Tsukiji is one of the biggest fish markets in Japan. It is located in central Tokyo, and there are about 400 shops lining the streets selling fresh foods and kitchen utensils. Tsukiji is the best place to learn Japanese culinary culture and the history of Tokyo. In this article, we will tell you about everything you need to know about Tsukiji Fish Market as well as the best suggestions with our complete guide!
- Is the Tsukiji Fish Market still open?
- When is the best time to visit Tsukiji?
- How to get to Tsukiji Fish Market
- A brief history of Tsukiji
- Things to do in Tsukiji Fish Market
- Breakfast at Tsukiji
- Learn about Japanese culinary culture
- Tsukiji Uogashi wholesale market
- Join Tsukiji Food and Drink tours
- Visit Namiyoke Shrine
- Walk to Tsukiji Honganji Temple
- Learn how to make sushi on your own!
- If you want to see the tuna auction, visit Toyosu Market
- Get some good souvenirs near Tsukiji Market
- Japan Wonder Travel Tours
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Is the Tsukiji Fish Market still open?
Some of you might have heard the rumor that the Tsukiji Fish Market is now gone. But actually, only the part known as the ‘inner market’ is now missing. This is where the famous early morning tuna auction used to be held, but it has now moved to Toyosu. The rest of the market including the food, drink, and souvenirs can still be enjoyed in the bustling market in Tsukiji!
Previous Inner Market
If you want to see the tuna auction, you can see it at Toyosu Market now, although you’ll need to win a lottery to watch the auction at the observation deck.
▶Book Tuna Auction and Tokyo Toyosu Fish Market Tour to avoid the booking process!
The new market in Toyosu is located just a 5 minute walk away from teamLab Planets. If you go by bus and walk the rest of the way, you can reach the market from Tsukiji in just 20 minutes.
Tsukiji Outer Market
The ‘outer market’ of Tsukiji is still intact and contains about 400 vibrant stores. The Tsukiji Market still attracts many locals and tourists as well as wholesalers for fresh and seasonal foods each day. It gets quite busy, especially for the New Year’s holidays as locals come to purchase important ingredients for their New Year’s celebration meals.
When is the best time to visit Tsukiji?
Most of the shops and restaurants at Tsukiji Fish Market open in the early morning and close in the early afternoon. To get the most out of it, the best time to visit Tsukiji is in the morning. We recommend you to visit the market after 9am, as before this the wholesale market Tsukiji Uogashi opens for wholesalers and culinary professionals. Due to the fact that there are so many stores, business hours tend to vary widely from store to store, so make sure to check for yourself before visiting.
How to get to Tsukiji Fish Market
To get to Tsukiji Fish Market, there two main ways:
- Take the Toen Oedo Line and get off at Tsukiji Shijo Station, walk for 1 minute from A1 Exit
- Take the Hibiya Line and get off at Tsukiji Station, walk for 1 minute from 1 or 2 Exit
If you take our Tsukiji Fish Market Tour, we’ll show you around at the perfect time! The knowledgeable guide will lead you through the rows of stores and show you the best spots in Tsukiji.
A brief history of Tsukiji
The history of Tsukiji Fish Market dates back to the Edo period in Nihonbashi. The fish market emerged when the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu reclaimed the Tokyo bay and invited some fishermen from Osaka to sell him some seafood that remained at their market. This fish market developed as the town of Edo grew bigger. Later, the Great Kanto Earthquake occurred in 1923, destroying the entire market. It was then that the market was moved temporarily to Tsukiji, birthing the Tsukiji Fish Market as a result.
Things to do in Tsukiji Fish Market
Breakfast at Tsukiji
It is said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. We suggest that you indulge in a proper breakfast at Tsukiji Fish Market itself before your day of exploration. In order to make the most of your limited time in Tsukiji, you should wake up early and get to the fish market before it becomes crowded with tourists! Some shops open at 6:00 am or earlier, and they offer a reasonable, amazing Japanese-style breakfast. So on that note, here are our recommendations for a delicious breakfast!
Sushizanmai
If you want to try some fresh sushi or sushi bowls for breakfast, visit Sushizanmai which is open 24 hours! You can get a satisfying sushi breakfast at a reasonable price.
Business hours: Open 24 hours
Kitsuneya
Opened in 1947, this small standing-style restaurant is very popular, seen with the long line that tends to form outside the establishment. Their most popular dish is Horumon-ni, beef intestines simmered in miso. If you wake up hungry, and looking for a big, hearty breakfast, try this restaurant!
Business hours: 6:30am – 1pm
Closed on Sundays and Wednesdays
Yonemoto Coffee
You can find a fair amount of coffee shops in Tsukiji, but Yonemoto Coffee has been loved by locals for over 60 years. It is known as the spot where John Lennon used to visit whenever he came to Tokyo. Visit this place if you need some coffee and a sandwich to fuel your body at the start of your day.
Business hours: 5:30am – 3:30pm (7:30 – 3:30 Wed / Sun)
Marutoyo
Marutoyo is an Onigiri (rice ball) shop in Tsukiji. Their onigiri is big with plenty of fillings! If you’ve only eaten onigiri from a convenience store, this is likely to be a pleasant surprise for you. Although the store doesn’t contain seating, there is an information center nearby with some chairs available for public use for you to sit and enjoy your meal.
Business hours: 7am – 2pm
Continue reading for more meals available at Tsukiji Fish Market you won’t want to miss!
