Tsukiji Market Sightseeing Guide

Tsukiji Outer Market

Tsukiji Market - The Largest Wholesales Market in Japan

with Fresh Seafood

 

Descriptions of Tsukiji Market

Tsukiji Market is the largest wholesale market for fish, fruits and vegetables in Japan. Seafood of Yedo (Tokyo's old name) has been very famous for its tastes for hundreds of years.
It is separated into the Inner Market (Jonai Shijo) and the Outer Market (Jogai Shijo).

Inner Market has moved to Toyosu, the neighboring district, in October, 2018. But Outer Market, where we common people visit, remains in Tsukiji.

In the outer market, there are retail shops, sushi and other kinds of restaurants. You can purchase fresh seafood, processed foods and food-related goods such as Japanese cooking knives and bowls. Having breakfast and lunch here is also a good idea.

 

Tsukiji Market is originally a business district for professionals and some areas are open for visitors. As tuna auction became popular among international tourists, it became a problem a few years ago; some international tourists without knowing it interfered with the real business deal by touching some fish for sale, etc. The sellers and buyers established the guidelines for visitors not to enter the restricted areas, touch the foods, bring large bags and suitcases, interrupt the carts, and do other things to bother their business.
Please cooperate with them to build a good relationship between the professionals, visitors of today and tourists in the future.

 

If you wish to visit tuna auction, you have to register for it at Fish Information Center inside the market, which opens at 5 a.m. The number of visitors is limited to 120 people a day.

When to Visit Tsukiji Market
It's a town of early birds.
Shops open from very early (ex: 6:00 am) and close around 14:00.

Official Website of Outer Market
The highlights, access, maps, main reminders and important guidelines are well introduced in a cheerful atmosphere.
"Experience" page is especially recommended!
http://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/

 

Direct Guide to Tsukiji Market

From Tokyo Station

Take JR Yamanote Line (via Shinagawa, Shibuya) to Yurakucho. Walk to Hibiya Station and take Hibiya Subway Line (via Kita-Senju) to Tsukiji.
(around 25 minutes, \130 + \160)

 

From Shinjuku Station

Take Oedo Subway Line (via Roppongi, Daimon) to Tsukiji Market(Tsukiji-Shijo) Station.
(around 20 minutes, \260)

 

From Shinagawa Station

Take Keikyu Line through Sengakuji to Higashi-Ginza. Walk 5 minutes to the market.
(around 15 minutes, \390)
(You can change trains at Higashi-Ginza for Hibiya Subway Line. The next station is Tsukiji, 1 minute walk to the market.)
(If you feel Keikyu Line is complicated, you can take Yamanote Line from Shinagawa to Shimbashi. Then change trains to Asakusa Subway Line or directly walk from there to the Market.)

 

From Shibuya Station

Take Ginza Subway Line (via Asakusa) to Ginza and change trains for Hibiya Subway Line (via Kita-Senju) to Tsukiji .
(around 25 minutes, \190)

 

Travel Freely like a Local!

Check out The Easiest JR Train Maps & Subway Maps

 

link to the easiest JR train maps in Tokyo, Japan

 

link to the easiest subway maps in Tokyo, Japan

 

Get a Google Map of Tsukiji Market

https://goo.gl/maps/zzomG

 


Things to Do & See in Tsukiji Market

Tsukiji Outer Market

Tsukiji Market gate

Going out of Tsukiji Station or Higashi-Ginza Station, you will find this gate where Shin-Ohashi Street and Harumi Street are crossing.

 

The main business area is going to move to Toyosu, a bay side district near Tsukiji, but the Outer Market is going to stay in Tsukiji that has traditions.

 

Let's go to the block of Tsukiji Outer Market!

 

 

Visitor Information Center

Tsukiji Market Visitor Information Center.

Information Center was established by passionate people in Tsukiji. Vending machines inside are very helpful for thirsty visitors who try some fresh fish at the market.

Tsukiji Market souvenir T-shirts.

 

 

 

 

Tsukiji logo (and tuna) T-shirts as souvenirs, free maps and English guide services are also available.

 

Sushi restaurants in Tsukiji Outer Market

 

Tsukiji Outer Market's narrow streets

Sushi stands/restaurants, fresh seafood stands/restaurants and food-related shops are lined in the very narrow paths in the Outer Market.

 

A lot of international tourists are strolling with trying delicious seafood served by lively sellers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh Food in Tsukiji Market

The following are just some of great foods at Tsukiji Market.
Seafood depends on the season. We can try super fresh seafood at reasonable prices because Tsukiji Market is a whole sales market.

 

Tsukiji Outer Market

Scallop, oyster and other seasonal fish plate grilled by burners is 800 yen. (At Maguro no Miyako. There are other shops offering similar foods.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tsukiji Outer Market's narrow streets

Japanese omelets contain some tastes of soy sauce. It is good whichever it is just grilled on the pan or gets cold. (At Marutake, 100 yen. Yamagata and other shops are also good.)

