Tsukiji Market

Of all the activities our group did over the past 10 days in Japan, without doubt, the opportunity to view tuna fish auction at the fish market topped all other experiences on this trip.
Three are just 120 spaces for the public to view tuna auction (free!) each morning, so you would need to get to the market really early in the morning to grab a spot (on the morning, we arrived at 4am, just in time to be in The second group of 60 people to view the auction that morning and all the 120 spots were taken by 4:15am!).
The actual viewing lasts just 15 – 20 minutes but it was all worth it. At first once The auction started there were melodic mesmerizing kind of voices leading the market. I thought the whole market just started chanting before the market opened… but only to find that what I initially thought was the prayer/​chanting voice was actually the auction itself! We saw the inspection of tuna before the market began and the auction itself before getting whisked out swiftly by the market association. One of the bigger tuna fish we saw went for as much as 4.7million yen!
If you are looking for something to do once in a lifetime thing in Tokyo, definitely check out the morning tuna auction! The rare opportunity to observe first hand how the tuna auction was done was so memorable that I found myself kept replaying what I saw and heard at the auction in my head over and over again.

I went to this fish market about 5 years ago. I think it’s one of the best fish markets in the world. I had to get up very early in the morning like around 5 to take the first train and get there before 6. By that time it was already packed with people both the sellers and the tourists. Although this is a local market, it is so famous that it’s always visited by travelers from around the world. That time tourists were allowed to see the famous auction of tuna fish. Nowadays as I heard tourists are not allowed to observe it anymore or you might have to reserve a seat. I am not sure about this, so check it before you go. The auction was energetic and was nothing like I had ever seen before. The fish was huge and expensive. Some shops that sell tuna showed how to cut into different parts that were sold in different prices.
Besides the tuna auction that it is a must to see, there are other seafood products and they are cheaper and fresher than in the supermarkets (of course!). It was really interesting just to walk around the market. I had never seen so much fish and many I had never seen before in my life. It was worth to get up so early.
The best thing about this trip to the market is that I got to have the best sushi and sashimi because there were so many restaurants in and around the market. You can find cheap and expensive ones. They are normally better and have fresher fish. I wish I could go there everyday!

Cool to do once if you’re in Tokyo! Didn’t bother with the tuna auction, seemed like a lot of trouble and I was also super jet lagged, but walking around the market was cool, and I doubt you’ll see a seafood market on this scale ever again! It was tight for space and you do feel like you’re in the way… pay attention and try not to be in peoples way — this is a workplace for a lot of people, don’t be that idiot tourist!
Slip into basically any of the seafood places that surround it, I’m sure you can’t go wrong and you’re basically guaranteed it’ll be super fresh! I picked one at random that had a seat, and it was delicious!

I visited this place due to its hype and sushi. The experience was as expected; food was decent and the streets were nice to walk around.
Not much goes on besides the fish and seafood shops. I ate at a pretty decent sushi place.
Overall, good place to take a stroll but nothing there that wows me.

A perfect 5 star experience!!!
Fish Auction? Yes please!!!
Do you love sushi? Do you love fish? Seafood? Sashimi? That amazing toro? How about a stunning chirashi bowl? Or seeing the most beautiful tuna? Do you want to feel completely out of place and love every minute of it? Omg this is the place! Like the place!
Don’t come to Tokyo without visiting this place. Seriously! I stayed in Park Hyatt during my last visit to Tokyo and the magical concierge pulled some strings overnight for me to get a visit here for the fish auction! 100 something spots and we managed to snag 3! Say whaaaaaaaaaaaaat! Well ok we had to wake up at crack of dawn. But who wouldn’t for this amazing experience. And it was worth all the trouble from missing/​wrong trains. So much so that we stayed way late and nearly missed our booked ride to the airport. Or did we? :D
Love~ the tuna! Omg! The tuna steak! The tuna belly! The giant heads! Geoduck! Wasabi roots! And super sharp knives!
A must do~ EAT! Bring cash! They have the most amazing and wonderful vendors here for food. Ramen, sushi, sashimi! Huge lines for every place though. Or maybe that’s what happened when you come super early and watch them chopped and fillet all the fish? Or maybe it’s worst when you come here on an empty stomach. So many maybes! But I had the best meal/​meals ever here. Yes, it was worth waiting in two lines for two different places.
One place had the most beautiful chirashi bowl. The only thing cooked in my bowl was that piping hot steamed rice. The place is tiny! Seats about 10 people max at a tiny bar. Hook your bags on the top rail, snuggle up on the counter and just point and go! English? Pfft! You are not in a tourist trap! Forget it! And when in Tokyo, learn some Japanese. Or sign and point. Everyone is so eager to help you here, you’ll end up with something amazing anyway!
But the bowl! The most amazing bowl of the freshest seafood ever! Tuna belly aka toro being my favorite! A ton of fish eggs, crabs, even some tomago! Loved every bite!
We also stopped at various shops for tempura (YUMMMMMMMMMM), Musubi (hell yesss!) and even some ramen! Ramen was over the top after eating all kinds of raw fish, seafood fried and even some abalone. Very happy we came early though. It was amazing watching all the auction fun! I mean it was my first auction! That too at this amazing spot. So much culture and liveliness. We also got lost going back. Took several wrong trains and nearly missed my flight back. But as usual, everyone in Tokyo is beyond friendly and nice. They made it happen! I heart you, Tokyo! And I loveeee my day at this market. I wish I can go back weekly!!!

