Tsuruhashi

Tsuruhashi is known as a downtown neighborhood rich in local atmosphere, featuring numerous tourist attractions such as a famous yakiniku district, shopping streets selling Korean ingredients and cosmetics, and a lively fish market. The history of its shopping arcades dates back to the postwar period, when around 3,000 street vendors gathered around Tsuruhashi Station to form a black market. Based on a spirit of mutual assistance, the Tsuruhashi International Market Federation was established as a voluntary organization in 1947. With JR Loop Line trains and subway lines converging at Tsuruhashi Station, daily passenger numbers exceeded 600,000, and the area developed into a multicultural district. Nearby is a Korean community affectionately known as Koreatown, home to residents of Korean descent in Japan. Originally called the "Korean Market," it served as a daily market for food and household goods. However, following the 2002 Japan–Korea co-hosted FIFA World Cup, local promotional efforts such as the "Ikuno Koreatown Coexistence Festival," and the influence of the Korean Wave, the area has grown into a popular tourist destination.