Wajima Morning Market
A thriving morning market with a more than 1,000-year history. More than 200 stalls line the 360-meter "Asaichi-dori" street, selling fresh seafood, vegetables, processed foods, and handmade folk crafts. There is also a charcoal-grilled section where customers can grill the dried fish they purchased, and the market is always packed with people.
In mid-October, I visited the Wajima Morning Market. As someone who loves morning markets, I had admired this famous market for a long time!
It was just after 10, and the crowds seemed to have already thinned out. I stopped at a stall selling fruit and rice balls. The woman running it smiled shyly, and I shyly asked, “Can I help?” She smiled and said, “Then I’ll go get some more fruit from the truck. Please watch the stall for me.” I never imagined I would become the shopkeeper so easily! “Welcome!”
Then I noticed a pile of bills and coins in a cardboard box inside the stall. That must have been the morning’s earnings. She trusted me, a traveler from out of town, that much! I was touched by her simple sincerity!
When she returned, I told her, “It’s very windy, but none of the money blew away!”
We chatted about everyday things while calling out to customers! Every time I called out, she laughed! We even sold a rice ball along the way!
Later, I bought some fruit from her and reluctantly left.
Two or three months later, in January 2024, a major earthquake struck here, and the entire morning market was destroyed! I was heartbroken and full of regret! I regretted not getting her contact information! This was the saddest trip I’ve ever taken!
