Osaka’s best known food and fish market, Kuromon is located in the heart of Osaka in the Minami District.
With so many delicious snacks available, it is best to arrive hungry, and visit here for breakfast or lunch (most stalls close around 5pm or earlier if they sell out).
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A bustling street of savory, sweet and umami treats, Kuromon Market comprises around 160 stalls, fish counters and restaurants along a 500m stretch plus huge food motifs along the roof space.
It is also a covered market in Osaka making the perfect place to eat, drink and be merry in all weathers.
From its history to the different Japanese foods you can try, here is our guide to Kuromon Market in Osaka (sometimes referred to as Kurumon Market).
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How to get to Kuromon Market in Osaka
The nearest station to Kuromon Market (黒門市場) is Nippombashi Station on the Osaka Metro – take exit 10 and it is around a 5 minute walk to the market.
To get to Kuromon Market from Osaka JR Station, walk 2 minutes to Umeda Station then take the Midosuji Line towards Tennoji, alighting at Namba Station – it is a 10 minute walk to the market.
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Kuromon Market opening hours in 2024
The opening hours of the various stalls at Kurumon vary but most are open from 9am to 5pm.
Some open a little earlier at 8.30am like Udon Daikichi, whilst others close late like the dried sardine ramen Tamagoro stall at 9pm.
Most stores are open daily but some close on Sundays and public holidays.
Kuromon Market is also free to visit – no tickets are required.
However, if you would like a guide tour with food tastings and a local guide, try these Kuromon Market experiences:
- 2-Hour Kuromon Market walking street food tour >
- Osaka: Kuromon Market food tour with tastings >
- Kuromon Market food walking tour in Osaka with Viator >
- Kuromon Market tour in Osaka with Klook >
- Kuromon Market half day food walking tour in Osaka >
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History of Kuromon Market in Osaka
Kuromon 黒門市場 (meaning ‘black gate in Japanese) is over 200 years old, with the first few stalls setting up here in 1822.
It wasn’t until 1902 that is became an officially designated market. It is believed the name relates to Enmyo Temple’s large wooden gates, which were destroyed in the Great Fire of 1912.
One of the best places to try joyful Japanese dishes and local specialities, Kuromon Market is one of the best things to do in Osaka (and one of the tastiest too)!
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Food and Drink at Kuromon Market
The covered market stretches around half an kilometer with fine food stalls lining either side – it gets busiest first thing in the morning as locals and restaurant staff buy fresh fruit, veg, meat and fish.
Be sure to look up and check out the huge food and fish motifs that hang from the ceiling, like a big blowfish or supersize sardine.
There are so many food dishes to try at Kuromon Market from udon noodles to crab legs, dried sardines and seafood skewers to strawberry daifuku.
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Also, whilst some of the stalls are all about wholesale and large quantities too, many of the restaurants and fishmongers also sell small portions to takeaway or eat in small sitting areas inside.
Some of the most famous stalls at Kuromon Market include:
- Homato Blowfish Restaurant
- Tsujimura Shoten fresh fish
- Wagyu Masashi Kuromon – top notch Japanese black beef
- Nishikawa fish store – for fresh sea urchins and oysters; often seen on Tiktok and Instagram
- Hana no Ki – an amazing okonomiyaki and takoyaki stall, two of Osaka’s best known dishes
- Onabeya – order oden or kushiage (deep fried meat and vegetables on skewers – delicious)
- Maguro Entoki – the freshest sushi and sashimi – get there early as it sells out every day
- Daiwa Kaen – traditional Japanese sweets and a great souvenir to take home
And it isn’t just food and drink stalls – you will also find clothing and homeware stalls, plus a branch of Daiso and several supermarkets and pharmacies like Matsumoto Kiyoshi.
Plan My Japan tip – wear sensible shoes when exploring the market as the floors can be quite slippery when wet, especially around the fish market section.
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Other things to know about Kuromon Market
- There is a free tourist information centre and public toilet open from 9am to 6pm daily
- It is impolite to walk around whilst eating and be sure to dispose of garbage in the correct manner
- The official Kuromon Market website and English language version can be found here >
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Address
Kuromon Market, 2 Chome Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542 – 0073, Japan
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