Tsukiji Market, a neighbourhood in Chuo City, Tokyo, is home to around 400 shops offering various fish, meat, kitchen utensils, and more. Tsukiji translates to “constructed land” because, in 1657, a great fire prompted the Tokugawa shogunate to fill in the coastal land. The market itself didn’t become prominent in Tsukiji until 1923 when the Great Kanto Earthquake necessitated the temporary relocation of the market to Tsukiji.
It officially reopened in 1935, making Tsukiji Market a bustling and popular location among tourists and locals alike. While the large fish market and tuna auction have moved to Toyosu, the rest of Tsukiji Market remains open, offering a vibrant area for those interested in Japanese cuisine or historical sites.
Best Things to Do in Tsukiji Market
Shop the Outer Market
The busy Tsukiji Market features numerous retail and wholesale shops, restaurants, and more to explore. Whether you’re looking to buy fresh fish, culinary equipment, or merchandise, or simply want a quick bite to eat, you can spend an entire day wandering around Tsukiji Outer Market.
Notable shops include Ichifuji for Japanese tableware and kitchen supplies, Aritsugu Tokyo for kitchen knives, and Inoue Shoten for clothing. The variety of shops and food options ensures a unique discovery at every corner.
Address: 4 Chome-16-2 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
Hours: 5:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Closed on Sunday, most shops closed on Wednesday
Tsukiji Food and Drink Tours
With the bustling and chaotic streets of Tsukiji Market, a guided tour can enhance the experience. Tsukiji’s maze-like setup can be overwhelming, but on a tour, you can enjoy the market stress-free while tasting a variety of foods and drinks. Tours often include sushi-making courses, providing an immersive culinary experience where you can learn to make Japanese cuisine.
Consider Flip Japan Guide’s 5-Hour Private Customized Tour, or reach out so we can help plan your exploration of Tsukiji.
Visit Namiyoke Shrine
Built due to Tsukiji’s history of being underwater before reclamation, Namiyoke Shrine means “protection from the waves.” It is popular among those experiencing misfortune, as the shrine’s deity is believed to protect against bad luck and calamities. The Tsukiji Shishi Matsuri, held every June, wards off evil spirits and bad luck.
Address: 6 Chome-20-37 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
Hours: Every day 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Visit the Tsukiji Honganji Temple (築地本願寺 中央区)
This Buddhist temple, belonging to the Shin Buddhism denomination, has a rich history. Originally built in Asakusa and rebuilt in Tsukiji after the Great Kanto Earthquake, the temple stands as a marvel with its blend of Japanese, Indian, and German architectural influences.
Address: 3 Chome-15-1 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-8435, Japan
Hours: Every day 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Kabukiza Theater
A short seven-minute walk from the Outer Market, Kabukiza Theatre offers a relaxing break from the market’s energy. Here, you can watch traditional kabuki drama, which immerses you in Japanese culture through its performances and the theatre’s architecture.
Address: 4 Chome-12-15 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
Hours: Every day 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Top Restaurants in Tsukiji Market
Tsukiji Kagura Honten
This sushi restaurant in Tsukiji Market catches attention with its wooden interior and traditional sushi offerings. The chef recommends the Kagura sushi set for its variety of fish.
Address: 4 Chome-14-13 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Torito Bunten
For those who prefer chicken over fish, Torito Bunten is a great choice. Famous for their oyakodon, they also offer various chicken dishes, including teriyaki chicken and karaage.
Address: 4 Chome-8-6 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
Hours: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM, Closed Sunday and Wednesday
Mata Koi Ya
Known for its speciality tuna, Mata Koi Ya serves amazing sashimi rice bowls. Their original tuna bowl is highly recommended.
Address: 4 Chome-8-7 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
4Season
For a change from seafood and Japanese cuisine, 4Season offers delicious pasta with a unique Japanese twist, drawing on over 30 years of culinary experience.
