[Otaru Central Wholesale Market will close at the end of March 2024.]

Located a 3-minute walk from JR Otaru Station along National Route 5, the Otaru Central Wholesale Market was built in 1947 (Showa 22) by repatriates from Sakhalin. It is the only market in Otaru that focuses on wholesale, but retail sales are also possible. Look for the "wholesale" sign on the building!

The market that got me hooked on the market

I call myself an "unofficial market ambassador," and it was actually this central wholesale market that first got me hooked. It all started when I met the father of Atsushi Kida of Kida Shoten, who is currently the chairman of the market.

On the day I first visited the Central Wholesale Market, I believe his son Atsushi was out making a delivery.

An acquaintance recommended products from Kida Shoten to me, and I was a little nervous when I went to the store, but the man standing there smiled and said, "May you have good fortune," and gave me a 5 yen discount. It may only be 5 yen, but at that moment I realized, "A market is not just a place to shop. It's a place that creates connections between people."

Since then, I have loved the market. And even now that Mr. Kida's father has passed away, I will never forget his kind and warm smile.

In winter, be sure to try the Atka mackerel rice sushi!

One of the products recommended to me by an acquaintance is Kosaka Fisheries' Atka Mackerel Rice Sushi, a popular winter product at Kida Shoten.

I've always loved rice sushi, and I often buy herring and sandfish from supermarkets. However, after trying this rice sushi, I can't eat anything else!

Rice sushi is made by marinating fresh fish in salt and vinegar, and then letting it ripen with koji, rice, ginger, carrots, and Nanban ingredients.

Kosaka Fisheries' Atka mackerel rice sushi is fully matured at low temperatures, giving it a unique umami flavor. Everything about it is rich! There's no soggy wateriness at all, it's rich and truly delicious.

Since then, I have not found anything that tastes better than this rice sushi. In my household, in December I stock up on rice sushi for three families. I also buy an extra box for myself and sneakily freeze it for New Year's (lol).

At Kida Shoten, we only sell products that the owner, Mr. Kida, has tried and is satisfied with, not just rice sushi. We also have a variety of products that you won't find in supermarkets, such as smoked daikon radish from Akita and canned Kinka mackerel from Miyagi. There are many other delicious items besides rice sushi, so I always buy the recommended products.

Kida Shoten is a long-established store founded in 1948 that has been with us throughout the history of the Central Wholesale Market. Mr. Kida, who also serves as the chairman of the board, is a very friendly, cheerful and fun person. This store is easy to shop in, even for market beginners.

The market also has a rare glass workshop

As mentioned above, the Central Wholesale Market is located along National Route 5, and the aforementioned Kida Shoten is located at the very back of the entrance on National Route 5, on the Central Market side.

When you enter the market from National Route 5 near Otaru Station, the first thing that catches your eye is the Glass Workshop NAKAMORI. It is said that it is very rare to find a glass workshop inside a market, even nationwide.

In addition to selling glass products, you can also try your hand at glassblowing here, so why not try making your own glass? (I made some quite some time ago and still use them today!)

Opposite Glass Studio NAKAMORI is the stylish general goods store "Hokkaiya." It's filled with wonderful goods, such as accessories that are not flashy but have a strong presence, and fit the atmosphere of the old market, as well as soaps, bath salts, socks, and more, all of which are hard to believe are being sold in a market.

Overall, the Central Wholesale Market is noticeably dilapidated and has many vacant stores, but there are also long-established stores doing well, such as Otaka Shoten, which has an array of homemade pickles, and Nagaoka Butcher Shop, which has been in business since the market opened.

I would be delighted if more people could get to know the Otaru Central Wholesale Market, which has many different faces.

Back to Vol.1

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 ↓