One of the best fish markets I’ve ever been to. There were so many fresh sushi options. I would recommend trying the raw sushi, especially the tuna and uni. Other than sushi, there were tons of options for drinks and food. It was fun walking around and seeing so many options. I also appreciated the small amounts of food from vendors so I had options (and room in my
stomach) to try a ton of food I’ve never had before.
NOTE: The images of the fluffy pancakes, matcha, and shaved ice was specially from a sit down restaurant inside the market called Mt. Fuji MATCHA PANCAKES | BAR & CREPERIE
A food lover’s paradise! Every corner has something delicious to try. During our visit, we enjoyed A5 Wagyu, wagyu burgers, king crab, fresh sashimi, and daifuku, and everything was amazing. It’s the perfect place to explore and try different Japanese street food. Come hungry because you’ll want to eat everything! We can’t wait to visit again. 😍
Tsukiji Fish Market is known as one of the best places in Tokyo to enjoy fresh seafood. Some people feel that the quality may have changed since the fish wholesale market moved to Toyosu, but based on my experience, I saw no evidence that the quality of the fish at Tsukiji has deteriorated.
Here's my little hack for enjoying Tsukiji without getting caught up in the crowds or spending a fortune.
Instead of heading straight to the busy food stalls or restaurants on the upper floors, go to the 1st-floor market and buy directly from the fish vendors. You can pick exactly what you want, often at a much better value.
We purchased a tuna toro bowl from one of the vendors. They sliced the fresh tuna right there at the stall and served it over a bowl of rice with wasabi and rice seasoning. We also bought some scallops. Across from the stall, we found some unagi and paid an extra ¥100 to have it heated for us. We also picked up some uni from a neighboring vendor.
Once we had everything we wanted, we headed up to the 3rd floor, found a place to sit, and enjoyed our seafood feast with four hungry adults.
The total came to about ¥11,125 per person (44,500 yen total) . Considering the quality and freshness of everything we ate, I thought this was an incredible value. Ordering similar dishes at a restaurant could easily cost over US$100 (16,000 yen) per person, and the portions might not be nearly as generous.
The freshness was simply unparalleled. There is something special about watching the vendors slice the fish right in front of you and then enjoying it moments later.
If you love fresh seafood, skip the expensive restaurant route and try this Tsukiji hack for yourself. You may save a significant amount of money while getting an even more authentic experience!
What I love about Tsukiji Outer Market is how it has held on to the charm and character of a traditional Japanese market. Walking through the narrow lanes past seafood stalls, small restaurants, and specialty shops is such a different experience from visiting a modern shopping mall. There’s so much to discover, and the market’s atmosphere is a big part of what makes this neighborhood special.
I also enjoyed seeing the historical photographs and the proposed redevelopment designs for the former Tsukiji wholesale market site nearby. The plans show impressive modern architecture, green spaces, and waterfront gathering areas. Seeing photographs of the old market alongside these future designs really gives you an appreciation for how this part of Tokyo continues to evolve.
For me, the most amazing thing is that the Outer Market’s traditional character is still here to enjoy while a new chapter is being planned next door. I hope that character remains at the heart of Tsukiji as the project takes shape. A wonderful place to explore for its food, small shops, history, and a glimpse of Tokyo’s future!
Crazy busy tourist destination for fresh seafood and grilled wagyu, as well as lots of sweets and dried goods. All the stalls are pretty condensed so it gets very tight when there are a lot of people around (ie: around lunch time, which is also when a lot of the big tour buses drop off the crowds). Try to come early to avoid the crowds. Also most places start closing up around 1:30 so if you wait a bit later after lunch you might get a deal as vendors try to get rid of their food before closing. Some stalls accept credit cards but a lot only take cash.
