Tsukiji Fish Market: 2024 New Visitors Guide
Tsukiji Market, once the world’s largest fish market, has seen a lot of change in the past few years. Although the famous Tsukiji Tuna Auction moved to Toyosu Market in 2018 (along with the wholesale “inner market”) Tsukiji still retains its unique charms. This guide will help you navigate the market and learn what makes it still worth visiting in 2024.
Want the ultimate Tokyo market adventure? Take a comprehensive tour of the Toyosu Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Fish Market in one morning.
Tsukiji Market is a crowded crisscrossing of lanes and alleyways between Ginza and the Sumida River, packed full of stalls and small restaurants with every kind of seafood imaginable. Along with Toyosu nearby, Tsukiji Fish Market fuels this city’s amazing ecosystem of eateries, providing the catch of the day to Tokyo’s best sushi restaurants and everyone else who likes it fresher than fresh.
At its peak, Tsukiji provided 2,000 tons of fresh seafood daily! This industrial clout has passed on to Toyosu, but a lively community of merchants still make it a charming and delicious addition to your Tokyo itinerary.
What’s changed at Tsukiji Market
Make sure your info and expectations are up to date when planning a visit. Here’s a quick summary of what’s changed since the big move. We’ll dive deeper below if you want to know more.
• The tuna auction and wholesale “inner market” are now based in Toyosu. If you want to see the tuna auction, read our guide here.
• Some popular eateries moved, but many remain. Now that Tsukiji caters more to travelers than market workers, some prices have gone up, but the weak yen may lessen the impact for visitors.
• A new covered market, Tsukiji Uogashi, opened in the Odawarabashi Building and Kaikobashi Building on the east side of Tsukiji. Around 60 stores and a rooftop space supplement the outer market stalls, competing with the new modern facilities at Toyosu.
Upcoming developments at the old Inner Market
After much speculation, we now know what will become of the huge space that once held the Tsukiji Inner Market (wholesale area). At last, we’ve heard that a massive redevelopment plan has been greenlit. Expect new hotels, shopping, a waterfront transport hub, and an ultra-modern, multi-purpose stadium to start opening from 2030. The developers have even teased that flying cars can visit the site! Fans of the current retro vibe though will be pleased to know the outer market is planned to be kept as it is.
If you want a bustling street food scene with fresh seafood bites, Tsukiji is still great.
Since the wholesale market moved, today’s Tsukiji Outer Market is growing more touristic, no doubt about that. It’s not the same as it once was, but it still has that history and the energy that first made it famous.
Toyosu Market may have the early-morning auctions, but Tsukiji remains a top spot for travelers to sample delicious fresh fish and a street-food scene that’s not so prevalent in Tokyo — and to soak up the vibes.
Is it worth taking a tour of Tsukiji Market?
That depends on you! Though you don’t need a guide anymore to access all areas, they do enhance the experience, providing historical context and insider knowledge about the market. A local guide helps navigate the alleys, introduces vendors to hear local stories, and ensures you don’t miss out on must-try foods.
Book a guide if you want to find the hidden gems that others miss, learn all about what you’re eating, find specific goods, hear local stories, and connect more with the community.
Good Tsukiji tours introduce foods you might not otherwise try, picking out the best choices from the thronging crowds. Those covering both Tsukiji and Toyosu market in one morning are the most comprehensive!
Seek a knowledgeable bilingual guide who can bring you new experiences, explain what you’re seeing and eating, and be the cultural bridge between yourself and the local vendors — the beating heart of Tsukiji. Any good Tsukiji tour includes essential street food stops or takes you to a superb restaurant away from the big brands flooded by tourists.
And, of course, Tsukiji has a history to it. Tours that visit the unique temple and local shrine tell Tsukiji’s story a little better. On the other hand, if you like to learn by doing, then a tour with a cooking class will help you really grasp what Tsukiji is all about.
Any of these tours are a great choice to make memorable market adventure:
A Toyosu + Tsukiji Market tour that includes the world-famous tuna auction will give the most complete experience of Tokyo’s markets. Take this tour to see all the action from start to finish.
If you’re all about the eating, the “Special Breakfast Tour” has that covered, big time. You’ll get more than your fill of undiscovered flavors at the stalls and sit down for a super sushi breakfast recommended by your guide.
This all-rounder tour is an all-time winner. It covers all the bases. A bit of shopping, a lot of eating, a bit of drinking, and a splash of history.
The Tsukiji Fish Market Walking Tour & Sushi Lesson is a highly rated tour by ABC Cooking, one of Japan’s best-known cooking studios. Perfect for those who want to explore the market, then get to work with the very same ingredients.
