For the past few years I have been saying goodbye to Tsukiji Fish Market.
Tsukiji was the home to Tokyo’s modern fish market since 1935 after the Nihonbashi Fish Market was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. But there is a lot of tradition with Tokyo’s fish market, with the original market for consumers dating back to the Edo Period near Nihonbashi Bridge at the beginning of the 17th century by shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616).
I think the image that people have in their head about Tsukiji fish market is a place where people sell fish to local sushi chefs and markets, as that is usually what is shown to people overseas in news clips but that is just the live tuna auction. What people don’t get to see is how the place is busy early in the morning because the surrounding areas have the freshest fish and most delicious sushi.
Sure, there are many sushi chefs and restaurants but Tsukji fish market has restaurants that don’t hurt your wallet. There are numerous restaurants but also many shops that sell a variety of things pertaining to cooking or different foods and snacks.
I’ve covered Tsukiji fish market and various restaurants since I started this blog and have blogged about Tsukiji Fish Market each year, anticipating each visit to be my last.
And while I said goodbye multiple times, originally slated to move to the new Toyosu site back in November 2016 and has gone through repeated delays, Tsukiji Fish Market will be relocating between October 6-10 and the inner market re-opening at the Toyosu waterfront district on October 11th. The outer market is staying in Tsukiji. [Click here to read my guide in regards to the differences between the inner and outer market].
The tuna auction closed on September 15th and the fish and vegetable market will be closing on September 29th.
Over 600 merchants will be moving to Toyosu and they are also moving the Tsukiji shrine as well. According to reports, not all shops are moving, some are staying put and some will be closing.
In fact, the outer market will still be there and that means that Tsukiji for the most part remains intact. The restaurants you love, will still be there!
While many people will flock to Toyosu because it will be the home of tuna auction and the new fish market, Tsukiji had time to prepare and the area is not going down with a wimper.
Sure, a lot of merchants are relocating but as for Tsukiji, in preparation of the closure of the fish market, they opened Tsukiji Uogashi (Tsukiji Fish Bank) back in November 2016. But because of the problems at the Toyosu location, the Tsukiji Fish Bank also had to delay their grand opening until the fish market relocated to Toyosu and thus they are having their official grand opening on October 1st.
There is a lot of confusion about the closure of Tsukiji Fish Market. For one, the entire area is NOT closing. In fact, the areas that most people probably enjoyed the most in the outer location will still be there. It’s all the auction, certain businesses and inner market shops that are moving.
But look at things this way…you’ll now have two fantastic locations to visit for sushi and that’s amazing news for the sushi enthusiast. And the other great news is that Tsukiji and Toyosu are not too far from each other. So, you can visit both locations at once.
Btw, if you are trying to look for Tsukiji Uogashi, please look for the pink building:
An artist rendering of Tsukiji Uogashi will hopefully become…
The Tsukij Uogashi is open between 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., many shops will open at 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. but the place will be opened to the general public and tourists after 9:00 a.m. Eating and drinking on the first floor is prohibited.
Sundays and Wednesdays, the location is closed. As well as on public holidays.
But Chuo City is still wanting to make sure that they make Tsukiji one of the attractions for seafood and vegetables. And there will be a grand opening on Monday, October 1st. And because the proximity between Tsukiji is not far from the Toyosu Fish Market, they will still be able to have access to fresh fish.
So, if you are in Tokyo and you are planning to visit the new fish market, also try to pay a visit to Tsukiji Uogashi on October 1st.
