Tsukiji

No, the original inner Tsukiji wholesale market closed in 2018, with the wholesale operations relocating to the new Toyosu Fish Market. However, the Tsukiji Outer Market is still open, featuring restaurants, street food stalls, and vendors selling seafood, produce, and food-related goods. The Tsukiji Outer Market is the area of the former Tsukiji Market that remains, featuring shops and eateries that are popular with tourists and locals. You can find a variety of fresh seafood, street food, and restaurants offering local dishes.

While many consider the Tsukiji Outer Market a tourist trap due to inflated prices for some food items and goods and overwhelming crowds, others find the experience enjoyable if they manage expectations and shop wisely. While it offers authentic and high-quality foods, the high tourist volume can lead to expensive purchases and crowded conditions, making it necessary to be discerning about what you buy. Some stalls are known for charging high prices, with specific seafood bowls, wagyu, and skewers costing as much as a full meal in a restaurant. The sheer number of tourists can make it difficult to move through the market, contributing to a chaotic atmosphere.

Tsukiji is famous for its outer market, a bustling district filled with gourmet food shops and restaurants, particularly known for its fresh seafood, sushi, and other Japanese specialties. It offers a wide variety of food options, fresh ingredients, and kitchenware, attracting visitors for a unique culinary experience. It is renowned for its incredibly fresh fish and a wide array of sushi restaurants, including omakase, where chefs prepare dishes based on the day's best catch. The market has over 400 shops selling a variety of goods, including fresh and processed seafood, produce, and other specialty food items. Beyond seafood, visitors can find numerous restaurants serving other popular Japanese dishes like eel bowls, ramen, and rice bowls (donburi).

In Japanese, Tsukiji (築地) literally means 'reclaimed land' or 'constructed land,' referring to an area of Tokyo that was originally built up from the sea during the Edo period. The famous Tsukiji Fish Market, which was a well-known landmark in the district, was named after this location. The characters mean 'to build' or 'construct' and 'ground' or 'land.' The area was a result of land reclamation efforts by the Tokugawa shogunate in the Edo period.

At Tsukiji Outer Market, you can indulge in an incredible array of fresh seafood, including sushi, sashimi, grilled seafood, and seafood bowls. Beyond fish, you can find delicious street food like tamagoyaki (rolled omelet), grilled skewers, and various Japanese snacks. Many restaurants offer specialties like eel bowls (unagi donburi) and other local favorites. It's a paradise for food lovers seeking authentic Japanese culinary experiences.