Tsukiji fish market, the kitchen of Tokyo

The Tsukiji Market, located in Chuo Ward of Tokyo, is a municipally wholesale market. The market deals with 1,799 tons or 1500 million yen of seafood a day, making it one of the largest markets in the world and in Japan. More than 285,000 square meters in the area, Tsukiji Market is famous for its marine products, but also with fresh produce and cooking utensils, knives, cutlery and anything related to food. Just looking at the market is a fun experience. The market is popular not only in Japan but foreign visitors so that some shops prepare menus written in foreign languages. The public information center, Puratto-Tsukiji, provides a map of the area and offers guidance for foreign visitors in English. Tsukiji Market is separated into two main areas: the inner market (Jonai Shijo) and the outside market (Jogai Shijo). The inner market is a wholesale market for professionals. The outdoor market was recently opened for visitors.

Enjoy eating at the Tsukiji Market

A number of rows of famous restaurants along the market road, so many visitors come to enjoy the fresh cuisine. Because most shops on the market are closed in the afternoon, so get up early for a delicious breakfast. Most popular foods on the market are sushi, Kaisen-don (a bowl of rice with fresh seafood) and other dishes using fresh seafood. However, even if you don't eat raw fish or seafood, there are many other dishes you can enjoy. Restaurants often provide meal sets with grilled or boiled-and-spiced fish. Some restaurants have Chinese noodles and gyu don- (a bowl of rice topped with beef and vegetables) on the menu. There is a special restaurant featuring poultry cuisine. We can enjoy food without having to enter the restaurant. Shops on the market sell a variety of foods outside the store: raw, grilled and salted oysters, sandwich slices, rice, and roast beef skewers (gyu-Kushi). The market even stores specializing in Japanese omelet.

Access to the market

Tsukiji Market is easily accessible from any place in Tokyo. The nearest train station is the Tsukiji-shijo station on the Oedo line from the Subway Station and Tsukiji Toei on the Hibiya Metro Tokyo line. By bus, take the bus to Toyomi Suisan Futo or Harumi Futo from Tokyo Station or bus to Narihira-Bashi from Shinbashi station and get off at Tsukiji-3-chome bus stop. It is possible to take the bus to Tsukiji Chuo Shijo at Shinbashi Station and get off at the Tsukiji Chou Shijo bus stop. If you go by car, you can use the Tsukiji-Gawa-Daiichi parking for 200 yen per 30 minutes. The market floor is often wet so you have to wear nonslip shoes that you don't care about getting dirty. Most shops on the market are closed on Sundays and extra holidays arrange so you have to check the open days and holidays on the Tsukiji market calendar on the market website first.

Tsukiji fish market, the kitchen of Tokyo