Tsukiji vs Toyosu Market

Q: Should I visit Tsukiji or Toyosu?

Toyosu for the tuna auction and tour experience ($111) . Tsukiji Outer Market for a casual morning stroll (free, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.). If you have time, do both.

In short: Toyosu is the modern wholesale market where the live tuna auction happens (5–6 a.m.). Tsukiji is the historic Outer Market, a warren of ~400 shops that stayed put when the inner market moved in 2018. Toyosu: early-morning tours ($111–$146). Tsukiji: casual street food, day any time.

ToyosuWholesale, tuna auction

TsukijiOuter Market, street shops

Toyosu auction5:00–6:30 a.m.

Tsukiji stallsOpen 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Toyosu tour$111–$146

Tsukiji entryFree

Toyosu: the working wholesale market

Opened in October 2018, Toyosu is Tokyo’s working fish market. About 2,000+ tons of seafood move through daily. The live tuna auction happens around 5:00–6:30 a.m. The public can watch from an upstairs observation deck for free, or get closer via a booked tour (daily lottery for ground-floor access). Most tourists visit via tour because the timing is exact and the guide explains everything. After the auction, walk the wholesale stalls and finish with breakfast — omakase at Sushi Dai or Daiwa Sushi (Michelin-listed, no queue via tour), or a tuna rice bowl at Bentomi. The private tour ($146) is fully customized. The tuna auction + breakfast tour ($111) is very early but iconic.

Tsukiji: the Outer Market (Tsukiji Jōgai Shijō)

When the inner market moved to Toyosu, the ~400 shops in the Outer Market stayed put. It’s a narrow, winding warren of knife shops, tableware, and street food stalls — most serving sushi, grilled fish, and seafood bento. It’s a tourist attraction now, but locals still shop there. Free to walk; open roughly 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (many stalls close mid-afternoon). Good for snacks and photos. Slower and more atmospheric than Toyosu.

Which tour suits whom

Want to see the live tuna auction: Book a Toyosu tour ($111–$146). Very early (5 a.m.), but unforgettable. Breakfast at Sushi Dai included.
Want a casual morning stroll: Walk the Tsukiji Outer Market anytime from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free. Grab street food, wander, take photos.
Want to understand the supply chain: A tour is better than a casual walk. The guide explains where the fish goes and why quality stays high.
Want to skip the queue at Sushi Dai: Book the Toyosu tour with Sushi Dai breakfast ($111). No 3-hour queue; you eat the omakase and leave.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Tsukiji and Toyosu Market?

Toyosu is the modern working wholesale market where the tuna auction happens (5–6 a.m.). Tsukiji is the historic Outer Market, a warren of street shops and food stalls (10 a.m.–2 p.m.). See a guide to both.

Where is the tuna auction in Tokyo?

Toyosu Market, 5:00–6:30 a.m. The public can watch free from an upstairs deck, or book a tour ($111–$146) for closer access and breakfast included.

Should I visit Tsukiji or Toyosu?

Toyosu for the tuna auction and tour experience ($111). Tsukiji Outer Market for a casual morning stroll (free, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.). If you have time, do both.