Known as the “City of Food”, Osaka has a rich and vibrant food culture. In the heart of the city—particularly in the lively south area—there are two major markets you shouldn’t miss. Offering everything from fresh seafood essential for sushi to seasonal vegetables and fruits, these bustling fish markets are not only culinary hubs but also popular sightseeing spots. Let’s take a closer look at Osaka’s two iconic markets.

Located in Nipponbashi in Osaka Namba area, Kuromon Market is home to around 150 shops, including fresh seafood vendors, greengrocers, and restaurants. It’s a popular spot for sampling seafood and other local bites as you stroll through the arcade. With English signs throughout the market, it’s also a great destination for first-time visitors to Japan.

Another must-visit is the Osaka Kizu Wholesale Market, located within walking distance from Namba Station. This market also has about 150 shops and is frequented by professional chefs, yet it warmly welcomes general visitors. You’ll find dine-in restaurants and a special Morning Market held twice a month, offering a lively local experience.

Note that Kuromon Market typically closes around 6 p.m., while Osaka Kizu Wholesale Market operates mainly until noon, so plan your visit accordingly! Below, we’ll introduce the highlights of each market to help you make the most of your trip.

Just a 5-minute walk from Nipponbashi Station on the Osaka Metro, Kuromon Market is conveniently located for adding to your Osaka sightseeing itinerary. The covered shopping arcade stretches about 580 meters, making it easy to stroll even on rainy days. Along the way, you’ll find around 150 shops selling everything from fresh seafood and produce to meat, pickles, wagashi (Japanese sweets), and Western-style desserts—always buzzing with locals and visitors alike.

Here are two must-visit spots in Kuromon Market. 

The first is TOREPICHI Seafood Minami Kuromon Branch, where you can enjoy freshly grilled seafood and steak. From crab and shrimp to premium wagyu beef skewers and steaks, each dish is grilled to order, so you can savor it piping hot right on the spot. Perfect for those who want to enjoy both surf and turf!

The second recommendation is Maguroya Kurogin Kuromon Ichiba Main Branch, a tuna specialty shop that focuses on high-quality hon-maguro (bluefin tuna). Carefully selected by expert buyers, the tuna here is served as sashimi, nigiri sushi, or rice bowls. Their most popular dish is the Three-Color Bowl, which features three different cuts—otoro (fatty tuna), chutoro (medium fatty tuna), and akami (lean tuna)—allowing you to fully enjoy the rich flavor of bluefin tuna. If you can’t decide what to order, this is the one to go for!

Located in Osaka’s southern area, Osaka Kizu Wholesale Market is where professional chefs come to source the freshest ingredients. The nearest station is Daikokucho Station on the Osaka Metro, and it’s also within walking distance from Namba Station—super convenient for travelers. The market opens early at 6 a.m., with most shops closing around 11 a.m., so the best time to visit is between 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Start your day like a local with a morning stroll through this lively fish market!

One of the market’s highlights is the “Kizu Morning Market,” held twice a month—on the second and last Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visitors can shop for seafood and other market-exclusive ingredients, or even join a bidding experience starting from just 100 yen! It’s a fun and interactive way to get a taste of Osaka’s market culture. If you visit on one of these event days, you’ll get an extra dose of excitement! Don’t miss out on the market’s dining spots, some of which open early in the morning and stay open until night, serving up authentic market-fresh meals.

One must-try is Kizu Uoichi Shokudo, a seafood rice bowl specialty restaurant located inside the market. Their menu features generous bowls topped with premium bluefin tuna, sea urchin, salmon roe, crab, scallops, and more—all at reasonable prices. Every bowl comes with fish soup and pickles, and you can even add extra toppings to customize your meal. The shop opens at 6 a.m. and closes when ingredients sell out, so go early to grab your breakfast fresh from the market!

Another must-try spot inside Osaka Kizu Wholesale Market is Kawakami Shoten, a long-established specialty eel restaurant. Here, you can savor traditional charcoal-grilled eel, known as jiyaki, where each eel is carefully grilled on skewers over a charcoal fire to bring out its rich aroma and flavor.

Their signature dishes include the “Special Mamushi,” featuring an entire grilled eel served over rice; the “Unatama,” a rice bowl topped with eel and soft-cooked egg; and the “Umaki,” a rolled omelet filled with tender eel. Each dish is crafted to highlight the restaurant’s dedication to quality and tradition.

Kawakami Shoten opens from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., making it perfect for both breakfast and lunch. Whether you start your morning with freshly grilled eel or stop by for an early lunch, it’s a truly satisfying market experience.

We’ve introduced two of Osaka’s must-visit markets — Kuromon Market and Osaka Kizu Wholesale Market — both offering an abundance of fresh seafood and local delicacies unique to Japan and Osaka. If it’s your first time visiting Japan, Kuromon Market is a great place to start. Both markets are located in the Osaka Namba area, just about 10 minutes by taxi or a 30-minute walk apart, making it easy to visit both in a single day.

Take your time to explore these lively markets, and enjoy discovering delicious flavors and unique food experiences that can only be found in Osaka!