This time, it's a special edition.

We would like to introduce you to the Otaru Fisheries Cooperative Local Wholesale Market, which is usually off-limits even to local residents. The seafood purchased at this market is also available at fishmongers in each market!

A wide selection of seafood brought in by fishermen

The Otaru City Fisheries Cooperative Association Local Wholesale Market is located on the banks of the North Canal.

As you walk along the canal, you might think, "Huh? There's a market here?" However, this is not a retail market; it is a place where fishmongers, sushi restaurants, and other seafood businesses in Otaru purchase their products.

It's a place where many middlemen gather from early in the morning in search of the fresh seafood brought in by the fishermen!

An exciting site whenever you visit

This market is usually not open to the general public.

Due to my work, I have been able to visit the market several times to do research (it's a real perk!). Inside the large market, products are lined up in rows, separated into sections such as sea urchins and mantis shrimp. Just looking at them is exciting, but when the buyers, including the middlemen, gather around the auctioneer and start negotiating prices, the atmosphere becomes even more lively, and my excitement reaches its peak!

To be honest, the price negotiations continued at a speed that made it difficult for me to understand what was being said, with their unique terminology and intonation, and before I knew it, the item in front of me was in someone's hands...

The auctions continue like this from early in the morning. The most exciting event is the sea urchin auction, with many middlemen crowding around the auction area!

When I hear the spirited shouts of the auctioneers and the many brokers, I always find myself entranced and think, "That's so cool!" (laughs).

One-year-old Towako also gets to experience the celery!

I remember that the first time I went to the Otaru City Fisheries Cooperative Association Local Wholesale Market to cover an auction, it was an early morning interview and I couldn't leave my little Towako (1 year old) at home, so I got permission from the market to take her with me.

At the time, I was hoping that it would become a fond memory for little Towa, but unfortunately, now that she is 9 years old, she has no recollection of the interview at all (laughs).

However, perhaps because such a small child was a rare sight, I clearly remember that many older men spoke to him, gave him candy, and showered him with affection, and he looked around the market restlessly, his eyes glued to the many seafood items lined up.

Fresh seafood from here today!

We usually buy seafood at the market, but the seafood sold at these stores is actually purchased by fishermen and put on display at each store through this auction.

Just thinking about how fish and shellfish are purchased early in the morning while we are still asleep and then lined up in each store... gets me excited again!

By the way, did you know that among the sushi restaurants in Otaru, there are some that are licensed as middlemen and can purchase seafood directly from these auctions, and others that are not? It might be fun to check out the restaurants like that♪

The Otaru Fisheries Cooperative Association Local Wholesale Market is not a place that the general public can freely enter and exit, but many people, including fishermen, auctioneers, and brokers, are involved, and fresh seafood is transported from here to fishmongers in each market...knowing this makes buying fish at the market even more enjoyable.

"ICHIBA TOTE" is also a special edition

As an extra, I'd like to introduce the ICHIBA TOTE, as I've been using it a lot outside of the market recently.

The ICHIBA TOTE is made of durable material and has a bottom, so it turns out to be perfect for carrying a laptop! Recently, I've been asked to give lectures at schools in the city more often, and I bring my laptop with me, but I don't have a laptop bag, and with a regular cloth tote, I have to put my laptop in vertically, so I thought that might not be the best option...

However, the ICHIBA TOTE fits my laptop perfectly! I can now carry my laptop sideways, and the bag has plenty of room, so I can also carry things like speakers, which I found to be really convenient.

It's called ICHIBA TOTE, but it's also great for other uses outside the market, so it's a great help ♡

Continued in Vol.5

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 ↓