Tsukiji Outer Market – Enjoy the Market Atmosphere While Eating Fresh Seafood
No matter which city you visit, the best, freshest, and most affordable food can always be found at the local food markets. In Tokyo, the most famous one is Tsukiji, known worldwide as Tsukiji Outer Market.
Tsukiji Outer Market refers to the food market for the general public located outside the former Tsukiji Wholesale Market, which was originally intended for professional buyers. However, due to aging facilities, the wholesale market was relocated to Toyosu in 2017.
Even after the relocation, many restaurants, diners, and shops remained in operation, attracting tourists from Japan and around the world. Additionally, Tsukiji Uogashi, a facility housing around 60 fresh food retailers, continues to hold wholesale operations in the early morning, while retail sales for the public start at 9 AM.
Shops in Tsukiji Outer Market are generally open from 5 AM to around 1 PM, making it an ideal spot for breakfast before shopping. Since some stores close as soon as they run out of fresh ingredients, popular menu items may sell out or stores may close earlier as lunchtime approaches.
The History of Tsukiji Market
The name Tsukiji, famous worldwide, originally means “built-up land,” referring to land reclaimed from the sea. It was created in 1657 during the Edo period as part of a reconstruction plan after a massive fire.
At first, the area was lined with samurai residences. By the 19th century, it was used as a foreign settlement. In 1923, after the Great Kanto Earthquake, fish traders relocated to Tsukiji, making it Tokyo’s largest wholesale fish market.
Initially, Tsukiji was a professional wholesale market catering to businesses. However, as more restaurants and shops for the general public opened around the market, the Tsukiji name became famous not only in Japan but also internationally.
Must-Visit Food Spots in Tsukiji Outer Market
Before introducing specific shops, let’s talk about the go-to dish in Tsukiji Outer Market – donburi (rice bowls). Donburi consists of a bowl of warm white rice topped with various ingredients.
Popular options include kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) featuring fresh sashimi, gyudon (beef bowl) with beef simmered in a sweet and savory soy sauce, and oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl) made with chicken, egg, and onions simmered in dashi and soy sauce.
Since Tsukiji is famous for seafood, you’ll find an incredible variety of kaisendon, including ōtoro-don (fatty tuna bowl) and uni-don (sea urchin bowl).
Maguroya Kurogin Tsukiji Main Store
If you want to indulge in fresh seafood, this is the place to go. One of the most famous and popular shops in Tsukiji Outer Market, it often has long lines later in the day, so visiting early is recommended.
Their signature dishes include maguro roll (tuna sushi roll with lean, medium-fatty, and fatty tuna) and the ōtoro kaisendon (fatty tuna rice bowl), both of which can be enjoyed as street food.
- Name: Maguroya Kurogin Tsukiji Main Store
- Address: 4-16-2 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Hours:
- Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
- Sat: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
- Closed: Tuesday & Wednesday
Uni Tora
A famous spot for uni-don (sea urchin rice bowl). Their signature dish is a bowl topped with an unbelievably generous portion of fresh sea urchin. They also offer a three-type uni comparison bowl and a kaisendon with sea urchin and various sashimi.
- Name: Uni Tora
- Address: 4-9-7 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Nakatomi Suisan Daiichi Building 1F)
- Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Closed: None
Tsukiji Donburi Ichiba
For those who want to try Tsukiji’s seafood but are not fond of raw fish, this shop is a great choice. They are known for their fresh, high-quality maguro steak donburi (seared tuna rice bowl).
- Name: Tsukiji Donburi Ichiba
- Address: 4-12-6 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Hours:
- Mon – Sat: 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM
- Sun: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
- Closed: None
Marutake
A legendary tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet) specialty store with over 80 years of history. Japanese tamagoyaki is made with fresh eggs, dashi, soy sauce, and sugar, creating a uniquely savory and slightly sweet flavor. It’s the perfect snack to eat while walking around Tsukiji.
- Name: Marutake
- Address: 4-10-10 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Tsukiji Center Building 1F)
- Hours:
- Mon – Sat: 4:00 AM – 2:30 PM
- Sun: 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
- Closed: National holidays, market closing days (Wed), some Sundays in Jan & Aug
Must-Visit Shopping Spots in Tsukiji Market
While Tsukiji is famous for street food, it was originally Tokyo’s largest professional food market. The outer market is home to stores selling fresh seafood, vegetables, meat, dried foods, seasonings, kitchen tools, and more.
You can find high-quality knives crafted by skilled artisans, traditional copper graters, and stainless steel strainers used by professionals. Essential ingredients for Japanese cuisine, such as dried bonito flakes, dried shiitake mushrooms, kombu (kelp), and pickles, are also available.
If you’re staying in an apartment with a kitchen, you can even buy fresh seafood and cook it yourself!
Isemasa
- Address: 4-14-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Hours: 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Closed: Sun, National holidays, market closing days
- Products: Dried seafood, bonito flakes, dried shiitake mushrooms, kombu, wakame, dried squid, sakura shrimp, chirimen-jako (dried baby sardines), beans
Azuma Minamoto no Masahisa (Knife Shop)
- Address: 4-13-7 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Hours: 5:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Products: Large tuna knives, various professional and home-use kitchen knives, whetstones
Kunitora Shoten
- Address: 4-11-7 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Hours: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Closed: Sun, National holidays, market closing days
- Products: Fresh tuna
Tsukiji Outer Market Information & Access
- Closed: Sundays and some holidays (about twice a month, typically on Wednesdays)
- Access:
- Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line – Tsukiji Station (1-min walk from Exit 1 & 2)
- Website: https://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/
