I'm Taguchi Tomoko and I love markets!

Starting this month, I will be writing the "ICHIBA SANPO" column on the UNGA↑ website! I'm so happy!!

In fact, about 15 years ago, I called myself the "unofficial market ambassador" and "unofficially" promoted the market on FM Otaru programs and other channels, but then Irifune Market disappeared, and Myoken Market also disappeared...

I was worried that if things continued like this, my beloved "Otaru market culture" would disappear.

Otaru currently has six markets: the Central Market, the Central Wholesale Market, the Sankaku Market, the Uroko Market, the Minamitaru Market, and the Shinminamitaru Market. Six markets remain in a city with a population of 110,000.

This is actually quite an amazing thing, so I would like to promote these six markets in my own way, so that they will remain in the city of Otaru forever.

Excited about the market. Excited about the market tote bag ♡

Well, UNGA↑ has a product called "ICHIBA TOTE." I have a feeling it's going to be exciting ♡ For me, one of the attractions of markets is the sense of excitement. I don't think it's common for people to get excited about shopping at a supermarket, but for some reason, don't you get excited when you're at a market?

Markets are mysterious places, as even the same vegetables and fish can look delicious. Markets are often referred to as "the people's kitchens." However, I think that for first-time visitors, they are like a "food theme park."

For example, have you ever seen a fish called monkfish? It has a pretty grotesque face (but it's very tasty), but I've never seen a whole one in a supermarket. However, I see them quite often in winter markets.

You'll also be captivated by the magnificently thick octopus tentacles and the shiny, candied sweet potatoes that are impossible to pass by. The market is full of all kinds of lively food. It's a pleasure to look at and captivating to the heart. I think there's more to the market than just buying things.

It would be even more exciting to have the incredibly functional "ICHIBA TOTE" to accompany me on such a shopping trip! So, I came here with my daughter Towako, who loves shopping, to choose a tote bag.

There are also mini totes that are perfect for small shopping trips and for children.

The ICHIBA TOTE is a collaboration product with Sasaki Co., Ltd., a long-established company in Otaru that manufactures and sells tents. The fabric is smooth and sturdy because it is the same fabric used for tents. It's convenient because you can wipe it clean easily if it gets dirty.

Well, I had a hard time choosing the color. The "ICHIBA TOTE" comes in seven colors. I was torn between a subdued black and a vibrant blue, but I decided on "red" because I wanted to express the excitement and thrill of going to the market. Just holding it will give you energy, and it will definitely stand out at the market (lol). Next, I decided on a mini tote bag for my daughter Towako, which went on sale in April, but I'm still unsure about the color.

The mini tote bag comes in three colors. I suggested a lively yellow or blue, but in the end, Towako chose silver. My daughter really does have sophisticated tastes (laughs). By the way, this mini tote bag also has a bottom, so it can hold more items than you might expect. I thought this might be more convenient for small shopping trips, so I got my favorite color, yellow.

That's right, when I was calling myself the "Market Ambassador," I was "Market Ambassador Yellow"! My fellow market ambassadors, "Blue" and "Red," may also appear in this column someday.

Anyway, for now, I'm going to enjoy touring the market with my daughter and Towako, who for some reason wants to wear the ICHIBA TOTE ♪

Continued in Vol.2

Head to the market with the "ICHIBA TOTE" in hand.

Sasaki Co., Ltd., a tent factory founded in 1945, has combined its long-cultivated sewing techniques with Otaru Department Store UNGA's passion for the market. Grab your ICHIBA TOTE, made from durable tarpaulin fabric used for outdoor construction such as tents, and head to the market!

Purchase page here ↓