Navigating Toyosu Market: Tokyo's Premier Fish Trading Hub

Discover the layout and attractions of the world’s biggest fish market. Toyosu Market is more than a place to buy seafood. You can watch the famous tuna auction, enjoy exciting views, eat premium sushi, and even find fresh vegetables. There’s so much to see and do at Tokyo’s main fish trading hub, and we’re here to reveal what to expect when you visit.

Introduction to Toyosu Market

Toyosu Fish Market, Tokyo, is a wholesale seafood and vegetable trading hub located in the Toyosu area of Kōtō ward. It opened in 2018 as the successor to the historic Tsukiji Market. Toyosu Market became the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world after taking over a large chunk of its predecessor’s business. Known for its wide variety of seafood and its massive tuna auction, the market and its surrounding area are the best places to enjoy fresh fish.

Toyosu Market is actually a combination of three markets in one trading hub. One market handles seafood wholesale, another focuses on seafood auctions, and the third is a fruit and vegetable market. The massive trading district includes several restaurants and shops selling fresh produce from the wholesale market. The area is also a tourist attraction, with people coming to experience the vibrant atmosphere and see the auctions from an observation deck. Toyosu’s tuna auction is the largest in the world and a favorite among tourists. And if you think there’s nothing exciting about seeing a tuna auction, you’re in for a shock. We’ll reveal more about that later in this post.

History of Toyosu Market

Before Toyosu Market ever existed, the Tsukiji fish market in central Tokyo was Japan’s main seafood hub. Tsukiji had been active since February 11, 1935, but after World War II, its old-fashioned facilities struggled to meet modern demand. These inadequacies led to calls for a relocation. Former Governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, spearheaded the calls for a relocation to Toyosu, Koto. Eventually, plans were made for the creation of a new fish market in Toyosu.

Although the initial plan was to get the market up and running in November 2016, reports of environmental pollution in the area caused a two-year delay. After properly sanitizing the location, the $5 million project was ready for launch and Toyosu Market was officially opened for business on October 13, 2018.

The new market is nearly twice the size of its predecessor. Tsukiji’s main wholesale market or “inner market” and its tuna auctions moved to Toyosu. Its “outer market,” consisting of various shops and restaurants, still exists.

What to Expect at Toyosu Market

Upon getting to Toyosu Market, you’ll notice three large buildings surrounded by smaller shops, restaurants, hotels, small business outlets, and the Management Facilities Building. Those three structures are the main buildings of the market. We’ll describe the layout and facilities in each of these buildings below:

The Seafood Wholesale Market Building or Fisheries Wholesale Market Building is the location of all kinds of seafood auctions. It hosts Tokyo’s world-famous tuna auction, which takes place every morning. One of them hosts the tuna auctions and the other hosts auctions for other types of seafood. The building also contains a restaurant where they sell dishes made from local produce. If you’d like to view the auctions, you should use any of the following tourist options:

• Tuna Auction Hall Observation Deck: This is arguably the best way to view the tuna auction. It’s also the hardest spot to secure. This deck is on the same floor as the auction’s venue. Visitors can look through the glass window and observe the transactions. It’s the closest anyone can get to the tuna auction without actually participating. You can even hear the noise from the auction hall. However, you must make a reservation in advance, and even then, there is no guarantee that the lottery system will choose you.

• Tuna Auction Hall Observation Windows: On a floor above the tuna auction hall lies a corridor lined with glass windows. These windows allow you to look down on the market floor from a short distance. Unfortunately, you can hardly hear anything from the auction because the windows are double-glazed.

• Seafood Auction Hall Observation Windows: There is another corridor in the building with windows that allow visitors to observe the hall designated for other seafood auctions. This window is the only official way to see these events.

The Seafood Intermediate Wholesale Building is the main hub for transactions between wholesale seafood sellers and licensed buyers. Although visitors and tourists can enter the building, only authorized dealers and workers can access its main wholesale market. Every other person can explore the attractions on the top floors. The following are some of the main attractions:

• Observation Windows: Since you can’t get into the wholesale market, you will have to make do with the observation windows above it. The views are limited but at least you can take some unique photos. 

