Ibaraki's new antenna shop "Ibaraki Marche" opened November 13 on Sotobori-dori in Ginza 1-chome, Tokyo. We introduced "Kamon Marche" in our March 27 blog post, but it closed at the end of August when its building near Sukiyabashi Crossing was demolished. This time it moved about 600 meters toward JR Tokyo Station, reopening on the first floor of a building under the expressway near the Nishi-Ginza JCT.
The concept: "We brought Ibaraki's best flavors to Ginza." Besides morning-harvest vegetables shipped direct from farms, natto, local sake, and longtime favorites, newly sourced items line the shelves — over 800 products including pork buns with "Umesan pork," raised only in Ibaraki among domestic purebred pigs from China; "ultimate melon bread" kneaded with Ibaraki melon juice and pulp; Hitachi beef; Hitachino Nest Beer; bite-size dried sweet potato; "sashimi yuba" (Kinuchi Sake Brewery), and more＝photo bottom. At roughly 200 square meters, about the same as the old shop, plans call for 1,000–1,200 items. A restaurant-bar lets you savor Ibaraki's seasonal tastes.
Model and talent Suzuki Nana from Ryugasaki, who rushed to the opening ceremony, was appointed on the spot as "Ibaraki Ambassador (PR Director)," cutting the ribbon with Governor Hashimoto＝photo top: Suzuki shaking hands with the governor, appointment letter in hand — photo courtesy Mainichi Mito Bureau.
Shop hours 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m.; restaurant lunch from 11 a.m., cafe, dinner until 11 p.m. Details: tel. (03-5524-0827), website (http://ibarakimarche.com/), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ibarakimarche).
Ibaraki ranks second nationwide in farm output after Hokkaido — the "kitchen of the capital region." When I worked in Mito for about two years, I enjoyed plenty of good food at reasonable prices. The Great East Japan Earthquake brought tsunami damage and reputational harm to farm products. We want to support Ibaraki.
From Palaceside Building in Takebashi, a short subway ride brings you to Ginza 1-chome or JR Yurakucho Station. Okinawa, Kochi, and other popular prefectural antenna shops also line this area — hopping between them sounds fun.
