日本で必ず訪れるべき市場：金沢近江町市場
After an amazing time in Kamikochi, we headed back to Nagano the next morning and hopped on the Shinkansen to Kanazawa. The ride along the Sea of Japan coast was just gorgeous—super chill and full of stunning views. Just over an hour later, we rolled into Kanazawa Station— and the first thing we saw was the iconic Drum Gate. For a city with around 400,000 people, the station feels super modern, busy, and way sleeker than we expected! Our hotel was literally right next to the station — couldn’t be more convenient. We dropped off our bags and headed straight across the street to grab bus tickets to Shirakawa-go. Tickets were totally sold out for today and tomorrow. The next available one was Sunday morning — which luckily is our last day in Kanazawa, so it worked out! After two weeks of non-stop traveling around Japan, we figured it was time to slow down and just take it easy today. Just a 15-minute walk from the station, right in the heart of Kanazawa, is the famous Omicho Market – also known as “Kanazawa’s Kitchen.” This place has been around for over 300 years! These days, it’s a super lively maze of covered streets with around 200 shops and stalls spread across two levels. It’s loud, colorful, and packed with personality. You can find everything here — from fresh fruits and veggies to the real highlight: super fresh seafood straight from the Sea of Japan. Definitely a must-visit when you’re in town. We came at the perfect time — it’s November 8, and snow crab season has just kicked off! Zuwaigani, or snow crab, is a big deal here, and Omicho Market has totally transformed into the heart of Japan’s snow crab scene. The place is packed with crabs, especially Kanogani — the male snow crab — known for its super sweet, meaty legs and rich crab miso. Most of them are already pre-cooked right after they’re caught to keep the meat from turning mushy. You can get live ones, but they’re pricey — like, two or three times more than the cooked ones. Snow crab is considered a luxury winter treat across Japan, especially the ones caught in the Sea of Japan. At high-end restaurants or ryokans, these can get really expensive. And then there’s the Kobako-gani — the female snow crabs. They’re smaller than the males but seriously flavor-packed. People go crazy for their rich crab miso and those vibrant orange roe. These little gems are a true winter treat, but they’re only around for a short time — just until the end of December. Most of them are sold live right here at the market. The male crabs, though? Their season lasts a bit longer — all the way until March. When picking out a crab, don’t just go by size — weight is what really counts. A heavier crab usually means the meat inside is denser, juicier, and more satisfying. Also, check the shell for barnacles — sounds weird, but it’s actually a good sign! It means the crab hasn’t molted recently, and recently molted crabs tend to have lower quality meat. Beyond crabs, Omicho Market is packed with all kinds of amazing seafood, especially during the winter season. You’ll find some of the best sweet shrimp (amaebi), rich and fatty mature yellowtail (buri), and the super luxurious blackthroat seaperch known for its incredibly soft and juicy meat. What makes Omicho so special is that it’s still a working market. It’s loud, lively, and totally authentic — a far cry from the more polished, tourist-focused markets in Osaka or Tokyo. You can pick up fresh rock oysters, creamy sea urchin, scallops, and shrimp, and enjoy them right there on the spot — it’s like a seafood lover’s dream come true. Other than its famous seafood, Omicho Market is also a go-to spot for fresh produce — not just from Kanazawa, but from nearby prefectures too. You’ll find a colorful variety of seasonal vegetables and fruits, all super fresh and perfect for getting a taste of the region’s local flavors. And the street food? Absolutely amazing. Omicho Market is a paradise for on-the-spot eating, packed with stalls dishing out irresistible snacks. One of the most popular stops is Omicho Croquette — known for its crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside croquettes in all kinds of flavors. Think juicy Noto beef, tender pork, sweet shrimp, blackthroat seaperch, and even rich, aromatic curry-pan. It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to try one of everything. Hamayaki (charcoal grilled seafood) are another must-try. Super flavorful and perfect for enjoying on the go, you’ll find everything from scallops and squid to shrimp, all grilled to perfection right in front of you. Kanazawa literally means “Gold Marsh,” and the city is famous for its traditional gold leaf crafting. So of course, we had to mention the iconic Gold Leaf Ice Cream. It’s definitely more of a photo op than a flavor bomb — we’ve tried it before, and honestly, the gold doesn’t add anything to the taste. But it’s a fun (and shiny) tribute to the city’s golden heritage! These charcoal-grilled eels look