A Detailed Guide to the History and Overview of Tsuruhashi

 

　Table of Contents

1. Overview of Tsuruhashi
2. History of Tsuruhashi
3. Recommended Spots in Tsuruhashi
   

Introduction

Tsuruhashi is an area located in Higashinari Ward and Ikuno Ward of Osaka City, best known as a Koreatown. This district was originally formed as a spontaneous “black market” after World War II, when many Korean immigrants settled in the area. Through the fusion of its historical background and unique culture, Tsuruhashi has become a popular destination that attracts many tourists today.

In this article, we will introduce everything from an overview of Tsuruhashi to its history and recommended sightseeing spots, covering every aspect of what makes this area so appealing. Come and experience the charm of Tsuruhashi, where you can catch a glimpse of the daily lives of local residents while fully enjoying Korean culture.

Overview of Tsuruhashi

Tsuruhashi is an area located in Higashinari Ward and Ikuno Ward of Osaka City, widely known as a Koreatown. The district originated as a spontaneous “black market” that formed after World War II when many Korean immigrants settled in the area.

The Tsuruhashi Shopping Street features a maze-like network of narrow alleyways, lined with shops selling Korean ingredients and seasonings, exuding a distinctive old-town atmosphere. Here, you can catch a glimpse of the daily lives of local residents, making it an attractive spot for tourists as well.

Tsuruhashi Market is a bustling marketplace featuring yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurants and Korean food shops, as well as specialty stores selling dried goods, daily necessities, and fruits. The market comes alive from early morning, attracting chefs from Osaka and even Kyoto who come to purchase ingredients. Its history traces back to the post-war black markets, and today it is home to approximately 800 shops, drawing tourists from all across Japan.

Ikuno Koreatown is located about a 10-minute walk from Tsuruhashi Station, centered around the Miyuki-dori Shopping Street, where Korean culture is richly reflected throughout the area. You’ll find an abundance of Korean food ingredients, daily goods, and Korean restaurants, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in Korean culture. K-pop merchandise and Korean cosmetics are also available, making it a popular spot bustling with tourists. Today, the area is home to more than 180 shops.

Tsuruhashi is well-connected by the JR Osaka Loop Line, Kintetsu Railway, and Osaka Metro Sennichimae Line, making it easily accessible from Tsuruhashi Station. Using public transportation is the most convenient option when visiting.

2. History of Tsuruhashi

The history of Tsuruhashi is closely intertwined with the historical relationship between Japan and Korea, and the unique culture that emerged from this connection continues to thrive today.
Below, we outline the key events organized by era.

■ Origins and Development of Tsuruhashi
The history of Tsuruhashi begins in 1914 with the opening of the Osaka Electric Railway (now Kintetsu Railway). This made Tsuruhashi a key transportation hub, leading to its development as a center for logistics and commerce.

■ The Post-War Black Market Era
After the war, Tsuruhashi made a fresh start as a black market amid severe supply shortages. Immediately following the end of the war in 1945, the Tsuruhashi shopping district began supplying goods as an informal market due to the scarcity of resources. The area was able to function as a black market because it sat at a key transportation and logistics junction where Kintetsu and JR (formerly Japan National Railways) intersected, and it had suffered almost no damage from air raids. It developed as a venue for the unofficial trading of goods that were unavailable through official distribution channels. Under these circumstances, smuggled and illegally traded goods were sometimes bought and sold. During this period, it was said that “you can find anything in Tsuruhashi,” reflecting the astonishing variety of goods available.

■ Settlement of Korean Residents in Japan

After the war, many Koreans came to reside in Japan. A significant factor behind this was the Jeju April 3 Incident of 1948. Jeju Island residents opposed the unilateral elections held in South Korea, but the South Korean Defense Forces, police, and U.S. military moved to suppress the uprising. In the wake of this incident, many Jeju residents fled the island out of fear and traveled to Japan. Many of them made Tsuruhashi their base, and a Korean market naturally formed in the area. This became the foundation of today’s Tsuruhashi Koreatown, establishing its own distinctive community.

■ After the Normalization of Japan-Korea Relations

The signing of the “Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea” (Japan-Korea Basic Treaty) in 1965 normalized diplomatic relations between the two countries. This treaty confirmed that the Japan-Korea Annexation was invalid and aimed to finally resolve claims between the two nations. Following this normalization, the legal status of Korean residents in Japan improved, with permanent residency rights being granted and their rights being protected. As a result, the Korean community in Japan expanded further, and Tsuruhashi developed into the largest Korean residential area in Japan.

■ Tsuruhashi Today

Today, Tsuruhashi is lined with yakiniku restaurants and Korean food shops, and is loved by many people as a tourist destination where you can fully enjoy Korean culture. Tsuruhashi is extremely attractive as a sightseeing area, offering various experiences that allow you to engage with Korean culture. From renting traditional Korean hanbok clothing to trying Korean-style makeup and purchasing K-pop merchandise, it’s a place where you can soak in the Korean atmosphere without actually traveling to Korea.

