Highlights of Tsukiji Outer Market
The Tsukiji Outer Market has been an important part of Tokyo's food culture for over 80 years. Even after relocating to Toyosu Market, its vitality has not waned, and many people still love it. The market is home to over 400 specialty stores offering various fresh seasonal ingredients and authentic cooking utensils. Visitors can obtain a wide variety of ingredients and experience Tsukiji's food culture.
The Tsukiji Outer Market is home to over 400 specialty stores offering various foods, including fresh fish, produce, meat, and dry foods. This allows visitors to obtain fresh ingredients and enjoy local specialties and rare foods. However, visitors are advised to refrain from the "walk-and-eat" act. It is recommended that visitors savor their food at their leisure in eating and drinking areas attached to stores or at designated rest areas.
The atmosphere of the Tsukiji Outer Market is lively, and visitors can purchase fresh foods amid lively shouting. The bustle of the market is a special experience for visitors, who can also enjoy interacting with the locals. Visitors can also receive advice on how to select and prepare ingredients amidst the rows of fresh fish and vegetables and experience the depth of the food culture.
The Tsukiji Outer Market is home to several unique stores, such as Marutake, a long-established egg omelet store, and Maguroyaki, a sweet treat made from tuna. These stores offer dishes and sweets made with ingredients unique to Tsukiji and allow visitors to discover new tastes. In particular, Tsukiji's gourmet eateries are prevalent, making it an attractive spot for tourists to enjoy quality foods casually.
Recommendations for Eating and Walking
Marutake's Tamagoyaki, a specialty of Tsukiji Outer Market, is a long-established restaurant established at the end of the Taisho period (1912-1926). Its taste, made with a secret broth, attracts visitors. Fresh eggs are carefully selected from the chickens' feed and can be enjoyed freshly baked hot on the spot. Primarily known as Terry Ito's family home, it is a must-try for tourists.
Next up is Sanokiya's "Maguroyaki" (grilled tuna). This unique sweet is shaped like a tuna filled with red bean paste made from Hokkaido azuki beans. The crispy dough and sweet red bean paste combine perfectly to create a delight in appearance and taste.
Aji no Hamato's "Morokonage" is a deep-fried white fish paste mixed with super sweet corn characterized by its buttery flavor. The restaurant, which has been in business for 100 years, offers mainly fish paste and pickled fish, making it a perfect dish. You will enjoy the crispy and fluffy outer, and the sweet corn flavor will spread in your mouth.
Last but not least is Suga Shoten's Kurobuta Shumai. This store has a 70-year history and offers hot shumai and steamed meat buns. The Kurobuta Shumai, in particular, uses almost no sugar to bring out the meat's natural sweetness and is recommended to be eaten without any dipping sauce. The charm of this restaurant is that you can enjoy authentic dim sum at an affordable price.
Business Hours and Visiting Hours
Tsukiji Outer Market opens at 5:00 a.m................ and continues until around 1:00 p.m. During this time, the market is mainly stocked for commercial use, so the ideal time for regular customers to visit is after 9:00 a.m. It is especially recommended to arrive at the market at 9:00 a.m. to enjoy the fresh local produce. The best time to eat and shop is around 10:00 a.m.
The best time to visit is between 9:00 and 14:00. This is the golden hour for eating and walking, and visitors can enjoy fresh seafood and local specialties at various food stalls and stores. In particular, shopping after enjoying breakfast is a great way to get the most out of Tsukiji.
When visiting Tsukiji Outer Market, you should also consider the closing days. Many stores are closed on Wednesdays and Sundays, so it is important to avoid them when planning your visit. Checking in advance which stores are open will help prevent wasted trips, especially for tourists.
To avoid crowds, it is advisable to visit only on Saturdays. Weekdays from Monday through Friday are the most comfortable times to visit. This will allow you to avoid the crowds and still enjoy the attractions of Tsukiji Outer Market.
Points to keep in mind when visiting
While you can enjoy eating at Tsukiji Outer Market, it is recommended that you refrain from eating while walking around. This is to ensure safety in the crowded market and to be considerate of other visitors and store operations. By using the designated eating and drinking areas, you can enjoy your meal in comfort and avoid problems with people around you.
The market is crowded, and visitors are strongly encouraged to leave their carry-on bags, which can obstruct traffic, in coin-operated lockers. This will ensure smooth movement and avoid conflicts with other visitors. In particular, visitors with baby strollers are advised to check in advance with the Tsukiji General Information Center, as strollers can be deposited there.
At Tsukiji Outer Market, touching perishable foods is especially prohibited. This is an important rule to keep food fresh. Visitors are expected to check with the staff if necessary. By adhering to this rule, food quality is maintained, and consideration is given to other customers.
The Tsukiji Outer Market also has smoking rules. Cigarettes must be smoked in designated smoking rooms, and smoking in public areas is avoided so as not to cause discomfort to other visitors. Adherence to these rules will help provide a more pleasant market experience.
Access and Transportation
Access to Tsukiji Outer Market is very convenient. The nearest station is Tsukiji Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line; exit at Exit 1 or 2, and you will reach the market in just one minute on foot. The path is flat, and the large building of Tsukiji Honganji Temple is a landmark, so even first-time visitors will stay aware of the location. We recommend visiting early, especially in the morning, as the market gets crowded.
In addition, Tsukiji Ichiba Station on the Toei Oedo Line is also available, from which you can access Tsukiji Jogai Ichiba in one minute on foot. These two stations provide convenient access to Tsukiji Outer Market, making it an ideal tourist location. The public transportation system is beautiful because it allows for smooth travel from other tourist destinations in Tokyo.
Access by bus is also convenient, with direct buses running from Tokyo Station and Shimbashi Station. These buses can be alighted at the Tsukiji 3-chrome bus stop, from which the Tsukiji Outer Market can be reached in a few minutes on foot. Using the buses offers the advantage of comfortable transportation, especially for tourists and families with a lot of luggage.
Parking lots are available around Tsukiji Soto Ichiba Market for those who visit by car. In particular, the "Tsukiji River Parking Lot No. 1" and "s-park" are conveniently located and can be used by tourists with ease. It is advisable to check in advance how crowded the parking lots are. Especially on weekends and holidays, it is recommended to arrive early, as congestion is expected.
