JA Oigawa Mansai Hall Fujieda

What kind of place is Mansai-kan?

The official name is “JA Oigawa Farmers Market (Direct Sales Store) Mansaikann.”

As the name suggests, local farmers bring their produce to the market, which is managed by JA and sold directly to consumers.

The market opens at 9:00 a.m., but even on weekdays, it tends to be quite crowded right after opening.

If you have your eye on a particular vegetable or fruit, it’s best to go first thing in the morning.

The store is surprisingly spacious, with a wide variety of seasonal vegetables and fruits.

Moreover, the prices are surprisingly affordable. They are much cheaper than at supermarkets, and the freshness is incomparable.

According to JA Oigawa’s website, the market aims to achieve the following three objectives.

1. We deliver fresh, safe agricultural products and processed goods produced by farmers within the JA jurisdiction directly from the production area to local consumers.
2. We aim to expand the production of local agricultural products and promote regional agriculture in line with the needs of local consumers.
3. We promote exchange activities between local consumers and farmers to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation regarding agriculture.

Inside the store

Just outside the store, there is a section for gardening seedlings, where vegetable and flower seedlings are lined up.

For me, who recently started gardening, it’s a very exciting sight.

As I mentioned earlier, the store is surprisingly spacious. When you think of a direct sales store, you might imagine something more compact, but this one is quite large.

Fresh vegetables and fruits are lined up. As it is a direct sales store, there is no excessive or unnecessary packaging, and the products are displayed in a way that emphasizes their freshness.

However, I visited at around 4:00 p.m. I’m sure the selection is different from what it is in the morning.

Why didn’t I come in the morning?

Because it was too hot!

The summers these days are really terrible, and I didn’t want to risk heatstroke, so I came in the evening.

Here’s what the store looks like inside ↓

Seasonal enjoyment

The charm of Mansai-kan is, without a doubt, the ability to enjoy seasonal delicacies! That’s what the locals say.

Spring

Spring vegetables such as new onions, rapeseed blossoms, and asparagus are lined up in rows.

Bamboo shoots are also popular, and it’s nice that they are sold with the skin still on.

Summer

Tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, corn, edamame… a treasure trove of summer vegetables!

The “Fujieda Melon,” which is best eaten chilled, as well as peaches and plums are also very popular.

In particular, locally grown watermelons sell out quickly, so be sure to get them while you can!

Autumn

Sweet potatoes, taro, persimmons, pears, and other sweet vegetables and fruits are abundant.

Dried sweet potatoes and dried persimmons are also special treats of this season.

Winter

Winter vegetables such as radishes, Chinese cabbage, and green onions are perfect for hot pot dishes.

In addition, Fujieda’s specialty “leaf green onions” become especially flavorful during this season.

Not just vegetables and fruits! Don’t miss the prepared foods section!

Actually, the hidden gem of Mansai-kan is its prepared food corner.

There is a wide selection of homemade bento boxes, simmered dishes, tempura, and sushi rolls made by local mothers.

Of course, everything was sold out when I visited.

The most popular items are the “onigiri” (rice balls) and “karaage bento” (fried chicken bento). They’re hearty and priced between 200 and 400 yen, making them perfect for lunch.

Additionally, freshly baked bread from a local bakery is also available.

The types of bread delivered vary by day, adding to the fun.

Souvenirs that embody the spirit of Fujieda

Rather than souvenirs for tourists, these items are recommended as local products that can also be used as gifts.

Fujieda tea (various types such as sencha, fukamushi tea, and powdered tea)

Soy sauce and miso from local soy sauce manufacturers

Handmade jams and pickles

Shizuoka’s famous black hanpen fish cakes

These items are attractive because they are typical of Shizuoka and Fujieda.

Mansai-kan is a local “everyday luxury.”

Compared to urban markets and organic markets, Mansakan’s appeal lies not so much in its “luxury” as in its “friendliness and sense of security.”

Fresh, safe vegetables from farmers you can see.

It’s really nice to be able to buy things you use every day for meals at reasonable prices.

What’s more, it’s great to see local people excitedly wondering, “What’s available today?” as they visit the market.

The staff are friendly and kind, creating an atmosphere that makes you want to strike up a conversation.

If you’ve never been before, I highly recommend giving it a try.

Before you know it, you’ll find yourself filling your basket with vegetables (laughs).

By the way, here’s what I bought: ginger, kimchi, tomatoes, and shiso leaves.

I used these to make somen noodles when I got home—laughs.