Nana-Magari Ichiba
What is it?
This little market’s name means "Market of Seven Turns." It used to be accessible only by foot or bicycle through a maze of tiny streets. Once well known as “shomin no daidokoro” (the kitchen of the common people), it’s popularity has suffered since the rise of the supermarket. Still, it’s a nice place to experience the local culture, meet some very friendly people, and do your grocery shopping.
You can find all kinds of things at the market, but the best buys are the meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, tofu and other simple and traditional foods. The prices are on par or with, or cheaper than, the cheapest supermarkets. The quality of the food, however, is what really stands out. I don’t know if it’s the freshness or lack of preservatives, but you can really taste the difference.
The shop owners are friendly locals who will give you all sorts of advice on what to buy and how to prepare it. Want to know what all those different kinds of tofu are for? Want to know which mushroom to use in what dish? Nana-magari Ichiba is your place. Some basic Japanese will really come in handy here. Some of the shopkeepers speak a little English, though, and all of them will make every effort to communicate. Don’t be surprised if they offer you discounts and freebies as well.
Where is it?
Right next to Kinokawa bridge. About a 10 minute walk from Wakayama Castle or a 5 minute walk from the Wakayama Prefectural Office. From the castle walk down keiyaki odori towards the bridge (kinokawa-ohashi). Take the last left before the bridge. You will see a yellow sign in Japanese for “nana-magari ichiba” just in front of a sloped road to the right. Follow it to get to a series of intersecting covered streets, which forms the heart of the market.
Submitted by Julian Richards and Emily Pike