TSUKIJI FISH MARKET TOUR

Important notice about this website of our tour Please read this before you make a reservation of our tour

The Tokyo Government that administrates the Tsukiji Market is restricting tighter than before, the tourists looking around the Market from April 1st, 2008. Please remind that you might not be able to see all of the events and scenes described on the images and compliments posted on this website or the linked pages, which were kindly offered from our clients that took our tour before April 1st, 2008. Thank you. May 10th, 2008 Naoto Nakamura

"I am still doing the tour" (This photo was taken after the tour on Tuesday April 15th, 2008) I thank all the people that took the tour in the past. They were all nice, intelligent and charming people--And they were mostly rich! They were also crazy enough to get up around 3am in the morning. Their either hard, ordinary, easy, or ridiculous questions all served well to improve our tour.

"Try to look really tough..."
The Tsukiji workers look scary but they are nice when they talk.
Photo by Craig Cooper
Title by Naoto Nakamura

The 2 hour tour of the Tsukiji Central Wholesale Market
--The largest fish dealing market in the world

THE (ULTIMATE) TSUKIJI FISH MARKET TOUR

SEE THE REAL THING, NOT JUST THE SURFACE!

Photo by Per Nordstrom

See more photos by Per Nordstrom

Seeing Spots and Events

Events and places	Images (Click to see larger image) and explanations
Fresh fish auction Photo by TJ Parpan	Fresh fish samples displayed Photo by Kazuko Funaki
Sea urchin roe auction place Photo by Eudon Yap We can't take a close look at the sea urchin anymore A member of the Sea Urchin Middlemen Union claimed that there was a foreign tourist that was opening a sea urchin package and touching it. As a result, we are not able to make a close look to the sea urchin anymore.	Photo by Lisa Vogt See more photos by Lisa Vogt
Watching the tuna site prior to auction	Photo by Michael Adams
The shrimp section	Photo by Atsuko Isshi
The live fish section	Photo by Kazuko Funaki
The tuna auction ("Bidding") Photo by Eudon Yap Link to the site of Eudon Yap	-Photos by TJ Parpan Link to the site of TJ Parpan Photo by Kazuko Funaki
Fish cakes section	-
Photo by Connie Shin Cohn	-Frozen, salted & dried fish section
The middlemen stores	- Photo by Craig Cooper Link to the photo site of Craig Cooper
Tide-waiting Tea Shop	The loading space of out-going goods for the middlemen
Annexed merchant area	Stores selling fish business-related goods and restaurants ('Sushi Daiwa' is located here) Photo by Liz Habermann

Tour Program Time Table (New Version)

(Updated after tighter restrictions to the tourists that started from April 1st, 2008)

Tour Schedules

Tsukiji Tours are on the underlined Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

Red dates: Market holidays

Lined out dates: No space availble

2008

I will attend you

Naoto Nakamura 'nick, the MAIDO-man'

"I have worked for 12 years in the fish business and know it inside out."

How to sign up for the Tsukiji Fish Market Tour

MEETING PLACE

The MEETING PLACE is in front of this building that have: 1F: Bantam "convenience" store LAWSON 2F: Family Restaurant JONATHAN'S

A simple map in Japanese that you could print out and show to the taxi driver

People who recommend our Tour

Lars Thulin, who is an photo journalist from Hong Kong, has took our Tour on April 9th 2005.

This exciting photo was shot by Joe Shaw who took our tour on October 6th 2005 (Click on for larger image).

Photo by Joe Shaw

Anita Crotty, a travel writer and editor (and also a Mexican-food addict, in her own words) has took our tour on 2005 December 27th and submitted the following kind words on mouthfulsfood.com, which is a community run site for discussing food, wine, fashion and life in general, on 2006 February 3rd. http://www.mouthfulsfood.com/ She is also a regular contributor to various gourmets and travel sites such as Chowhound.com, forums.egullet.org and journeywoman.com.

(Quote)...the guides who took us around Tsukiji have a website at: http://homepage3.nifty.com/tokyoworks/TsukijiTour/TsukijiTourEng.htm The tour costs 7,500 yen (approximately $63/35) per person. Nakamura-san and Yoshino-san speak fluent English, and they're incredibly well-versed in the ins and outs of the market. They both used to work in Tsukiji for different wholesalers, and Yoshino-san lived in San Francisco years ago. I am sure that we saw things (like the uni showroom) that we would never have found on our own. Their explanations helped us understand the things we saw, rather than just being amused by the visual experience. If our guides didn't know the answers to a question, they would ask the vendors and show genuine interest in the answers themselves. The only tricky part of the operation was the reservation, and even that isn't hard. They've got major spam-blockers running on their email account, so you need to post their message board with your preferred date, and they will email you back. The first morning, we ate at Sushi-sei, a traditional sushi bar in the outer market. We ordered the middle of the three set menus, and enjoyed everything very much. Nobody spoke any English, but it wasn't a major problem... it just meant that we couldn't chat with the sushi chefs! The second morning, Cameron went to Sushi-zanmai, a more-modern, casual sushi-place a couple of streets over. He said both were very good, but Sushi-sei was measurably better. (I, on the other hand, went to Yoshinoya.)...