Recommended Spots in Tsuruhashi

Tsuruhashi has many attractive spots, and the area is particularly known for its strong Korean character. Below, we introduce some of the most popular recommended spots in Tsuruhashi.

■ Ikuno Koreatown

Ikuno Koreatown is the largest Koreatown in western Japan, located in Ikuno Ward of Osaka City. About a 10-minute walk from Tsuruhashi Station, it is centered around the Miyuki-dori Shopping Street, where approximately 150 shops line the narrow alleyways. The maze-like structure of narrow lanes is brimming with energy and activity, and hearing Korean spoken everywhere gives visitors the illusion of being in Korea itself.

　- Korean Culture

Ikuno Koreatown, centered around the Miyuki-dori Shopping Street, is packed with Korean restaurants, K-pop goods shops, and Korean cosmetics stores. Here you can enjoy Korean street food such as cheese hotteok (corn dogs) and jijimi (Korean pancakes), making it an extremely popular spot for food strolling. The shopping street also has many stores selling Korean ingredients and kimchi, allowing you to fully savor Korea’s food culture.

　- Yakiniku Battleground

Ikuno Koreatown is particularly famous for yakiniku (Japanese BBQ). The area around Tsuruhashi Station is lined with numerous yakiniku restaurants, and a unique yakiniku culture has taken root here. You can enjoy a wide variety of cuts including fresh horumon (offal), kalbi (short ribs), and samgyeopsal (pork belly). The savory aroma of grilling meat wafting from the storefronts whets the appetite of visitors, and the lively atmosphere of the yakiniku restaurants is one of the defining characteristics of this area.

　- Access
About a 10-minute walk from Tsuruhashi Station, and also within walking distance from Momodani Station. Vehicles are prohibited within the shopping street from 10:00 to 18:00, allowing visitors to walk around safely.

■ Tsuruhashi Shopping Street

Tsuruhashi Shopping Street is located in Higashinari Ward of Osaka City and is a historic shopping district that developed from the post-war black markets. Today, it is lined with shops selling Korean ingredients and seasonings, and is characterized by its maze-like network of narrow alleyways. The area delights visitors with its old-town atmosphere and offers a rich immersion in Korean culture.

　- Features of the Shopping Street

Tsuruhashi Shopping Street is home to a diverse range of shops, with many specializing in Korean ingredients and seasonings. Particularly popular is “Kimchi Land” and similar stores offering an extensive selection of Korean seasonings and kimchi, which attract many tourists. Fresh kimchi and Korean food products are sold throughout the shopping street, and orders can even be shipped nationwide.

　- Access
The shopping street is just a few minutes’ walk from Tsuruhashi Station. There are also many parking lots in the surrounding area, making it convenient to access by car as well.

■ Tsuruhashi Fresh Fish Market

Tsuruhashi Fresh Fish Market is a famous seafood market located in Higashinari Ward of Osaka City, where fresh seafood is displayed every morning. Known as “Osaka’s Kitchen,” the market is cherished by locals and offers a vibrant and lively atmosphere. While it primarily serves wholesale dealers, the general public can also shop here.

　- Market Features

The market houses 18 shops selling fresh seafood and marine products. Each shop operates differently, and many are open to the general public. You can purchase fresh seafood on the spot, and the market is popular with local chefs and home cooks seeking the freshest ingredients for their cooking.

　- Hours and Access
Tsuruhashi Fresh Fish Market is typically open from 6:00 AM to around noon, and is closed on Sundays and public holidays. The market is just a few minutes’ walk from Tsuruhashi Station on the Osaka Metro Sennichimae Line. It is also easily accessible from airports, with convenient connections from both Kansai International Airport and Osaka Itami Airport.

★ Introducing Our Tourism Website ★

We introduce carefully selected tourist destinations in Japan, just like the ones featured in this article.
By bookmarking this site, you’ll always have access to the essential tourism information you need. We are constantly updating with fresh content to provide you with an even more exciting experience when searching for your next destination.

Click the image below to visit our site

Summary

Tsuruhashi, located in the heart of Osaka, captivates many tourists with its unique history and culture. Known as a Koreatown, Tsuruhashi developed from post-war black markets into a vibrant shopping district lined with diverse Korean food shops, seasoning stores, and yakiniku restaurants. The Tsuruhashi Fresh Fish Market also plays an important role as “Osaka’s Kitchen,” offering fresh seafood every morning.

We hope this article has successfully conveyed the many charms of Tsuruhashi. When you visit, please experience the atmosphere firsthand and enjoy the diverse attractions that Tsuruhashi has to offer.