Just walk and eat in Japan: Grab fresh seafood at Osaka’s Kuromon Ichiba Market

Reported by Lai Ying-hsiu / Osaka

With the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, Kansai in Japan became one of the hottest travel destinations in 2014, and the craze is sure to continue. In addition to the bustling shopping streets of Shinsaibashi and the deer-filled city of Nara, the “Kuromon Ichiba Market,” just a five-minute walk from the busy Namba area, sees fewer tourists but offers a glimpse into everyday Japanese life—as well as fugu sashimi and grilled scallops you can take away and enjoy.

▲ Kuromon Market is located on the same side as Exit 10 of Nihombashi Station. (Photo by reporter Lai Ying-hsiu)

Turn left at Exit 10 of Nihombashi Station on the Osaka Municipal Subway, and you’ll find Kuromon Market right on your left. The entire market stretches 580 meters and houses nearly 200 shops.Huge seafood signs hang from the ceiling, so you’ll know exactly where you are just by looking up.The walkways in Kuromon Market are high-ceilinged and covered with awnings, so you don’t have to worry about wind or rain—and there’s none of the usual fishy smell of traditional markets.

▲ % The large windows are not only eye-catching but also contribute to the market’s eco-friendly appeal. (Photo by reporter Lai Ying-hsiu)