Written by Mareike Dornhege
Toyosu Fish Market — Tokyo’s shiny, new(ish) fish market — has replaced its predecessor Tsukiji as the city’s top destination for seafood fans.
But does it live up to its reputation? And if you can only visit one, should it be Toyosu or Tsukiji? Here’s everything you need to know about it so you can decide for yourself.
Toyosu Fish Market: The basics
5 a.m. to 5 p.m.Closed Sundays, most Wednesdays, and national holidays
Entry is free
Toyosu Market opened in 2018, replacing the old city-run wholesale market — known as the “inner market” — at Tsukiji Fish Market. The new Toyosu Market is in Toyosu, an island of reclaimed land in Tokyo’s Kōtō Ward.
The market is made up of three interconnected buildings — the “Fisheries Intermediate Wholesale Market Building”, the “Management Facilities Building”, and the “Fruit and Vegetables Building”. The whole area is about twice the size of the space at Tsukiji, at 40.7ha vs. 23.1ha.
So yes, Tokyo still has the biggest fish market in the world.
Many of the vendors, shop keepers, and restaurants who used to be at Tsukiji Market also moved to Toyosu Market or opened branches there.
Pro tip: The “outer market” part of Tsukiji still exists. And there is a lot to see (and eat) in the area. Plus, there are some great Tsukiji Fish Market tours available for an insider’s view.
Which is better Toyosu or Tsukji Fish Market?
The experience at Toyosu is very different from the lively, messy, but also charming and authentic Tsukiji. Toyosu Fish Market has a fairly sterile atmosphere and only certain, clearly-marked areas are accessible to visitors.
From the Intermediate Wholesale Building, you have a very limited view of some of the market passages from large windows. Tourists are not allowed on the market floor, and no, not after 10 or 11 a.m. or anytime either.
Based on our last visit at the start of June 2026, we can confirm that the whole Toyosu experience is exceedingly well designed for visitors. We saw lots of info boards, signs, and maps everywhere, both in Japanese and English. All the areas that vistors can enter are clearly marked, and it’s easy to locate the nearest washroom.
In short, it is nice, clean, and organized — which some people might prefer to the chaos of Tsukiji.
How do I get to Toyosu Market?
Despite the name, neither Toyosu nor Shin-Toyosu Station give you the easiest access to Toyosu Market. Shijōmae Station, two stops over from Toyosu Station on the Yurikamome Line, is actually the nearest station to Toyosu Market.
If you’re traveling from central Tokyo, you should catch the Yurikamome from Shimbashi Station, which has connections to multiple JR and Tokyo Metro lines.
When you arrive at Shijōmae Station, there are plenty of signs pointing the way to the market. It is a small station with only one exit, so don’t worry about taking a wrong turn. There are coin lockers to store your bags. The station building and the Toyosu Market buildings are connected by covered passageway, so it’s good for all weather conditions.
How to get to the Toyosu tuna auction
The tricky part about catching the Toyosu tuna auction is that trains to Toyosu Market only start running from 5:15 a.m. — that’s if you catch the Yurikamome line from Toyosu. Coming from Shimbashi, the first train to the market doesn’t depart until 5:45 a.m. — too late for the tuna auction.
There are two main workarounds:
- Stay at a hotel in the area the night before: This is the easiest option if you really want to make the auction without stress, but it will require some research. Look for somewhere around Shijōmae, Shin-Toyosu, or Toyosu ideally. The furthest area worth looking in is near Shintomichō Station on the Yurakuchō Line, where trains start early enough to get you to the tuna auction right on time.
- Take a taxi: You’ll have to take a taxi to get to the market early enough for the auction. Ask the taxi driver to drop you off at Shijōmae Station, as they aren’t allowed to drop people off in front of the fish market gates (so as not to block the busy morning workflow).
The tuna auction at Toyosu
If you want to see Tokyo’s famous tuna auction, you have two options: watch for free from the upper-floor observation windows, or apply for a lottery spot on the lower-floor observation deck, which offers the best view.
The tuna auction takes place inside the Fisheries Intermediate Wholesale Building at Toyosu Market, connected to Shijōmae Station by a walkway. It usually runs from around 5:45 a.m. to 6:25 a.m., though the exact length depends on how many tuna are being sold that day. Sometimes it can be over in about 20 minutes; other times it may last closer to an hour.
