If you are a first-time tourist in Osaka, your trip will not be complete without visiting Osaka markets. While other tourists flock to the usual famous spots like Dotonbori for food and shopping, it’s best to tour different Osaka marketplaces for your unique shopping and local delicacy experience!
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Osaka Market Tour
Walking around visiting museums and historical sites can make your stomach growl, but rest easy, Osaka will take care of it for you. Best known as the nation’s kitchen, there are plenty of choices for you, ranging from fine dining to food stalls along the street. From the classic sushi to the favorite street takoyaki, whichever you prefer, you will never go hungry during your trip to Osaka. You don’t have to go far in doing your souvenir shopping either, as Osaka’s markets interweave with other shops offering products like ceramics, clothing, cosmetics, etc. Access to these markets is also convenient, as many of them are only a short walk from the stations.
Writer's Pick
Inside Japan’s Kitchen
Food Markets
Tagged with the title, Tenka no Daidokoro (the nation’s kitchen), Osaka is a cornucopia of delicious Kansai cuisine. Here, you can expect only the freshest food served to you without breaking your wallets for your food trip because it's affordable if you know where to look. Below is a list of food markets you should not miss out on while you’re in Osaka.
Osaka Central Fish Market
If you want to catch the famous tuna bidding between chefs and restaurateurs set in the early hours of the morning, Osaka Central Fish Market is definitely worth checking out. The fish market is part of the Osaka Municipal Wholesale Market, so there are many goods besides fish that you can purchase, such as vegetables and fruits. You can also find sushi restaurants in the area where you can taste the freshest sushi right from the market. Osaka Central Fish Market is just a short walk from the Noda Station, although, if you want to catch the early tuna biddings, hiring a cab from your hotel would be the best unless you are staying nearby.
Kuromon Ichiba Market
If you want to go all out with your food trip, Kuromon Ichiba Market is the best place to go. The market is known for its on-the-spot food service, where you can see your order being prepared. The food stalls offer a variety of snacks you can try like takoyaki, grilled seafood, oden, and curry, which is perfect for your first taste of Osaka. Other goods sold in the market include vegetables, fruits, seafood, and pickles. The market is easily accessible through Nippombashi Station on the Osaka Metro Sennichimae Line.
Koreatown
Located in Tsuruhashi is the largest Korean settlement in Osaka, where you can experience Korea at a train ticket price. It is home to many businesses of zainichi or residents in Japan of Korean descent. The market mostly serves food to satisfy your cravings for Korean cuisines like kimchi and kimbap. Next to the Tsuruhashi Station is a street lined with yakiniku restaurants, which is a leisurely place for eating and drinking popular to many Japanese workers or salarymen. Navigating through its street corridors will take you to Miyuki-Dori Shopping Street, where you can find all kinds of merchandise from K-pop, cosmetics, and Korean clothing, both modern and traditional.
Shopping Streets
One of the exciting parts about traveling is being able to shop and get your hands on unique items at a great price if you know where to look. There is no lack of those in Osaka with so many shopping streets and flea markets that you will surely bring lots of souvenirs with you when you’re done. Another highlight from shopping in the area is that you can get freebies and discounts or, even better, shop tax-free.
Shinsaibashisuji Shotengai
Shinsaibashisuji Shotengai has been a known shopping street for over 380 years. It was founded in the Edo period. Back then, one of the popular stores was the Matsuya kimono store, where the Daimaru department store stands in the present day. The shotengai has over 180 stores, which consist of department stores, cafes, retailers, etc. With a massive number of tourists in this area, many shops offer tax-free shopping so you can get a good bargain. The shopping street is accessible through the Shinsaibashi Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji and Nagahori Tsurumi-Ryokuchi Lines.
