Koto City, Japan
6 Chome-6 Toyosu
N/A
+81 366330950
Toilets
While this place is very new and modern and well designed the only highlight is if you attend early enough to see the actual live fish auction. I think the original market would have been better because you would have felt more involved and closer to the action where here it feels like you are in an observation area and not part of the action. This is still a good place to learn a lot about the market and history however I would suggest to just skip it and go to the old market instead although you won't be seen any live auctions.
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A great experience to attend the live tuna auction. The security guards are very friendly and helpful. All you need is to follow their instructions. They will brief you during your wait. The downside are you have a very long hour of queue and wait. We line up on 1.30am, moved into waiting room at 2.30am, moved on to the auction at 5 something. You will have to squeeze in that small waiting room with other 120 people and sit on the floor during the wait, so bring/wear whatever makes you comfort most. It was a must try experience to me and I was having great fun.
Despite what people say about the waiting room, the tour more than justifies skipping a night of sleep. At around 3:30am, a local Japanese volunteer enters the room to brief everyone about the rules. After that, the guy will give you a crash course on Tsukiji's history, and local culture surrounding the market. They may even invite a licensed bidder to enter the room to do a Q&A session who will be very knowledgeable. Contrary to what others may say about the guards, it is the volunteer that plays "bad cop," while all the uniformed staffs including the guards are polite and friendly -- quite a clever arrangement, really. They do try their best to keep you entertained during the entire wait time by sharing food tips and locals' favourite spots, despite the bare-ness of the room and the somewhat harsh rules. But hey, Japan is synonymous with discipline and you ought to either respect the rules, or else do yourself a favor and just stay at the hotel for a good night's sleep. Hot and cold beverages are available at the vending machines outside the room which you're able to access during the entire wait time. Restrooms are also available. The auction itself is highly efficient -- a great demonstration of the respect and enthusiasm the Japanese people have for their jobs. As Tsukiji is moving to its new location later this year, where visitors are going to be kept behind a glass window, this is the last chance to experience the auction floor close-up. When you visit, keep in mind the fact that this is a commercial establishment, and that all this is provided to visitors completely free of charge.
Fascinating place. Meet people from many countries with the same goal; TUNA! If you're lucky, you will meet Kosei, one of the auctioneers.
Interesting, we could not get into the tuna auction as they started at 230am to line up. We snuck into the inner market before 11 and was able to see everyone prep before getting g kicked out.
Arrived at 3am and was the 57th person. They were still giving out jackets at 4am. Really great experience with a talk by one of the fish traders beforehand.
Interesting auction process. Its a fish market so its fishy!
Very interesting experience! Given only approx. 120 people are taken into the market each morning, you need to get here by about 3:30am to gain access to a small waiting area. Be sure to dress comfortably and bring some snacks because you will be hanging out on a tile floor, fairly packed in with the crowd, for about 2-3 hours before you are taken to the auction as part of 1 of 2 groups. Great meeting people from all over the world as you wait as well as an informative/entertaining Q&A (in English) with an auction participant in the lead-up to entry! Once you make your way into the auction area, you're restricting to a specific viewing area, but it's quite a sight seeing the intensity of multiple auctions happening at once! You get about 10-15 minutes in there before you are ushered out , passing through the rest of the market, on the way to grabbing some incredibly fresh 7am sushi just across the street in market lined up w/restaurants!
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