Your Ultimate Guide to Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo: Best Restaurants, Snacks, and Souvenirs - WAmazing Discover (2024)

Get to know the Tsukiji Outer Market

The history of Tokyo’s fish market dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868.) Along with the former inner market, also known as the Tsukiji Fish Market, the area made up the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world.

The history of Tsukiji Fish Market

Tokyo's fish market has its origins in the early days of the Edo period, when the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu, declared Edo (former Tokyo) as Japan's capital.

In 1590, fishermen started to provide Edo Castle with fresh fish, and any seafood that was not acquired by the castle was then sold at a market in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district.

After the market was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, the Tokyo Government decided to finalize its relocation plans and moved it to Tsukiji in 1935.

The differences between the former Tsukiji Fish Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market

Prior to its relocation to Toyosu in 2018, the former Tsukiji Fish Market was known as the world's largest auction place for freshly-caught fish and seafood, handling more than 480 types of seafood per day.

In the early morning hours, visitors from around the world flocked to the grounds to witness the market’s biggest attraction—the lively tuna auctions.

The Tsukiji Outer Market, on the other hand, makes up the area surrounding the former inner market. The shopping streets are lined by about 460 shops, restaurants, food stalls and more.

Sales methods here are more retail-oriented, with smaller-portion packages, special souvenirs, snacks and more.

Take a closer look at the buildings, of which many are over 80 years old, with the tenants usually running their shop on the first floor while living on the upper floors.

There’s also a newly-built structure close to the old market hall, called the Tsukiji Nippon Fish Port Market, where fishermen's cooperatives, producers, and distributors from various areas in Japan set up shop.

Relocation of Tsukiji Fish Market to Toyosu

Discussions about the relocation of the former Tsukiji Fish Market had been underway since the late 1950s. The increase in transaction volume made the site too cramped to efficiently handle the growing volume of produce.

The wholesale market closed on October 6, 2018, and businesses from the inner market, together with the tuna auctions, moved to the new Toyosu location.

The outer market remained, with plenty of restaurants and shops continuing to sell an array of food, souvenirs, and kitchenware.

Navigating Tsukiji Outer Market: Tips for a seamless experience

Before exploring the Tsukiji Outer Market, drop by the information center; and make sure to follow the dos and don’ts for a smooth visit.

Pick up a map at Plat Tsukiji

Tsukiji Outer Market has its own information center, called Plat Tsukiji. Pick up a map to easily navigate the many market streets. You can also download the map prior to your visit to get an idea of the area.

The facility also offers currency exchange services, plus an ATM machine to withdraw cash. You’ll also find a tax refund corner on site, plus a smoking room, and coin lockers. English-speaking staff are available at all times.

Plat Tsukiji
Address: 1F, 4-16-2 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/plattsukiji/

Dos and don'ts

To fully enjoy your visit to the Tsukiji Outer Market, keep in mind these eight tips below.

• Don’t visit before 9:00 a.m. Priority is given to commercial buyers.
• Do store big luggage in a coin locker; park strollers at the Plat Tsukiji information center.
• Don’t explore the market in large groups as the streets are narrow and shops are small.
• Do ask the shop owners for permission before taking photos.
• Don’t eat while walking. Stay in front of the store or inside the restaurant.
• Do smoke in designated areas only. There’s a smoking room at Plat Tsukiji.
• Don’t touch the food as it lowers the value of the products.
• Don’t bargain as items are sold at wholesale prices.

Tsukiji Outer Market: Details, hours and access information

Tsukiji Outer Market
Address: 4-16-2 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/

Opening hours and best times to visit

Since the market opens to commercial buyers between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., it’s best to visit shortly past 9:00 a.m. Note that most shops only operate until 2:00 p.m.

Most of the products are delivered from Toyosu Market, therefore some stores follow the market’s business hours, being closed on Wednesdays and Sundays. Make sure to check the official website of each venue prior to your visit.

Enjoy the Tsukiji Outer Market by opting for our Downtown Shopping Street Food Tour.

Access information

By train

• 1-min walk from Tsukiji-shijo Station (Toei Oedo Line)
• 1-min walk from Tsukiji Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
• 3-min walk from Higashi-Ginza Station (Toei Asakusa, Tokyo Metro Hibiya lines)

Get around the city with the Tokyo Subway Ticket and enjoy unlimited rides on all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines.

5 best restaurants at Tsukiji Outer Market

Tsukiji Outer Market is home to a large variety of restaurants. Read on for the best five venues.

