The historic Tsukiji fish market (inner market) closed in October 2018, with wholesalers relocating to a new, modern facility called Toyosu Market (614-2) in Tokyo Bay. While the high-tech, indoor Toyosu Market now hosts the famous tuna auctions, the original Tsukiji Outer Market remains open and continues to be a bustling spot for restaurants and food stalls.
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 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.
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.
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.
The one-third rule refers to the business practice that is unique to the food industry, in which the best before date is divided into 3 parts and food manufacturers and wholesalers deliver products to retailers before the end of the first part period.
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.
Trying to deflate speculation and keep inflation in check, the Bank of Japan sharply raised inter-bank lending rates in late 1989. This sharp policy caused the bursting of the bubble, and the Japanese stock market crashed.
Yes, $5,000 is generally enough for a comfortable 1-2 week trip to Japan for one person, covering mid-range hotels, food, transport (including bullet trains), and activities, especially with the weak yen, but it becomes tight for couples or luxury travel, and depends heavily on flight costs, season, and spending habits. For longer trips (2-3 weeks) or for two people, you'll need careful budgeting to stay within that limit, excluding flights.
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.
Don Quijote stocks a wide range of items, from daily necessities like food and household goods to branded fashion and cosmetics. The secret to its popularity lies in offering these products at incredibly reasonable 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.
However, the Tsukiji Market was getting on in years, having started in 1935 as a replacement itself for an older market destroyed by an earthquake. The city of Tokyo decided to therefore shift the fish market to the new Toyosu Market, which is only 2.4 kilometres away from its predecessor.
While holding hands is generally fine in Japan, kissing in public is strongly frowned upon and considered awkward or inappropriate, making it best to save passionate displays for private settings like hotels or homes, as it goes against traditional Japanese modesty and personal space norms, even if younger people are slightly more tolerant.
If you are not a fan of huge crowds, mid-March and mid-April are the months you should avoid visiting Japan. Apart from the Cherry Blossom months, the Golden Week (it is the amalgamation of the New Year's holiday and the holiday of Obon in the month of August – back-to-back) is a busy season as well.
Travelers can wear shorts in hot weather, but don't wear cut-offs, board shorts, etc. Most Japanese women don't show their shoulders, belly or cleavage.
The "three date rule" in Japan refers to the common cultural expectation for a love confession, known as kokuhaku, to happen around the third date, marking the transition from casual dating to an official couple, often before significant physical intimacy like kissing, emphasizing building trust and mutual respect slowly. While it's a strong guideline, not a strict law, it signifies a cultural preference for clear commitment and slow progression in relationships, with the confession setting the foundation for moving forward, but some variations exist based on individual pace.
Some of the Yakuza's scarier members use their license plates to express their contempt for their own mortality by choosing 4444. That's quite a bit of death and a car with this plate is one you don't want to cut off on the highway. You have to get creative when you have a number that sounds like death.
In Japan, it's customary for the golfer to host a party or give gifts to friends and playing partners to commemorate their achievement—a gesture of generosity and respect. These celebrations can be lavish, with expenses ranging from elegant dinners to keepsakes for attendees.
Some of the world's healthiest and longest-living people follow the practice of hara hachi bu — an eating philosophy rooted in moderation. This practice comes from a Japanese Confucian teaching which instructs people to only eat until they're around 80% full.