Tsukiji Fish Market is probably the most popular place to go to when people visit Tokyo. Knowing this, I had planned for us to visit on a weekday so it would be less crowded. When Stephanie S. and I got there around 9am, it was already bustling and full of people. I can only imagine how crowded it is during the weekend! Claustrophobia: full mode.
Remember how I was so glad we got to check out Omotesando Koffee before it closed/​moved? Tsukiji Market is also in the same boat! Because they’re making new roadways to help facilitate traffic for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, they are moving the market to Toyosu in November of this year.
The marketplace was so fun to walk through. So. Much. Seafood! Restaurants in Japan send people to the market early in the morning to bid for and buy the freshest fish to be served later. The Tsukiji Market is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world! The market is broken up into two sections: the inner market and the outer market. The inner market is the wholesale market where fish deals go down. The outer market is the place tourists can visit. It consists of restaurants, stores, and stalls that sell supplies, seafood, snacks, and more. The marketplace itself closes in the early afternoon, so plan to come earlier in the day!

I went to Tokyo for vacation with my best friend and fellow Foodie last Fall. Our hot was only a 10 minute walk from the Fish Market, and we visited twice. Neither of us are good in the morning, so despite tips on getting here early, we went around 10am.
Surprisingly, the wait was not long at all. Don’t get me wrong, this is a very very busy market place and at times the human traffic can be nerve-​racking (I’m a New Yorker). But I probably waited 20 minute tops to get into one of their little hole in the walls.
I’m not a bit seafood person, let alone raw fish. By the sashimi that they served was so incredibly fresh and melt-​in-​your-​mouth good!!! Definitely worth the trip if you’re in Tokyo. Prices are reasonable, considering how expensive Japan is already.

Is this Times Square on New Year’s Eve? No, it’s Wednesday at a fish market in central Tokyo.
This is one of the places all of your white friends who’ve visited Tokyo previously will tell you to go. For that reason alone I almost felt compelled to skip, but hey — I’m a tourist. I’m glad I did.
This market is famous for their fish auctions that happen at 4:30am each day. But from what I understand, you just annoy fishmongers trying to earn a living since you have no business being there. So I went at 9:00am and had perfectly enjoyable time. There are still transactions and real time haggling going down amongst competing proprietors, and you have access to the same fresh fish that was just sold hours ago to business owners in the neighborhood. You’ll find every kind of seafood item imaginable, and even if you’re not in the market for a whole fish of your own, there are plenty of small bites to be had.
Witnessing the sheer chaos of this market is well worth the trip.

Largest fish market in the world which is going to be re-​located to some other place sometime in 2016. Iam glad we got to see the old version of it. Its great fun just to stroll through narrow paths and observe the atmosphere. They sell fish you didnt even know exists, fish you cant even imagine. Whatever lives down in the ocean they have it here, and sell it. We got offered 12 pieces of tuna sashimi for ¥400 (3 €) wich was great deal for fresh fish and ate it later as a snack in nearby Hamarikyu gardens. If you are lucky you can see the salesmen cutting giant tunas with their enormous swords or knifes or whatever they call it. The whole set up feels like time stopped here decades ago. Too bad this will be gone soon, Iam sure the new market will lack the unique atmosphere.