• Uogashi Yokocho Market: Anyone can access this market. Located on the fourth floor of the building, the market houses more than 70 different shops. However, they don’t sell seafood but deal mainly in non-perishable items such as cleaning products, cooking utensils, and souvenirs. 

• Rooftop Garden: You can watch the impressive Tokyo Bay waterfront from the roof of the building, which holds a lush garden.

• Restaurants: The building houses a massive area filled with many restaurants, some of which relocated to Toyosu from the old Tsukiji's “inner market.”

The Fruit and Vegetables Building consists of an auction hall and a wholesale hall where traders and buyers transact in fresh fruits and vegetables. You’ll find a group of restaurants near the entrance leading to the main halls. There are two sets of observation windows:

• Market Hall Observation Windows: There are more than twelve windows in a corridor that allow you to see the different shops selling fruits and vegetables.

• Auction Hall Observation Windows: This massive observation deck offers an aerial view of the fresh produce auction, which starts at 6:30 a.m.

The Famous Tuna Auction

The renowned tuna auction at Toyosu Market is a daily event in which licensed buyers bid on tuna. Most of these buyers try to get the tuna on behalf of restaurants and exporters within and outside Japan. The electric atmosphere and incredible prices in the auction combine to create a one-of-a-kind event. The auction typically starts by 5:30 a.m and ends around 6:30 a.m. It’s not unusual for it to have simultaneous auctions going on. Both buyers and auctioneers move in groups from one table to another. Market workers place a tag saying “sold” on any tuna won during the auction.

You can expect the actual bidding to last anywhere between 20 minutes and an hour. Whenever you hear news of a tuna fish selling for six or seven figures, there’s a big chance it was sold in the Toyosu auction.

These staggering prices are a result of the scarcity of certain tuna, including the highly sought-after bluefin tuna. If you’d like to witness this exciting event, simply enter the lottery, and you might get lucky and be chosen to visit the Tuna Auction Hall Observation Deck. Alternatively, you could use any of the available windows facing the action.

Visiting Toyosu Market: Tours and Viewing Platforms

You can experience Toyosu Market free of charge, as there is no entrance fee. However, you need to arrive by 5 a.m if you want to catch the auctions. Simply go to any of the observation windows and view the auctions from above without disrupting the business. The Tuna Auction observation deck is also free, but you need to apply to participate in a lottery for limited tickets. Another option is to book a guided tour with a travel or tourist company. 

Dining at Toyosu Market

Although seeing the live auctions can be great, some people visit Toyosu Market for the wide array of dining options available. These range from sushi bars serving the freshest catches and diners selling deep-fried pork cutlets, to ramen shops and traditional tea houses. There are three main restaurant areas in the market, one for each building. The following are three of the top places to eat at Toyosu Market:

• Sushidai: This is one of the best places to enjoy sushi in Tokyo. The restaurant is located on the third floor of the Seafood Intermediate Wholesale Market Building.

• Yajima: On the third floor of the Seafood Wholesale Market Building lies a shop that sells delicious ramen. 

• Mosuke: This is the place to be if you’re in the mood for traditional Japanese sweets with green tea (matcha). You can find it on the third floor of the Seafood Wholesale Market Building.

Is Toyosu Market Worth Visiting?

Many argue that the new Toyosu Market is not as traditional as Tsukiji. While that may be true, it’s still worth a visit for many solid reasons. Firstly, it offers you the chance to enjoy fresh seafood and produce from a quality source. You can also learn a great deal about the commercial processes involved in getting exotic fish to your favorite restaurants. Despite its modern facilities, Toyosu Market allows you to see a cornerstone of Japanese culinary culture up close.

Conclusion:

A visit to Toyosu Market, Tokyo is one of the most budget-friendly trips tourists can enjoy in Japan. You get to fill your stomach and your eyes. The area is also memorable for the crucial role it plays in Tokyo’s gastronomic scene. Hence, it’s a must-visit for food enthusiasts and cultural explorers alike.

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