The upper-floor observation gallery opens to visitors from 5 a.m. and does not require advance booking. Auction preparation is already underway by then, so arriving early gives you the best chance of getting a decent spot.
From the gallery, you look down onto the auction floor through glass. Buyers inspect tuna and signal bids using hand signs known in Japanese as teyari; a display explaining these signs helps make sense of what is happening below. Microphones transmit the auction sounds, but the view can be limited if it is crowded.
Fun fact: The tuna auction area has green floors, while most other market areas have white floors. That’s because buyers judge the quality, and therefore the price, of the fish by checking its red meat — and red stands out best against green.
Applying for the Toyosu tuna auction lottery
The Toyosu tuna auction is best viewed from the special deck on the lower floor. Access to this deck is by lottery, with applications open for about a week each month, for a spot the following month. To apply, you head to the official page (available in English and Japanese) and follow the steps on screen.
If you can get your hands on tickets to watch the Tokyo tuna auction up close, here are a few things you should know:
- Only 100 people will be allowed onto the viewing deck each morning
- Meet Toyosu staff at 5:30 a.m.
- You need to reserve in advance online
- Applications open during the first week of the month for the following month. For example, applications for the whole of July open the first week of June.
- If there are more applicants than available spots, selections will take place by lottery
- You can still view the auction from the second-floor observation windows, without worrying about an application
- Don’t spend too much time at the fish market itself: Unless you’re going early to watch the tuna auction, there just isn’t that much to see at the market itself. Have a quick look around, grab some breakfast, and then head somewhere else nearby like teamLab Planets or Odaiba
- Book a tour for the tuna auction: If you have your heart set on seeing the tuna auction, book a tour on Viator to guarantee you get the best view
- Don’t feel pressured to spend a lot on sushi: We often say this about sushi and sashimi, but it bears repeating: unless you’re a serious sushi connoisseur, the difference between high-end sushi and mid-range sushi may not be dramatic enough to justify the price jump. If you’re mostly after fresh seafood and a satisfying meal, an affordable option can be just as enjoyable — and kinder to your food budget
- Places
- Restaurants
More information about the tuna auction viewing process can be found on the Toyosu Market website, in English.
Our experience
Pro tip: Sign up for a tour on Viator before or during the application window and the operator will apply for you.
We applied for the lottery at the start of May. On May 21, we received an email with the results, and got our top choice date: within the first week of June.
Skipping the taxi option, we stayed overnight in the area. Rising bright and early, we took the first train over, brisk-walked from the station, and arrived at 5:25 a.m.
On arrival, staff checked our reservation number and ID, then gave us a paper ticket. Hold on to this — you will need to hand it back later, so you cannot keep it as a souvenir.
Before heading to the auction area, you may spend a short time in the information area, where there are English and Japanese displays about the history of the market.
In another information area, there is also a model of the largest bluefin tuna ever sold at Tsukiji, which weighed almost 500kg. That sale was in 1986; today, a catch that large would be unlikely due to the tuna’s extremely fragile status. On the way to the auction, you may not be able to stop for photos of the giant tuna model, as the group is usually kept moving — but you should pass it again on the way back.
From the upper gallery area, deck ticket holders are directed to the lower-floor observation deck. Follow the signs and staff instructions as you go. When we visited, we were directed to keep right. Keep an eye out for “Language Co-talk Volunteers” who can explain what is happening in English.
The auction starts with the ringing of a bell. Several auctioneers may work at the same time, with small groups of buyers moving from batch to batch until everything is sold. Market workers then mark the fish as sold and begin moving them away on forklifts and turret trucks. Both fresh and frozen tuna may be sold, and the fish come from around the world — not just Japanese waters.
After the auction, visitors are usually led back to the information area at around 6:30 a.m. Even if you miss the main auction, you may still be able to see the just-sold tuna being moved around the market until about 7 a.m.
Restaurants: Where to eat at Toyosu Market
Each of Toyosu Fish Market’s three buildings has at least some dining options. Of course a majority of the restaurants serve seafood, but there are some selling other Japanese and foreign cuisine, plus a few cafés. Because the seafood restaurants have close ties to the market, most of them open early (around 7 or 8 a.m.) and close at lunch time — if they haven’t already sold out for the day. So with that in mind, we recommend eating breakfast at Toyosu, not lunch.
