Tsukiji's "Inner" and "Outer"  fish market.

Is the Tsukiji Fish Market still open?

There's a chance that some of you have heard that the Tsukiji Fish Market is no longer there. However, only the so-called "inner market," which makes up the majority of the Tsukiji Fish Market, has really relocated to Toyosu. By car, it takes roughly 10 minutes to get to the new market in Toyosu, while it takes 20 minutes to get there by bus and foot.

Former "Inner" Market

The renowned tuna auction used to take place in the early hours of the morning in the former Tsukiji inner market. Although you'll need to win the lottery in order to witness the auction from the observation deck, you may currently see this tuna auction in the Toyosu Market.

Tsukiji "Outer" Market

On the other side, Tsukiji's "outer market" remains active and there are roughly 400 lively stores there. Every day, a large number of people, tourists, and wholesalers come to the Tsukiji Market to buy fresh and seasonal items. As it is the greatest location for preparing all the necessary components for the New Year's celebration, it becomes extremely crowded, especially around the holidays.

The Best time to visit Tsukiji Fish Market

The majority of the stores and eateries in Tsukiji Fish Market open early in the day and close early in the afternoon. The best time to visit Tsukiji is early in the day to make the most of it. "Tsukiji Uogashi" opens to wholesalers and professionals before 9am, so if you want to wander about this wholesale market, we advise going there after that time. Due to the variety of shops, business hours can vary from one store to another.

Check out Tsukiji Uogashi, the wholesale market.

About 60 wholesale and retail stores are housed in the two buildings that make up the shopping complex Tsukiji Uogashi.

On the first story, browse the shops that sell fish, meat, fruit, and vegetables. On the third floor, there is a food court where you can enjoy not only sushi but also noodles, bowls, Japanese-Western fusion cuisine, etc.

A brief history about Tsukiji

The Tsukiji Fish Market has a long history that begins in Nihonbashi during the Edo era. When the Tokugawa Shogun invited several fishermen from Osaka to provide seafood to the Shogunate and allowed them to sell what was left at the market, the fish market was born. The fish market evolved as Edo's population increased. The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, which completely decimated the market, marked a turning point for the industry. It temporarily relocated to Tsukiji, when Tsukiji Fish Market was established.

Join Tsukiji Food and Drink tours

While it's fine to roam around on your own, taking a guided tour is the best way to really appreciate the market. You can learn about the history of the Tsukiji Fish Market, discover some intriguing ingredients, and learn things that only residents know. With or without a guide, we can guarantee that the experience will be very different. Book a tour with us right away if you wish to see Tsukiji with an expert guide!