Let’s Enjoy the Shopping Streets on a Whim!

They are undertaking initiatives triggered by EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai to revitalize shopping streets and the community in Ikuno Ward and to promote multicultural coexistence. The goal is to bring people back to shopping streets that have seen declining foot traffic, and to let local, domestic, and overseas visitors enjoy Japan’s food and culture as well as the nostalgic Showa‑era retro scenery. “TASOGARE YOICHI” (Twilight Night Market) is planned and held as part of these efforts. Inspired by the night‑market atmosphere popular across Asia, the event aims to become an established new community attraction.

Project Inauguration

In recent years, a steady decline in shopping‑street use has raised concerns about the waning appeal and vibrancy of the area. With the decision to host EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai—a major opportunity to draw worldwide attention to the region—the project was launched with the resolve to turn this challenge into an opportunity.

Project Activities

Ikuno Ward is a community where multicultural coexistence is progressing. With a large foreign resident population and diverse cultures intersecting, the area is uniquely suited to host a “night market”–style event inspired by those beloved across Asia. Tasogare Yomise was conceived as a setting that evokes nostalgic Showa‑era retro evenings where people of all ages and nationalities can gather to experience Japanese and international food and culture.

This initiative is a locally rooted project made possible precisely because Ikuno is a place where many cultures coexist. By discovering and promoting new attractions of the shopping streets, the project seeks to build sustainable vibrancy that brings together visitors from Japan and abroad and local residents.

Future Prospects for the EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai

With the Expo entering its final period and Osaka’s appeal being broadcast to the world as never before, the project will continue to strengthen local capacity and keep challenging itself so that the community can sustainably share new attractions with the world during the remainder of the Expo and beyond.