea house just to try tea. Of course, the tea had gold on top! It tastes much like tea should taste. But! But the leaf that you are tasting in each gulp brings you to a sense that there is something special happening. That might be a you thing. Still, consider trying this when you get here. It is a different experience, after all.

Exploring Shima Teahouse

When you visit, you have to stop by Shima Teahouse. So, that spot offers a look on how geishas did stuff around these parts. At least, back during those old times! You can peek at the living quarters the entertainers had. You might be able to view the performance spaces they utilized to well, provide whatever entertainment it was they could do! The artifacts on display give some certain peek on what cultural practices could do in the Higashi Chaya District. I was saying, the Shima Teahouse isn’t simply this destination where you can learn something about past traditions. Really, it can be this experience that seems to take you to someplace distant. Very different.

Shopping for Souvenirs

In terms of keepsakes, consider browsing at these craft shops and the art galleries. Basically, I found a selection consisting of lacquerware, ceramics, and locally-made textiles, anyway that might just make nice mementos on that trip. I found myself really attracted to what the craft shops could do, really more because of this lacquerware made here. Each design comes with a little, tiny amount of stuff you won’t ever forget on it! When all is said and done, it might not really matter too much what stuff that you buy there. What could probably matter might be memories when you eventually reflect on this wonderful experience that you might end up having in this little wonderful location.

Tips for Visiting Higashi Chaya District

Would you want me to tell you a few tips before you think about actually going? As a matter of fact, that sounds fair. Plan to visit in the daytime, honestly it will often do you better since that district has this certain quieter type vibe back then. Anyway, that is likely a way in which you are able to walk along and check everything without there being tons of visitors running around all over the place! Think of taking those side streets, in which this act can present things people never seem to notice too much in common streets, almost hidden! In that manner, that really could get one discovering the charm this town seems to hold very deeply inside.

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