Sample delectable sushi at Tsukiji Koromo Sushi

This small sushi joint with only nine counter seats is located on the outer rim of the market. On the menu, you’ll find a large variety of sushi options and about 18 different types of kaisendon (seafood bowls) made from the freshest seasonal seafood available at the market.

The restaurant opens from 8:30 a.m., making it the perfect place to have a hearty breakfast before exploring the Tsukiji Outer Market.

Tsukiji Koromo Sushi
Address: 4-11-3 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://koromosushi.therestaurant.jp/ (in Japanese only)

Enjoy a seafood bento at Nippon Gyoko Shokudo

Nippon Gyoko Shokudo specializes in wild tuna, sliced up and arranged in beautiful boxes—you can choose between a two-tiered ceramic box or a circular wooden box.

Both options feature two different cuts of tuna: akami (lean tuna) and toro (fatty tuna;) plus negitoro (minced fatty tuna.) The slightly more expensive two-tiered box, however, comes with a variety of side dishes such as tuna cutlets and salad.

Dip the raw tuna in freshly grated wasabi for an authentic experience.

Nippon Gyoko Shokudo
Address: Inside Tsukiji Nippon Fish Port Market, 4-16-2 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1313/A131301/13169961/ (in Japanese only)

Sample eel rice bowls at Tsukiji Unagi Shokudo

This small eatery specializes in unagi (eel,) a seafood delicacy often found on the higher end of Japanese culinary offerings.

Tsukiji Unagi Shokudo, however, wants to redefine the image of eel being a luxury item by providing hearty unagi rice bowls for a mere JPY 1,550.

If you’re new to unagi, opt for an eel skewer freshly grilled on site for only JPY 300 per stick. The eatery opens at 7:30 a.m., making it the perfect starting point for your market adventure.

Tsukiji Unagi Shokudo
Address: 4-13-18 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://nisshintasuke.co.jp/

Grill your own fish at Tsukiji Yakiuo Ishikawa

While Tsukiji Outer Market is popular for its plethora of raw seafood and sushi joints, Tsukiji Yakiou Ishikawa offers a unique way to experience a staple of Japanese cuisine.

At this fish yakiniku restaurant, you can grill a variety of fresh fish and seafood over a gas grill right at your table. The menu includes mackerel, yellowtail, blackthroat sea perch, fugu (puffer fish,) and different cuts of tuna.

Due to the restaurant’s high popularity, we recommend making a reservation in advance.

Tsukiji Yakiou Ishikawa
Address: 4-13-5 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: http://aozora3.jp/shop/%e7%af%89%e5%9c%b0%e7%84%bc%e3%81%86%e3%81%8a-%e3%81%84%e3%81%97%e5%b7%9d (in Japanese only)

Indulge in luxurious seafood bowls at Uogashi Senryo

Uogashi Senryo serves kaisen hitsumabushi, small wooden containers filled with rice and topped with 12 kinds of fresh seafood.

The dish can be enjoyed in three ways. First, you’ll want to taste the fresh tuna, sea bream, yellowtail, octopus and other seafood varieties together with the rice by putting the sea urchin to the side.

In the second step, you’ll mix the sea urchin with the rice and the seafood to create a creamy concoction. In the last step, you’ll turn the remaining food into an ochazuke, a soup where you add kelp-dashi stock to the mixture.

Uogashi Senryo
Address: 1F, 4-9-7 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: http://www.itadori.co.jp/shop/shop_07.html (in Japanese only)

3 best snacks at Tsukiji Outer Market

If you’re feeling snackish, Tsukiji Outer Market has a plethora of street food available, including these distinctive options below.

Munch on a unique croquette at Tsukiji Croquette

Croquettes are a popular snack in Japanese food culture, usually available at the country’s many convenience stores.

This Tsukiji outlet, however, came up with a new take on this fried treat, replacing the conventional potato filling with cabbage.

Called the monja croquette, it resembles a typical monja-yaki, a savory pancake topped with green lever and bonito flakes.

Tsukiji Croquette
Address: 4-13-9,Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/shoplist/cat-d/cat-15/2088/

Wagyu and sea urchin skewers at Oideya

While the combination of sea urchin and wagyu beef may sound unfamiliar to most of us, it’s actually the signature treat of Oideya.

Skewers of high-grade wagyu are topped with creamy sea urchin and grilled to perfection upon your order.

