Tsukiji fish marketAbout Tsukiji fish market
Tsukiji fish market in central Tokyo is best known for its long history as Tokyo’s major fish and seafood market; since October 2018 the former wholesale auction functions moved to Toyosu, while the Tsukiji Outer Market remains a busy retail and restaurant quarter. The site sits in Chuo ward, near Ginza and the Sumida River.
Shoppers and food visitors find narrow lanes of stalls and small restaurants selling fresh seafood, sushi, kitchenware and produce, with many businesses opening early in the morning and closing by early afternoon. The area is compact and walkable, with dozens of specialist shops packed into a few city blocks.
The modern wholesale market moved to Toyosu in 2018 after decades of operation at Tsukiji; Tsukiji itself originated in the post-1923 Great Kanto Earthquake relocation of Tokyo’s central fish market. The Tsukiji Outer Market retains much of the traditional retail character and remains a major destination for food-focused visitors.
Tsukiji lies in central Tokyo, a short walk or subway ride from Ginza and roughly 2 kilometres southeast of Tokyo Station. The nearest stations are Tsukiji and Tsukijishijo, and the area is easily incorporated into central-Tokyo sightseeing routes.
- Best time to visit: Most shops in the Outer Market are busiest in the early morning; arrive before 10:00 for the freshest seafood and to avoid crowds.
- Tuna auctions moved: The well-known tuna auctions were moved to Toyosu Market in October 2018; auction viewing and wholesale access are now at Toyosu, while Tsukiji’s retail and restaurant streets remain active.
What to See#
- Tsukiji Outer Market: The Outer Market (jōgai-shijō) - a labyrinth of retail stalls, small wholesalers and restaurants that continues to operate in Tsukiji, specialising in fresh seafood, produce and sushi-grade fish.
- Former Inner Wholesale Market (moved): The former Inner Wholesale Market - the wholesale functions and early-morning tuna auctions were relocated to Toyosu Market in October 2018; the original auction site in Tsukiji no longer operates for wholesale trading.
Nearby Attractions to Tsukiji fish market
Best Time to Visit Tsukiji fish market
Visit early in the morning on weekdays to see the market atmosphere and to secure seats at popular sushi stalls; the inner wholesale auction moved to Toyosu in 2018, but the outer market remains lively.
Weather & Climate near Tsukiji fish market
Tsukiji fish market's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1479 mm/year), wettest in September.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 2° - 9° | 2° | 53 mm | some cloud | 75% | 4.4 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.9h |
| February | Good | 2° - 10° | 3° | 63 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.4 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 5° - 12° | 6° | 111 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 126 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.6 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.0h |
| May | Very Good | 15° - 22° | 19° | 130 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.9h |
| June | Good | 18° - 25° | 22° | 174 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.4h |
| July | Good | 22° - 28° | 25° | 154 mm | overcast | 83% | 3.3 m/s | 1.6 very high | 14.1h |
| August | Very Good | 24° - 30° | 27° | 150 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.3h |
| September | Good | 20° - 26° | 23° | 202 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Good | 14° - 21° | 18° | 174 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 5.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 9° - 16° | 13° | 95 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.2 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.2h |
| December | Good | 4° - 12° | 5° | 47 mm | some cloud | 78% | 4.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
How to Get to Tsukiji fish market
Tsukiji is a short walk from Tsukiji Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line) and also accessible from Higashi-Ginza Station (Toei Asakusa Line/Tokyo Metro Ginza Line). From central Tokyo it is a 10-15 minute subway ride.
Tips for Visiting Tsukiji fish market
- For the tuna auction atmosphere, arrive before dawn and look for authorised visits - the inner wholesale market moved in 2018 but outer market stalls and restaurants retain the fish-market energy.
- Try the small sushi shops around the outer market for fresh sashimi that follows market rhythms.