Osaka Kizu Market: 300 Years of History, from Edo Period Street Stalls to the Present Day

How Osaka's Kitchen Came to Be

There's a reason why Osaka Kizu Wholesale Market is more than just a place to buy and sell food, and why it's filled with deep charm and vibrancy. It lies in its long history, which has supported Osaka's food culture for over 310 years.

Starting as a small roadside market in the Edo period and developing into one of Japan's largest private wholesale markets, its journey is a story filled with the passion and ingenuity of merchants.

We, Wa-no-Shoku, also hang our noren (shop curtain) on the main street of this historic market. Once you learn about the history of Kizu Market, the everyday scenery will surely appear even more profound.

 

The Beginning in the Edo Period: Zakoba and Kizu Village

The origins of Kizu Market date back to the mid-Edo period, in 1710 (Hoei 7). At that time, Osaka's fish market primarily revolved around the officially sanctioned "Zakoba Fish Market" by the shogunate.

However, as Osaka's population grew, the demand for fish rapidly increased. Zakoba alone couldn't keep up with the supply. Consequently, fishermen naturally began to directly sell fish at "nodachi-uri" (roadside stalls) in the Kizu Village area, which had convenient water transport via the Yamato River and Kizu River.

This was the origin of the current Kizu Market. With official recognition from the shogunate, Kizu took its first step as "Osaka's Kitchen."

 

Meiji and Taisho Eras: Transformation into a Modern Market

With the arrival of the Meiji era and the wave of modernization, Kizu's market also underwent significant changes.

In 1907 (Meiji 40), the privately operated Kizu Fish Market was established west of the current Nankai Electric Railway Imamiyaebisu Station. Furthermore, the Namba Kizu Market, which dealt in vegetables and fruits, also emerged in the surrounding area, and this region rapidly developed into a major market.

From this time, Kizu Market became a central hub supporting Osaka's food supply, earning the complete trust of professional chefs. However, the Osaka Air Raids of 1945 instantly reduced its prosperity to ashes.

 

Post-War Reconstruction and the Birth of Kizu Wholesale Market

Although the people of the market lost everything in the war, their passion never faded. After the war, they reconstructed the market at an astonishing speed.

In 1950, it made a fresh start as the "Osaka Kizu Wholesale Market," dealing comprehensively in fresh food products.

At this time, the market was incorporated as a stock company. This was the moment a truly rare form in Japan, a wholesale market operated by a private company, was established.

This "private power" became the source of Kizu Market's unique free and vibrant atmosphere and its flexible energy to adapt to changing times, distinguishing it from publicly operated markets run by the government.

 

To the Present: A Market Loved by Professionals and Open to the General Public

Through the period of rapid economic growth, Kizu Market solidified its position as Osaka's leading market for professionals. From chefs at high-end Japanese restaurants to local fishmongers, food professionals place their full trust in its quality and selection.

We, Wa-no-Shoku, also chose this location because we resonated with its "commitment to authenticity."

In recent years, Kizu Market has continued to evolve. At the "Kizu Asaichi" (Morning Market) held on the second and last Saturdays of each month, general customers are warmly welcomed through events such as tuna filleting demonstrations.

It has developed into a unique market where professionals and the general public comfortably coexist, with restaurants that utilize fresh ingredients and new souvenir options like the high-end Japanese canned food proposed by Wa-no-Shoku.

 

Summary

The spirited voices heard when walking through Kizu Market, and the friendly exchanges between shopkeepers and customers – all of these are precious cultural traditions fostered over the long years since 1710.

When you visit, please experience the weight of over 310 years of history and the continuing evolving energy of the market.

We, Wa-no-Shoku, also welcome you as part of that ongoing history. What might seem like just shopping or dining will transform into a special experience of touching the story of history.