【Morning Market Tour】Sunday mornings are a seaside breakfast on the go! The lively "Hayama Market"

A visit to the "Hayama Market" on the weekend. This morning market is held on Sundays at the port of Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, showcasing the charm of Hayama condensed into everything from exquisite sweets to fresh seafood.

Morning bustle at the "Hayama Market" in search of delicious food

On a Sunday morning, I woke up a bit early and drove to Hayama. Until a few years ago, when I wanted to feel the ocean, I headed towards Enoshima, but the recent trend is all about Hayama. I love the calm, somewhat refined atmosphere there; it's very pleasant.

After getting off the highway and driving for a while, I could see the ocean, and when I opened the window, the sea breeze came in, making me feel, "Ah, I'm glad I came," somehow giving me a luxurious feeling.

On this day, I’m heading to the "Hayama Market Sunday Morning Market," which is said to be loved by the locals. It seems to start at 8:30 AM, but according to word of mouth, many stalls are open even before 8 AM. I arrived a little late at around 9:00, but parked my car in a nearby parking lot and walked toward the venue.

Stepping into the Hayama Market, I am greeted with a pleasant lively atmosphere. Combined with the relaxed vibe unique to a port town, it feels as if the charm of Hayama is condensed here. While the scale is not large, each tent offers goods unique to this region.

Hayama Market Sunday Morning Market
Location: Hayama Town, Miura District, Kanagawa Prefecture (in front of Hayama Fisheries Cooperative, Horiuchi, Hayama Town)
Date and Time: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM (open on Sundays, ends when sold out)

Discovered cuts of Hayama roll

As I was checking one vibrant tent after another while being blown by the sea breeze, I spotted the tent of "Brown Sweets," a Western confectionery shop based in Hayama. When I peeked inside, I discovered the "Hayama Roll," which my mother had previously brought back as a souvenir. It was an unexpected reunion with a flavor I had long wanted to enjoy again.

I was planning to buy one, but I found the perfect "cut-off" piece to eat while strolling. First, I decided to have my family, who are not familiar with this flavor, try it.

The fragrant local gourmet "Toro Chimaki" is also perfect for the morning.

Lured by the savory aroma, I headed to the "Toro Chimaki" tent. Steam was rising from a large steamer. It was a bit chilly, and I couldn't resist being drawn in by that warmth.

Upon checking the signboard, I learned that it is prepared with the secret scallion oil from former head chef of the famous restaurant, Chukyo Hanten, in Yokohama's Chinatown. They are also cooking fresh tuna from Misaki Port locally, truly a local gourmet of the Miura Peninsula.

Fresh and in season! "Fresh wakame" is the perfect souvenir

As I continued to explore, I discovered a tent that was particularly bustling. Upon checking it out, I found rows of wakame. According to the staff, wakame is in season right now. The ones for sale had been blanched, and they said it’s delicious just washed quickly and paired with ponzu. Today’s souvenir is this "fresh wakame" (300 yen)!

Enjoying a mouthful of Hayama's morning while feeling the sea breeze

Now, I will enjoy the street food I just bought. First up is the piping hot "Toro Chimaki" (500 yen). The savory soy sauce has soaked into the chewy rice, the melt-in-your-mouth toro adds flavor, and the crunchy texture of bamboo shoots makes for an exquisite accent. Having breakfast while feeling the sea breeze is truly luxurious.

Next is the "Hayama Roll" (300 yen), which I was looking forward to. As I excitedly took a bite, it was delicious! The fluffy sponge perfectly matched the rich caramel cream. Even the family members trying it for the first time praised it, saying, "This might be the best we've ever had." It was cut thinly, so I gobbled it up and finished it in no time.

After the meal, I took a breath with a cup of "homemade roasted coffee" (250 yen) in hand. Coffee is definitely essential in the morning.

With my stomach satisfied, I was able to feel a gentle sense of release for both my mind and body. On days off, it’s a habit for my family to go to a nearby café for breakfast, but taking a little trip to enjoy breakfast in this location is the best. The sound of seagulls serves as the perfect background music.

After enjoying the Hayama Market, I decided to take a stroll around the nearby harbor for a bit. In stark contrast to the earlier hustle and bustle, a calm and quiet time flows here. People fishing, others gazing absently at the horizon with coffee in hand—everyone is enjoying a leisurely morning, which is characteristic of this town and lovely.

The luxurious ending to my day is wakame for dinner

Even after returning home, the lingering feeling from the Hayama Market continues. For dinner, I put the freshly bought wakame on the table. Following the recommendation, I tried eating it with ponzu sauce, and its elasticity and surprisingly rich flavor spread wonderfully. Enjoying the blessings of Hayama at home wrapped up my day luxuriously.

Recently, I have particularly become hooked on visiting morning markets in the Kanto region. Experiencing the unique charms and gourmet foods of each locale is truly enjoyable. Every time I encounter the scenery and the vibrancy of people that only come from waking up early, I feel my heart becoming fulfilled. I’m already excited for the next holiday to visit another town.

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