I went to the first ever Time Out Market in Asia Pacific – here's why you should too
I recently popped my Japanese cherry (blossom), spending a week in the Land of the Rising Sun – and I can confirm that what everyone says is, in fact, true. Japan is elite. Home to super-speedy bullet trains and ancient temples, cool streets dotted with vending machines, thrift stores, izakayas and life-altering 7-Elevens – as well as the kindest, most respectful people I've come across – Japan is not only beautiful and mind-blowing, it's safe, clean and, my favourite part: delicious.
I was there to check out the brand-new Time Out Market Osaka – the first Time Out Market to open in Asia Pacific – which started welcoming locals and holiday-goers from March 21, 2025. It joins already established and beloved Markets across the globe, including Lisbon, New York, Barcelona and Cape Town. If you've never been to a Time Out Market, it's basically a massive food lover's paradise – a food and cultural hub that brings together the best of the city under one roof.
Here's everything you need to know about Time Out Market Osaka – and why I reckon you need to add it to your hit list...
What is Time Out Market Osaka?
Time Out Market Osaka is a food haven featuring the best of Osaka under one roof. Think of it as the best food market you've ever been to, featuring dishes from first-class local chefs, the city's top restaurants, bars and cultural experiences, based on Time Out's editorial curation.
There are 17 vendors to choose from, showcasing a variety of cuisines including Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and, of course, Japanese. And if you're craving a really good burger, you can get that here, too. Plus, there are two bars (hello, sake and cocktails) and three dessert stalls.
Spanning more than 3,000 square metres and seating up to 800 guests, Time Out Market is huge. There aren't many venues in Osaka big enough to cater for large groups with no reservation, so it's perfect for team lunches, birthday dinners and lunch and dinner when you're on holidays with friends.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by avriltreasure (@avriltreasure)
Where is Time Out Market Osaka?
Time Out Market Osaka is in the heart of Osaka, within the architecturally striking Grand Green Osaka South Building. It's a six-minute walk from Osaka Station, making it an easy, convenient and central destination to catch up with friends and family – or check it out solo (and eat as much as you can) like I did.
Where to eat and drink at Time Out Market Osaka?
I'm so glad you asked. As I mentioned, there are 17 food stalls to choose from, featuring cuisines from all around the world. Of course, you'll find excellent Japanese fare, spanning traditional must-try street food snacks like takoyaki (balls filled with octopus), and okonomiyaki, a savoury Japanese-style cabbage pancake. And there's brilliant ramen – the one I ordered had an incredible frothy beef bone broth with soft and chewy noodles.
But there are also banging tacos by chef Willy Monroy, who owns Milpa – the first and only Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant in Japan. You'll find handmade udon noodles and Korean hot pots, Napoli-style pizza with a Japanese twist, and a rocking Wagyu cheeseburger for when you're craving a taste of home. Feel like something sweet? My pick is the bowling-ball-sized shaved matcha ice, which had whimsy in spades.
'There's something for everyone' is a cliché, but it absolutely stands here.
What are the opening hours of Time Out Market Osaka?
Time Out Market Osaka is open seven days a week, from 11am through to 11pm, though last orders are taken at 10.30pm.
Why should I visit Time Out Market Osaka?
There are so many things I loved about Time Out Market Osaka. Walking in, I was truly blown away by how sleek and chic the space looked – with its warm lighting, natural wooden furniture and polished black splashback. So if you're after a cool hangout, this is it.
I loved the communal tables and how it's great for big groups but also solo diners. And because all the food stalls have been curated by the Time Out team – AKA people who know what's up when it comes to food and drink – you can count on the dishes to deliver on quality and flavour. Osaka is an incredible food destination with so many top restaurants, and the Market brings the best of the city together under one roof. If you're after a taste of home, you'll find that here, too. Plus, there are DJs spinning tunes on the weekends with lots of fun things in the pipeline.
Time Out Market is card-only and does not accept cash. And I think it goes without saying but I will anyway: come hungry.
