Tokyo, Japan: Tsukiji Fish Market

Expect nothing but the freshest of sushi at the restaurants located right outside the Tsukiji Fish Market - afterall, the fish does come from the largest wholesale seafood market in Japan, if not the world.

Tsukiji is located in Central Tokyo and the walk from the Subway station (the Tsukiji Station or Tsukiji Shijo Station) offers some interesting sights.

It's hard to wake up early when it's so cold outside and you know you'd miss the Tuna Auctions anyway.

The Tuna Auctions at Tsukiji are definitely not-to-be-missed but they can be real early (before 5 am), restricted (to 120 people daily), hard to understand (unless you are extremely proficient in Japanese), and may not be available all year round (at least not during the peak Winter season, when I visited), so do check before you go!

Regardless, visiting in the late morning helps to avoid the morning crowd and offers a different side of Tsukiji:

After visiting the Fish Market, it's time for a well-deserved sushi breakfast.

Apart from the Fish Market, it is easy to forget that Tsukiji actually has designated areas for other food produce. It's much like the foodie's version of Bangkok's Chatuchak Market.

Since Tsukiji is pretty close to Ginza, Tokyo's premier shopping district, it makes sense to drop by right after some sushi (it's possible to walk there - I did - just make sure you've got your bearings right).

Tsukiji Fish Market / Tuna Auctions 

Cost: free

Access: Tsukiji Station/ Tsukiji Shijo Station

Related Posts:

My Japan Itinerary (December 2012)

Japan Day 4 – Tokyo, Day 4: 

• Tsukiji Fish Market
• Ginza
• Tokyo Station
• Oedo Onsen Monogatari (Onsen, a godsend in winter)
• Night Temple
• Akihabara