While this treat may set you back a whopping JPY 6,000, it’s a culinary experience you shouldn’t miss. Note that the shop only accepts cash.

Oideya
Address: 4-10-3 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/shoplist/cat-d/cat-15/2306/

Egg skewers at Tsukiji Yamacho

Tsukiji Yamacho is a long-established tamago-yaki (rolled Japanese-style omelet) shop, supplying sushi joints and restaurants in the area.

The store came up with a unique idea in 2009 of selling skewered tamago-yaki, called kushi-tama, or skew-egg. You can choose from different varieties, including options with pepper, crab meat, shrimp, conger eel, plain or more.

Watch the chef cooking up your kushi-tama in a square pan to form the treat’s handy shape.

Tsukiji Yamacho
Address: 4-10-10 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/shoplist/cat-c/cat-10/466/

3 best sweets and cafes at Tsukiji Outer Market

If you’re looking for a sweet treat after all the hearty seafood options and savory snacks, drop by one of the outlets below.

Ichigo daif*cku at Tsukiji Soratsuki

If you’re craving a sweet snack, head straight to Tsukiji Soratsuki and pick up an ichigo daif*cku, a mochi (rice cake) filled with sweet red bean paste and a strawberry.

If you’re not a fan of red bean paste, you can also opt for custard or matcha filling.

Tsukiji Soratsuki
Address: 4-11-10 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://soratsuki.jp/ (in Japanese only)

Taiyaki at Tsukiji Sanokiya

Even just passing by this shop, you’ll quickly realize that maguro-yaki (grilled tuna) advertised on the signboard isn’t a savory snack. Sanokiya specializes in taiyaki, a fish-shaped pancake filled with red bean paste.

While tai refers to the shape of sea bream, this small shop sells the signature treat in the shape of a tuna fish, paying homage to the market's former tuna auctions.

If you're not a big fan of red bean paste, opt for the fruit option with a filling made from apricots and white bean paste.

Tsukiji Sanokiya
Address: 4-11-9 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/shoplist/cat-c/cat-26/463/

Japanese-style sweets at Cafe Kocho

Sit down for traditional Japanese sweets at Kocho. This small cafe serves anything from oshiruko (sweet red-bean soup) and warabi-mochi to anmitsu (syrup-covered red bean paste and fruit) and monaka ice cream wafers.

In summer, you can also enjoy refreshing kakigori shaved ice desserts. Pair your treat with a matcha latte or a cup of coffee.

Cafe Kocho
Address: 4-9-7 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/shoplist/cat-d/cat-15/2065/

Shop for souvenirs

For an authentic Tsukiji Outer Market souvenir, drop by the three shops below.

Buy tableware at Takizawa Toki

Established in 1931, Takizawa Toki looks back at a long history of providing customers with high-quality ceramics and tableware.

The small shop sells anything from rice bowls and plates to cups and teapots. For a special souvenir, consider picking up a tokkuri, a traditional sake bottle.

Takizawa Toki
Address: 4-9-7 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://takizawa10ki.wixsite.com/tokyo?lang=en

Pick up a kitchen knife at Tsukiji Masamoto

Handcrafted premium Japanese kitchen knives are sought-after tools around the world, and make for popular souvenirs when visiting Japan.

Pick up yours at Tsukiji Masamoto, established at the beginning of the Showa period (1926-1989) in Tsukiji. The well-versed staff, who are artisans themselves, will help you find the perfect knife based on your needs.

Tsukiji Masamoto
Address: 4-9-9 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://www.tukijimasamoto.co.jp/ (in Japanese only)

Find cute magnets, key holders and T-shirts at Orimatsu

Orimatsu, specializing in food packaging supplies and kitchen equipment for more than 60 years, is also offering a wide selection of Tsukiji-themed souvenirs such as original T-shirts, magnets, stickers, and key holders to commemorate your visit to Tsukiji Outer Market.

Orimatsu
Address: 4-12-2 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Official website: http://tsukiji-orimatsu.com/ (in Japanese only)

Discover the Tsukiji Outer Market

Despite Tsukiji Fish Market’s relocation to Toyosu in 2018, Tsukiji Outer Market continues to thrive with a plethora of restaurants and shops. Attracting visitors with fresh seafood delights, crafted as sushi and seafood bowls available from the early morning, the lively district remains a culinary haven.

Explore more of Japan by using one of the many different transportation passes.

For the best places to stay during your Japan trip, click the button below.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.