Kokura|Kitakyushu's Kitchen - Dango Market and Uomachi Gintengai
Danguo Market is not far from Uomachi Gintengai, and tourists usually visit them together, but their development histories are slightly different. There are many different opinions about the origin of the name of Dango Market. One theory is that there used to be an inn here where traveling monks would leave early in the morning, so it was called Dango Ryo. In the early Taisho era, this was where ships going upstream on the Kamigaku River exchanged fish, and nearby villages would also bring their crops here to sell, so it naturally developed into a market. After World War II, it developed into a black market. Later, after rectification, it formed a market with 120 stores, selling fresh food, cooked food, and seafood. It is very similar to Taiwan's traditional markets and is affectionately called the Kitchen of Kitakyushu.
The development of Uomachi Gintengai can be traced back to the Edo period. Fishmongers originally gathered here, so it was called Uomachi. In the 39th year of the Meiji era, it developed into the Ebisu Market. In addition to fish products, kimonos, and long-established Japanese desserts, it is a commercial cluster surrounded by the station. In 1951, shop owners raised funds to build an arcade. It was the first shopping street in Japan to have an arcade, and the history of Ginten Street began. There were grand promotional methods back then, and a lottery was held after the war, with the first prize being a house worth 120,000 yen.
From the station to Yasaka Shrine, Uomachi Ginten Street is now home to trendy shops. Eating, drinking and having fun are all within this area that stretches from Uomachi 1-chome to 3-chome. Department stores are also built close to this area, forming a living circle.
📍Address: 〒802-0006 Fukuoka Prefecture Kitakyushu City Kokura Kita-ku Uomachi 3-1-15
📍Address: 〒802-0006 Fukuoka Prefecture Kitakyushu City Kokura Kita-ku Uomachi 4-2-18
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