For the best experience, choose a restaurant with an omakase (recommended) set. This will be made up of the chef’s recommendations for that day — guaranteeing fresh, high quality fish. You can get a nice mid-range omakase set for around ¥5,000 to ¥6,000. Of course, you can stretch that budget in both directions — seasonal sushi sets or seafood bowls start at around ¥2,000, while some of the high-class restaurants just have “market price” written next to their fanciest menu options.
Another thing to keep in mind, is that not all restaurants in Toyosu Fish Market accept credit cards or reservations. As is always the case in Japan, carry some cash. If you have a certain restaurant you want to eat at, check online to see if they take reservations.
Now, let’s get specfic and break down your options building by building.
Fisheries Intermediate Wholesale Market Building
The third floor of this building is Toyosu’s main restaurant area. That also means it’s one of the busiest areas. We recommend arriving early (well before 10 a.m.) and being prepared to line up if you want to dine at one of the more popular restaurants.
Besides restaurants specializing in seafood (namely seafood rice bowls, or sushi and sashimi), there are other Japanese dishes on offer including tonkatsu (deep fried pork cutlets), gyu-don (beef rice bowls), oyako-don (chicken and egg rice bowls), and Japanese-style curry. Plus, there’s a Chinese restaurant, a Western-style restaurant, and two coffee shops. Oedo Sushi is a very popular spot here, with prices starting at about ¥2,500 for seafood bowls.
Pro tip: The entrance to the third floor is along the overpass.
Management Facilities Building
The next biggest selection of restaurants is on the third floor of the Management Facilities Building. Yes, there are sushi shops, but you’ll also find pizza, tempura, and a coffee shop among the offerings. Our top pick for this area is Ryu Sushi, which has good balance of quality and affordability. They have an omakase (recommended) set for ¥5,500, and they accept credit cards.
Fruit and Vegetable Building
The first floor of this building has a very small selection of restaurants. But notably, it’s home to Daiwa Sushi. This sushi joint has no written menu, so it is best to go with their omakase (recommended) set for ¥6,600.
The quality is excellent and they give you the option to replace any sushi you might not want to eat because you dislike it (or because you have environmental concerns; think eel and other fish that are threatened). They speak a bit of English and some Chinese and are very accommodating to foreign visitors. Even better, they’re one of the few restaurants at Toyosu Market that take reservations.
Shopping at Toyosu
On the fourth floor of the Intermediate Seafood Wholesale Building, you’ll find over 100 retail shops. Their offerings range from sake and cheese to knives sharpened before your eyes, kitchen utensils, fruit, veg, and bentō boxes.
Souvenir suggestions include the fresh wasabi roots on offer, maybe as a set with a wasabi grater, or the ceramics at Ueda. They are reasonably priced for the quality of design and material that is on offer. Check it out in the North Aisle.
Other things to do at Toyosu Market
When you are done with the main attraction, the two fish market buildings, you have two options: Go up to the fifth floor roof deck or go see the fruit and veg market.
The rooftop
The rooftop can be accessed from elevators inside and outside the building, but these can get crowded. If possible, look for the staircase, which is a bit harder to find. The roof is pretty minimalistic in design, but it has grass and non-flowering bushes (so as not to attract any insects). There is no shade, but it offers a great view of Tokyo Bay and, on clear days in winter, of Mt Fuji.
You can sit on the grass, but food and drink is not allowed on the roof. Also, there is barely any signage, so don’t get lost! There is a big path down to the lower floors, which leads you back to the windows overlooking the sales area.
Toyosu fruit and vegetable market
If you haven’t had enough yet, you can also go and check out the fruit and vegetable wholesale area — just follow the English signs. Compared to the high-stakes tuna floor where something is always happening, the fruit and vegetable section is calmer. You will be walking along a windowed gallery that looks down onto the market activity below.
On our last visit at the start of June in 2026, we saw staff inspecting pods of peas, packing mushrooms and green peppers, and carting precious melons.
