Located in Tokyo, one of the most anticipated dining destinations in the world, Tsukiji Outer Market definitely deserves a visit when you travel to Tokyo. With a history of more than 100 years, the inner market has gotten a new location at Toyosu Fish Market, but its outer market stands still and runs thriving.
Tsukiji Fish Market is seen not only as the place for the tastiest street food in Tokyo but also as a food lover's paradise. You can feast on fresh uni, tamagoyaki & wagyu! In this article, you can find Tsukiji Outer Market's top stalls, opening hours, and Toyosu access.
Table of Contents
Tokyo Tsukiji Outer Market Facts
Why Tsukiji Outer Market is a Foodie Paradise
Key Highlights & What Makes Tsukiji Outer Market Unique
Top 5 Must-Try Foods at Tsukiji Outer Market
Essential Tips for Visiting Tsukiji Outer Market
Attractions Nearby
FAQs about Tsukiji Outer Market
Tokyo Tsukiji Outer Market Facts
Japanese name: 築地場外市場 (Tsukiji Shijō)
Address: 4-16-2 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Opening hours: 5:00 am-2:00 pm (varies by specific stores)
Closed: Sundays, National Holidays, and some Wednesdays (varies by every store)
Entrance ticket: Free of charge
Suggested visit duration: 2 hours
Best time to visit: Mornings at around 8:30 am-9:00 am
Why Tsukiji Outer Market is a Foodie Paradise
One of the greatest fish markets in the world used to lie here. After Tsukiji Inner Market moved to Toyosu Market, some of the stores still stay here, and the outer market is still a lively area, serving seafood and kitchen items, and drawing numerous tourists. The following content will unveil the reason why the Tsukiji Outer Market is now universally recognized as a must-visit for travelers and foodies on a Tokyo tour.
Legacy of the World’s Former #1 Fish Market
Affectionately known as “Tokyo's kitchen”, Tsukiji Outer Market offers diverse fresh seafood, vegetables, and fruits. This fish market was once the site of the world's largest wholesale fish and seafood market, carrying a unique cultural significance.
Nowadays, over 400 stores, from seafood and snacks to kitchen knives and from wholesale to retail, are still in the former location after the inner auction relocated to Toyosu Market.
Authentic "Edo-Mae" Culture
Near Tokyo Bay, Tokyo City is provided with a great number of ultra-fresh seafood, and visitors can taste fish prepared using centuries-old techniques. Street food, fresh seafood, and souvenir stalls inside the market can cater to customers’ demands from dining to shopping, while feeling the authentic “Edo-mae” culture.
Key Highlights & What Makes Tsukiji Outer Market Unique
Fresh Sushi and Seafood Delicacies
More than 400 shops and restaurants gather in this food town, offering a variety of vegetables, fruits, seafood, processed products, and local delicacies. It fulfills your appetite, at the same time, brings you the best sushi bars and omakase experiences, a sushi lover’s dream.
Street Food Galore
In addition to traditional Japanese food, visitors can explore a variety of ways to eat seafood, which can be a paradise for seafood lovers. Tuna bowls, uni (sea urchin), and grilled crab can be found in almost every store, with an endless queue. Besides, must-try snacks like taiyaki and melon pan gorge your stomach and appeal to different tastes.
Cultural Immersion
Morning is the best time to visit the Tsukiji Fish Market to fully enjoy its active vibe from 5:00 am-7:00 am. Aside from that, tuna auctions are usually held in the early morning at around 5:30 am (for permitted visitors), when you can observe this famous and characteristic auction.
Take a stroll like a local and interact with local vendors and chefs, which is a great chance to get a deeper understanding of local culture.
Except for seafood stalls, there are some knife shops for buyers to select from, serving various kinds of knives, like Masamoto, which is seen as the best sushi knife.
Here you can do far more than savoring yummy sushi and seafood, but also learn some cooking methods and make easy sushi delicacies by yourself in cooking classes.
Top 5 Must-Try Foods at Tsukiji Outer Market
Fatty Tuna (Otoro) Sushi
Sitting in a local eatery and enjoying sushi, sashimi, rice bowls, and ramen with tuna and other seafood can be one of the best things during your time in Tokyo. Various stores offering processed seafood and serving sushi and other kinds of Japanese food will be packed with crowds.
Uni (Sea Urchin) Bowl
Take a bite of sea urchin, also known as uni in Japan, and feel a complex taste, thick and salty, tickling your taste buds, which can be one of the greatest things in life! For a big lover of seafood, you must take a shot.
Grilled Scallops
As a hot seller in Tsukiji Outer Market, you may find frill scallops lining up at every vendor. Basted with butter and sauces, the flavour is taken in every side of the scallop and makes it more scrumptious, which is a member of must-try list at this iconic fish market.
