Toyosu Market: What to Eat, Opening Hours, and Tuna Auctions

Toyosu Market: Tokyo's Wholesale Market

Toyosu Market, Tokyo's largest wholesale food market, opened in October 2018. The relocation of the market from Tsukiji was prompted by hygiene issues stemming from the older facility's deterioration since its establishment in the 1930s.

Toyosu Market is known for its high transaction volume, with daily trade in numerous seafood products, including tuna, as well as vegetables and fruits. This market serves as the primary source of ingredients for restaurants across Tokyo and Japan.

Toyosu Market is the place where visitors can witness Japan's early-morning tuna auctions.

Beyond the auctions, the market is a destination for sampling some of Tokyo's finest sushi. The market's precincts house 37 restaurants, many specializing in sushi, sashimi, and kaisendon (seafood rice bowls).

Toyosu Market: Business Hours and Schedule

Toyosu Market is open to visitors from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM on operating days.

However, the market is closed 116 days annually, primarily on Wednesdays and Sundays. To confirm operating hours, please consult the official Toyosu Market calendar on their website.

The Best Time to Visit Toyosu Market:
5:30 for Tuna Auctions, 11:00 for Lunch

For a morning visit to the tuna auctions, aim to arrive at the Fisheries Wholesale Market Building by 5:30 AM. The auctions occur from 5:30 to 6:30 AM and can be viewed from the visitors' observation deck on the second floor.

After the auctions, morning visitors can enjoy breakfast at one of the restaurants in the market area.

If you miss the morning auctions, plan to arrive before 11:00 AM to have an early lunch at one of the market's restaurants.

The Structure of Toyosu Market: Check the Access Way to the Building You Want to Visit

Please note that Toyosu Market is a large facility comprising three buildings:

1. Fisheries Wholesale Market Building MAP

The Fisheries Wholesale Market is where freshly caught seafood arrives from suppliers and is sold to buyers through auctions called "seri". To reach this area, you have to pass through the Management Facilities Building.

You'll know you've arrived at the Fisheries Wholesale Market when you see a life-size replica of a tuna. This display marks the entrance to the Fisheries Wholesale Market.

To view the morning auctions, make sure to arrive at the observation deck in this building by 5:30 AM on business days. We recommend checking the location and the best route from Shijomae Station (Yurikamome Line) to the building.

2. Fisheries Intermediate Wholesale Market Building MAP
This building contains intermediate wholesale seafood stores, frequented by restaurant and retail staff to replenish their inventory.

The Uogashi Yokocho located on the 4th floor is a street with restaurants and industry-related shops.

3. Fruit and Vegetables Building MAP
This building is where vegetable and fruit auctions take place. It also houses wholesale stores for restocking.

How to See the Morning Tuna Auctions

At Toyosu Market, you can freely observe the morning tuna auctions from the Visitors’ Course on the second floor of the Fisheries Wholesale Market without any prior application.

The auctions take place from approximately 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM on business days (the end time may vary depending on the volume of goods). The lively atmosphere of the auction is enhanced by live audio broadcasts, allowing you to experience the excitement of the event.

Admission to the observation deck in the Visitors’ Course is free.

Toyosu Market Tuna Auction Tours in the Off-Limit Area

Tuna at Toyosu Market. Photo by Pixta

By joining a tour booked in advance, you can gain access to the area where the exciting tuna auctions take place and witness them from ground level.

We recommend the Toyosu Market Tour offered by Wabunka, in which participants go together with a sushi chef to source tuna at the auctions. Back at the restaurant, you learn how to make sushi with the tuna bought by the chef. This 4-hour experience offers firsthand insights into Japan's culinary culture.

The Best Food to Eat at Toyosu Market: 3 Recommended Restaurants

1. Sushi Dai

Sushi Dai is a popular sushi restaurant with locations in both Toyosu Market and Tsukiji Market.

Their renowned Omakase set (4,500 yen) allows the chef to curate a selection of nine of the day's best offerings, sourced directly from Toyosu Market, culminating in a piece of your preferred topping.

The sushi is visually stunning, with fresh seafood that melts in your mouth, harmonizing perfectly with the subtly sweet rice. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted by expert artisans, resulting in a satisfying and generous course that justifies any wait.

On busy days, Sushi Dai runs out of stock by 10:00 or 11:00 so we recommend it as a sushi breakfast option at Toyosu Market, to be enjoyed soon after watching the tuna auctions.

