I have this strange (may be) obsession with food markets. I find them to be perfect places to soak in the real local culture. Something is always happening there: people, motorcars, carts, noises, sometimes animals, food trucks, beggars, weird stuff… plus you get to try all different kinds of food. Wherever I go I always take my camera to a local market. The more remote and exotic the place is the more exciting it is to explore its markets. Check my photos from Tarapoto, Peru from 2014.
This one is all about Japan. Whatever I show or say it’s never gonna be enough to describe how amazing this country is. Just like everything in Japan, the markets there are extremely organized and clean. If you believe that there’s a fish market that doesn’t stink like fish, there’s one right in the heart of Tokyo.
Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo. Popularized by Jiro Dreams of Sushi documentary
You can’t miss geoduck when you go to Asia
Lining up for the best sushi in town
This is what the 4-hour line-up looks like
What happens in a touristy sushi place
Sperm sacks of cod fish. It was on the menu, I just had to have it.
Asakusa, Tokyo. This is what street izakaya looks like
Takoyaki or Taco balls in the making 
Corner store food
Nishiki Market, Kyoto. Popularized by David Chang, the famous chef of Momofuku
Cleaning chestnuts 
Sashimi on a stick
Apples on sale!
Arashiyama, Kyoto
Tofu ice cream
Egg snack joint. Comes with a special stone to crack the shell. The only other place where I saw people snacking on eggs was in Lima.
Osaka.
Okonomiyaki, often described as a Japanese pancake, is one of the famous Osaka dishes.
Okonomiyaki is like a big omelette with all kinds of things that iscooked in front of you
Ramen. In many ramen places in Japan you order from a vending machine and then watch your dish being cooked.
Rice balls
And this guy