What’s still to see at Tsukiji Outer Market?
Actually, a whole lot!
Photos via Tsukiji FooDrink Tour, Tsukiji Breakfast Tour, and Tsukiji Gourmet/Sake Tour
Even after the move, Tsukiji’s Outer Market is a bustling hub of activity. You'll still find plenty of ultra-fresh seafood and produce, a whole host of street food and snacks to try, and a mix of famous and hidden eateries to feast at. And it’s still a great spot to pick up professional kitchenware and related souvenirs.
Fresh seafood and produce: Stalls lining the alleys of Tsukiji continue to sell fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables. It's a great place to experience the market’s vibrant atmosphere and to see a variety of Japanese food items.
Street food and snacks: Tsukiji is famous for its street food. From grilled scallops to wagyu to tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), there’s a plethora of delicious snacks to try.
Kitchenware shops: For cooking enthusiasts, Tsukiji offers a range of high-quality kitchenware, including Japanese knives and cookware.
Historic sights: The famous Namiyoke Shrine and Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple are not going anywhere. Japan is full of temples and shrines, but these two each have a story to tell, and are part of the irreplaceable fabric of Tsukiji.
No guide? To make the most of Tsukiji, be sure to try a few street-food treats as well as a sit-down breakfast of some super-fly sushi.
The most famous restaurant around is probably Sushizanmai Honten (map here). The flagship restaurant of a major chain, it’s huge (144 seats), tourist friendly (order on the tablet), and open 24 hours. Nearby, their Tsukiji Ekimae branch by the station (here) is also a reliable choice, But in either case, these are hardly insider tips. So, let’s introduce a few top spots you may not have heard of yet!
For bluefin tuna: Nippon Gyoko Shokudo
The name means “Japan Fishing Port Cafeteria,” so you’ll know to expect casual dining — but there’s no skimping on quality! The specialty here is hon-maguro (wild bluefin tuna), carefully selected by “Maguro Fujita,” a market broker well-known for his discerning eye.
Maguro is the quintessential sushi topping, and pretty much represents Tsukiji Market. Here you can try it a dozen different ways, from simple sashimi to skewered and fried. For a comprehensive tasting, we suggest the two-tiered hon-maguro obento for 4,300 JPY. This layered bento box is packed with fresh tuna, tuna cutlet, tuna potato salad, and more! A real feast.
Location: 4-16-2 Tsukiji, inside Tsukiji Nippon Fish Port Market (map)
For grilled seafood: Maguro no Miyako
For the catch of the day hot off the grill, check out Maguro no Miyako. It’s a small and unassuming restaurant, but not to be underestimated. Often crowded, a testament to the taste of their good value eats.
The specialty here is the “kaisen-yaki,” a generous serving of scallops, tuna, shrimp, sea urchin, and more on a large scallop shell. The seafood recommended for the day is lined up in front of the store, and you can have it raw, grilled, or steamed — whatever suits the ingredients and your own taste.
Location: 4-16-7 Tsukiji, next to “Black Cat” Yamato Transport (map)
For Japanese omelet: Tsukiji Yamacho
If you’ve had your fill of seafood, try a street-food version of “tamagoyaki,” the Japanese omelet that’s a staple of every sushi joint. Right in front of Maguro no Miyako is Tsukiji Yamacho, a specialist in thick, fluffy tamagoyaki served up on handy skewers.
Watch them make each batch fresh before your eyes. Choose savory or sweet, hand over a few coins, and savor one of Tsukiji’s best budget eats. There’s often a long line out front, but it moves fast.
Location: 4-10-10 Tsukiji, opposite the Plat information center (map)
Image via Toyosu and Tsukiji Market Tour
When visiting Tsukiji, you won’t want to leave without picking up a few things. Fresh fish is the main attraction, and you should be sure to try some! But it’s not easy to take home as a souvenir, so consider the following:
Japanese kitchen knives: Renowned for their sharpness and craftsmanship, these coveted blades make excellent souvenirs or gifts, and Tsukiji is still one of the best places to find them. See a store list here.
Traditional tableware: Small plates and bowls are more fragile than knives but make a budget-friendly addition to your kitchen you can remember Japan by every day. Pick up some traditional designs, maybe some “ochawan” Japanese rice bowls if you don’t have any yet? Store list here.
Dried seafood: Tsukiji offers a variety of dried seafood products, which are perfect for adding umami to your dishes, plus highly portable (import restrictions vary by country). And you’ll find dried, salted, and processed seafood everywhere you turn in Tsukiji.
