When you think of Japan, you think of fresh seafood. And when you think of a fresh seafood market in Tokyo, Tsukiji Fish Market would definitely come to mind.

Prior to 2018, Tsukiji Fish Market was recognised as the largest wholesale seafood market in the world. Come 2018, the wholesale businesses in Tsukiji Fish Market (aka the Tsukiji Inner Market) moved to Toyosu Market but the retail shops continued operating at the Tsukiji Outer Market. Here, you’d still be able to find all sorts of fresh seafood, produce and even dried goods.

So if you’re planning a trip to Tokyo soon and have yet to experience what Tsukiji Fish Market has to offer, read on to find out why a visit to Tsukiji Fish Market would be worth your time.

If you’ve never been to Tsukiji Fish Market, this is what you can expect. You’ll walk down a walkway lined with numerous shops selling all sorts of fresh seafood and live seafood. As there is a certain degree of overlap in the spread of seafood that each store offers, it would be prudent to walk through the entire market before settling on your purchase to make sure that you get a bang for your buck.

We visited Tsukiji Fish Market in the late morning on a weekday, and were pleasantly surprised to still find quite a number of locals and tourists buzzing around the different stalls. Even so, given the size of the walkway, we were able to navigate Tsukiji Fish Market quite easily even with a stroller.

For those unsure of whether it would be worthwhile bringing young children to Tsukiji Fish Market, we assure you that it is. Apart from our toddler’s fascination with the array of seafood offerings, most of the store owners were friendly and even took the initiative to interact with our toddler whilst we were perusing their seafood options.

One of our favourite parts of Tsukiji Fish Market was this humble tuna store which not only sold fresh tuna, but also performed a live tuna carving for customers to enjoy. Once cut, the store separated the cuts of tuna sashimi according to their grades, and packaged them accordingly for sale.

Thinking of cooking your fresh seafood upstairs? Think again. Whilst there is an outdoor dining area and a food court at the top floor of Tsukiji Fish Market, there are no facilities or restaurants where you can pay to have your fresh seafood purchases cooked. But if you intend to enjoy your seafood sashimi-style, you can definitely head upstairs to enjoy your food.

Tsukiji Fish Market
4-14-2, Tsukiji, Chuo City,
104-0045 Tokyo Prefecture

The world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market was previously scheduled to cease operations on 02 November 2016 and shift to a new home in Toyosu on 07 November 2016. However, Tsukiji Fish Market’s proposed relocating plan has come to a halt due to concerns over environmental issues and construction costs.

Japan’s newly elected Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike’s decision to postpone the move was beyond necessary. The 400,000-square-meter wide new venue used to be a gas plant, and reported traces of soil contamination have raised alarm bells.The uncertainty of Tsukiji Fish Market’s future location has led to plenty of repercussions, especially for the fish merchants.

While no official statement has been released on whether the government will consider pulling the plug on the entire move, it is evident that tension is escalating amongst vendors as their seafood businesses are being direly affected.

Furthermore, many business owners have already reportedly spent more than ¥20 billion in combination to prepare for the venue transfer.

According to Japanese media, the postpone of Tsukiji Fish Market costs a whopping ¥7 million yen per day. The construction of a highway intended for the 2020 Olympic Games could, as a result, be delayed.

The expressway will cut through the Tsukiji Fish Market’s current site and officials are left in a limbo on whether they should break ground for a new route.

Despite previous claims that Tsukiji Fish Market’s move was for the better, it seems like conditions at the new site could actually be potentially worse.

For instance, toxins are still detected at the new site despite having spent ¥86 billion on cleanup works. Construction costs have too tripled from its original calculations. Is this a result of corrupt or miscommunication?

The decision to relocate Tsukiji Fish Market was after all finalised by former Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe, who resigned from his role after being involved in money scandals. For now, the situation remains tricky at large with many parties’ livelihoods at stake. It is also incredibly difficult to pinpoint at who is essentially responsible for this huge project gone wrong.

Ms Koike did not acknowledge on whether the move will be cancelled altogether but said that they are currently awaiting final groundwater testing results. The assessment results will be revealed in January 2017.

While relocation plans are shifty, this means that Tsukiji Fish Market will still be in operations at its current site at Chuo Ward for at least a few more months.

Tsukiji Fish Market – one of the world’s largest and oldest wholesale seafood market – needs no elaborate introduction. The iconic destination is where Japan’s fish traders gather to barter for the best fishes and where avid global foodies congregate to savour the freshest sashimi.

However, Tsukiji Fish Market’s current venue at Chuo Ward, Tokyo, will have to shift to a new location on 07 Nov 2016 to make way for the 2020 Olympic Games.

If you want to visit the market at its original venue, we suggest you start making your travel plans now before it ceases operations on 02 Nov 2016.

WHERE

Tsukiji Fish Market’s official move is estimated at ¥200 billion and the new 40-hectare space will be located at Toyosu, Koto Ward.

This new location is more than 1.5 miles away from the current address. While many are saddened by the fact that the traditional tuna auctions will not feel the same as before, the shift is ultimately for the better.

WHY

Tokyo Metropolitan Fisheries Wholesale Association Director Eisuke Urawa explained that the move is absolutely necessary, especially when the present-day sanitation levels are not up to standards.

The current space is also too small and unsafe for the large scale of operations.

WHAT

The new Tsukiji Fish Market will be inherently different, where hundreds of wholesale vendors will then be contained in a larger multi-storey complex.

The closed off building’s temperature and climate would be controlled to keep the produce fresh and hygienic. This also means that visitors no longer have the luxury of wandering around freely like before.

THE PRESENT

If you would like to experience the age-old Tsukiji Fish Market like how it has been operating for the past eight decades, then there is certainly no other better time to visit than now.

Important note: Bear in mind that the public is currently prohibited to watch the tuna auctions till 17 Jan 2016. This is to facilitate smooth business transactions during peak periods. Fret not if your main agenda is to eat, as other parts of the market will remain open to public.

For more information, read our guide on the 5 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Tsukiji Market’s Tuna Auction.

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.