The first time I came to Tsukuji was over a dozen years ago when I could get up at 5AM and race over to catch the tuna auctions. There was just me, my dad and some professional photographer watching the proceedings right in front of all those rows of gigantic tuna (photo from 2003:
). Flash forward to the present and it’s become quite the exclusive event thanks to the Food Network, the Travel Channel and all the other foodie-​targeted coverage the world famous market has received.
When I heard from the hotel concierge that you have to show up at about 2:30AM and wait in a room where only 120 insomniacs gain admission, I decided my one time seeing the auctions was probably enough for me. Just so you know, coming here after 9AM is mesmerizing enough as the wholesale seafood area is bustling and full of fresh marine life, much of it still alive in wash basins (photo:
). You just have to be careful not to be run over by the speeding trolleys (photo:
).
It’s pretty crazy-​busy since the employees around here take no prisoners. There were several groups of tourists traveling in legions throughout the area, and no doubt we all get in the way. It’s clear that Tsukuji was never built to be a tourist attraction because you could easily twist an ankle on the wet concrete and potholes that you have to maneuver around. This time around, Jamie W. and I decided to take advantage of the fresh fish and had sushi at Umai Sushi Kan (review:
). The lines can get overwhelming at all the small places to eat within the market, so bear that in mind when you plan your morning there.
There are also plenty of places to eat right outside the market (photo:
). The biggest thing you need to know about Tsukuji Market is that it’s closing permanently in November of this year, and the whole operation is moving to Toyosu about three kilometers south in order to make room for a new roadway that will help facilitate traffic to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The new fish market will likely be more accommodating to tourists, but if you are looking to be immersed in its current hurly-​burly state, you may want to move up your plans to come to Tokyo. The fish ain’t gonna wait.

Easily a place you simply cannot miss when visiting Tokyo. The number of choices to eat in and around the market is staggering. If you’re brave, get here extremely early and wait in line for the tuna auctions and the sushi restaurant Sushi Dai. What is also amazing is the lack of a fish smell when you walk around the stalls of Tsukiji market. The sense of Japanese pride and cleanliness really shows. Go anywhere else in the world and you will not find a cleaner fish market.
Tsukiji Market is a must when traveling to Japan. The choices to dine are endless and the experience of going is required.

The famous fish market! If you are a fan of seafood and sashimi this is the best place to get it. Fresh and cheap and many options. During my eight day trip in Tokyo, I came here here a few times for lunch. I wanted to wait for Sushi Dai, but honestly, I was SO tired from shopping every day I couldn’t get up and wait in line. But it’s ok, you can go to many other restaurants. They have a path way filled with restaurants that has all kinds of fish, uni and noodles to eat. MUST try is the uni bowl and fatty tuna bowl, super cheap here unlike the states. They also have big scallops, fresh and has great flavor. They have very cute souvenirs, I bought a lot of sushi magnets, they looked SO real.
Must go place if you are in Tokyo and a tourist destination! Eat till there is no tomorrow!

El paseo gastronómico número uno de Tokio. Acá se puede probar gran parte de la comida típica en su lugar de origen: pinchos de atún y vieiras, takoyakis de pulpo, sushi, etc.
Hay unos cuantos restaurantes, aunque comiendo al paso se aprecia mejor esa dinámica agitada y entretenida de mercado popular, con cientos de japoneses haciendo sus compras cotidianas.
También es el lugar ideal para comprar artículos de cocina japonesa, hay de todo.
Se puede llegar en subte (como a todo Tokio) o caminando desde Ginza, que está a unas pocas cuadras.

Using my Japan Rail Pass on the Shinkansen, I took a day trip to Tokyo from Osaka. One of the things I did was to visit the market before it moves. It was too late for the tuna auction but it didn’t matter anyway because it was closed during the time I was there. I took a taxi from Tokyo Station and the driver dropped me off at the main corner of the outside market.
I’m not a seafood fan (and I’m allergic to shrimp) but it was worth experiencing the spectacle at least one time. The outside market is laid out on a grid so it was fairly easy to get around without getting lost. Public restrooms are available along with a seating area with vending machines at one end of the outside market. Otherwise there are not many places to sit unless you go into an establishment to eat. Some places are very small, with only a few seats, and some have only tables you can stand and eat at.
It is fairly accessible, although in some spots you may have to go a little out of your way to find a cutout or somewhere where there isn’t a step or stairs. The whole thing is somehow controlled chaos, between the masses of people, shops, sellers, turret trucks, hand carts, bicycles, mopeds — it’s amazing there aren’t more collisions. There’s a good chance you’ll see things you’ve never seen before (and have no idea what they are). In some areas the ground is quite wet, so be careful when you walk.
Despite all the potential drawbacks, I’m glad I went once before it moves. It really is something to experience, what with all the sights and smells and sounds.

