The inner wholesale Tsukiji Fish Market closed in October 2018 and moved to a new facility in Toyosu. However, the popular Tsukiji Outer Market, featuring hundreds of shops, restaurants, and sushi stalls, remains open at the original location and is still a bustling, thriving destination.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
Tsukiji Outer Market is and will continue to be the best marketplace for customers to buy fresh seafood, vegetables, and Japanese traditional food materials.
Toyosu Market boasts state-of-the-art facilities and vast spaces, enabling hygienic handling of fresh seafood and ingredients. However, when it comes to street food experiences, Tsukiji Outer Market still offers more diverse options.
Japan's most beautiful places include iconic Mount Fuji, historic Kyoto (Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji), the floating Torii gate at Miyajima Island, stunning autumn foliage in Oirase Gorge, and traditional villages like Shirakawa-go, with beauty varying from natural wonders to cultural sites like Kenroku-en Garden and Himeji Castle.
In Japan, it's not common to tip for services such as those provided in bars, cafes, restaurants, taxis, and hotels. However, there is a custom in Japan of giving a gratuity, called ""kokorozuke"", (coming from the heart), in some situations. There are certain situations where tipping might be considered appropriate.
Fish that's consumed raw in sushi must be frozen to -20°C (-4°F) for 7 days or -35°C (-31°F) for 15 hours. This process will destroy any parasite in the fish making it safer to consume but there's still risk.
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.