Get the official market map to help you find what you’re looking for!
Photo via Tsukiji FooDrink Tour
Those promoting travel to Tsukiji Market have 8 top tips (really requests) for visitors. Avoid faux pas and respects the manners of the market for a smoother visit with these in mind:
1. Give professionals priority in the morning. The market isn’t closed to visitors at any time, but they request visitors to not obstruct the wholesalers and restauranters especially before 9:00 a.m.
2. Don’t walk while you eat. This is a common custom in Japan, so it’s best to stay inside or right in front of whichever eatery you get your fix from.
3. Don’t drag luggage around. Suitcases get in everyone’s way here, so it’s best to leave luggage at your hotel, or use the coin lockers found at Plat Tsukiji and many train stations.
4. Stay in small groups. The narrow, crowded lanes are hard to navigate in large numbers. Don’t lose your friends, and keep hold of the kids!
5. No haggling. Bargaining is common in markets around the world, but not in Japan. Avoid upsetting any shopkeepers by trying to negotiate prices they think are already fair.
6. Look but don’t touch. The fascinating foodstuffs may tempt you to touch, but someone else is going to eat that later. It’s always best to ask, if you want to examine anything.
7. Get permission for photos. Likewise, we’re expected to ask before taking photos of workers or their produce. Look out for “no photos” signs at some shops.
8. Smoke only where permitted. Tsukiji Market is essentially a non-smoking zone, like many areas in Tokyo. Find the designated smoking room in Plat Tsukiji if needed.
Besides all the shops and eateries lining the alleys, there are two key landmarks worth knowing: Tsukiji Uogashi, the new indoor market area, and Plat Tsukiji, the information center.
Tsukiji Uogashi
This indoor area opened a little before the wholesale market relocated, to keep the spirit of Tsukiji Market alive. Split across two buildings, it houses a mix of retail and wholesale stores: about 60 in total. It doesn’t have the color of the outdoor market area, but you might find better prices since it’s aimed more at locals. You’ll also prefer spending time here on super-sunny or rainy days!
In principle, the market is meant for business customers until 9 a.m. If you go after 9 though, you’re free to browse the same shops the restaurants use. As well as fresh fish, you can grab sushi and other ready-to-eat foods — but don’t eat them here!
The first floor is all business, but on the third floor of the Odawarabashi Building there’s a food court called Uogashi Shokudo, with 6 restaurants to mix and match your meal from. Or, the rooftop plaza has tables and chairs to sit and enjoy your finds at. After strolling the stands on the ground floor, head to the roof for a bit of a view. There’s also a BBQ terrace (more info here), if you want to grill up what you bought in the market below.
Location:
Odawarabashi Building, 6-26-1 Tsukiji, Chuo Ward, Tokyo 104-0045 (map)
Kaikobashi Building, 6-27-1 Tsukiji, Chuo Ward, Tokyo 104-0045 (map)
Opening hours: 5:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (closed Sunday, some Wednesdays, and national holidays)
Store hours: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for general public
Uogashi Shokudo: 7:00 a.m. –7:00 p.m.
Plat Tsukiji
Plat Tsukiji is not a new feature (opened in 2012) but is easily overlooked. Not a must-see for all, but home to essential services for some visitors. Mark it on your map (here) and stop by for any of these:
• General information
• Area maps (or get the pdf here)
• ATM or currency exchange
• Coin lockers
• Smoking area (the only one in Tsukiji)
• Tax-free shopping refunds
Location: 4-16-2 Tsukiji, Chuo Ward, Tokyo 104-0045 (map)
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, national holidays, and market closed days.
Tax-free shopping at Tsukiji
As you may know, Tax-free shopping in Japan is not just at the airports. Many larger stores in Japan give on-the-spot tax deductions for tourists, but at Tsukiji you’ll need to keep your receipts and head to Plat once your shopping is done.
You can only get this sales tax rebate for goods bought at participating stores, with a minimum spend of 5,000 JPY (excluding tax). Look for the red “TAX FREE” sticker at the store.
Once you’ve got your loot, bring it to Plat with the receipts and your passport. You’ll get a cash rebate for the sales tax you paid, and the items will be sealed in a special bag — not to be opened until you leave Japan!
You can check all the terms, and a list of participating stores, and the SmartRefund website here.
There’s no need to sleep on the doorstep of the market for a pre-dawn arrival. But it is next to Ginza, which has some incredible hotels. If you want to catch the tuna action too, you might want to stay near Toyosu Market and visit Tsukiji after that. Otherwise, check our ultimate guide on the best places to stay in Tokyo!
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