Tsukiji Fish Market: Tokyo’s Iconic Seafood Hub
Tokyo is a city where the food culture is rivaled by only a handful of places in the world. In Japan’s largest city, every street corner and hidden alley presents a new opportunity to experience what makes Japan’s culinary scene so special. From extravagant three-star Michelin restaurants to humble food stalls, to unassuming greasy spoons, Tokyo offers a wide range of dining experiences, and more often than not, they are nothing short of exceptional.
Among Tokyo's endless culinary destinations, Tsukiji Fish Market is perhaps the most iconic. Once the world’s largest fish market, Tsukiji is an endless labyrinth of stalls, markets, and eateries that provides a glimpse into Japan’s rich culinary heritage. It’s a unique spot where you can dive into the different worlds of Japanese cuisine all in one place. A place where freshly caught sushi, perfectly marbled Wagyu steak, and sugary sweets can be consumed in quick succession. A place where your body is no longer guided by your brain, but instead guided by the prominent smells of fresh food that fill the air. A place where the food culture of Tokyo truly shines.
If you want a quick and easy taste of Tokyo’s food scene, Tsukiji is the place to start.
A woman passes food at Tsukiji Market in Tokyo, Japan
Directions to Tsukiji Fish Market
Just like virtually everywhere else in Tokyo, Tsukiji Market is a breeze to get to. It’s just a quick walk from several nearby subway stations like the Tsukiji Shijo Station (which can be reached on the Oedo Subway Line) or Tsukiji Station (which can be reached on the Hibiya Subway Line). For those coming from the JR lines, the closest station is Shimbashi, which is approximately a 20-minute walk to the market.
Best Time To Go To Tsukiji Market
Tsukiji is open every day of the week until 2 PM. On Sundays and Wednesdays it opens at 10 AM, but every other day it opens bright and early at 5 AM.
The best time to visit Tsukiji market is in the early morning, but avoid going right at 5 AM. Most shops don’t open right at 5 AM so for the best experience, 7 AM to 8 AM is the sweet spot to aim for. This allows time for all of the stalls and restaurants in Tsukiji to open up, giving you a wider selection of restaurants to choose from while also being early enough to ensure you get the freshest seafood possible.
It also beats the crowds, which can be overwhelming after 9 AM. However, the crowds add an element of character to the market that is worth sticking around for. So getting breakfast at Tsukiji market and then sticking around until lunch would allow you to get the full experience.
Fresh Fish at Tsukiji Market in Tokyo, Japan
What To Eat At Tsukiji Market
Everything. Eat everything.
This is the main appeal of Tsukiji market. Almost any Japanese cuisine can be found in the dozens of streets and alleyways that make up the biggest fish market in Tokyo. Tsukiji is a great place to go if you want to experience as much of Japan’s food culture as you can, all in one place.
Tsukiji has it all. Nearly every one of Japan’s most famous dishes can be found at various stalls throughout the market. A5 Wagyu Beef. Sashimi. Ramen. Tempura. Unagi. Uni. Takoyaki. You name it, Tsukiji probably has it. You can easily bounce from one stall or restaurant to the next, trying different dishes at each place. It’s a paradise for people who love Japanese food.
While you can get all kinds of different foods at Tsukiji, the seafood is the highlight. The fish is as fresh as it gets, brought to the market straight off of the boats they were caught on every single morning. It’s got vivid color, a subtle but distinct smell and a clean organic taste. It’s exactly the quality a seafood lover is looking for.
Japanese A5 Wagyu at Tsukiji market in Tokyo, Japan at
But not every place in Tsukiji reaches the standards one would expect from Japan. Like any place that draws large amounts of tourists, there are tourist traps that will give you average food for not-so-average prices. There are a handful of places like this scattered throughout the market. However, there are also plenty of mind-blowingly delicious places to eat that rival the food anywhere else in Japan, you just have to know where to find them.
So how do you find the best restaurants in Tsukiji Market? Follow one simple rule: Go where the older Japanese people go. If you see a restaurant filled with Japanese people 40 years or older, that’s the place to be.
The simple reason for this is that if an older Japanese person is navigating through the crowds of tourists to eat somewhere, they are doing it for a good reason. If you seem them in large numbers at any of the places at Tsukiji, you know its good.
A man prepares fresh sashimi sushi at Tsukiji Market in Tokyo, Japan
Is Going To Tsukiji Worth It?
Tsukiji Market is often seen as a tourist trap and that assessment isn’t entirely off base.
It’s a place where tourists flock in high numbers and a place where you can easily overpay for mediocre food if you don’t know what you’re looking for. However, Tsukiji market does have plenty of great food to be found. It’s worth a visit just for the sole reason that it has the unique characteristic of having countless food options within arms reach of each other, allowing you to experience a large number of the wonders of Japanese cuisine in one place. It's worth a trip but should by no means be the only food destination you visit during your time in Tokyo.
It’s an excellent introduction to Japanese cuisine, but there’s so much more to discover beyond it.
A man observes a food stall at Tsukiji Market in Tokyo Japan