Tokyo Guide: Tsukiji

Tuna Auction | When is Tsukiji Open? | Behavior | Tsukiji Video | Access

Tokyo Area Guide: Tsukiji 築地

Tokyo's most dynamic produce market
Famous for its early morning fish auction
Tokyo's sushi mecca
Huge array of wholesale and retail produce for sale

Tsukiji Fish Market is the sushi mecca for visitors to Tokyo. Located about 1.5km south of Tokyo Station, Tsukiji is the most famous of the twelve locations operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market and is a venerable institution dating from 1935.

While actually not exclusively a fish market (Tsukiji also deals in fruit, vegetables and meat) it is most famous for its fish.

Seafood

Tsukiji is the largest fish market in the world and an estimated 17% of the world's total fish catch passes through its gates. The frantic action begins around 5am and is winding down by mid morning.

The market, where the famous early morning (5.30-6.00am) fish auction takes place, is 300m south-west of the Tsukiji 6-chome intersection on Harumi-dori avenue.

Namiyoke Inari Jinja Shrine

Look for the Namiyoke Inari Jinja Shrine, a Shinto shrine built in 1659 to protect workers from rough seas during the reclamation project that created the Tsukiji area. The Shrine is at the entrance to the market.

The streets teem with small trucks and especially turret trucks rapidly carrying produce to and fro - requiring visitors to be very watchful.

Tsukiji tuna auction

Tsukiji

The tuna auction, which starts at 5.30am, is the main attraction for curious onlookers. The auction area can be watched - and, more to the point, listened to - from the sidelines. It is a seeming cacophony of shouts and cries, amidst which men with picks bend over huge frozen tuna inspecting them for their quality. (See video below.) No flash photography!

Tsukiji open days

Tsukiji Market itself is not open every day. A list of holidays is available on the Tsukiji Market website (click on the 'Tsukiji Market Calendar' - the dates marked in red are no go) and an English guidesheet and map are also available at the market's information booth.

Tsukiji wholesale

Adjacent to the auction area is a building full of tiny wholesale stores - more like booths - selling the freshest marine produce.

Tsukiji retail

The retail side of Tsukiji on the outskirts of the market extends to the block on the other side of Harumi-dori which is also full of restaurants and stores where you can sample some of the freshest sushi available anywhere in Japan, buy produce in retail quantities, purchase culinary implements, especially knives, and get souvenirs of the market, too.

However, whether the market is open or not, Tsukiji is always buzzing with energy. The crazy maze of street stalls and restaurants is anxious to feed you its freshest and finest. Opening hours are typically from 5am to noon or mid-afternoon.

Behavior at Tsukiji Tuna Auction

The demeanor of visitors is a perennial problem. Access has been considerably restricted because of friction between tourists and those working at Tsukiji. Please observe the following rules:

Stay within the areas allotted.
No touching of produce.
Be aware of workers' movements so as not to get in their way.
No flash photography - especially during the tuna auction.
No large bags or backpacks.
No smoking
No pets
No pre-schoolers
As for attitude: be discreet!

Tsukiji Wholesale Fish Market, Tokyo, Japan.

Tsukiji Honganji Temple

The impressive Indian-style Tsukiji Honganji Temple across the road from Tsukiji subway station is also worth a look for its pre-war antiqueness, its vast incense-laden, cathedral-like interior and carved golden altar. You are more than likely to see a ceremony taking place before the grand altar if you stop in.

Tsukiji Video

Access to Tsukiji Market

Tsukiji Station, Hibiya Line, exit 1, Google Map; Higashi Ginza Station, Hibiya and Asakusa Lines, exit 5; and Tsukiji-ichiba Station, Oedo Line, exit A1.
Tel: (03) 3542 1111.

Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo, Japan.