Kuromon Ichiba Market
2 Chome Nipponbash, Chuo, Osaka, JPN
A large covered market selling fresh and cooked food, Kuromon Ichiba Market is nicknamed “Osaka’s kitchen,” because many chefs and home cooks come here for supplies. It has since branched out from purely seafood options, and is typically bustling with locals and visitors hoping to get an inside look at local ingredients and cuisine.
Food has been sold at this location since the 19th century, but the Kuromon Ichiba Market in its current form was established in 1902. As it primarily caters to restaurants, you’ll find all kinds of delicacies and finely made foods which you may not easily get elsewhere. The Kuromon Ichiba Market can be visited independently, or on a guided tour of Osaka. General sightseeing tours often include some time at the market, and it’s also a fixture on many food-focused tours of the city.
When eating from street food stalls, there is often nowhere to sit. Be careful not to block foot traffic while you’re eating, and stand somewhere to the side.
Make sure to take any trash from snacks purchased home with you. It’s uncommon to find trash cans in public places in Japan, because the understanding is you’ll take it away and dispose of it properly later.
There’s a rest area at the information center at the southern end of the market. You can sit and eat your snacks here, plus there are toilets and baggage storage (for a fee).
The market stretches for almost 2000 feet (600 meters) in Osaka’s Chuo Ward, parallel to Sakaisujidori Street and near the Nippombashi subway station. Most travelers prefer to rely on public transport in Osaka (and elsewhere in Japan) as this is efficient, and saves the hassle of parking in the crowded city.
The different stalls and restaurants at the market operate different opening hours, but usually run from between 8am and 6pm, and are closed on Sundays. It can get very busy around meal times, especially on Saturdays, so come earlier in the day if you can. You may find that not all stalls and eateries are open, but there will be fewer people.
Okonomiyaki is a favorite Japanese snack food that originates in Osaka, so when visiting the Kuromon Ichiba Market, don’t forget to try some. Okonomiyaki is made of shredded cabbage mixed in a batter and fried, with condiments on top such as dried shrimp and special okonomiyaki sauce. You can choose your own toppings and be as creative (or conservative!) as you like.
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