I hope you love it as much as I did – I have a feeling you will.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
41 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
I explored the tiny European country with underground cities and little-known islands
As the sun set over Ta' Cicivetta farm, we were prepared a feast of traditional dishes Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) REACHING for my umpteenth honey and date fritter, I joked that I would have to use the hotel gym after our incredible meal. But my host clutched her pearls and gasped: 'No, no. You have to forget about the gym in Malta, my love.' Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The colourful, quaint cafes in Valetta's old town in Malta Credit: Getty 4 The Azure Window on the Maltese island of Gozo Credit: Getty Malta derives its name from the Greek word meaning 'place of honey' — fitting, for somewhere I was quickly realising might be Europe's most underrated culinary utopia. And with underground cities, little-known islands and mysterious temples, I would soon discover this wasn't the only surprise Malta had in store. As the sun set over Ta' Cicivetta farm, we were prepared a feast of traditional dishes, all using ingredients sourced from the garden we stood in. This tiny Mediterranean country is smaller than the Isle of Wight, which goes some way in explaining why its food goes under many people's radars; the limited land area means Maltese produce is barely exported, so you have to try it at source. In one dinner, we could taste the different cultures that have called Malta home over the centuries — Italian in the ricotta parcels and focaccia, Arabian in the date-based sweets and bigilla (a hummus-like dip made from beans), Spanish in the bread rubbed with tomato and drizzled in olive oil. Equally intriguing, however, was how easy it is to come across a full English on this faraway archipelago. The British stopped ruling Malta in 1964, but they left behind a love for this breakfast along with other cultural footprints such as UK plugs, driving on the left and speaking English (an official language here alongside Maltese). I got used to the unexpected sight of red telephone boxes on the streets of cities like Mdina, an ancient fortress which otherwise looked like something out of Game Of Thrones. Mdina's winding lanes and picturesque plazas were actually used as King's Landing in the HBO series, and our guide, Audrey, would occasionally hold up a scene on her phone to prove it. But Malta has seen real battles that make Starks vs Lannisters look like a tea party. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival The country was heavily bombed during the Second World War, forcing people to seek refuge in tunnels under the capital, Valletta, built 400 years earlier by knights defending the city against the Ottomans. We had already been given an introduction to Malta's fascinating past at Odyssey — an immersive history experience complete with special effects and rides — now, prepped with head-torches and hard hats, we explored this amazing subterranean network on a tour with Heritage Malta. Visitors walking Valletta's grand streets and enjoying €4 Aperol spritzes in its squares seemed to have no idea what lay beneath their feet — understandable, as the city's ground-level attractions are impressive enough. These include the 16th-century cathedral (home to one of Caravaggio's most famous paintings, The Beheading of St John the Baptist), the Upper Barrakka Gardens with sweeping views over the harbour, and the stunning Grandmaster's Palace, all within walking distance of each other. In fact, pretty much all distances on this island are extremely manageable, especially from where we stayed in St. Julian's. It's a great base for exploring Malta by car, and a stay at the Hyatt Regency there makes coming back after a day of activities almost as appealing as heading out. 4 Tuck into a feast of traditional dishes at the Hyatt Credit: Hyatt 4 The Sun's Nuria Cremer-Vazquez loved the island Credit: Nuria The luxury hotel has pristine sea-view rooms with balconies, as well as a heated rooftop pool, spa facilities and a gym (for anyone who does wish to burn off those honey and date fritters). Its rooms are also triple-glazed so, despite St. Julian's being Malta's nightlife capital, we didn't have to worry about our five-star sleep being disturbed by revellers. Awe-inspiring A short drive from the hotel is the port of Cirkewwa, the jumping-off point for visiting Malta's sister islands, Gozo and Comino, and we were lucky enough to have Audrey — a proud Gozitan — showing us around her home isle. Gozo is an unassuming patch of land with a smaller population than Dover, yet it is home to the awe-inspiring Ggantija temples — megalithic structures that are older than the pyramids. Its vibrant capital, Victoria, is another must-visit, and on a clear day you can even see Sicily from the ramparts of the city. There is plenty to do beyond sightseeing. At Il-Wileg restaurant, you can try your hand at making the authentic Gozitan cheese, which is served all over Malta, under the watchful eye of a local chef — or you can take an idyllic tuk-tuk ride around the island. We rounded off our day trip with a memorable dinner at L-Istorja, set inside the lavish Kempinski Hotel. It serves the rich tapestry of Maltese cuisine with a gourmet twist but without the fine-dining cost — so you might as well order the gold-leaf-coated gnocchi and knock back a few Gozitan wines. Gozo has much of what makes Malta so special — stunning citadels, mind-blowing food, budget-friendly prices, and glittering turquoise sea — though it has noticeably fewer tourists, giving it a more relaxed, off-the-beaten-track feel. The ferry takes 25 minutes and costs less than €5, and you only pay on the return journey. Technically, if you chose to stay, the journey would be free — and you could certainly be forgiven for never wanting to leave.
