Tsukiji Market, Tokyo

As of July 2010, the market has imposed a restriction to the number of visitors who could view the auctions. It has been limited to 140 only and they have to enlist right at the market itself (around 4:30 am or earlier). Those lucky enough to be included will be given yellow vests (like what construction or traffic workers put on) to wear to identify you from other would-be visitors.

If you fail to come early enough, tough luck. Pleading with them won't help, they'll just tell you to 'take a hike'. Better try again the next day...

Ok, the first thing to know about this place is that it's not a tourist attraction it's a live market where fish is sold, but being that's it's the largest in the world it does make it a tourist attraction. Now the merchant are accepting of tourist, but make sure you stay out of there way. It's there place of work... photo's are highly discouraged, but you can sneak in photo's before someone tells you to "go, go". As for the time. You have to get here at 5:00 am to see the place in action... get there at 10:00 am and you won't see much as the place is clearing up. As for the world famous giant tuna auctions, it's almost impossible to get close, the market have placed guards who's job is to keep the tourist out and away from the auctions. The Guards have placards in English telling you to move. And they are good at telling you "go, Go, Go". A must do experience... also make sure you bring a pair of shoes that you don't mind getting dirty, just about all the stalls have hoses running so water and fish blood are everywhere... my biggest surprise is that the place doesn't smell !!!! Fresh fish doesn't so it was a great time. We got there about 5:00 am and left about 8:00 and saw plenty. A MUST DO !!!!!!

4 more images

the world famous seafood market of tokyo. Most go tourists go here in the dawn hours to watch the spectacular tuna auctions in the early morning hours that are both a main attraction for visitors and the main source of frictions between market workers and tourists, due to the interference caused by the sheer number of spectators and cases of misbehaving tourists. To reduce frictions, tourists are asked to visit the auctions only between 5:00am and 6:15am, to view the auctions only from the designated "visitor area" and to not use flash photography. Unfortunately we got here in the afternoon so no review of the famous tuna auctions in my tip. Tsukiji Market is best known as one of the world's largest fish markets, handling over 2,000 tons of marine products per day. The sight of the many kinds of fresh fish, shellfish and other seafood and the busy atmosphere of scooters, trucks, sellers and buyers hurrying around, make Tsukiji Market one of Tokyo's major tourist attractions.

Just outside of the wholesale market is a thriving outside market of small retail shops and restaurants that cater to the public and it is here that we went for a quick stroll before going back to ginza. Here you can find all sorts of food related goods, knives, vegetables and fish for sale in smaller (than wholesale) portions. A visit to Tsukiji Market is best combined with a fresh sushi breakfast or lunch at one of the onsite or local restaurants. you would spend around 2,000 yen average on a sushi breakfast. Restaurants typically open around five in the morning and close between 12:00 and 15:00.

1 more image

This is not just any fish market!

The Tsukiji market consists of the fish market and the outer market where they have lots of dry stuff too.

In the outer market, you can find lots of interesting stuff like wakame, dry scallops, famous Japanese seaweed, fish knives, snacks, etc. You can't find this kind of market in any other part of the world!! They sell very Japanese stuff.

We arrived there about 645am and have already missed the auction, however, we still got to see a lot of the fish market workers doing their stuff. In fact, we felt like a nuisance to them as we seemed to be getting in their way

Be really careful not to get in their way. The fish market workers drive these flat vehicles which can go rather fast. I have never seen these unique vehicles before. The fish market workers don't sit, they stand in these vehicles.

In the wet fish market, just take a look around, they have absolutely interesting seafood. Some of the clams/oysters/scallops (I'm not sure which) are even bigger than my hand/palm!

This Tsukiji market is very interesting indeed. Don't think..."What? Go to a fish market?" This is not your ordinary local fish market. It's a place that every tourist would love to see.

2 more images

Visit the Tsukiji market in the early morning (4 am) to witness the hussle and buzz which surrounds the auctioning of tuna. After that, stop at one of the many small restaurants located around the market to taste the freshest and fabulously delicious sushi and sashimi. It's a great way to start your day in Tokyo !

This market is reportedly very busy in the wee hours of early morning. We reached this place at about 9-10 am, so most of the activities (auction of freshly caught sea produce such as tuna, etc) have ceased. The alleys are narrow and filled with all kinds of shops selling food products. There are also many restaurants where you can have a great meal of fresh sashimi at reasonable prices. To see what we had for breakfast, see my 'Restaurants' tip.

All of Japan's fresh fish produce comes from the Tsukiji Markets (Fish Markets). We went to the markets early one cold morning at around 7am and walked around looking at the array of stalls. Every type of fish you could think of is at these markets.

You have to be very careful not to get in anyone's way, which was very difficult as everyone is moving madly around the place.

Afterwards we had a fresh sushi breakfast at a very tiny stall located just outside the market

unfortunately, the subway doesn't open until 5am and the bidding starts at 3am. Get a place in walking distance and find a english speaking japanese tour guide as the american ones over in japan are rude to you if you ask them a simple question unless you are paying for their tour whereas the native tour guides will assist you for a few minutes.......honor and politeness are stressed over there.