Tsukiji and Nishiki are cool, but have you heard of Omicho Market in Kanazawa? It’s been around ever since the Edo Period, has close to 200 food stalls, and gives you the chance to try the very best foods and dishes that Kanazawa has to offer…all in one place.
In my opinion, no trip to Kanazawa is really complete without lunch at Omicho Market, but knowing how to plan for a flawless visit that includes all the best bites can be tricky. That’s where this post comes in. I’m sharing my tried and true Omicho Market itinerary, including the must-visit stalls/restaurants, and a few insider tips to set you up for success.
Planning a Japan Trip Off the Beaten Track?
Then Omicho Market and Kanazawa are must-stops for you! You can get so much of what Kyoto offers (markets, geisha districts, stunning temples), but without the crowds and tourist traps. But, for the ultimate off-the-beaten track trip to Japan, why not reach out to our expert travel planners? We design bespoke Japan itineraries that help you live out your dream Japan trip.
What is Omicho Market?
Omicho Market is easily one of the best fresh food markets in all of Japan. It has existed for 300+ years (since the Edo Period), providing Kanazawa with a place to eat, shop, and celebrate for generations.
The market is so big and so beloved for many reasons, but one of those is its history. During the late 1600s, Kanazawa suffered from multiple fires which burnt down much of the city…including its markets. Those that were destroyed came together in 1690 to rebuild in one centralised area, in what is now Omicho Market.
Today, you can find just about anything at Omicho: fresh fruit and veg, fish, meat, seafood, as well as plenty of restaurants and food stalls. Beyond what you can eat, there are also flower stalls, kitchenware, pottery, and plenty of perfect Japanese souvenirs to be bought. There are over 170 stores, including lots of incredible fishmongers selling freshly caught seafood.
The market opens around 8ish (or this is when most of the stalls start to operate), or if your goal is to avoid crowds and long lines, then this is the time to show up. Otherwise, going for an early lunch around 11am/midday is ideal for trying one of Omicho Market’s specialities, like kaisendon or Kanazawa curry, before it hits its peak busyness by 2pm.
Just as an extra tip, quite a few of my favourite stalls are closed on Wednesdays, so if you can go on a different day of the week, I would recommend it.
Why You Need to Visit Omicho Market…
The short answer? If you like food, you’ll love Omicho Market.
The long answer? The market’s amazing food culture is potentially some of the best in all of Japan. It’s the reason why Omicho Market is known as “Kanazawa’s Kitchen” and, unlike Tsukiji orNishiki, it is still a functioning local market which tourists and residents both enjoy exploring. It’s the perfect place to find some ultra-fresh seafood for lunch, or spend an afternoon exploring as a foodie in Japan, and an undeniable must-visit Kanazawa destination.
Kanazawa, in general, is a super foodie destination. Its culinary roots come from the Kaga Domain, which was known for its rich and flavourful food made using local seafood and mountain vegetables. The food today is rich, delicious, and, as the city is located on Japan’s western coast, uses the freshest seafood from the Sea of Japan.
You can try all of this and more at Omicho Market. There are lots of restaurants and shops where you can sit down to eat the local delicacies like kaisendon (rice bowls topped with seafood) or Kanazawa curry (a thicker curry style served on a metal plate). Kanazawa is also particularly famous for its yellowtail (buri) and sweet shrimp (ama ebi), which you absolutely have to try.
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How to Get to Omicho Market?
Omicho Market is located in the city centre, slightly northwest of Kanazawa Castle Park. It’s a 15-minute walk from Kanazawa Station, or under 10-minutes on the bus. From the East Gate, catch the Meikin Line (名金線) or Tochoji Line (東長江線) two stops to Miusashigatsuji Omichi Market. Alternatively, from the West Gate, you can catch the 02, 03, 10, 10/70, or 19 bus for around 7-minutes to the same stop.
How to Get to Kanazawa
If you also need to know how to reach Kanazawa, you can take one of the following routes to Kanazawa Station:
- From Toyama Station: Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen (about 20 minutes) or local Ainokaze Toyama Line/IR Ishikawa Railway (1 hour)
- From Tokyo Station: Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen (2.5 to 3 hours) or highway bus (about 8 hours)
- From Shin-Osaka Station: Take the Limited Express “Thunderbird” to Tsuruga, then transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen (3 hours), or take the express bus (6 hours).
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Omicho Market Guide: What to Eat and Where
Okay, so now I’ve convinced you that you need to make a stop at Omicho Market, you might be wondering what to actually do once you get there. As I mentioned, there are almost 200 stores selling all sorts of different bites, dishes, and goods, so knowing where the best stops are can be tricky.
To help you out, I’m sharing our exact Omicho Market itinerary below, with the 6 stops I recommend making…although, definitely also plan for some time wandering aimlessly just to see what surprises you might find. They have almost everything for sale here after all!
Iki-Iki Tei
If you’re planning on visiting Omicho Market in the morning, then you have to start at Iki-Iki Tei. It’s the first place to open in the market where you can enjoy a bowl of fresh seafood. You can trust the quality, as the owner actually visits the Kanazawa Central Wholesale Market every morning himself to buy fish directly from the auction floor.
