Tsukiji Market Photos

Just a small part of the massive Tsukiji Market.

Home Party

Salmon, hotate (scallops), sanma (Pacific saury), aji (mackerel), awabi and ika. The seafood all came from Tsukiji Market to our local Uoriki fish market at Tachikawa station in Tokyo, which coincidentally is where I was born. Shinji-san prepared all of these sashimi style, or raw. This was the highlight or our dinner with good friends.

Fileting Sanma

My husband came home one day from Tsukiji Market with sanma which is in season at the moment.

Here Shinji-san is teaching me how to filet sanma. Cut off the head, and then make a long slice down its back. The knife will easily cut through the spine. And, then take out the guts.

Sanma Himono and Sashimi Style

The sanma was eventually turned into himono on the top and sashimi on the bottom. The himono is salted and left out to dry so it becomes rich in umami and all we need to do is pop it into the fish grill. The sashimi is an intense, rich, oily fish so it is sometimes good to have it with a bit of grated ginger with the soy sauce to cut through the fat.

New Tsukiji Site Highly Toxic

This article first appeared in The Japan Times in May of this year. It discusses the move of Tsukiji Market to Toyosu which may not happen due to the toxicity of the land. Tsukiji Market is the largest seafood market in the world. My husband, Shinji, is a buyer at the market.

It is said that 50,000 people come to the market daily to buy or sell seafood. 2,000 variety of seafood are sold at over 1,600 stalls. Daily, 2.3 metric tons are sold. Tsukiji is a popular destination for both the Japanese and for foreign tourists to Japan.

Seasonal Fish in Tsukiji Market - April

Here is a list of seasonal fish to be found at Tsukiji Market in Tokyo in April. The list is from the link here, left column followed by the right column:

(left column)

ma-aji - Japanese jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus)

kihada maguro - yellowfin tuna (Neothunnus macropterus)

kinmedai - splendid alfonsino (Beryx splendens)

madai - red sea bream; porgy (Chrysophrys major)

katsuo - skipjack tuna; bonito (Katsuwonus pelmais)

sawara - Japanese Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius)

tobiuo - flying fish

makarei - brown sole (Limanda herzensteini)

mako karei - marbled sole (Limanda yokohamae)

(right column)

ayu - sweetfish (Plecoglossus altivelis)

surumeika - Japanese flying squid (Todarodes pacificus)

hotaru ika - firefly squid (Watasenia scintillans)

shira ebi - Japanese glass shrimp (Pasiphaea japonica)

sakura ebi - spotted sakura shrimp (Sergestes lucens)

mebaru - gopher (rock cod); rockfish (Sebastes inermis)

nishin - herring

asari - Japanese littleneck (baby-neck) clam; Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum)

hamaguri - clam; cherry stone clam; quahog (Meretrix lusoria)

Tsukiji Market Calendar

Days in red are holidays. Days in blue the market is scheduled to be open.

Tsukiji Market's move to Toyosu - check it out on a map

The blue area is the current Tsukiji market. The red area is the new market in Toyosu. It is scheduled to move in 2012.

築地 野口屋 豆腐

Touring Tsukiji Market with Nakamura-san

A tour of the Tsukiji Market is essential for any foodie. The world`s largest fish market is a maze of a variety of seafood. The guided tours by Nakamura-san will bring your experience of the market to another level.

Click on the link for Nakamura-san`s website.

Fast Food in Tsukiji

Tsukiji is the world`s largest fish market. From my home in Monzennakacho, Tsukiji is just a few minutes away on my scooter. There are several places to grab a quick bite. One place that I frequent is Tsukiiji Donburi Ichiba. It is located in the outer market on the main street. The menu is simple, and I flip flop between the maguro (tuna) donburi and the grilled tuna cheeks donburi. Donburi is simply a large bowl of rich covered with toppings. The price is affordable starting at 700 yen per donburi. There are a few seats at the counter as well as a table set up on the sidewalk. A great place to watch the flow of customers coming to the market while filling up on a donburi.

Beyond Tokyo - other markets in Tokyo

Tsukiji is the world`s largest fish market. A popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The bustling market is packed with shops selling not just fresh fish, but vegetables, seaweed, kitchen gadgets, and much more. As well, a variety of restaurants, many very simple open stalls, offering cheap eats. A great place to grab a bite, and it is not just raw fish.

Tsukiji is not the only market in the city. Following is a list of the other markets in Tokyo:
Adachi - fish Itabashi - fruits, vegetables and flowers
Kasai - fruits, vegetables and flowers
Kita-Adachi - fruits and vegetables
Matsubara-bunjou - fruits and vegetables
Ota - fish, fruits, vegetables and flowers
Setagaya - fruits, vegetables and flowers
Shokuniku - meat
Tama New Town - fruits and vegetables
Toshima - fruits and vegetables
Tsukiji - fish, fruits and vegetables
Yodobashi - fruits and vegetables


Here are some links (in Japanese):
Adachi Ichiba http://homepage2.nifty.com/adachi-ichiba/

Tsukiji http://tsukijishijo.seesaa.net/

Bistro Sanyo at Ota Market Check out the popular "set menu" of uni. There are only 20 sets available per day, and a bargain at 1,200 yen (about $10 U.S.). The uni set meal is the second photo down. http://bistro-sanyo.com/standard-menu.htm

And of course, beyond the above, you have Kappabashi for plastic food, and kitchen gadgets, located close to Asakusa. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3020.html

Donburi - a meal in a bowl

Whether you are in a rush, or on a tight budget, or just craving some simple food, donburi is one way to go. Here are some suggestions around Tokyo for Japanese-style fast food.

http://www.metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/580/localflavors.asp