The best thing about this part of Toyosu, however, is probably the handful of restaurants tucked away one level under the entrance. Take the stairs down as you exit the building and you can choose from udon, tempura, and arguably the best (and among the priciest) sushi at the whole market — Daiwa Sushi.
Tips for enjoying Toyosu Fish Market
Feeling overwhelmed? Here are our top tips for making the most of your trip to Toyosu Market.
What is there to do near Toyosu Fish Market?
While teamLab Borderless may have closed down in August, you can still visit teamLab Planets which is just down the road from Toyosu Fish Market.
More on teamLab Planets here.
You can also combine a visit to Toyosu Fish Market with a trip to nearby Odaiba, a shopping and entertainment district with a slightly tacky replica of the Statue of Liberty and views of the Rainbow Bridge.
Spa and entertainment complex Senkyaku Banrai is across the road, However, note that most of the restaurants and other shops and facilities don’t open until around 10 a.m.
Hotels near Toyosu Fish Market
Several new hotels have opened up in the Toyosu area in recent years. We especially recommend staying in one if you plan to see the tuna auction. For one, you can sleep in a little — some of these hotels are just minutes away from the market on foot — plus you won’t have to fork out for an early morning taxi fare. Here are two of our favorite hotels near Toyosu Market.
La Vista Tokyo Bay: The closest hotel to the fish market
From ¥20,000Book here
La Vista Tokya Bay is a hotel right by Toyosu Fish Market that ticks a lot of boxes. Not only are the rooms spacious, but some also have city or sea views. The hotel itself has a buffet breakfast, a swimming pool, an open air bath, airport transfers, and much more to offer. We recommend this hotel for couple and family groups.
Hotel JAL City Tokyo Toyosu: A classy option within walking distance of the fish market
From ¥25,000Book here
Hotel JAL City Tokyo Toyosu is another great hotel option within walking distance of Toyosu Fish Market. Their rooms offer city views (and have coffee machines), and the hotel serves a solid breakfast buffet. There’s also an on-site restaurant, so you won’t have to journey far for a good meal.
What happened to the old Tsukiji Market?
Originally, Tsukiji’s wholesale market was slated to close its doors in November 2016. Then the move got pushed back. And back. And back some more. But the relocation happened at last, and the wholesale market officially reopened at Toyosu on October 11, 2018. Over 600 merchants made the move.
The “inner” part of Tsukiji Market (the wholesale market) closed for a couple of reasons: its facilities were old (it opened in 1935), and the layout inefficient. The government says this was hurting the market’s “image,” in addition to causing health and food safety concerns. Tsukiji attracted more than 40,000 visitors daily, so the latter concerns make sense. The soaring temperatures of summer highlighted the challenges, with the aging aircon units at Tsukiji at times unable to beat the heat.
But another big reason (and perhaps the main reason) for the move is that Tsukiji’s wholesale market was currently sitting on prime real estate. There’s been all sorts of talk about having the site redeveloped into a sports stadium and retail shops. There’ve also been rumblings about relocating the famous fish market back to Tsukiji, with an added food theme park. The state-of-the-art Toyosu facility would then become a distribution center. Keep in mind, though, that no redevelopment plans have been 100% confirmed yet. We’ll update you when we know more.
Note that Tsukiji Market — what was formerly known as the “outer market” — is a collection of hundreds of shops and eateries selling everything from fresh seafood to cooking equipment. It’s adjacent to the old inner market area and is not going anywhere. You can — and should — still visit it, ideally as part of a guided Tsukiji tour. There are also two-for-one tours that visit both Tsukiji and Toyosu on Viator.
You might also be interested in exploring a few awesome Tsukiji alternatives.
How do I get from Toyosu Fish Market to Tsukiji?
The best idea is to check out the action at the new Toyosu Market first, in the early morning hours, and then head over to the old Tsukiji Outer Market. It offers more options than Toyosu for sushi (or other food) and shopping. You could walk from Toyosu to Tsukiji on a fine day; it’s about 3km and will lead you over three bridges, keeping a fairly straight line. Allow around 30 minutes for it.
However, the most convenient way of getting between Toyosu and Tsukiji is to board the Yurikamome Line at Shijōmae Station for Toyosu (two stops). Then change to the Yurakuchō Line for Shintomichō Station (another two stops), which is just a little further from the market than Tsukiji Station, but offers a much quicker connection. The trip takes around 15 minutes and from Shintomichō it is a 750m/8-minute walk to the Outer Market.
