Located in the beautiful Toyosu waterfront district, the Toyosu Fish Market is a giant wholesale fish and seafood market beloved by Tokyo locals and tourists. As of October 2018, the Toyosu Market replaces the former Tsukiji Market. At about two times the size of the Tsukiji Fish Market,Toyosu Fish Market is easily the biggest wholesale fish market in Tokyo – and in the world!
Introduction to Toyosu Fish Market
Toyosu Fish Market is made up of three buildings: the Wholesale Market Building, the Intermediate Wholesale Market Building for fish and seafood sellers, and the Fruit & Vegetable Building for produce sellers.
The market is open to visitors Monday through Saturday (aside from public holidays) from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and admission is always free. Though many shops do not open until after 7:00 AM, tourists are encouraged to visit the market as early as possible to experience events only available to early birds, like the famous tuna auction.
Shopping and Things to Do at Toyosu Fish Market
Most vendors at Toyosu Fish Market sell at the wholesale level to licensed buyers only. However, there is a large marketplace available in the Intermediate Wholesale Market Building for the general public: the Uogashi Yokocho Market. This market-within-a-market holds over 60 shops selling everything from tea and snacks to unique Tokyo souvenirs. Some shops to look out for include Maruyama Noriten, which sells green tea and nori seaweed, Aritsugu, which sells authentic Japanese kitchen knives, Ito Uroko, which sells boots and other clothing items, and Mosuke Dango, which sells dumplings and other sweet treats.
Toyosu is also home to LaLaport Toyosu, a giant shopping mall with over 150 stores and restaurants. At this mall, you’ll find clothing for all ages, toys, jewelry and accessories, home decor, electronics, and much more. LaLaport Toyosu is located about a 20-30 minute walk from the fish market.
Things to Do at Toyosu Fish Market
Between shopping, eating, and exploring, there’s plenty to do at Toyosu Fish Market. Plan to spend at least a few hours at the market to see and do everything worthwhile.
Watch the tuna auction: The famous tuna auction is one of the most popular activities at the Tsukiji Market and continues to draw tourists to Toyosu. Arrive early to secure a good spot at the tuna auction observation windows to watch buyers bargain for the best deals on giant tuna. The auction generally takes place between 5:30 and 6:30 AM.
Tourist Tip: To get the best view of the auction, submit an application for an advanced registration spot in the lower gallery. Applications open about a month in advance with a lottery system to determine the day’s participants. A spot in the lower gallery is as close as tourists can get to the tuna auction.
Explore the various observation galleries: The wholesale floors in all three buildings may be off-limits to tourists, but there are many tourist-friendly viewing galleries with large windows into the shop floor. Depending on the time of your visit, you can view other seafood and produce auctions or just observe the crates of food being bought and sold by the locals.
Tourist Tip: The wholesale buyers and sellers are early birds, so be sure to come early if you want to see the true hustle and bustle of the market. Though you can walk through the market’s public areas until closing time, it usually quiets down after 10:00 AM.
Enjoy the view from the rooftop garden: When the weather is nice, a visit to the rooftop garden is a great way to end a trip to Toyosu Fish Market. The rooftop garden is a grassy space located on the roof of the Intermediate Wholesale Market Building. From the garden, you’ll get a great view of the beautiful Tokyo Bay and the Tokyo skyline.
Tourist Tip: April and May are generally considered the nicest months to visit Tokyo, weather-wise. Tokyo spring weather is dry and pleasant. The city’s rainy season starts in June.
Best Places to Eat at Toyosu Fish Market
Being surrounded by water and filled with fresh seafood, it’s no surprise that the most popular restaurants at Toyosu Fish Market are ones which serve fish and seafood. If you want to try a sushi restaurant, be prepared to wait in long lines with other tourists. There are also many other small cafes and shops that serve other types of food within the market.