Address: 4 Chome-4-14-18 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
Hours: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Odayasu Uogashi
Known for its katsu dishes, Odayasu Uogashi offers a moriawase set that includes a giant prawn, scallop, and crab croquette, a must-try for seafood enthusiasts.
Address: 〒104-0045, Tsukiji Uogashi 3F, 6-26-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM; 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM, Closed Sunday
East Indian Curry Company
This mixture of Japanese, Indian, and European-style curries is sure to satisfy any curry craving you could have. With loads of options, it’s hard to decide which to get, but the tuna katsu is the most popular.
Address: 〒104-0045 Tokyo, Chuo City, Tsukiji, 4 Chome−10−7 夕月 ２階 ビル
Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Saturday-Sunday 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Hamashige-sushi
Another amazing sushi restaurant that you can’t say no to. The relaxing atmosphere and incredibly fresh fish make this sushi restaurant one of the best. Tsukiji has no shortage of sushi restaurants, so there is no wrong choice when it comes to picking sushi.
Address: 4-9-5, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM; 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Saturday-Sunday 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM; 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Closed Monday
Cafe De Naura
Looking for something for breakfast or lunch? Tsukiji has several cafes and tea rooms to choose from. This cafe, in particular, is popular for its atmosphere and friendly staff, as well as the great coffee and food served here.
Address: 4 Chome-7-3 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
Hours: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Closed Sunday
Gin Pote
On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re ending your night at Tsukiji and need a couple of drinks, Gin Pote is a great izakaya to stop by. They have a nice selection of drinks and they specialise in potato salad and a squid tempura meal. Come in for lunch or dinner to have some drinks and some good food.
Address: 4-9-6 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Monday – Friday 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Saturday-Sunday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Yamacho
Being at a market means taking advantage of the street food vendors all over. Yamacho is one of those street foods that you can’t skip. They specialise in tamago-yaki, which is a Japanese egg omelette, and they even sell a “kushi-tama,” an omelette on a stick, which is simple and easy to eat while exploring the market.
Address: 4 Chome-10-10 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
Hours: 6:50 AM – 3:30 PM
Kitsuneya
This small shop on the street is a staple of Tsukiji, especially for those that love meat. The gyu-don here is their signature dish. Simple and delicious, this place is considered a must-visit by many, despite not specialising in seafood.
Address: 4 Chome-9-12 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
Hours: 6:30 AM – 1:30 PM, Closed Sunday and Wednesday
Onigiriya Marutoyo
The most notable thing about this place is the extra-large onigiri. One of the most popular fillings is the fried shrimp, called shachi-ten, because the shrimp in it is whole.
Address: 〒104-0045 Tokyo, Chuo City, Tsukiji, 4 Chome−9−9 築地場外市場 1F
Hours: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Closed Sunday and Wednesday
Maguroya Kurogin
Another prized seafood spot in Tsukiji is Maguroya, which also specialises in tuna. They offer sashimi and nigiri-style tuna, freshly caught and top-of-the-line.
Address: 4 Chome-10-12 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
Hours: 8:00 AM – 1:45 PM (Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Sunday), Saturday 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Closed Wednesday and Thursday
Matcha Stand Maruni TOKYO TSUKIJI
This new type of tea shop opened about five years ago in Tsukiji Market. They have fresh matcha made in front of you, guaranteeing its freshness. Additionally, you get a daifuku, which is a sweet chewy rice cake, with your order of matcha. The shop also has different kinds of merchandise to buy to remember your matcha experience.
Address: 〒104-0045 Tokyo, Chuo City, Tsukiji, 4 Chome−14−18 江戸市ビル 1F
Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Closed Sunday and Wednesday
Tsukiji Sanokiya
An important part of any food experience in a market is the sweets. This shop makes taiyaki but gives it a little twist. Instead of being called taiyaki, it’s called maguro-yaki because it’s shaped like a little tuna! This tuna-shaped pancake with the filling of your choosing can also come in a bigger size if you have a bigger sweet tooth.