Or you could take a cab for around ¥1,500.
Relocating from Tsukiji to Toyosu cost a lot of clams
(Clams, fish market … get it? You got it.)
The estimated cost of transplanting the wholesale market from Tsukiji to Toyosu was upwards of 600 billion yen (approx. 5.42 billion USD). This included construction, infrastructure (including a new expressway), land costs, and soil decontamination measures.
Wait, go back — what’s that about soil contamination?
The Toyosu site was formerly home to a gas production plant, and an early survey conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirmed that the soil was, unfortunately, heavily contaminated. Extensive clean-up efforts seem to have sorted it out, but there was initially concern — especially from business operators — about food safety at the relocation site, and over 80% of Tsukiji fish traders originally opposed the move.
Pro tip: For a visual guide to the various types of sushi, check out Sushi University.
Video guide to Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth visiting Toyosu Fish Market?
Yes, Toyosu Market is a destination foodies will enjoy. Whether you want to catch the hotly anticipated tuna auction or simply know more about where your fish, fruit, and veggies are coming from in Tokyo, it is an enjoyable way to spend the morning and still have plenty of time left over for sightseeing. Just make sure you plan to arrive early and don’t skip having breakfast/brunch there to get the full experience.
When is the market open?
Toyosu Market’s regular opening hours are 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., though many shops and the information center only open from 7 a.m.
What days does Toyosu Fish Market open?
Toyosu is closed on Sundays, national holidays, and often on Wednesdays.
| Month (2026) | Holiday Dates |
|---|---|
| January | 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 11, 12, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 |
| February | 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 23, 25 |
| March | 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 29 |
| April | 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29 |
| May | 3, 4, 5, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 31 |
| June | 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 |
| July | 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 20, 22, 26, 29 |
| August | 2, 5, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30 |
| September | 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 21, 22, 27, 30 |
| October | 4, 7, 11, 12, 18, 21, 25, 28 |
| November | 1, 3, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 23, 29 |
| December | 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 31 |
Check the schedule here.
How much does Toyosu Market cost?
Admission to Toyosu’s fish market is free, and you can watch auctions from dedicated viewing platforms (more on that below). So you can save that yen for meals at the restaurants in the complex, many of them direct transplants from Tsukiji.
How much time do I need to see Toyosu Market?
We recommend allowing 2 hours for the full experience. This includes the tuna auction, fish market, and fruit and veg section. Wear comfy shoes, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking!
When is the best time to go to Toyosu Market?
If you want to see the tuna auction, you should get there as close to 5 a.m. as possible, and by 6:30 a.m. at the absolute latest (though on some days that may still be too late). If you aren’t set on the auction and just want to see some market activity, you don’t have to be up at the crack of dawn; you just need to be there before around 8 a.m. Most of the main market activity finishes up by around 9 a.m.
If you simply want to eat some sushi, you can go later — and skip the tuna/wholesale fish market area. Note that many market restaurants close by around 1 or 2 p.m. — earlier if they’ve run out of ingredients for the day. So don’t come too late if you plan to eat.
Can I see boats coming in at Toyosu?
Anyone hoping to see ships unload their fresh catch in the early morning hours at Toyosu will be sorely disappointed: 99% of the domestic catch is landed elsewhere in Japan (like Yaesu, Chōshi, and Kesennuma) and brought here by trucks.
When we went for a preview of the market, we were impressed by the modern truck docks with air curtains that stop dust, insects, or heat from entering the market building when unloading. But visitors typically don’t getaccess to this area.
Can I buy seafood directly?
No, you can’t buy seafood directly as a visitor. You can only buy seafood in the form of a meal at one of the restaurants at Toyosu. Alternatively, you can head to Tsukiji Market for seafood.
Interested in catching some fish yourself? See where you can fish in and around Tokyo.
The information in this post, though we do our best to ensure it is correct, is subject to change. This post was first published in April, 2016. Last updated by the editorial team in June 2026.
閱讀繁體中文版本： 豐洲市場攻略：觀看吞拿魚拍賣，市場餐廳推介及築地遊
