The historicinner wholesale Tsukiji Fish Market closed in 2018 and moved to Toyosu Market, but the Tsukiji Outer Market remains open and bustling with restaurants and shops. While the famous tuna auctions and wholesale, industrial activity moved to Toyosu (near Shijoumae Station), the original location still offers popular street food and retail shopping.
Even though Tsukiji inner market has moved to Toyosu, the outer market remains, selling food and other goods. The former market was used temporarily as a hub for transport vehicles during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The Tsukiji fish market, the world's largest wholesale fish and seafood space – and surely the world's most famous – closed its doors and pulled down its awnings for the final time on October 11, 2018. Its many vendors and workers shifted their operations to Toyosu, a gleaming, modern facility in southern Tokyo.
The famed Tsukiji Market moved in October 2018 to Toyosu, reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay. The new Toyosu Market is almost twice the size of Tsukiji, making it the biggest fish market in the world.
Tsukiji Market (築地市場) was once the world's largest fish wholesale market. Due to lack of space and aging facilities, the market was moved to a newly built market in Toyosu, Koto-ku in 2018. The Tsukiji Outer Market remains at its original location and is still a popular place visited by many tourists today.
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Is the Tsukiji Market a tourist trap?
Old fish market in Tokyo with lots of seafood, bites, and stalls. This is a tourist trap so expect lots of tourists and inflated prices. Should definitely come and take a look and perhaps try some food, but expect crowds and outrageous prices.
This is where the main fish market moved, and it's definitely more tourist-friendly than old Tsukiji ever was. There are observation decks where you can watch the tuna auctions, and the restaurants here are really good.
Tsukiji Outer Market is and will continue to be the best marketplace for customers to buy fresh seafood, vegetables, and Japanese traditional food materials.
Starting in 2026, Japan has officially ended its instant tax-free shopping system for tourists. Here's what that means for YOU: You'll now pay the full price upfront, including Japan's 10% consumption tax. To get your tax back, you'll need to apply for a refund later — possibly at airports or designated counters.
What is the best time to go to the Tsukiji Market?
The outer market opens from 5:00 am, but early morning is for professionals. It is good to go between 9:00 in the morning to 1:00 pm. It gets crowded on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. You can get good deals for fresh food on Saturdays.
The recent record-breaking $3.2 million bluefin tuna was caught off the coast of Oma, Japan, a northern town famous for its premium tuna, in the Tsugaru Strait, which offers rich feeding grounds. This prized fish, caught in early January 2026, was part of the traditional first auction of the year at Tokyo's Toyosu Market.
The "Rule of 5" in Japanese food, known as Gomi Goshiki Goho (五味五色五法), is a traditional principle of washoku emphasizing balance through five flavors, five colors, and five cooking methods to create harmonious, nutritious, and aesthetically pleasing meals. It also extends to five senses (gokan) and even five attitudes for a holistic dining experience.
Atlantic bluefin tuna reach maturity relatively quickly. In a survey that included specimens up to 2.55 m (8.4 ft) in length and 247 kg (545 lb) in weight, none was believed to be older than 15 years. However, very large specimens may be up to 50 years old.
A giant bluefin tuna sold for nearly $800,000 (¥114.2 million) at Tokyo's annual New Year's auction in January 2024, purchased jointly by Yamayuki and Onodera Group for their Michelin-starred Ginza Onodera restaurant, symbolizing good fortune as Japan reopened post-pandemic and serving as a high-profile start to the year.
