Toyosu Fish Markets
The famous tuna auctions of the Inner Tsukiji Fish market have moved to Toyosu, along with a number of other fresh produce markets. The original outer markets and stalls are still on the original site, now known as the Tsukiji Outer Markets where you will find the hustle and bustle of many small traders selling sushi, sashimi and fresh produce, for full details check out our page on the Tsukiji Outer Markets.
If you are looking for information about the tuna auctions then you are in the right place! Here you will find everything you need to know about the Toyosu markets or if you just want to decide if its worth a visit while checking out teamLab.
It can be confusing, so lets make it super clear. There are two fish markets;
- Tsukiji outer markets, the old site of the tuna auctions. The outer markets are still there with local traders selling amazing fresh seafood, fish produce, fresh produce, cooking utensils and knifes. There are lots of delicious foods to eat and a number of sushi restaurants. Its busy and bustling and has lots of tourists!
For more info read here: Tsukiji Outer Fish Market - Toyosu new markets has the tuna auctions as well as seafood and produce markets. The auctions and markets are not for the public they are working markets, however, you can view them from above. There are also a number of shops and restaurants in the area.
For more information – read on!
Getting to the Toyosu tuna auctions
The closest station is Shijo-mae on the Yurikamome Line which is a driverless monorail and a fun train for kids to sit up the front and see the view. It starts at Toyosu station and passes teamLab Planets and then Toyosu markets. If you continue on this train it will take you on to Odaiba and the awesome Gundam statute, all well worth a visit while you are here.
Shijo-mae station is linked by covered walkways to each of the markets. Toyosu markets consist of the Tuna auctions in Block 7, Fruit and Vegetable markets in Block 5 and the Fisheries markets in Block 6. They are across the road from each other and the covered walkway means that you can visit no matter the weather.
Tuna auctions commence at 5:30am. We read a review that recommended arriving early to avoid the crowds and so we arrived at 4:45am and this was the queue!
So we lined up behind the red tape and before long a guard come out and right on the dot of 5am they let us through and the half a dozen or so people that had joined us (we went on a Friday).
Follow the path and the helpful guards guiding you the correct way to a long corridor dotted with windows giving a birds eye view of the auctions.
No matter where you stand along this corridor, you will have a good view of the action, although the first few windows felt a little closer to the auctioneers.
First up you will see the buyers walking along the rows of tuna, making notes, as they decide which they will bid on. Before long the auctions and all the noise and action begins. Actually it was after about half an hour and you could arrive at this time, you just may have to peer between the shoulders and heads of those that were there first.
Speakers along the corridor allow you to hear the ringing bells of the auction and the auction calls (of course in Japanese!). Multiple auctions happen at once and the auctioneers stand on little boxes in front of the current auction items.
It’s a bit of mayhem and before you know it – it’s over.
Now you may have noted that this tuna looks very white. that is because this is the frozen tuna auction. The fresh tuna auctions actually happen underneath the walkway and are obstructed from view but if you walk right to the end of the corridor, it turns left and you can get a bit of a sneaky view.
Once the action is over we were hungry but thought we’d check out the other markets first.
We visited the Fruit and Vegetable markets in block 5 which gives a birds eye view of the action below.
Then we went to the fisheries wholesale in Block 6 which also give a view of the wholesalers below. It’s a little tricky to understand what you are seeing here but it is essentially a narrow window down to the wholesale markets.
After walking through to see the wholesalers below, continue to the end of the corridor and up a set of stairs where you will find a number of small stalls selling to the public. There you will find a variety of seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese and grocery items in an indoor market.
Then we went to find something to eat, there were a few places opening up but we were keen to check out the food options at Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai which is right next to Block 6, however, being so early in the morning, nothing was open which was a little disappointing.
So instead we went back to our hotel the La Vista Tokyo Bay, which we highly recommend and was literally across the road, they have an amazing breakfast.
We did go back to Senkyaku Banrai later in the week and enjoyed dinner and then drinks at Bar Ginza…
and the rooftop foot bath (free entry, just take the lift to Level 8).
Getting there and around
Check out this official Toyosu Market page that lays out the area and maps.
Be aware that they are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. This official Tokyo Government page has a calendar with open days so make sure you check this first!
While you are here
There are a lot of great places to check out while you are here. teamLab is right next door, or continue on the driverless train to Odaiba and see Unicorn Gundam at Diver city, Statue of Liberty and taoyaki museum!
Our verdict
Unfortunately, watching the auctions from a distance isn’t the same experience it used to be. It feels clinical and removed, which is understandable as this is a place of business and they don’t need tourists getting in the way! If you are coming here to see other sites or staying nearby then it’s worth dropping in. But we didn’t think it was worth the trip just for the auctions. If I had to choose, I’d choose Tsukiji Outer Markets, yes its busy but there’s a reason why!
More Info
Toyosu Official English Guide
Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai
Japan Guide
