Tsukiji Outer Market + Toyosu 2027: Tokyo Fish Market Guide

The wholesale fish operation left Tsukiji for Toyosu in October 2018 — but the restaurants, knife shops, dried-goods stalls and tamago-yaki vendors stayed behind. The result: two markets, 2.5 km apart, both worth doing in one morning. Tsukiji Outer for breakfast sushi; Toyosu for the actual tuna auction.

Quick facts: Tsukiji + Toyosu 2027

Doing both markets in one morning

The move to Toyosu in October 2018 was partly about hygiene (climate-controlled wholesale floors) and partly Olympic real-estate reshuffling. The result for visitors is a two-stage plan: start at Toyosu at 5:30 AM for the tuna auction viewing (second-floor observation deck is free; first-floor viewing requires lottery entry a month in advance), then take the Yurikamome and Hibiya Line to Tsukiji Outer for breakfast sushi, tamago-yaki skewers, and knife shopping. From Tsukiji you're a 15-minute walk from Ginza, which is the natural post-market destination.

• ●Toyosu Daiwa Sushi — the legendary breakfast sushi counter that moved from Tsukiji; expect 1-hour queue.
• ●Sushi Dai (Toyosu) — the other historic Tsukiji breakfast sushi; also at Toyosu now.
• ●Senkyaku Banrai (Toyosu) — new 2024 shopping complex + rooftop onsen with Tokyo Bay view.
• ●Tsukiji Outer: Sushisay Honten — classic breakfast sushi.
• ●Tsukiji Outer: Marutoyo Tamagoyaki — ¥150 skewer; a Tsukiji ritual.
• ●Tsukiji Outer: Aritsugu — 450-year-old knife shop; samurai-blade quality kitchen knives.

The tuna auction lottery

First-floor auction viewing (close to the live bidding) requires advance lottery entry via the official Tokyo Metropolitan government site. Applications open monthly for the following month; results are notified by email. The lottery is not held late December. Second-floor observation (through glass, from above) is open to anyone and requires no reservation. If you don't win the lottery, the second-floor view is still worth doing — the frenetic 4:30–6:00 AM bidding happens below you.

Getting there

• ●Toyosu Market — Yurikamome Line to Shijomae (1-min walk).
• ●From Shinjuku to Toyosu — Yamanote to Shimbashi, transfer Yurikamome (30 minutes).
• ●From Haneda to Toyosu — Monorail + Yurikamome (40 minutes).
• ●Tsukiji Outer — Hibiya Line to Tsukiji (immediately beside market).
• ●Toyosu to Tsukiji — Yurikamome to Shimbashi, Hibiya Line to Tsukiji (20 minutes total).

Bookable experiences

Guided Tsukiji tours cut through the orientation problem — the Outer Market is 460 shops across narrow lanes with no English menus. A 2-hour walking tour with a government-licensed guide is a standard booking.

• ●Tsukiji + Toyosu morning walking [tour](https://www.klook.com/en-US/search/?query=Japan&tp_sub=japan) — 4-hour private guide, English, meets at Shijomae 5 AM.
• ●Tsukiji sushi-making class — 2-hour class with professional sushi chef.
• ●Tsukiji + Hamarikyu Garden combo — pair breakfast market with Edo-era garden stroll.

FAQ

• ●Is Tsukiji still worth visiting? Yes — the Outer Market with restaurants, knife shops, and food stalls is thriving.
• ●Can I see live auction? Toyosu has observation decks; 1st floor requires advance lottery.
• ●When does Toyosu open to visitors? 5:00 AM; auction viewing is 4:30–6:30 AM.
• ●Can I eat at Toyosu? Yes — restaurants on levels 3 of each building; several famous sushi counters moved there.
• ●Is Tsukiji Outer open Sundays? Mostly closed Sundays and some Wednesdays — check Tsukiji.or.jp before you go.
• ●Credit cards or cash? Mix — Toyosu restaurants take cards; Tsukiji outer stalls are often cash-only.
• ●Dress code? Casual, closed-toe shoes (fish markets).
• ●Is it kid-friendly? Yes but early mornings are challenging; afternoon Tsukiji Outer is easier.
• ●What about Senkyaku Banrai onsen? Opened Feb 2024 at Toyosu; rooftop onsen with Tokyo Bay view, from ¥2,800.
• ●Can I buy fresh fish? Yes at Tsukiji Outer; Toyosu is wholesale-only for live product.