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Scotland's ‘most popular' footballer revealed – and it's not Scott McTominay
Their Instagram figures could be translated into 'millions of pounds' WINSTAGRAM Scotland's 'most popular' footballer revealed – and it's not Scott McTominay Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTLAND captain Andy Robertson is top of a Tartan Army popularity table on Instagram. Liverpool ace Robbo, 31, has 4.4million followers on the photo-sharing site. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Andy Robertson is top of a Tartan Army popularity table on Instagram with 4.4million followers Credit: Willie Vass 3 Scott McTominay has 3.3million Credit: Kenny Ramsay 3 Kieran Tierney has a million social media fans Credit: Kenny Ramsay And that puts him ahead of Scott McTominay, 28, who has 3.3million after a huge surge in popularity in the wake of his Italian title-winning heroics for his club Napoli. And the pair, plus re-signed Celtic hero Kieran Tierney, 28 — who has a million social media fans — are primed to rake in fortunes from their posts. Brand expert Nick Ede told how they are cashing in on links to other major teams. Robbo is tipped to move to Spain's Atletico Madrid, while McTominay started at Manchester United and Tierney was at Arsenal for six years. Mr Ede said their Instagram figures could be translated into 'millions of pounds'. He explained: 'They attract loads of followers, and not just football fans. "As with any kind of public figure, people want to know more about them. 'And that could be brands they're associated with. It builds up your following. 'It also means they have a strong currency to expand their personal brand — and it's great for the team they play for.' But the trio are not prolific contributors. Tartan Army fan who walked to Germany embarking on new challenge for the World Cup Robertson has posted 761 times on Instagram since 2013, while McTominay has shared pics 332 times since 2016 and Tierney just 215. Mr Ede said: 'Someone like Andy could command £100,000 a post for a top brand. There is a lot of opportunity.'
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Star of iconic TV show spotted at popular Scots restaurant
Tommy Flanagan, who starred as Filip 'Chibs' Telford in Sons of Anarchy, dropped by Caprese Don Costanzo for a bite to eat SPECIAL GUEST Star of iconic TV show spotted at popular Scots restaurant Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE star of a legendary TV show has been spotted dining at a popular Glasgow restaurant. And it's not the first time the actor has dined at the eatery in recent times. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 Sons of Anarchy star Tommy Flanagan returned to Glasgow's Caprese Don Costanzo Credit: CapreseDonCostanzo/Instagram 2 The Glasgow-born actor has appeared in several big-budget movies and TV shows Credit: Getty Tommy Flanagan, who starred as Filip 'Chibs' Telford in Sons of Anarchy, dropped by Caprese Don Costanzo for a bite to eat. It is the second time in less than a month that he has visited the Italian eatery on Woodside Crescent. Flanagan delighted the staff when he went there for a meal on May 25. And the veteran star, 59, was back for more Mediterranean treats last week. Sharing a picture on social media earlier, staff wrote: "Great to see Tommy Flanagan back in the restaurant last week." The beloved family-run Italian has hosted several high-profile faces in recent times. Rangers icons Graeme Souness and Ally McCoist, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, ex-Hoops goalie Joe Hart, and former Light Blues striker Antonio Čolak are among the famous faces who have visited. Flanagan, from Glasgow, made his acting breakthrough in the 1995 hit Braveheart. He has gone on to appear in a string of big-budget productions, including Face/Off, Gladiator, Alien vs. Predator, Sin City, Peaky Blinders, and Westworld. Flanagan grew up in Easterhouse, Glasgow, and is well-known for his facial scars. Corrie star Chris Fountain undergoes heart surgery as he shares video from hospital bed The Hollywood star was injured in a knife attack outside a nightclub when he worked as a DJ. Since leaving Scotland, he has lived in America with his wife and daughter.
