A Visit to Toyosu Market, Tokyo’s “New Kitchen”

Shijō-mae Station on the Yurikamome train line. Visitors can go to any of the Toyosu Market complexes via covered pedestrian walkways, making it easy to sightsee in any weather.

Ahead and to the left as one exits the ticket gates is the Management Facilities Building (at far right in photo), lying along the route to the Fisheries Wholesale Market, where the tuna auctions take place.

The restaurant area in the Management Facilities Building. The sushi shops can sell out of popular varieties early in the day, so don’t be late.

Entrance to the Toyosu Market PR space, where visitors can find out about the organization of the wholesale market.

The exhibits in the PR space include photographs dating back to the opening of Tsukiji Market more than eight decades ago.

A walkway takes visitors from the management complex to the Fisheries Wholesale Market.

The giant tuna replica is a popular spot for souvenir photographs.

The second-floor walkway provides an observation deck for the tuna auctions. On the right-hand wall are photographs illustrating the history of the market.

From the walkway, visitors can see rows of frozen tuna arranged on pallets for the daily tuna auction, which begins around 5:30 am. It is recommended that those who want to see an auction get there early (taking a taxi before the Yurikamome line begins running is one option), as the tuna get snapped up quickly once the bidding starts.

Bilingual information boards provide explanations of such procedures as the te-yari hand signals used by tuna buyers to place bids, further enriching the experience.

The view of the tuna auction floor from the first-floor observation deck. At far left are fresh tuna, not visible from the second-floor walkway.

Brokers and dealers inspect the tuna with care prior to the auction.

The auctions are lively: the price of a fish is typically decided every few seconds.

The glass on the first-floor observation deck does not extend all the way to the top, giving observers access to the sounds and smells of the auction.

The giant Fisheries Intermediate Wholesale Market. The elevator at center left in the photo accesses the greenery area on the rooftop.

The intermediate market has a bigger restaurant area than that in the management complex, and is a common stop for tour groups.

Crowds start lining up early in the morning at the popular Sushi-dai restaurant.

The rooftop greenery area is the perfect place to catch your breath after walking around the expansive market grounds, offering views of sights like Tokyo Tower and the Rainbow Bridge.

This turret truck is located in the visitor’s gallery in the Intermediate Wholesale Market. Visitors can climb on and pose for souvenir photographs.

An observation gallery offers a glimpse of the action on the market floor.

Uogashi Yokochō offers professional-grade foodstuffs, cooking utensils, and tools of various trades.

Also on sale here are a full range ofg professional-grade kitchen knives, tamagoyaki (Japanese omelettes) for snacking while walking, and t-shirts and caps, which make fine souvenirs.

The entrance to the popular Saturday market.

Fresh seafood was a big draw at the market events.

The TLunch food trucks gave customers another way to enjoy cuisine made with ingredients right from the market dealers.

The Fruit and Vegetables Building, on the east side of Toyosu Market.

The colorful visitor’s walkway. Around the corners are presentation panels telling the history of the produce market.

The visitor’s tour of the produce complex leads to a spacious, clean observation deck. In addition to offering a view of the Produce Wholesale floor, the deck also offers informative displays and videos.

The produce wholesale floor is also extensive, with turret trucks going every which way.

A produce auction as seen from the observation deck.

The outdoor restaurant and shop area of the Fruit and Vegetables Building, with a line forming outside Daiwa-zushi.