 

 

Tsukiji Outer Market's narrow streets

Fresh sushi. (Fugu/globefish, which is high-grade fish in Japan. Rare for shushi. At Tsukiji Aozora Sandaime hafu, 500 yen for 2 pieces)
You can choose a calm restaurant style or a take-out stand. For an exellent meal at the market, sushi plates are 2000 to 3000 yen.
Some rare parts of tuna and rare kinds of fish are found in Tsukiji, so you fortunately meet them on the day of your trip, try them!

 

Tsukiji Uogashi the Shopping Center & Restaurants

Tsukiji Uogashi, the new shopping center.

In 2016, a new shopping center opened inside Tsukiji Outer Market.

 

Seafood rice bowl at Tsukiji Uogashi, the new shopping center.

There is a restaurant where you can have fresh seafood, meat, etc.
Also, if you bought fresh sushi and other foods from the wholesalers, there are benches in the 3rd floor and the rooftop to have them.

 

 

To learn more, please go to Report & Review of Tsukiji Uogashi by a Local! (Open in a new window.)

 

Travel Tip: Choose what you wish to eat when you plan your trip to Tsukiji.
Generally, it is quite difficult to try all of a sushi plate, bowl of fresh seafood and rice, noodle and other attractive foods in one day.
Let's try some which make you really full!

 

Things in Tsukiji

There are other kind of shops related to foods.

 

Tsukiji Outer Market

One of them is Aritsugu, a Japanese cooking knife shop. Their knives are traditionally famous among Japanese cooks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tsukiji Outer Market

A scrubbing brush shop. Some shops are selling interesting souvenirs with the essence of their traditional goods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Namiyoke Inari Shrine

Namiyoke Inari-Jinja Shrine at the corner of the Outer Market is very small but interesting to see.

Namiyoke-Inari Shrine in Tsukiji.

Shishi (Lion) of Namiyoke-Inari in Tsukiji.

 

You can meet the Shishi (Lions) for yearly Tsukiji Shishi Festival in June.

 

At the festival, Tsukiji locals parade with this lion head. It is a very local, lively festival in an old district lasting for hundreds of years.

 

Tsukiji Honganji Temple

Another must-see is Tsukiji Honganji-Temple next to the Outer Market.

Tsukiji Honganji Temple

The sect of Jodo Shinshu was established by Shinran, a famous priest in Japanese Buddhism. Tsukiji Honganji Temple was originally built in 1617.
When the building was renovated in 1934 after burnt, the architecture was inspired from India, home of Buddhism.
Stairs, doors and inside are impressively beautiful and exotic.

 

Tsukiji Honganji Temple

This temple has been holding many Buddhist seminars open for anyone.
Today, they hold Monthly English Teaching on last Saturday of the month except August.

 

This temple holds a bon odori (Japanese folk dance) festival in late July.

 

 

 

 

 

There are so many to try in Tsukiji.
Have a good day!

 

Want to see MORE of Tsukiji?

See blog posts about Tsukiji.

 

 

Tsukiji Event Calendar

Date Event Place Details
7th of Every Month

Nanoka-Ichi
(7th Day Market)

Outer Market Outer Market holds an event. The event depends on the month. Seasonal foods are related or have-a-fun event such as a lottery.
one day in May

Hanne-Ichi
(Half-Price Market)

Outer Market Every shop offer one product at the half price.

 

At Namiyoke Inari-Jinja Shrine

Date

Event

Details

1 January New Year Festival

Celebrate the new year. They give 1000 people a charm from 0:00.
Until 10 Jan, they serve a cup of purified sake.

one day in early February Setsubun  People scatter soybeans to welcome good luck and eject bad luck.
1-7 July Hoshi-Matsuri (= Tanabata =Japanese Star Festival)

Send a wish to stars by writing it and hang it on a bamboo.
The main festival is on 7th.

31 December O-barai Ending the year.

Tip: 4-Language Written Oracles (omikuji) are available.

 

Accommodation in Tsukiji

Although Tsukiji is not a place where many hotels compete each other, there are great options for those who hope to enjoy Tsukiji Market at the most.

 

Stay in Tsukiji

I recommend 3 hotels below. All of them have high ratings on travel booking websites. It is a great advantage for you to stay at one of them to join the tuna auction tour starting before 6 a.m.

 

Tokyu Stay Higashi Ginza

This hotel is located INSIDE the Outer Market. There cannot be greater advantages to visit Tsukiji Market!
Tokyu Stay Tsukiji is available on Booking.com.

Book Tokyu Stay Higashi Ginza via Booking.com

Business Hotel Ban

This hotel is located next to Honganji-Temple and just across from Tokyu Stay Tsukiji.
Business Hotel Ban is available on Booking.com.

Book Business Hotel Ban in Tsukiji via Booking.com

 

Search Hotels in Tsukiji

Booking.com

 

Stay in Shiodome, the Neighboring District

Shiodome is a stunning seaside area in Tokyo, so you can find great hotels. The 5-Star fabulous hotels offer breathtaking views, but there are also some reasonable business hotels.
Tsukiji Shijo Station of Oedo Subway Line is the first station from Shiodome.
Book a hotel in Shiodome via Booking.com