[JAPAN] Osaka - Kuromon Market and Umeda Sky Building

17:38 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

Kuromon Ichiba Market is nicknamed as “Osaka’s kitchen” because for more than 170 years, housewives and restaurant chefs regularly come here to get their supplies. On the other hand, Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden Observatory offers an unobstructed 360-degree view of Osaka cityscape. It is a perfect way to end an evening in Osaka: sampling and snacking around Kuromon Ichiba Market before moving on to to Umeda Sky Building to view sunset.



Originally, the market was called Emmeiji Market, because there was once a large temple called Emmeiji nearby. The temple has a black painted gate, so later the market was known as Kuromon Ichiba Market (meaning Black Gate Market). Unfortunately, the temple and its gate were completely destroyed by a massive fire in 1912. Today the market is simply known as Kuromon Ichiba Market.



You can easily reach the market by taking subway to Nippombashi station. It is also an easy walk from Namba area.



The market length is closed to 600 meters and has around 170 shops. It is covered with roof so you can still visit the market while it’s raining.



At Kuromon Information Center near the end of the market, you can find currency exchange machine, toilet and free wifi as well as a resting area.



The market is famous for its fresh products such as fish, seafood, meat, vegetables, fruit and etc. But you can also find a number of supermarkets, souvenirs and clothing store here.



It is a perfect place to sampling and snacking fresh seafood and meat which are cooked on the spot.



The freshly caught sea urchin can be served as sashimi or grilled upon request. It is a popular snack in the market.



Passed by an oden store. Oden is a Japanese comfort food during winter. It includes a variety of ingredients such as daikon radish, meatballs and fish balls, all cooked in a pot of stock. 1 piece of oden is about 100 yen.



Crab legs, prawns and scallops are usually grilled before served. Extra large scallop is available in February and March.



Some stores also sell or serve sushi. I bought some strawberry daifuku in the market. They are absolutely delicious.



If you want to try Japanese Fugu (blowfish) cuisine, you can find a Fugu restaurant inside the market (see top right of the photo above). Only skilled chefs who have a Fugu cooking license will prepare the fish, so you can experience the safe and delicious Fugu at the restaurant.



I bought two sets of children yukata for my sons here. It’s tax free once you spend 5,000 yen and above here. There is also a used kimono shop “Sakura” in the market for reasonable prices.


Map of Kuromon Market





Next, my sister and I headed to Umeda Sky Building to view the sunset at its open rooftop observatory.



Trying to look for the direction to Umeda Sky Building from a directory panel in the subway station.











Basically, you have to first reach Grand Front Osaka which is a large shopping mall, cross an underground passage to reach Umeda Sky Building. This is Grand Front Osaka. It’s hard to miss it as the building is tall and imposing.



Once I reached Grand Front Osaka, I could easily spot Umeda Sky Building (the building where the blue arrow’s pointing in photo above).



There is an outdoor ice skating ring outside Grand Front Osaka during my visit.



Go across the road and pass an underground passage.



And we’re here! The 173 meters high skyscrapers are connected with each other by a ring-like observatory deck called “Floating Garden Observatory” on the 39th floor.



There are two escalators connecting to the observatory platform.



To visit the observation deck, first enter the East Tower and from the 3rd floor take an elevator to the 39th floor.













There is a ticket office on 39th floor. The entrance fee is 1,000 yen but it is free for Osaka Amazing Pass holders. From 39th floor, you still need to walk up 36 steps to the open roof “Sky Walk”.



Looking down at the two escalators from the roof.



There is a corner where couples can locked their heart locks.



Osaka cityscape as viewed from the Sky Walk.





A sunset view of the Yodogawa river running to the sea.



It was quite windy and cold while my sister and I waited for the sun to set.







The view of the glittering city.



The Sky Walk floor has glow-in-the-dark pebbles which makes it a little bit magical when the sky darkened.



This is where you can buy your heart locks. These locks are specially made without keys and can be engraved with your names and date on it.



Taking the escalator down to 35th floor.



Don’t forget to visit the basement of the building which houses the Takimi-Koji gourmet street.



It is designed to resemble the streets of the early and mid-20th century Showa era.



Even if you aren’t hungry, this area is worth a visit just to take photographs and enjoy the 1920s atmosphere.





Even the bathrooms has the retro feel.



The area was eerily quiet and some of the restaurants were not opened. So I decided to have dinner elsewhere. Still, it was nice to stroll around.


Kuromon Ichiba Market
Opening time: around 9am to 6pm
Getting there: subway line Nippombashi station.




Umeda Sky Building
Floating Garden Observatory opening times: 9.30am to 10.30pm (last entrance 30 minutes before closing)
Admission: 1,000 yen or free with Osaka Amazing Pass holders
Getting there: about 9 minutes walk northwest from Hankyu, Hanshin & subway line Umeda station