Sushi Dai: One of the most famous restaurants at the Tsukiji Fish Market, this incredible sushi restaurant has thankfully moved over to Toyosu Fish Market, along with dozens of other shops. Sushi Dai is best known for its incredible omakase experience featuring green tea, miso soup, and high-quality sushi rolls made with the freshest ingredients. Their new space at Toyosu Fish Market has an increased seating available, meaning lines move quicker than they did in Tsukiji. However, you should still expect a line, as tourists often start queuing up for Sushi Dai around 4:00 AM.
Daiwa Sushi: Another popular spot for sushi is Daiwa Sushi. This restaurant serves the same type of food as Sushi Dai but has about double the amount of seating and quicker turnaround times. The chefs at Daiwa will choose which rolls to make based on the day’s freshest ingredients.
Senriken Coffee Shop: If eating sushi first thing in the morning does not appeal to you, you’ll also be able to enjoy a good cup of hot or iced coffee at the market. Open since 1914, Senriken Coffee Shop offers a variety of savory breakfast dishes like egg sandwiches and their famous cream stew with soft boiled eggs. For dessert, try the house-made cakes or the unique coffee flavored ice cream.
There are also many other restaurants at the fish market selling Tokyo classics other than sushi and sashimi. Head to Tenfusa for crispy and delicious tempura, Fujimiya for soba noodle dishes, Odayasu for deep-fried oysters and tonkatsu (deep-fried pork cutlets), and Toritoh for oyakodon (chicken and egg bowls).
How to get to Toyosu Fish Market
Shijo-Mae Station is the closest station to Toyosu Fish Market. In fact, the station’s name translates literally to “in front of the marketplace.” The station is located just minutes from all three buildings. This station is on the Yurikamome line and directly connects to Shimbashi Station, Odaiba-Kaihinkoen Station, and Toyosu Station. Shimbashi Station is a major interchange station operated by JR East, Tokyo Metro, and Toei. Once you’re at this station, you can easily reach many of Tokyo’s most popular wards, like Ginza, Shinjuku, Asakusa, and Ueno.
Great Hotels near Toyosu Fish Market
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Tokyo Ariake: Located in Odaiba, this 4-star hotel features large, air-conditioned rooms with great amenities like complimentary tea, free Wi-Fi, and a free rental smartphone you can use to access maps and make calls on the go.
Hotel Trusty Tokyo Bayside: A lovely 4-star hotel in a great location, this hotel is perfect for quick vacations or extended stays. Each room features a large bathroom, a small living space, and a small workstation.
Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba: Located close to the water, this 4-star hotel offers gorgeous water views and modern, spacious rooms and suites. You’ll also have access to restaurants, a swimming pool, a fitness center, and a sauna.
Other Attractions near Toyosu Fish Market
Since Toyosu Fish Market is an early morning activity, you’ll have plenty of time left in the day to explore some of the other attractions in Toyosu. Though many of these attractions are aimed at families with younger children, there are also activities for adult tourists.
LaLaport and Kidzania: Whether you’re searching for souvenirs or just window shopping, the LaLaport Toyosu shopping center is definitely worth a visit. In addition to the many shops and restaurants, the mall also features KidZania, an interactive and educational play center for children 3 and up.
The Crane Monument: Outside of LaLaport is a 25-meter high crane that is a permanent fixture in Toyosu. The monument honors the legacy of the district’s shipbuilding days. The monument is located next to the water and close to a large drawbridge. At night, the crane lights up with colorful lights and is a great spot for picture taking.
The Gas Science Museum: The free Gas Science Museum in Toyosu is an interactive museum where children can learn about gas as an energy source. Like Toyosu Fish Market, this museum also has a beautiful rooftop garden with stunning city and water views.
Toyosu Park: The expansive green space and gorgeous water views at Toyosu Park make it the perfect spot for a casual afternoon picnic. The park features a walking path, benches, and a children’s playground. The path is also a beautiful place to walk at night when the surrounding skyscrapers and buildings are lit up.
