Journeys in photographs and words.
Walking through a market aisle lined with fish stalls
Walking through a market aisle lined with fish stalls

A market in Musashigatsuji, in the heart of Kanazawa, with roughly 300 years of history going back to the days of the domain. About 170 shops selling fish, produce and more line its narrow lanes.

50 Kamiomicho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa

Sources: ohmicho-ichiba.com

This moment in the journey

Raw oysters in the city's kitchen

Next came Omicho Market, with a history of more than 300 years. It is a famous tourist spot, but it is also known as the kitchen of Kanazawa's locals. Inside the entrance, crabs were heaped at the stalls and oysters and scallops sizzled on grills. Fish stalls lined an aisle hung with red lamps.

"Raw oysters, ready to eat right here." I was drawn straight to that sign. The oyster was shucked in front of me and given a quick rinse. It was so plump it filled my palm, and I lifted it to my mouth with chopsticks.

Sea urchin, botan shrimp and crab legs carried the same sign. The temptation of the other seafood was powerful, but I had to be patient.

Watch this scene on YouTube1:01

Read this scene in the full journey

Omicho Market's Seika-dori entrance and a fishmonger's sign
Omicho Market's Seika-dori entrance and a fishmonger's sign
The Jukkenmachi entrance, with snow on the ground
The Jukkenmachi entrance, with snow on the ground
Crabs piled up at a stall with a handwritten price tag
Crabs piled up at a stall with a handwritten price tag
Shoppers at a fish stall
Shoppers at a fish stall
Oysters and scallops grilling on a rack
Oysters and scallops grilling on a rack
Red lamps and a sign for raw oysters to eat on the spot
Red lamps and a sign for raw oysters to eat on the spot
Shucking an oyster on the spot
Shucking an oyster on the spot
Rinsing the freshly opened oyster
Rinsing the freshly opened oyster