Echizen, Nov 14 (NHK) - Seafood lovers have been flocking to a market in Fukui Prefecture in central Japan that specializes in fresh snow crab.
The annual market in Echizen Town started on Saturday.
Many shoppers come in search of bargains. A local fisheries cooperative says the crabs can be had for prices as much as 40 percent lower than those at supermarkets.
A local government research station predicts that this season's catch of the winter delicacy will be bigger than the last one.
Crab soup is also sold there.
A woman who visited with her family said they were looking forward to buying fresh crab. She said with smile that they were planning a "crab party."
The market is open on weekends this month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
