fresh catch for sale
fresh tuna
fishmonger at the fish market
fish market street view
The Tsukiji Fish Market is a fish market in its all its the fresh greatness you’d expect. This isn’t just some tourist trap where you find fancy seafood restaurants serving a collection of common items. No, this is a true working fish market where you can fish the freshest, cheapest and most variety of catches. In fact, this happens to be the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world. Wander around the narrow streets and you’ll come across countless collections of stands selling all sorts of seafood, some of which you might never have seen before in your life. Everything from huge tuna to tiny sardines and seaweed can be found here. Besides all the freshness off the boat, this also happens to be one of the biggest wholesale food markets of any kind in the world.
You have to get here early to enjoy the market. Most shops will close by early afternoon and the auction closes even earlier then that. The market opens in the wee hours of the morning, but with the subways not operating until after that, generally the best you can hope for is about 5:30am. That’s good enough to shop the market and possibly catch a part of the auction, but don’t delay and hope for a little bit of luck (it was closed to the public when I was there).
Regardless if you get to the market in time for the auction, be sure to browse the maze of narrow streets and alleyways to check out the wide collection of goods. And while it might be unconventional, be sure to try out the sushi.
To get to the market, get off at the Tsukijishijō Station (e18) on the Toei Ōedo Line or Tsukiji Station (h10) of the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.
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