One and done, is what I would say in terms of waking up at even earlier than the crack of dawn to attend the tuna auction. Basically, here’s what happens:
— Take a taxi or walk (somehow) to the market, as the railway is closed when you need to get there
— Hopefully bring a map with you to find where you need to go, or follow other confused looking tourists
— Get there before 4 am to be in the at least the last tour group
— Wait, seated on the floor in a bright yellow vest (or green!) for 45+ minutes until your group finally gets walked to the auction floor
— Stand behind a little barrier and ‘ooooh…ahhhh’ at the massive tunas being haggled over (while avoiding damp puddles and elbowing others for a look)
— Head out into the market to find one of the freshest sushi breakfasts you’ll ever have
I would definitely return to the market on another trip (although I hear it’s changing locations), but maybe after 7 am, to hit up the vendors for a small mountain of fresh uni for what feels like a steal, and freshly grilled conch. Do make the effort to come out once, though!

Being a sashimi fan, Tsukiji fish market was #1 on my Must Visit List for my Japan trip. Especially since I was looking forward to eating at Sushi Dai, but didn’t make it before they closed off the line :(next time, next time…
The market wasn’t really what I expected… its more like a maze of small shops and sushi vendors packed into a small piece of land with fish and seafood all over the floor in boxes. People were bumping into eachother as we pushed along the alleys. Make sure to wear comfy shoes as your chances of getting stepped on is pretty high. Fresh fish, seafood, and sushi shops were everywhere. Fierce competition for sure…
Nevertheless, we ended up eating at a random sushi shop and the fish was o’ so fresh… so I can’t even imagine how Sushi Dai would taste…
Overall, unless you are a fisherman or a person whos super into fish, I think you can skip the auction and just wander around the alleys and eat some sashimi… it was fulfilling enough for me! Can’t wait to go again!

Tsukiji is the worlds largest wholesale seafood and fish market. It’s sitting on prime real estate and is slated to move to Toyosu (approximately a mile and a half away) sometime in 2016. The current location will eventually be torn down and rebuilt to possibly making way for resorts and casinos for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Knowing that this original wholesale market was destined for destruction, I made sure to visit here and attend the tuna auction. The tuna auction was well worth the two hour wait. I had my phone loaded with movies to help time pass, but didn’t need it. I met many people from around the world and had interesting conversation that kept me entertained.
The opening times for the tuna auction is from 5:25a.m. to 6:15 a.m. It is on a first come first served basis for the first 120 people. The first group of 60 people go into the auction from 5:25a.m. to 5:50am and the second group of 60 people from 5:50am to 6:15am.
Note:
–The subway doesn’t run early so you will have to take an über or cab if you want to make the tuna auction.

I’ve eaten a lot of sushi, good and bad. Bad is when I’m feening so hard I go to a grocery chain and buy the pre-​made sushi. The kind that has likely been sitting in the cooler for hours, maybe days, and rice is so hard I could chip a tooth. Good thing this only happens like once a year… okay maybe three.
Luckily for me I got to also experience the best of sushi with the freshest fish I’ve eaten in my life. The market opens super early. I’ve heard the auction starts at 5am and people can line up at 3am to get a glance. Then the market area opens at 9am for tourist. Not sure if that’s true, but that’s the word on the street.
I didn’t get there until 8am. I had a bit of trouble reading directions at the train station, you know, not being Japanese and all. When I did get there the shops on the street outside were all opening their showcases with fresh catches of the day.
I was in heaven for real. There were packages on packages of fresh uni, clam, giant crab legs already cooked and cut, oysters, scallops, you name it. I snuck into a little restaurant and ordered an assortment bowl of sashimi that included raw uni, scallop, tuna, shrimp, roe, and maybe something else that came on top of rice, with a side of miso soup.
It was INCREDIBLE. The favors were so naturally subtle, sweet, salty, buttery, creamy, a hint of bitterness in the uni, and best of all was the taste of the ocean. Hands down best sushi of my life, I probably won’t be experiencing anything like it again. After my meal, I visited other stands, snacked a bunch, and walked into the market to watched fishermen clean fish and organize displays.
The trip to the market was quite an experience. Definitely plan a morning there if you’re visiting.

At Tsukiji Market, the largest fish market in the world, you’ll find some of the freshest fish and seafood on earth. The seafood is amazingly so fresh here, that you’ll barely smell the fish in the air.
If you are a sushi and sashimi fan, Tsukiji Market is an absolute must.
I had some of the best sushi I had ever had in my life here, but every dining spot at the market looks pretty good. We found a spot in the enclosed area in the middle which offered miso soup and pike in addition to a chirashi bowl for only 3000Y more. I wish I had checked in or could remember the name.
Amazing place and market overall.