Tenjinbashisuji Shotengai
Considered the longest shopping street in Japan, you are up for a workout. With its 2.6 km length, it usually takes 40 minutes for someone to cover the area. About 800 shops are found in the Shotengai, which consists of clothing stores, ceramic shops, diners, etc. Unique to Tenjinbashisuji is the local feel, making it stand out from other shopping streets in Osaka. The shopping street has been there for over 300 years, and being home to many local businesses and shops that make you feel like you’re a part of Osaka and its charm. Speaking of shops, there are great deals in Tenjinbashisuji where you can buy plenty of souvenirs at a low price. It also gives you a perfect chance to immerse yourself with the locals.
Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shotengai
Osaka would not be Japan’s kitchen without the tools used in cooking its delicious cuisine, so Doguyasuji is a place that you should absolutely drop by while you’re in Osaka. It is a kitchenware paradise for professional chefs and ordinary folks who want to buy affordable and quality kitchen tools and ceramics. Its location makes it even more convenient to shop here, being nearby Kuromon Ichiba Market, where you can buy dry goods for your home cooking. An annual festival is also held at Doguyasuji Shotengai every 9th of October, where big sales happen. Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shotengai is accessible through Nankai Namba Station and Nippombashi Station.
Tempozan Marketplace
If you’re up for shopping, which includes fun activities, you need to check out Tempozan Market Place. Located near the Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium and Universal Studios - Japan, it is the perfect place to break after your excursions, especially if you are traveling with your kids. Although not really a “market” like we’ve introduced above, it’s a shopping mall with a variety of fun and unique options. Inside the building, you can find restaurants, souvenir shops, and leisure services such as a pet garden and a Legoland playground for your kids. While you’re at it, you can ride the large Ferris wheel next to the complex and enjoy the sunset. Tempozan Marketplace is only 5-minutes away on foot from Osakako Station through the Osaka Metro Chuo Line.
Flea Markets
Shintennoji Flea Market
The Shintennoji Flea Market is a monthly flea market that happens inside Shintennoji Temple on the 21st until the 22nd day of each month. It has more or less 300 stalls that sell a variety of items and souvenirs from ceramics to antiques. Bargaining is definitely a thing here, so don’t be afraid to ask for discounts. You can reach Shintennoji Temple by taking a train to Tennoji station and proceed north from there on foot.
Ashiharabashi Upmarket
Ashiharabashi Upmarket is a monthly market located around JR Ashiharabashi Station, whose main goal is to promote regional branding, hence promoting local products. The upmarket has about a hundred stores selling wine, fruits, and vegetables, local crafts, etc. The market also hosts events where they invite performers for entertainment. It is a great place to interact with locals. Ashiharabashi Upmarket opens every 3rd Sunday of the month from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM and is accessible through JR Ashiharabashi Station on the Osaka Loop Line.
Nakanoshima Food Lover’s Market
Nakanoshima Food Lover’s Market is another monthly market that features carefully grown food by locals in support of promoting the buying local. Located in Nakashima Fishing Port, it only takes about 10 minutes to reach the market on foot from Azawa Station. This market happens every first Saturday of the month from 11 A.M. and closes at 4 P.M.
Tips When Shopping In Osaka
Shopping in Osaka is easier than you might think. Notorious for its bargains, you can get discounts anywhere, but first things first, be sure to bring your passport everywhere to make tax-free payments in places that offer it. Also, pay using cash. Sometimes, you can get discounts if you use that mode of payment. If you’re buying from flea markets, check your items carefully; even with minimal damage, you can get discounts from that as the Japanese are insanely meticulous about getting the best quality products. Lastly, knowing simple phrases like "Kore wa ikura desu ka? (How much is this?)" or "Nebiki shite morae masen ka? (Could you give me a discount?)" when asking for the price or discount can make your shopping smoother. However, please note that haggling is not a usual Japanese mode of conduct so asking just because is not usually acceptable.
In conclusion
There is no lack of things to do in Osaka, whether cultural exploration, food trip, or shopping. With the variety of choices they give paired with the friendliness of its locals, you will find that by the time you walk out of Japan's kitchen, you will leave with not only a full stomach but also a happy heart.
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