Must-Try: The Local Bowl (ローカル丼)
Opening Times: Daily from 7:30am to 2:30pm (closed Thursdays)
Address: 88 Aokusamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0907
Amatsubo
Kanazawa oden has become very popular in recent years as a local delicacy in Kanazawa. The dish is typically made by stewing various ingredients like fishcake, vegetables, and tofu in a savoury broth. The Kanazawa style uses a very particular sukitsuru dashi soup stock, which is based on kombu and bonito and seasoned only with salt and sake.
If you want to try it at Omicho Market, then Amatsubo is the place to do it. The menu includes about 40 different oden varieties, mainly using ingredients unique to Kanazawa, such as fu (a chewy glutinous spongy ingredient), iwadako (rock octopus), and baikai (bai shellfish).
Must-Try: Oden Teishoku Set (おでん定食)
Opening Times: Daily from 8am to 9pm (closed Wednesdays)
Address: 38-1 Shimotsutsumicho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, 920-0917
Champion’s Curry Omicho
If you want to try the true local delicacy of Kanazawa curry at Omicho Market, then I recommend stopping by this restaurant. It’s been in business for more than 60 years, and prides itself on maintaining the historic taste of Kanazawa curry inherited from the originator of the dish, a restaurant called Chankare. Kanazawa Curry is characterised by its rich curry sauce with a thick texture and deep brown colour.
Must-Try: Katsu Curry (カツカレー)
Opening Times: Daily from 11am to 4pm
Address: B1F 88 Aokusacho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, 920-0907
Futaroku
In case you didn’t know already, apart from food, Kanazawa is also known for its gold leaf; it’s even considered the gold leaf capital of Japan! And what happens when you mix a foodie destination with a traditional craft? Gold leaf soft serve ice cream!
The aesthetic (and yummy) sweet treat has become pretty famous in the area, and is another must-try at Omicho Market. My favourite place to get it is at Soya Milk Specialty Shop Futaroku, as the shop offers a wide range of products using its signature morning soy milk, which is made exclusively from domestic soya beans.
Must-Try: Gold Leaf Soft Serve (金箔ソフト)
Opening Times: Daily from 9am to 3:30pm (closed Wednesdays)
Address: B1F 88 Aokusacho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, 920-0907
Suzume
Suzume has a mouthwatering line-up of traditional Japanese sweets that have become a new speciality of Omicho Market. The signature product, salted soy bean daifuku, is made freshly every day using home-grown glutinous rice and is nothing short of exquisite. All the daifuku is so soft, chewy, and delicious, and you can try it fresh or for takeaway to enjoy later on.
Must-Try: Salted Bean Daifuku (塩豆大福)
Opening Times: Daily from 10am to 4pm (closed Wednesdays and Sundays)
Address: 1F 88 Aokusacho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, 920-0907
Fruits Sakano
Japan is known for its incredibly high-quality fruit and vegetables, which you can try at Fruits Sakano. It’s a super long-established fruit and vegetable shop that has been in business in Kanazawa for more than 90 years. The storefront is lined with fresh fruit that is carefully selected and purchased every morning, and there’s a wide variety of cut fruit and fruit juices available to enjoy on the spot.
Must-Try: Orange Juice (オレンジジュース)
Opening Times: Daily from 8:30am to 5pm
Address: 1F 88 Aokusacho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, 920-0907
Exploring Kanazawa
I would say you could easily spend 2-3 hours at Omicho Market, especially if you’re planning on sitting down to eat at a restaurant there. However, you don’t need to plan for an entire day at the market. Instead, I recommend arriving in the morning and having an early lunch there, then spending the rest of the day at some of Kanazawa’s other amazing stops, such as:
- Kanazawa Castle Park: The park’s entrance is only an 8-minute walk from Omicho Market, and inside is an amazing reconstruction of the 16th century castle.
- Higashi Chaya District: Kanazawa’s most famous geisha area, filled with preserved teahouses (chaya). You can explore, take photos, learn more about the geisha, and even stop by a working teahouse to try matcha and a dessert.
- Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum: A great museum where you can learn more about the history and craft behind the city’s famous gold leaf.
- Kenrokuen Garden: One of Japan’s “Three Great Gardens” with some of the most striking seasonal scenic beauty in the country.
Omicho Market FAQs
Is Omicho Market worth visiting?
Absolutely! It’s one of the largest and longest-standing markets in Japan, where you can try the region’s speciality dishes, super-fresh seafood, and delicious sweet treats.
Can you eat at Omicho Market?
Yes! There are both eat-in restaurants and stalls that sell bites for you to eat whilst standing outside. Just be aware that in Japan, it’s generally frowned upon to eat whilst walking, so if you do buy a snack or bite, it’s best to eat it in the designated eating area near the stall.
What seafood is popular at Omicho Market?
Lots of fresh seafood is popular at Omicho Market, but it is especially famous for yellowtail and sweet shrimp.
What is the most famous fish market in Japan?
Tsukiji Market in Tokyo and Nishiki Market in Kyoto are probably the two most famous fish markets in Japan.
What is the best time to visit Omicho Market?
I recommend visiting in the morning, either around 8am when most stalls are opening, or 11am for an early lunch.