Kaisendon (Seafood Bowl)
As one of the most representative foods in Japan, Kaisendon, also called seafood bowl, ranks at the top of the must-try list. And foodies can feast on this yummy dish, and select what they prefer among 18 types of seafood bowls, which enables them to savor assorted seafood at one time.
Taiyaki (Fish-Shaped Pastry)
If diving in the seafood world and getting tired of it, you can try another food star. Taiyaki, a fish-like Japanese pancake, is one of the most popular street foods in Japan. Instead of cloying sweetness, red bean paste filling, coated with thick pastry, will bring you a fragrant, creamy taste, and satisfy your taste buds!
Essential Tips for Visiting Tsukiji Outer Market
Opening Hours
Tsukiji Outer Market opens from 5:00 am to 2:00 pm and closes on Sundays, national holidays, and some Wednesdays, but its opening hours and holidays specifically depend on various stores.
Best Time to Go
It is advisable to visit Tsukiji market in the morning between 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, when visitors can feel the noisy gaiety of the fish market. And it may be crowded on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
How to Get to Tsukiji Outer Market
By Subway
From Tokyo to Ginza: A 3-minute ride on the Marunouchi Subway Line, then transfer to the Hibiya Subway Line. 3 minutes later, get off at the Tsukiji Station, which costs you 180 yen.
From Shinjuku Station to Tsukiji Shijo Station: Take a 20-minute ride on the Oedo Subway Line directly to the destination, which costs 280 yen.
On Foot
From Ginza to Tsukiji Outer Market: Walk 11 minutes to the market.
From Shimbashi to Tsukiji Outer Market: A 20-minute walk away from the market.
Etiquette & Tips
Prepare yourself with some cash. Cash is king in most vendors of the Tsukiji Fish Market. Not every stores or restaurants accept payment via credit cards.
Skip-the-line sushi spots and combo deals are available.
To avoid some tourist traps, you can skip stalls with English-only menus and follow salary men to hole-in-the-wall spots.
Taking photos after asking permission from merchants.
Leave your luggage in the hotel or behind. Numerous people go by the market, and the streets are narrow.
Avoid eating while walking, which is considered rude behavior.
Any questions or help can be fixed and offered in the information center.
Attractions Nearby
Tsukiji Honganji Temple
A 3-minute walk from Tsukiji Outer Market to Tsukiji Honganji Temple, one of the most iconic Buddhist temples in Tokyo. About 2,000 pipes constitute the pipe organ in the main worship hall. The unique architecture makes it distinct from others, whose exterior style mainly adopts the ancient Buddhist architectural style.
Hama Rikyu Gardens
Located in central Tokyo is the urban oasis, Hama Rikyu Gardens, which was once an imperial villa and later opened to the public. Renowned as a magnificent spot of flowers with 82 cherry trees, this stunning natural space offers approximately 300,000 flowers in full bloom, including cherry blossom, from late February to late March. Moreover, there is a tea house near the pond, a great place to savor authentic matcha tea.
Ginza Shopping District
As a world-renowned upmarket district in Japan, the Ginza has an array of department stores. Boutiques, restaurants, galleries, clubs, and bars can cater to your various requirements from shopping, dining, to entertaining, at the same time, offer a relaxing area to take a stroll on holidays.
Toyosu Market
15 minutes' train away from the Tsukiji Outer Market lies the Toyosu Market. The Tsukiji inner market has moved here. Now, Toyosu Market is double the size of the outer market and one of the biggest fish markets in the world.
Not only can you buy fresh fruits and vegetables, but you can also see the world-famous tuna auctions (viewable via gallery), requiring advanced reservation. After strolling and purchasing, visitors can taste authentic Tokyo street food at adjacent restaurants. Beyond this, Tokyo Tower can be observed from the rooftop garden.
FAQs about Tsukiji Outer Market
1. Does the Tsukiji Fish Market still exist?
Yes. Although the inner auction moved to Toyosu Market, the outer market remains situated at the former site.
2. What time does Tsukiji Market open?
Tsukiji Market usually opens at around 5:00 in the morning.
3. Are the Tsukiji fish market and outer market the same?
Yes. Tsukiji Fish Market is also renowned as the Outer Market; both of them refer to the same market, one of the most famous markets in Tokyo.
4. Are there vegan/vegetarian options?
Yes. But its species are fewer than seafood and meat. For a vegetarian, you can try some grilled mocha and pickles.
5. Can I bring kids to Tsukiji Market?
Yes. The market is an interesting place for children, and many teens prefer to pay visits. Attention to avoid peak hours, when the narrow roadway will be crowded with people, not friendly to strollers.
Plan Your Tokyo Trip with Hi Five Trip
Explore this food town, Tsukiji Market, and begin a new adventure to seek authentic Japanese food on the Tokyo tours! Here we prepare some of our best-selling Japan itineraries for you, containing the Tsukiji Outer Market:
Or any interest in designing your own route to Japan? Feel free to contact us! Our experienced travel consultants can offer you some professional assistance.
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