Learn about Japanese culinary culture
After enjoying an early breakfast, take a relaxing stroll around the market and observe the energetic, friendly people working at all the stores. A large variety of fish, seafood, fruit, and other well-selected domestic foodstuffs will be on offer. This market is full of small shops and restaurants, making it the perfect place for trying local Japanese cuisine and learning about Japan’s culinary culture.
Tsukiji Uogashi wholesale market
Tsukiji Uogashi is a shopping complex that consists of two buildings where about 60 wholesale and retail shops are located. On the first floor is shops selling seafood, meat, fruit, and vegetables, with the third floor containing the food court where you can eat classic dishes like, sushi but noodles, bowls and Japanese-western fusion food, and so on.
Join Tsukiji Food and Drink tours
It’s fine just to walk around and wander on your own, but the best way to enjoy the whole market is to take a guided tour. You can discover things that only locals know, find some interesting ingredients, and learn the history of the Tsukiji Fish Market. We can assure you that it will be a totally different experience with and without a guide. If you want to explore Tsukiji with a knowledgeable guide, book a tour now!
▶Tsukiji Fish Market Tours
Visit Namiyoke Shrine
Did you know that the Tsukiji area was once under the sea, and reclaimed from Tokyo bay later in the Edo period? Namiyoke Shrine has been visited and respected by many people since its opening. The name of the shine consists of two words: “Nami” means Waves, and “Yoke” means Prevention. Altogether, it means the shrine saved the people who were suffering from the damage and problems caused by the sea. Even today, it is loved and visited by many people who wish to go through difficulties in their lives with the power of the historic shrine.
Every year in June, Tsukiji Shishi Matsuri has been held since the shrine opened about 360 years ago. It’s a summer festival warding off evil spirits by carrying a big head of a lion and parading around the area.
There are also two big lion heads enshrined here. When you look at these heads, you’ll recognize the difference; the male lion has golden teeth and the female lion has teeth painted in black. This is from an old custom where black teeth are a symbol of a married woman which was common in high society in the Edo period.
Walk to Tsukiji Honganji Temple
Only a couple of minutes’ walk takes you to the exotic, unique temple called Tsukiji Honganji Temple. It was originally established in 1617 and has been destroyed by fire twice in its long history. In 1934, it was rebuilt with the current unique design which incorporated ancient Buddhist architecture style in India. Just taking a glance at it, you can feel the mysterious atmosphere. Make sure to bring your camera with you and take some pictures of the entire building!
Learn how to make sushi on your own!
Now you have seen fresh seafood and real wasabi root, and a big sword-like knife to cut tuna while walking around the market, it’s time for you to try to be a sushi master! You can learn how to make sushi, one of the most popular Japanese foods, from a professional sushi chef!
We offer a 90-minute sushi-making class at Tsukiji Fish Market. In this fun class, you can learn how to make two types of sushi: nigiri sushi and rolled sushi.
Of course, no skill or experience is required. All you need is a passion and interest in sushi!
▶Sushi Making Class in Tsukiji
We also offer the sushi-making class with a walking tour! First, you will explore Tsukiji with a knowledgeable and friendly local guide while learning Japanese culinary culture and the history of the market. After exploring the market, you will head to the venue and join the sushi-making class – it’s time to learn how to make sushi!
▶Tokyo Sushi Making Experience + Tsukiji Fish Market Explore Tour
If you want to see the tuna auction, visit Toyosu Market
The inner market including its famous tuna auction has been replaced by the Toyosu market. If you want to watch the tuna auction, you will need to get up early and head to Toyosu before exploring Tsukiji Fish Market.
If you win the lottery ticket, you can get special access to the observation space to have a closer look at the auction. But don’t worry. You can still watch the auction without a ticket from the second-floor big window.
Check these articles for more information about Toyosu;
▶Ultimate Guide to Toyosu Fish Market
▶How to Apply Special Tuna Auction Tour in Toyosu Market in Tokyo
Since the auction starts early in the morning around 5:30am, we recommend you to stay at the hotel nearby. Here is the list of the hotels you can stay close to the market and get ready for the early morning auction!
- Mitsui Garden Hotel Toyosu BAYSIDE CROSS Tokyo
- Hotel Livemax Toyosu-Ekimae
- Hotel JAL City Tokyo Toyosu
- hotel MONday TOYOSU
Get some good souvenirs near Tsukiji Market
Do you want to know what could be the best, most memorable souvenir for your family or friends? “Senjyafuda” is a wooden name tag with your name translated into Kanji on it! Some people carry them as a lucky charm, wishing for a bit of good luck in their future. The name of the shop is “STOCKPLUS”, and they are located right next to Higashi-Ginza station (Exit6). For more details, please visit their website! (English is available)
【Website】https://senjafuda.com/langs/en
Japan Wonder Travel Tours
Our tour started from here, Tsukiji. We have a strong connection with local stores and people, so you can get one and only experience with a knowledgeable guide.
Check out all the tours we offer below!
Tsukiji is a small area, but there are many things to see and enjoy. It is quite easy to walk around the area but is so easy to spend a lot of time at each unique spot. Even after changes occurred due to the transition of the inner market to Toyosu, it is still worth visiting, and the people working there know how to welcome tourists with warm hearts. We hope you learned a thing or two with our complete guide and that you have the chance to visit the one and only Tsukiji Fish Market soon!
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