Address: 4 Chome-11-9 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
Hours: Monday-Tuesday; Thursday-Saturday 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Wednesday 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Closed Sunday
Higashi Indo Maguro Shokai
This tuna on a stick is masterfully grilled and lightly seasoned with just simple salt, pepper, and sake. This dish is easy, delicious, juicy, and tender, cooked perfectly every time. If you have a tuna craving, this should be your go-to.
Address: 4-12-5 Tsukiji, Chuo, Tokyo
Hours: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tsukiji Eel Eatery
This fish shop sells delicious eels without breaking the bank. Eel is typically known to be a more luxurious fish, but at this Tsukiji shop, you can indulge in an eel skewer or rice bowl for a great price.
Address: 4-13-18 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045
Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Marutama Suisan Processing
If you are feeling less fishy while looking for a snack, you can stop by this street vendor to get some deep-fried vegetable skewers. They also offer fish paste stuffed oden dishes inside their market, but the veggies are best for a quick snack.
Address: 4-13-13 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 5:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Soratsuki
Another pop of sweetness among the different snacks and dinners on the streets of Tsukiji is Soratsuki. Here, they sell ichigo daifuku with a strawberry in the middle of whichever flavour you decide to get. You can go with the classic red bean or try something new like yomogi or mango flavour.
Address: 4 Chome-11-10 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Hotels in Tsukiji
Via Inn Higashi Ginza (3 Stars)
Located near two major metro lines and within walking distance of Tsukiji Market, this hotel offers easy access to the market and nearby attractions. It features a Lawson Convenience Store and breakfast options on the second floor.
Koko Hotel Tsukiji Ginza (4 Stars)
This is a newer hotel and it is just a 5-minute walk from Tsukiji Station. Koko is a modern-looking hotel with Japanese-style hospitality and is also within walking distance of the Tsukiji Market as well as the Honganji Temple. There is a buffet-style breakfast every morning, not included, and there is also an amenity buffet for anything you might need. This hotel also includes free wifi, TV, AC, nightwear, slippers, and more.
Ginza Capital Hotel Akane (3 Stars)
This hotel is also in a nice spot in Ginza, with only a few minutes walk to either Tsukiji Station or Shintomicho Station. There are also 5 shuttle buses that leave every morning that goes to Tokyo Station. With many sightseeing opportunities around walking distance, the Tsukiji Market, Sumida River Promenade, and multiple temples and shrines. There is also a hotel in this restaurant that serves both breakfast and lunch, vending machines, free wifi, and a laundrette.
Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Gochome (4 Stars)
This hotel is stylish and has excellent accommodations, including a restaurant, public bath, fitness centre, relaxation and more. It is just a minute walk to the Higashi Ginza Station, 4 minute walk to the Ginza Station, and 11 minutes to the Yurakucho and Shimbashi stations on the JR Line. This hotel is also within walking distance of the Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre, Ginza Nikon Salon, Ginza Six, Tsukiji Market, and more. There are multiple options for breakfast and a restaurant that also serves lunch and dinner.
Hotel Vista Tokyo Tsukiji (3 Stars)
A three-minute walk from Higashi Ginza Station, this hotel offers free wifi, vending machines, a laundromat, and a cafe serving both Western and Japanese breakfast. It is also close to Tsukiji Market and other attractions.
Savor Tokyo’s Culinary Scene at Tsukiji Market
With all this and more to do and see in Tsukiji Market, you can enjoy a full day of history, good food, and sightseeing. This longstanding market is a popular site for locals and tourists because of its charm and multitude of activities. Although the streets can be a bit chaotic, the vibrant atmosphere and diverse offerings make it worth the visit. Whether you are wandering through the Outer Market, sampling street food, or exploring the nearby landmarks, Tsukiji Market provides an authentic and memorable experience.
Even if you want to see the historic Fish Market, you can visit its new location in Toyosu either before or after your trip to Tsukiji Market. With the entirety of the market and all the landmarks within walking distance, there is so much to admire about Tsukiji Market. From its rich history to its bustling present, Tsukiji Market is a must-visit destination when coming to Japan.
Recent Comments