Retrace the History of Markets with the Market Exploration Team

*The market described in this guide is only open to the public on certain days. Please check the Yokohama Central Wholesale Market's website for a schedule of visitor hours.

Markets naturally develop near areas with lots of foot traffic such as shrines or post towns. But as the era changed from the Edo Period to the Taisho Period, more private markets began to spring forth, and the prices of different goods were influenced by speculation and hoarding. As a result, the government decided to regulate these markets to protect fair pricing, and the Central Wholesale Market is an example of this. The market was established in 1931 and is said to be the third such market in all of Japan. Though there have been many ups and downs, as the population has continued to increase, the market has also expanded, offering food from all over Japan to local consumers.

So what is the story behind this market? And what goes on in this space from day to day? Today we will be guiding you through what happens behind closed doors, the story that lies hidden from the public eye.

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