Guess you have to be a real sushi fan to give this place 5 stars. I’m docking a point for the insanely long lines and pushy crowds you have to deal with to get the ‘best sushi of your life’.
My husband did taste a difference in how fresh the sushi was and didn’t mind the long wait at all but I didn’t taste a difference. To me, it’s either good restaurant quality sushi or the cheap lower-​quality sushi from the local grocery store.
Watch out for them asking in the beginning: ‘wasabi?’ That’s all our waiter said to us and my husband said ‘yes!’ But apparently that meant yes to putting some wasabi on each piece of sushi on both the plates that we ordered… so that ruined the sushi for me. Even after I scraped it off I could still taste too much for comfort. Live and learn.
As far as things to do in Japan as a tourist… I do recommend to make time for it :-)

* NEW LOCATION OPENS ON 11÷7÷16. VISIT BEFORE IT MOVES FOR GOOD *
So the big deal about the historic Tsukiji Market is that it will be moving to it’s new location, named Toyosu Market in response to the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. So if you’re planning on visiting Tokyo and reading this review before mid-​2016, this could likely be your last time walking through the area and actually seeing the businesses in full boom.
Tsukiji is an incredible place to walk around and explore. As the entire world knows, Japan is the champion of consuming raw fish and the amount of activity at Tsukiji is no exception. From the bidding of the giant bluefin tuna to piles sea urchins, most of Tokyo’s fresh seafood will probably pass through this market. The best restaurants in Japan send representatives to the market early in the morning, bidding at the tuna auction for the freshest fish to be served later during the day.
I’ll note that the area can be split into two parts. If you’re walking from Ginza, the first glimpse of Tsukiji will be all of the shops and restaurants littered through a grid of alleys. They serve fish purchased earlier in the day from the actual market, which is located right next to the waterfront. You’ll know you’re there (it’s another few minutes past the touristy area) once you smell the stench of fish.
For a tourist like most people reading this review, you can too get in on the 5am auction action if you wake up at 3am and get to the auction as early as you can since it’s limited to 120 visitors per day. If you’re like me and you value sleep, you can still watch the bustling action of the market by sneaking in and staying low profile in the early morning (or when it actually opens up at 9am). The actual warehouse (probably the size of a football stadium) that houses the different venders is super super eerie, yet awesome place to walk around. You’ll likely run into some dead bluefin tuna heads, puddles, and piles and piles of white boxes used to store raw fish. It is dangerous inside as there are forklifts and lots and lots of people moving around, so stay alert and respect those who are working.
As you walk through the alleys, use your gut feeling and choose any restaurant to have a bowl of fresh chirashi. After inspecting the menus and taking a peek inside a couple of different restaurants to make sure it wasn’t too touristy, we chose one located near the T intersection from the first alley. It’s one of the freshest and most delicious bowls of chirashi I’ve ever had.
When you’re looking for a place to eat (and you *must* do this), there will be tons of options and it’s expected you’ll pay at least $ 15+ USD. You’ll definitely want to have tuna, but I’m a huge fan of salmon and sea urchin so I had those in the option I picked.
The experience at Tsukiji is both incredible and delicious. Be adventurous, but remember to be reasonable and stay safe.

Tout près de la gare de Tsukiji, ce marché célèbre du poisson a lieu tout les matins.
J’y suis venue quelques fois, et la première était avec une amie étrangère qui était venue visiter Tokyo.
On s’est levé 4h30 du matin. C’était déjà trop tôt pour moi, mais pour goûter le sushi tout fraîs, on est arrivée à 5h. Mais en fait, c’était déjà trop tard. Le vente en enchère du ton et d’autre poisson avait été déjà termnié alors tout le monde dépéchaient déjà pour rentrer leurs propres magasins… lol
Mais quand même c’était intéressant, car il y avait tellement d’étalages permanantes et comme tout était venu le matin, les poissons ou les coquilles bougeaient encore tout vivement.
Balladant un peu en voyant ce qu’il y a, on a essayé de trouver un bon coin pour goûter le sushi de jour.
Nous somme rentrées dans un petit resto qui nous parassait sympa, on a commandé et s’est bien régalé le sushi tout fraîs. C’est vrai que le goût est différent et la peine de se lever tôt nous a donné le goût encore particulier.