Snack your way through a food market
Japan's food markets are narrow, often covered streets of fishmongers, pickle shops and sweet stalls, and many sell small bites to eat on the spot, such as grilled scallops, rolled omelet and fresh sashimi. Buy a little at each stall and eat it at the shop or in a seating area, as some markets do not allow eating while walking. Go in the morning, since many shops close by mid-afternoon.
Known as Osaka's kitchen, about 150 shops line a 580 m arcade, selling fresh fish, wagyu, fruit and grilled seafood, much of it to eat at the stalls. It is named after the black gate of a temple that once stood nearby. A few minutes on foot from Nippombashi Station.
Known as Kyoto's kitchen, a covered lane about 390 m long, one block north of Shijo Street, with some 130 shops selling Kyoto pickles, yuba (tofu skin), rolled omelet and sweets. It was officially recognized as a fish market in 1615. Eating while walking is not allowed, so eat at each shop.
A row of about 20 small restaurants in Hakodate's morning market, serving bowls of rice heaped with sea urchin, salmon roe, scallops and crab. A short walk from Hakodate Station, it makes a good breakfast stop.
A food hall in Kochi with some 50 to 60 stalls around shared tables, where locals start drinking before noon. Try katsuo no tataki, bonito seared over a straw fire, with a beer or local sake. Open from 10am (9am on Sundays) to 11pm.
The outer market of about 460 shops that stayed when Tokyo's wholesale fish market moved to Toyosu in 2018, selling rolled omelet, grilled seafood, sushi and kitchen knives. Come between 9am and 1pm, and note that many shops close on Wednesdays, Sundays and holidays; eating while walking is not allowed.