Wajima Morning Market

A thriving morning market with a more than 1,000-year history. More than 200 stalls line the 360-meter "Asaichi-dori" street, selling fresh seafood, vegetables, processed foods, and handmade folk crafts. There is also a charcoal-grilled section where customers can grill the dried fish they purchased, and the market is always packed with people.

There are also restaurants along the street that opens early in the morning, and some of them allow customers to bring in their own seafood from the market and cook it for them. There are also some restaurants that serve the Noto Peninsula's famous "ishiru nabe" (seafood and vegetable hotpot with fish sauce). The market opens around 8:00 a.m., and most stores remain open until noon, but the market becomes crowded around 9:00 a.m., and popular items are sometimes sold out early. It is best to visit as early as possible.

The Wajima morning market has a long history, dating back to the Heian period (794-1185), according to some documents. It is said that the market began when people brought their goods to barter on shrine festival days. The market was held every month on days ending in 4 and 9 during the Muromachi period (1336-1573), and every day since the Meiji period (1868-1912).