The Tsukiji Market is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world, located in Tsukiji, central Tokyo - very close to the Ginza shopping district. It consists of the inner market which is restricted to visitors, and the outer market which consists of restaurants and supply store and is a major attraction.
For me (as for most tourists) there were two main reasons to visit the market - first to go watch the famous Tuna Auctions which take place before sunrise and the sushi breakfast after!
The opening hours to get tickets are at 3:30 am, but I suggest you get there at 3 am if you really want to go get in, because there are only two sets of 60 people allowed to watch the auction and it's on a first come first served basis.
No visit to the fish market would be complete without a sushi breakfast at one of the local shops after you watch the tuna auction. There are a number of places to eat in the market, but since all the signs are all written in Japanese, it is safe to assume that the place with the longest line is the one you should go to. My favorite was Daiwa - Zushi, but Sushi Dai is also quite popular.
Finally, to complete your visit to the fish market there are many small stalls in the outer market, as I mentioned above, selling everything from fresh and dried seafood to plates, cutlery and other specialty items. You can find great gifts there for friends and family as well as for yourself.
Restaurant Locations:
1. Daiwa-Zushi
Tsukiji Market Part 6 Bldg. 5-2-1 Tsukiji-shijo, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; 81-(0)3547-6797
2. Sushi Dai
Tsukiji Market Part 6 Bldg. 5-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; 81-(0)3547-6807
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| Specialty items on display in the market stalls |
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| More market stall displays |
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| Crowds waiting for an early sushi breakfast |
