Uontana Shopping Street, affectionately known by local residents as “Uontana,” is a historic market in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture. Its origins date back approximately 400 years, when Akashi Castle was built and the surrounding castle town began to develop. The market grew into an important commercial center, supporting the daily lives and food culture of the local community.
Today, approximately 110 shops line a covered arcade stretching about 350 meters. Visitors can browse fresh seafood, fish cakes, dried seafood products, and specialty food stores, as well as restaurants serving local delicacies. The lively atmosphere and abundance of regional flavors make Uontana a popular destination for travelers wishing to experience the culinary traditions of Akashi.
The waters of the Akashi Strait and Harima-nada Sea are rich fishing grounds, supplying the market with exceptionally fresh seafood. Locally caught fish and shellfish are known as “maemono,” a term associated with the freshness of seafood landed nearby. Two particularly celebrated specialties are Akashi sea bream and Akashi octopus, both renowned throughout Japan.
At Uontana, visitors can purchase freshly caught seafood directly from fishmongers and discover the ingredients that have shaped Akashi’s distinctive food culture. Depending on the season, the market offers a changing selection of fish and other marine products.
One of the most popular foods to enjoy at Uontana is Akashi-yaki, a local dish also known as tamagoyaki. Although it resembles Osaka-style takoyaki, the two dishes are prepared and served differently. Akashi-yaki has a soft, delicate batter made with plenty of egg and filled with pieces of Akashi octopus. Rather than being coated in sauce, it is traditionally dipped into a warm, savory dashi broth before eating.
Several specialty restaurants in the shopping street serve this beloved dish, making Uontana an excellent place to sample authentic Akashi-yaki. Its tender texture and flavorful broth offer a delicious introduction to the region’s culinary heritage.
Although seafood is the market’s main attraction, Uontana offers much more than fishmongers. Visitors will find shops selling fish cakes and other processed seafood products, dried foods, and everyday goods. Restaurants serve a wide range of dishes, including Japanese cuisine, Western-style meals, okonomiyaki, grilled meat, and set meals.
The shopping street remains an important part of everyday life in Akashi, serving local residents as well as tourists. This combination of traditional market culture, neighborhood shopping, and regional dining gives Uontana an authentic and welcoming atmosphere.
The history of Uontana dates back to the early 17th century. In 1617, Ogasawara Tadazane, also known as Tadamasa, became the first lord of Akashi Castle after being transferred from Shinano, an area corresponding largely to present-day Nagano Prefecture. Construction of the castle began the following year.
According to local tradition, the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi helped plan the layout of the castle town. The streets were organized into orderly blocks, and the districts known as Higashi-Uomachi and Nishi-Uomachi, which are regarded as predecessors of the present shopping street, were established. The location of the fish merchants’ district near the castle suggests that seafood was already an important part of the local economy.
The name “Uontana” is thought to originate from the way fish merchants displayed their catch during the Edo period. Large wooden boards were placed along the fronts of shops to hold the fish, while water was poured over them to help keep the seafood fresh.
Markets known as “Uonotana,” literally meaning a fish display shelf or fish market, once existed in several castle towns along Japan’s coast. Akashi’s market is among the best-known places where the name survives today. Locals have traditionally pronounced it “Uontana,” and the market officially uses the Romanized name UONTANA.
Raised in the swift currents of the Akashi Strait, Akashi sea bream is prized for its firm texture and rich, flavorful flesh. It is one of the region’s most celebrated seafood specialties and is enjoyed in a variety of traditional dishes.
Akashi octopus is known for its pleasantly firm, springy texture and natural sweetness. It is used in sashimi, Akashi-yaki, octopus rice, and many other dishes, making it a must-try ingredient for seafood lovers.
This signature local dish combines a soft, egg-rich batter with pieces of Akashi octopus. Served with savory dashi for dipping, it is a distinctive regional specialty that visitors can enjoy at several restaurants throughout the market.
Uontana is also a good place to discover Japanese seafood products such as chikuwa fish cakes, kamaboko, and fried fish cakes known as tempura in parts of western Japan. These products are made from fish paste and are popular as snacks, meal ingredients, and souvenirs.
Fish caught in the Akashi Strait and Harima-nada Sea are also prepared as dried seafood. Carefully dried fish make popular souvenirs and offer another way to enjoy the flavors of the region.
Uontana Shopping Street is approximately a three-minute walk south of JR Akashi Station. The direct pedestrian deck from Akashi Station to Papios Akashi provides a convenient route, particularly on rainy days, allowing visitors to reach the shopping area with minimal exposure to the weather.
Nearby attractions include Akashi Castle, whose historic grounds combine castle ruins and green parkland, and the Akashi Municipal Planetarium, located on the meridian at 135 degrees east longitude that defines Japan Standard Time. The iconic Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, one of the world’s longest suspension bridges, is another major landmark in the wider region and provides a connection toward Awaji Island.
Uontana Shopping Street brings together fresh seafood, traditional food shops, regional specialties, and centuries of local history. It remains an essential part of daily life in Akashi while welcoming visitors eager to explore the city’s food culture.
Take a stroll beneath the covered arcade, sample freshly prepared Akashi-yaki, browse the seafood counters, and discover the flavors of the season. A visit to Uontana is a wonderful way to experience the character and culinary heritage of Akashi.