Ashiharabashi Up Market

If you’re looking for a true Japanese community experience (or just some great souvenirs and food), look no further than Ashiharabashi Up Market! Up Market is a monthly indoor and outdoor craft and farmers market in Osaka known for its great atmosphere. Each event features live music as well as more than 80 stalls with diverse food, drink and handmade crafts.

Photo by: Brooke Larsen Around 80 stalls to check out.

The Up Market is an authentic atmosphere to try both Japanese and international food and goods outside of your typical touristy setting. The market is spread out around Ashiharabashi station area on the JR Osaka Loop Line and a local venue called Salt Valley, a hostel and rental space owned by a very cheerful and friendly man. In fact, everyone is very friendly and welcoming toward foreigners even if they don’t speak English (though quite a few vendors typically do).

Photo by: hajime_s The quirkiness of the Ashiharabashi area.

Foods and goods at Up Market

Local food is aplenty at the monthly market. Try freshly picked fruit and vegetables from local farms, and food that you can eat on the spot, like falafel, fresh curry bread and other vegan-friendly treats. You can feast while sipping on popular Japanese drinks like green tea latte, or if you feel like starting the party early, you can usually find craft beer and wine booths. Yet another unique drink found here is a tea that is said to help to fight period cramps.

What makes Up Market memorable is the atmosphere.

If you want to take a break from strolling around and devouring tasty treats, there is plenty of seating available indoors and outdoors. When it comes to handmade goods, the Ashiharabashi Up Market doesn’t disappoint. A diverse variety of clothing and accessories — from bags to headbands to knives to teacups — are for sale each month. There’s something for every price range, too.

Photo by: 3bros.ket Lots of handmade trinkets to remember your time from Japan.

Good vibes

What makes Up Market memorable, though, is the atmosphere, which is not only very community focused and affable but also dedicated to the promotion of environmentally conscious local enterprises. This is still a growing trend in Japan compared to this type of thriving culture in the West.

This expanding market is part of the area’s neighborhood renewal, which seeks to bring together the local community and increase commercial options. Ashiharabashi, while located within walking distance from popular spots like tourist-heavy Namba and local drinking hub Taisho, is mostly a residential and warehouse district. This market is looking to, and succeeding at, changing that perception. And everyone is having a damn good time doing it.