Tsukiji Fish Markets in Tokyo - Review
We were keen to checkout the popular Tsukiji Fish Markets during our visit in Tokyo. The market opens most days except Wednesday and Sunday and opens at 5am and closes at 2pm so plan around those days and hours. I think locals avoid the busy times and do their shopping in some of the less popular stalls within the market and the actual Fish market section.
I would recommend heading there early if you can but expect to lineup at popular stalls especially the ones that make Instagram!
Popular stalls including the two freshly made Tamagoyaki (sweet omelette), the first one (first two photos shown just below) has a wide range of different flavours. I was keen to try but the line was too lengthy for us at the time. The grilled Wagyu Beef stall (third and fourth photos shown just below) again was very busy, cooked fresh onsite.
We tried the Tamagoyaki (sweet omelette on a skewer) from the below stall, you can buy a plain one or one with eel & egg which is made fresh. We tried those, they were nice but nothing crazy, you have to eat those in front of the stallholders as eating and walking is considered rude in Japan.
The kids loved the soft serve from a café in the side street of the market along with cute moshi with fruit and fresh fruit skewers at Tsukiji Iroha.
There were other market stalls in other parts of the markets where you can buy ingredients for cooking at home as well as sushi knives etc.
There were other stalls including the popular Instagram squashed squid and prawn stall but it was closed. There are also plenty of seafood and eel stalls as well as Wagyu stalls to buy or eat when waiting.
There are plenty of places to choose from with an array of food, drinks etc. There is also the actual fish market that sells fish and sushi to takeaway next to the other market stalls as well as outer stalls that sell different foods.
Overall it was nice to experience this market which had lots of food options and great to see the variety of different food available to buy for cooking purposes too. The only thing I will note is that being a very touristy site, prices are a bit higher than they should be.
Our tips:
Tsukiji Fish Markets are located at Japan, 〒104-0045 Tokyo, Chuo City, Tsukiji, 4 Chome, 及び６丁目一部
Check Google however they are open everyday 5am to 2pm except Wednesday and Sunday so plan accordingly.
Head there early as after 10am tour buses arrive. We were there before 9-10 am and it was busy.
Have a look on Japan Facebook groups for the best tours of the market if you’re interested in a tour. There are also some great sushi places to sit and eat at inside some sections but again very busy.
Toilets, check for signage.