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Tsukiji, the world’s largest fish market after more than 80 years in operation is moved to Toyosu, a man-made island in Tokyo close to Odaiba. The new Toyosu Fish Market is about 2 Kilometers east of Tsukiji’s current location.
Tsukiji fish market, best known for its pre-dawn daily auctions of tuna opened in 1935. Despite starting at 5:30 a.m. the lively tuna auctions were considered a must-see for visitors to the capital, with daily tourist numbers capped at 120 people. Interestingly the early hour did not seem to put off the tourist crowds, and some tourists started lining up at around 2 a.m. |
Tsukiji Market
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In Toyosu, too, there is a deck for visitors, and also a special aisle for viewers where tourists would be able to watch the tuna auction through a glass wall.
The new Toyosu Market aims to smoothen market operations by providing more space and modern infrastructure. Toyosu is made up of three snazzy, interconnected main buildings: two buildings for seafood and one for fruits and vegetables. All three buildings contain viewing decks from where tourists can view the action from above without obstructing business, unlike at Tsukiji Market where frictions between workers and tourists became a constant, major problem. |
Toyosu Market
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In Toyosu only marked areas are accessible to visitors. The time for tourists touching the price tags of tuna is over—visitors experience is all behind glass windows now.
The buildings are connected directly to the Shijo-mae Station via a 400 meter long walkway. The new Toyosu Market surrounds the Station on the Yurikamome which is an elevated train, fully automated transit system, controlled entirely by computers with no drivers on board. Toyosu Market is almost twice the size of Tsukiji, at 40.7 Hectares versus 23.1 Hectares, allowing the market to retain its status as the biggest fish market in the world. |
Shijo-mae Station
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Most restaurants located in Tsukiji's inner market have moved to the Toyosu Market and continue to provide visitors with fresh seafood meals.
Tsukiji's popular outer market with its many restaurants and numerous retail shops selling everything from fresh seafood to cooking equipment will remain in business in Tsukiji and you can still visit the market. Additional facility for tourists is scheduled to be built adjacent to the market sometime in the future and include a shopping and entertainment complex called Senkyaku Banrai, restaurants, a hot spring bath as well as a hotel. |
Himiko -Toyosu Water Bus Station
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Admission to Toyosu Market will be free of charge, and visitors will be able to enter and explore the public areas freely.
Though there isn’t much to do around the new fish market, you can easily combine a visit with a trip to nearby Odaiba. You can use the Water Bus Himiko to get to Asakusa as well. Not far from Toyosu Station you will find Lalaport Toyosu, one of the largest shopping malls in central Tokyo, located by the waterfront. The mall has over 200 shops and restaurants, a cinema and a promenade by the sea, providing a relaxing atmosphere for visitors. |
Toyosu Park
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One popular destination at Lalaport is Kidzania, an indoor family edutainment center amusement park where children between the ages of 3 to 15 can try out play-acting as 70 different professionals like doctors, judges, cooks, pilots and mailmen. Adults are only allowed to enter if they are accompanying a child.
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Kuroneko Yamato - Kidzania
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Yurikamome also connects Shimbashi Station on the JR Yamanote Line with Odaiba and Toyosu. The ride between Shimbashi and Toyosu Station takes 30 minutes.
By Boat: Himiko Sightseeing Boats depart from Odaiba and Asakusa and stop at Toyosu. The ride from Odaiba to Toyosu takes 20 minutes and Asakusa to Toyosu takes 70 minutes. Toyosu to Asakusa takes 40 minutes. |
Toyosu Station From Yurikamome
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Toyosu Market - Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo
