A “kitchen” rich in ingredients that supports the lives of citizens

Akita Prefecture has a rich sea and fertile land, and is blessed with the blessings of the sea, mountains, and village. Akita Citizen's Market, located a 5-minute walk from JR Akita Station, is a popular spot where you can experience the food treasure trove of Akita with locals. This is the ''Akita Citizen's Kitchen'' where you can find an abundance of fresh ingredients, including seasonal local ingredients and Akita's specialty products. In addition to locals and tourists, it is also visited by discerning chefs. The venue is home to about 70 shops of a wide variety, including specialty stores selling fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, processed seafood products, clothing stores, souvenir shops, and restaurants. Just walking makes you feel good.

Akita Citizen's Market began in 1951. It opened as "Asakura Market", and when the cooperative Asakura Citizens Market was established in 1961, the name was changed to "Akita Citizens Market" two years later when it was relocated and rebuilt. The current building was renovated in 2003. It is a two-story building, and on the second floor there is a clinic, a 100 yen shop, and a conference room that can be used for events.

As you walk through the grounds, what you will see is fresh delicacies from the mountains and the sea, whose lineup changes with the seasons. In the spring, we have wild vegetables and junsai, in the summer we have rock oysters and salt whales, in the fall we have kiritanpo and mushrooms made with new rice, and in the winter we have sandfish and cod, and other typical Akita ingredients. Part of the fun of shopping at the market is talking to the shop staff about seasonal recommendations and ways to eat. Akita's rice, local sake, and Kiritanpo are recommended as souvenirs from your trip.