Sight guide · Tokyo · Japan
Visiting Tsukiji Outer Market
The wholesale fish market moved to Toyosu in 2018, but the outer market's hundreds of shops and stalls still sell knives, tea, dried goods and street food: tamagoyaki omelette on a stick, grilled scallops and bowls of fresh sashimi on rice for breakfast.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kakidai, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Tsukiji Outer Market is a market in Tsukiji, Tokyo. Allow 1.5–2 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Market
- Area
- Tsukiji
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- food, free and shopping
- Best months
- December–February
About Tsukiji Outer Market
The wholesale fish market moved to Toyosu in 2018, but the outer market's hundreds of shops and stalls still sell knives, tea, dried goods and street food: tamagoyaki omelette on a stick, grilled scallops and bowls of fresh sashimi on rice for breakfast.
Tip: Arrive by mid-morning, as many stalls wind down by early afternoon, and eat standing beside the stall rather than walking through the crowded lanes.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Tsukiji, department stores, polished boulevards and Tokyo Station.
Best time to visit Tsukiji Outer Market
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- January: 10°C (50°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- February: 11°C (52°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- December: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Tokyo has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Tokyo itinerary visits Tsukiji Outer Market on day 2, together with Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Sky and Akihabara.
- No. 7 of the 20 sights in our Tokyo things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 3 of the 4-day plan.
- Day 2 of the 5-day plan.
- Day 3 of the 7-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Tokyo.
If you like Tsukiji Outer Market
- Harajuku and Takeshita Street — Harajuku, 1–2 hours
- Akihabara — Akihabara, 2–3 hours
Staying near Tsukiji Outer Market
Stay in Ginza and Marunouchi ($$$$) to walk here: department stores, polished boulevards and Tokyo Station. All areas to stay in Tokyo.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Tsukiji Outer Market?
Plan 1.5–2 hours.
+Is Tsukiji Outer Market free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Tsukiji Outer Market?
December–February, the quietest of the good months. Arrive by mid-morning, as many stalls wind down by early afternoon, and eat standing beside the stall rather than walking through the crowded lanes.
+Do I need to book Tsukiji Outer Market in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.