The kitchen of Madagascar! Analakely Market

The capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo.
At its center, there is a bustling and lively market.
The sight of numerous shops packed closely together is enjoyable just to look at.
Your heart is sure to dance at the sight of unfamiliar ingredients and original Malagasy goods...!

Shops and ingredients lined up in a small space

At Analakely Market, many shops are tightly packed together.
The bustling scene with Malagasy people is truly Madagascar's kitchen.

You can peek into the everyday shopping habits of the citizens.
From vegetables and fruits like cabbage and watermelon, which are also seen in Japan, to mysterious, unfamiliar items, market tours are exciting as you encounter new things.
Even if they look the same, the taste can differ from Japanese ones, so please give them a try.

The market is divided into areas based on what is being sold.
From food items like vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, and spices to daily necessities and clothing, everything is available.
Meat is sold by hanging! I was a bit surprised by the wild style that doesn't mind flies buzzing around.

Since Antananarivo is located inland, many fish are dried.

As you go further inside, you'll discover local snack shops! The cassava chips were delicious.

As the capital Antananarivo is thriving, there are warnings of pickpocketing and theft near Analakely Market.
Please enjoy while being cautious about security.

Souvenirs from Analakely Market

There is also a souvenir corner for tourists on the stairs leading from Analakely Market to Independence Square.
There are shops selling Malagasy wooden crafts and making hand-carved stamps with names or portraits.
Stamps can be purchased for about 300 yen each, making them a nice souvenir of your Madagascar trip.

Climbing those stairs to the top offers a panoramic view of Antananarivo's cityscape.
The capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo, is the center of the natural paradise of Madagascar, yet it might differ slightly from the imagined scenery.
Due to the influence of the French colonial era, the town is lined with Western-style buildings.

Because of this appearance, it is sometimes referred to as the Paris of Africa.
Be sure to visit after shopping. The cityscape illuminated by the sunset from the hilltop was beautiful.

By the way! The perfect souvenir spot, Lezima Market

Lezima Market is a bit away from Analakely Market, but you can buy Malagasy wooden crafts and colorful raffia goods as souvenirs at relatively low prices. Souvenirs at Analakely Market are quite tourist-priced.
Haggling is part of the fun of shopping on overseas trips, but if you're tired of negotiating, shopping here is recommended!