Tsukiji - Tuna auction & Market

There are some interesting things to see and do at Tsukiji.

First and foremost is the Tuna Auction which starts really early. To get there: Tsukiji Station, Hibiya Line, exit 1; Higashi Ginza Station, Hibiya and Asakusa Lines, exit 5; and Tsukiji-ichiba Station, Oedo Line, exit A1.

If you intend to attend the auction, do make your way to the Fish Information Centre (Osakana Fukyu Centre) early as only 140 vistors per day are allowed to observe the auction.

Woke up a little late, about 4.30am and got to the market before 5am. Was fortunate that there were not many people there and so got a safety vest and waited. Thought I was late as planned to be there by 4.30am but instead waited and waited (fortunately the waiting area was heated) until about 5.40am when the group was ushered in the semi-darkness towards the bustling restricted auction area. As soon as we got there, the cameras around me went crazy. Waited for another 5 mins before the auction commenced in batches. The acutioneer will ring a hand bell to get attention and start shouting the prices to sell the frozen fishes. I find most Japanese people rather soft spoken. For an auction, expected auctioneers with loud booming voices so was amused with the soft spoken ones instead!!! Since there were a couple of auctions carried out at the same time, the auction session all ended very quickly for us. Note that the fish market is not open everyday so do check ahead for the market days here.

Prospective buyers with pickes and torch lights, checking out the colour and quality of the frozen tuna.

Wholesale fish market, can only enter after 9am.

Normal mode of transport around the market - do watch out for them!!

The fish market is divided into two main areas - inner and outer markets. Inner market is where the auction takes place and also where the wholesale market is located and visitors can come in after 9am. Can also find some restaurants, shops selling fresh foods and sharp looking knives.

The outer market is just as interesting, full of restaurants and stores. Think most of the shops here also make the food stuff to be sold at larger shopping malls.

Notice how clean the roads are!

Aren't these cupcake containers gorgeous?

Whale meat for sale!

Grilled seafood.

The strawberries were huge, juicy, fresh and sweet. Just couldn't resist getting them, ate strawberries everyday I was there!

Bonito flakes. Interesting to note that there were different grades!

Tamagoyaki. Seems to be a big seller with a few shops selling these and in different flavours too.

Unagi.

Puffer fish.

Japanese crockeries.

Pretty food picks.

Sushi Zanmai restaurant.

Fried food.

Gingko nuts.

Assorted Japanese desserts.

Do you know what this is?? Its fresh wasabi plant.

This is a picture of their back alley - notice again how clean and orderly everything is *betahan, kidding...our stall traders here should learn a thing or two*

Kombu or kelp seaweed used to make stock - many variety and grade.

Pretty aren't they? Assorted mochi filled with red bean filling.

More assorted mochi. The fillings were not overly sweet, so I enjoyed them.

Sashi Dai @ Tsukiji Fish Market

Think this is the kanji name of this sushi place; located a few shops away on the same row (Block 6) as Sushi Dai and Sushi Daiwa.

A friend who visited Japan earlier recommended this place to me. And having to witness the long queue at both Sushi Dai and Sushi Daiwa, I made a quick decision to quickly move on.

So if you want to miss the queue, give this place ago. They also serve sushi. Though I understand from another shop owner there that this restaurant is newer (apparently around 5 years) compared to Sushi Dai and Sushi Daiwa. But think the locals dine here to avoid the mad wait at Sushi Dai and Sushi Daiwa.

The owner is friendly but only speaks Japanese or very limited English.


A bowl of hot steaming fish soup is served the moment you sit down.


Opted for fresh sashimi since I was planning to fill my stomach with other food around Tsukiji market.

So if you want sushi at Tsukiji with a quieter and more relaxed environment without wait, do drop by this place instead!!

IMHO you can't go wrong with the sushi shops in Tokyo as they are all generally good, its the service and price (to some extent) that distinguishes each place from another.