Sushi Dai
Location: Map
Hours: 6:00 - 14:00 *Closed on Wednesdays and Sundays

2. Shou Toyosu Market

Shou Toyosu Market is a highly rated sushi restaurant that offers a variety of sushi sets and kaisendon dishes, which feature rice topped with fresh seafood. Additionally, they serve an assortment of grilled seafood dishes.

The menu at Shou includes seasonal items that highlight seafood in season. Sushi can also be ordered by individual pieces, with the premium fatty tuna priced at 1,200 yen each—this is some of the most luxurious and delicious sushi you'll find in Tokyo.

Shou Toyosu Market
Location: Map
Hours: 7:00 - 14:00 *Closed on Wednesdays and Sundays
Website: https://shou17111.wixsite.com/shou1/menu

3. Nakaya: Seafood Bowls

Nakaya is located on the Toyosu Gourmet Restaurant Floor (Block 6, 3rd floor) and specializes in kaisendon, which is rice topped with fresh seafood.

They offer an impressive variety of seafood bowls featuring ingredients such as tuna, sea urchin, salmon roe, and more.

Nakaya
Location: Map
Hours: 5:30 - 13:30 *Closed on Wednesdays and Sundays

The Toyosu Gourmet Restaurant Floor within the Intermediate Seafood Wholesale Market Building (Block 6, 3F) is lined with 21 restaurants and cafes that offer various types of Japanese dishes, including traditional desserts. Explore this area to find other dining options.

For souvenirs such as cutlery and Japanese crafts, visit the Uogashi Yokocho in the same building on the 4th floor, which has a selection of shops.

Access: How to Get to Toyosu Fish Market

Toyosu Market is conveniently located just outside the ticket gates of Shijomae Station on the Yurikamome Line and can be accessed via the pedestrian deck.

The market's buildings are all connected to this deck, so simply refer to an information guide to find your way to the building you wish to visit.

Please note that the Yurikamome Line is not covered by the JR Pass, so you'll need to buy a separate ticket to ride its monorail trains.

From Tokyo Station to Toyosu Market

From Tokyo Station, take the JR Yamanote Line to Shimbashi Station. Here, transfer to the Yurikamome Line toward Toyosu, which takes you directly to Shijomae Station in 28 minutes.

The entire trip takes about 46 minutes and costs 540 yen.

From Shinjuku to Toyosu Market

From Shinjuku Station, take the Saikyo Line Rapid train towards Shin-Kiba and get off at Kokusai-tenjijo Station.

From here, walk about 210 meters (6 minutes) to Ariake Station, where you can take the monorail on the Yurikamome Line toward Toyosu. You'll reach Shijomae Station in about 3 minutes.

Hotels near Toyosu Market

Picture courtesy of Booking.com

If you want to watch the morning tuna auctions at Toyosu Market, it's best to stay at a hotel in the Toyosu area of Tokyo for easy access. This allows you to reach the market with a short walk or a quick ride on the first Yurikamome train in the morning.

Our top recommendation is the Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club, a hot spring hotel located in the Toyosu district.

This popular hotel offers relaxing natural hot spring baths and a wellness center. Additionally, it is situated close to Shijo-mae Station, enabling you to reach the observation deck for the tuna auctions in just minutes!

Things to Do near Toyosu Market

Toyosu Market is situated near the Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai, a street lined with restaurants and shops that evoke the atmosphere of the Edo period.

teamLab Planets TOKYO DMM is also nearby. This digital art museum is renowned worldwide for its immersive installations. The Forest Athletics and Future Park are especially fun for families with children.

Toyosu is located near Tokyo's Odaiba district, an area with many museums and amusement facilities.

Toyosu Market vs Tsukiji Market: Which to Visit?

Toyosu Market is one of the largest seafood wholesale markets in Japan and the world. Here, you can witness the incredible tuna auctions conducted by professionals, along with other wholesale auctions.

Its sushi restaurants serve the freshest seafood, making it remarkable to think that you’re enjoying sushi made with tuna that was still swimming in the ocean just hours earlier.

On the other hand, Tsukiji Market is worth visiting for its historical significance. It served as Tokyo's main seafood wholesale market for 80 years until 2018. Many restaurants and shops still operate at Tsukiji Market, providing an exceptional culinary experience. Its proximity to Tokyo's Ginza district further enhances its appeal.

If you want to witness the impressive tuna auctions, visit Toyosu Market. For lively insights into Japan's food culture, visit Tsukiji Market, which offers a wider variety of restaurants and food options and is closer to Tokyo's landmarks.

Main image by Pixta