Ichikawa Market

Ichikawa Market (市川市場, Ichikawa Shijō), formally known as Ichikawa Local Wholesale Market (市川地方卸売市場, Ichikawa Chihō Oroshiuri Shijō), is a wholesale market located in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It specializes in fresh produce (vegetables and fruits) and flowers (cut flowers and potted plants), sourcing goods from across Japan and distributing them to local retailers, restaurants, and consumers. The market was originally established in 1972 by Ichikawa City as a public wholesale market, consolidating twelve private wholesale markets that had been scattered in and around the city. A flower section was added in 1977. For decades it operated as a municipal facility, but in April 2018 it was privatized: a new company, Ichikawa Market Co., Ltd. (株式会社市川市場), formed by market operators and related businesses, took over the market's founding status from the city, and the market was renamed Ichikawa Local Wholesale Market. The city continues to own the land and buildings, which are leased to the new company. The market is a key infrastructure for food distribution in the region, ensuring a stable supply of fresh, safe produce and flowers. In addition to its wholesale operations, since November 2020 the market has hosted a public market event called "Ichikawa Gochisō Marché" (いちかわごちそうマルシェ, nicknamed "Ichi-Maru") about twice a month on the second and fourth Saturdays, allowing local producers and vendors to sell directly to consumers. This event, held within a wholesale market, is rare in Japan and involves students from nearby Chiba University of Commerce. The market's official website provides notices, a business calendar, and information about its produce and flower sections.

The history of Ichikawa Market begins in the 1960s when the city of Ichikawa sought to modernize its wholesale distribution. In 1967, the city established a "Public Wholesale Market Establishment Promotion Council" to study the creation of a public wholesale market. In May 1972, the city integrated twelve private wholesale markets that had been scattered in and around the city into a single public market, named Ichikawa City Local Wholesale Market. In 1977, a flower section was established. Over the years, the market faced changes in its wholesale operators: in 2003, the produce wholesaler Ichikawa Chūō Seika transferred its business to Chōin Ichikawa Seika; in 2007, another produce wholesaler, Kyōichi Seika, filed for bankruptcy, and its wholesale operations were transferred to Chōin Ichikawa Seika, resulting in a single wholesaler system for produce. In March 2018, the flower wholesaler Florid transferred its wholesale operations at the market to Flower Auction Japan (FAJ) of Ōta Market, and a new company, Ichikawa Flower Auction Japan Co., Ltd., wholly owned by FAJ, was established. In April 2018, Ichikawa Market Co., Ltd., capitalized by market operators, took over the market's founding status from the city, and the market was privatized and renamed Ichikawa Local Wholesale Market. The city continues to own the land and buildings, leasing them to the new company. In 2019, Chōin Ichikawa Seika was merged into Chōin Funabashi Seika, becoming its Ichikawa branch. Since November 2020, the market has hosted the "Ichikawa Gochisō Marché" (Ichi-Maru) about twice a month on the second and fourth Saturdays, allowing the public to shop directly. This event is rare for a wholesale market and involves students from Chiba University of Commerce.

• 2020

  First 'Ichikawa Gochisō Marché' (Ichi-Maru) public market event is held.

• 2019

  Chōin Ichikawa Seika is merged into Chōin Funabashi Seika, becoming its Ichikawa branch.

• 2018

  Flower wholesaler Florid transfers operations to Flower Auction Japan (FAJ); Ichikawa Flower Auction Japan Co., Ltd. is established.

• 2018

  Ichikawa Market Co., Ltd. takes over the market's founding status; market is privatized and renamed Ichikawa Local Wholesale Market.

• 2007

  Produce wholesaler Kyōichi Seika files for bankruptcy; operations transferred to Chōin Ichikawa Seika, creating a single wholesaler system.

• 2003

  Produce wholesaler Ichikawa Chūō Seika transfers business to Chōin Ichikawa Seika.

• 1977

  Flower section is established.

• 1972

  Twelve private wholesale markets are integrated into the public Ichikawa City Local Wholesale Market.

• 1967

  Ichikawa City establishes the Public Wholesale Market Establishment Promotion Council.

A privatized local wholesale market serving as a reliable hub for fresh food and flower distribution in the Ichikawa area, while engaging the community through public market events.

• Fresh produce (vegetables and fruits)

  Wholesale distribution of vegetables and fruits sourced from across Japan.

• Flowers (cut flowers and potted plants)

  Wholesale distribution of cut flowers and potted plants.

• Processed food products

  Processed food items are also handled at the market.

1. 1株式会社 市川市場ichikawashijyo.co.jp
2. 2市川地方卸売市場 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
3. 3Ichikawa Market - Wikidatawikidata.org