Tsukiji Fish Market

The end of a prominent fish market serving the huge metropolis of Tokyo after 80 years of history.

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Tsukiji was known as one of the largest markets in the world and was popular among the tourists from within the country and abroad. It will move to Toyosu on Oct. 6, 2018. The outer market which was next to the original Tsukiji Fish Market is still open, and it is still crowded with people buying fresh fish and people looking for the delicious fresh sushi.
Business Hours

From Oct. 6, 2018: all operations closed From Sep. 29, 2018: closed to the public * The outer market will continue to be open
Address
Tsukiji market, 5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji Chuo, Tokyo
Phone
(03) 3541-2640

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About

Tsukiji Fish Market

Tsukiji is one of the world’s greatest fish markets in a nation whose fisheries industry is irreplaceable for the Japanese and in a world which has grown to love sushi and sashimi. But it’s not just fish…there are also many restaurants which take care of fruits and vegetables. The peak of this activity and business is also called Tokyo’s kitchen. You can get a close glimpse of things such as the wheeling and dealing between suppliers at the auctions at this commercial facility which has been so since the very beginning.

The tuna auction

Among all the activity at Tsukiji, watching the tuna auction is recommended. The statistics show that the Japanese population consumes a considerable amount of tuna; it is estimated that the percentage is more than 80% of the world’s tuna stock. Amongst other kinds of fish retailing at the market, tuna is the primary variety of fish that is traded at the market. The preparation of the entire fish for retail purposes is a popular happening amongst visitors to the market. The opportunity to observe the auction is an experience distinctive to Japan’s Tsukiji Market. Moreover, the liveliness of the fish market is representative of the energy characteristic to food markets in Japan. Although the market is primarily a commercial hub, there are days when the market is not open. Furthermore, there are often times when the operating hours are restricted to just after noontime, so before deciding to visit, it is necessary that you confirm that the market is open on the day you plan to visit on the market’s official homepage.

The Tsukiji Outer Market

Since the inner market operates primarily as a commercial center for merchants and wholesalers, the average visitor cannot enter the auction proceedings. However, there is plenty to see and discover time at the Outer Market. At the Outer Market, you will find a wealth of restaurants and you can even purchase fresh produce and ingredients directly from the market. Naturally, a visit to Tsukiji Market would not be complete without sampling the fresh fish at one of the restaurants through the prepared sushi and sashimi. For those who do not take a liking to raw fish, the Tsukiji market is also famed for its other culinary offerings. Amongst them, the most widely known is Tsukiji’s gyu-don (beef on a bed of rice), a dish that mostly all Japanese are familiar with.

Tourist Information Centre at Tsukiji Market

Due to the recent surge in foreign tourists who venture to Tsukiji, the Puratto Tsukiji information center was established with the aim of providing English assistance to foreign sightseers in need of help. Tsukiji Market is relatively close to Ginza, Odaiba and other major tourist spots throughout Metropolitan Tokyo. Once you satisfy your senses and stomach at Tsukiji Market after going there in the morning, it is recommended that you continue on to other neighboring areas for a full day of sightseeing.

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Access

The fish market is a three minute walk from Tsukiji Station. Leaving the station take Exit 2, walk straight, then cross the main road. Continue straight, before crossing a second road. The Tsukiji Fish Market will be on your left hand side.

From Shinjuku Station to Tsukiji Station:
Take the Marunouchi Line to Ginza Station, then take the Hibiya Line to Tsukiji Station (19 minutes, ¥200)From Tokyo Station to Tsukiji Station:
Take the Yamanote Line to Yurakucho Station, walk three minutes to Hibiya Station then take the Hibiya Line to Tsukiji Station (12 minutes, ¥310)

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Reviews

8 years ago
Tsukiji Market, the culinary capital of Japan
People say that there is no such a place on earth than Tsukiji Fish Market and this is maybe true. As a ‘culinary capital’ of Japan and is the biggest fish market on the entire planet, you will see countless seafood: from tuna fish to exotic shellfish as if in an aquarium, that you have no clue how to cook and how they taste like. While waiting in the long queue for fine sushi at the inner market, your excitement peaks but if you’re not lucky enough, alternatives are abound at the outer market, where sushi restaurants and retail stores lined up outside the inner market. You can also try some nice sweet omelet, along with skewed seafood or fruits. Yes, Tsukiji Market houses fruit & veg section, too. No doubt, the seafood is Tsukiji Market’s biggest attraction; however, what also catches visitors’ attention is the ramshackle inner market building, which doesn’t look like the real market but Hollywood film set. If you can wake up early in the morning, the tuna auction is worth seeing, since the market's relocation to a new site is in its calendar, happening sometime soon.
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9 years ago
Get here early!
If you want to watch the tuna auction, you NEED to get here early. The auctions start at 5am. You need to be here at around 2.30-3am. And I mean inside the waiting area, not "On the way". This is one of the things everyone seems to want to do. They only accept the first 120 people to get there. My group got there at 3.45am and they were full. But after a lot of convincing they let us in. Then you will sit in a small crowded room until 5am, no wifi, no nothing. Woo! Fun! The auction itself is quite interesting. Though it will be cold. Bring something mildly warm. All in all, I recommend. Its a good experience. 3.5 stars
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