absolutely amazing — that glossy, caramelized glaze and smoky aroma are impossible to resist! Barbecue wagyu beef grilled right on the spot. .Juicy, tender, and perfectly seared — it looked (and smelled) absolutely mouthwatering. Sakano serves Juice directly from the fruit. This stall sells Noto Beef sushi — a rare, high-quality wagyu that’s from Ishikawa Prefecture. The “eat-on-the-spot” or “standing counter” style is a big part of what makes Omicho Market so special. It really puts the spotlight on how fresh the food is — you’re eating it just right after it’s been prepped. It lets you dive into the market’s lively buzz, sampling small bites as you go. It’s perfect for travelers who want a fun, hands-on food adventure instead of a long sit-down meal. The market has two levels — ground floor for fast eats and retail stalls, upstairs for more formal dining. But honestly? The better food variety is on the first floor. Seafood Donburi (Kaisen-don) is one of the most popular dishes at Omicho Market — a bowl of warm rice topped with a generous helping of super fresh, seasonal seafood. Many restaurants specialize in their own unique versions, featuring local delicacies like blackthroat seaperch, yellowtail, Noto puffer fish, and red squid. The best spots often have long lines at lunchtime, especially for their luxurious signature bowls. Before we wrapped up, we hit a cozy little sushi spot right by the entrance. The shop had a bunch of sushi combo sets at really reasonable prices. Let’s go for it. The shop is set up like a kaiten, conveyor belt sushi spot, with tap water on the counter to make tea — but funny enough, there’s no conveyor belt! You just order directly and they make everything fresh. We picked a few combo sets off the menu on the wall, and they came out super fast! They also use the colored plate system to indicate pricing, just like a conveyor belt sushi spot. Baby white shrimp from the nearby Toyama prefecture. Delicate, sweet, and super fresh. The Kanogani sushi came with two legs per piece — usually, you only get one! Super generous, the taste was incredibly sweet and the texture is a bit springy. We ordered the Kobako-gani sushi — that’s the female snow crab. It came with sweet white meat wrapped in rice and seaweed, topped with crab miso, both inner and outer roe, and served with the top shell on the side. Not only did it taste amazing, it looked like a little jewel box — a real feast for the eyes. Sweet shrimp is another local specialty in season. I usually don’t enjoy raw shrimp, but this one totally changed my mind. Buri, or yellowtail, another seasonal highlight. In peak condition like this, it easily rival the richness and flavor of high-end tuna. All the seasonal local specialties were absolutely top-notch no wonder Kanazawa is so renowned for its seafood. The rest of the items were solid too, definitely above average. For the price, it was an incredible deal and probably one of the best kaiten sushi spots we’ve ever been to. Omicho Market is vibrant, authentic, and full of energy. It’s a real working market where locals shop, with ultra-fresh seasonal seafood like snow crab, sweet shrimp, and buri taking center stage. Beyond seafood, it’s a foodie haven — street food, produce, wagyu, and delicious kaisen-don or sushi. The casual, snack-as-you-go vibe makes exploring fun and approachable. From croquette to gold leaf ice cream, there’s something memorable at every turn. 🌟 Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this video, please like, comment, share and subscribe to our channel. Don’t forget to hit that bell so you won’t miss our next episode. Until next time—stay curious, stay inspired, and we’ll see you in the next one! ✨🌍
🎥 Dive into Kanazawa’s iconic Omicho Market — a lively hub known as “Kanazawa’s Kitchen” and a dream come true for seafood lovers! 🦀 In this video, we visit during peak snow crab season and explore the market’s winter highlights: from delicious snow crab, buttery sweet shrimp and rich buri to freshly grilled eel, hamayaki skewers, Noto wagyu sushi, croquettes, and even gold leaf ice cream. We wrap it all up with a mouthwatering sushi feast at a local conveyor belt restaurant. Get ready for a delicious, street-level journey through one of Japan’s most vibrant food scenes! 🇯🇵🍣🔥
📍 Kanazawa, Japan
📅 Filmed in early November — peak snow crab season!
#Kanazawa #OmichoMarket #JapanTravel #SeafoodHeaven #StreetFoodJapan #SnowCrab #FoodieVlog #KaisenDon
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00:00 Introduction/From Matsumoto to Kanazawa
01:33 Welcome to Kanazawa’s Kitchen – Omicho Market
02:07 The Snow Crab Season
04:00 The Bounty of the Sea: Best seafood from the Sea of Japan
04:53 The Bounty of the Land: Local Produce from Ishikawa and nearby prefectures
05:16 Street Food: Immediate Culinary Experiences and Popular Snacks
07:32 Dining Options – Kaisen-don and beyond
08:22 Sushi Lunch to sample the best seafood
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