Photo by award winning photographer, Ali Bullock
See more photos by Ali Bullock

Photo by Mike Kobb

This highly descriptive photo was shot by a senior software engineer Mike Kobb, who took our tour on May 2nd 2006, on his way back from business in China. Together with this magnificent photo, he provided us an endorsement for our tour in his very kind words as the follows. -------------- The start of my last full day in Japan came early. Really early. In fact, I got up at 3:00am. Why in the world would I do such a thing? Well, by 3:45 I had to catch a cab to Tsukiji 4-chome to meet up with Mr. Naoto Nakamura and Mr. Eizaburo Yoshino, who give guided tours of the famous Tsukiji fish market and auctions three days a week. Both of these gentlemen speak very good English and both used to work in the industry. They're familiar with the markets and have friends who still work there, so they're able to guide you around behind the scenes to see the preparation for the auctions for some of the best seafood in the world. The only rub is, the auctions start early, so if you want to see the preparation beforehand, you have to get there by about 4am. It's worth it. Just plan on a nap later in the day. I might have managed to navigate to the market on my own, but I would never have seen 1/10th as much as I saw, or understood what little I would have seen without the expert guidance of Mr. Nakamura and Mr. Yoshino. They know where it's allowed (and safe!) to go and where to take you for the most interesting activities at the market. Definitely don't be put off by the early hour. By the time the tuna auction starts, you will have seen so much more and will understand how these fish got to be where they are. ----------------

This photo on the right was shot by Michael Adams from Illinois State,USA, who took our tour on May 20th, 2006. He also provided us his endorserment as the follows: -------------- Most tours are of old buildings, museums or ruins. This tour is different in two ways; It's of a real- life, action-packed enterprise and your guides are "insiders" who have the knowledge to meaningfully describe it. Under their care I walked wide-eyed through a labyrinth of sea creatures and the people who make their living by them. Sights ranged from the errie fog of the frozen tuna cold processing rooms to the studious gaze of the buyers figuring what each fish is worth and later, haggling at auction. It's a fascinating place with a history and rhythm you get to know as no wandering tourist ever could. Along the way is an incredible variety of sea life and businesses. The live fish section is especially interesting and its clear there isn't much someone won't eat! The market is huge and full of hidden gems I'd have never found by myself. Mr. Yoshino and Mr. Nakamura are great guys quickly earn your confidence. No language barriers. These men are experts at their business and put the changing scenery into perspective, making sense of the action swirling around you. 4am seems and is awfully early. But, believe me, its worth it. I'd almost forgotten the fun of being amazed. --------------

Photo by Michael Adams See more photos by Michael Adams... Photo by Liz Habermann

Nicholas & Michael Dalton took out tour on October 3rd 2006. Below are the stories and thoughts they kindly sent to us! -------------- "My son Nicholas and I were on a Australian School trip to Japan for two weeks in October 2006. Nicholas had booked the trip over the Internet prior to departing Australia. As we were staying in a youth hostel in Tokyo that had a 'lockdown' from 1100 pm to 6.00 am this required us to stay at another hotel which would then allow us to take the tour which commenced at 4 am (such was our commitment and enthusiasm to take this Tsukiji Fish Market Tour). We did this and a taxi picked us up from the hotel at 3 am and then we proceeded to the intersection of Tsukiji 4 chome where (after a much needed coffee at 24 hour restaurant "Jonathon") we met Naoto & Eizaburo.

At that time of the morning both Nicholas and I commented that we had never seen so many taxis in our life on the way to the Tsukiji Fish Market!!!! Prior to commencing the tour we said a prayer at the nearby shrine located with in the Fish Market Precinct. From that point onwards until the end the tour it was absolutely amazing to see the myriad of sea creatures, the people involved with Fish Market, especially the auctioneers and the sheer frenzy of motorized trolleys transporting produce around. The market was full of surprises to us, as we had never seen such a variety and volume of fish and marine life as this. Both Naoto and Eizaburo's expert knowledge of the Fish Markets made the tour very educational and memorable. Of particular note was the live fish section; middle mans shop and tuna butchering which was really interesting. We also had time to view the parts of the Vegetable market, which also is a part of the Tokyo Wholesale Central Market. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone considering a visit to Japan". --------------

Ramon Huaracha Jr.-san from San Francisco took our tour on December 15th. 2007 and kindly sent us his compliments.

(Quote)...Thank you for offering the tour of the fish market. It was well worth it. I did a walking tour of virtually all of the districts in Tokyo and I can say that the Tsukiji Fish Tour was the highlight of my trip (I enjoyed it slightly more than the morning Sumo practice that I saw). I will recommend it to anyone who plans to visit Tokyo.

Photo by Connie Shin Cohn

It was truly my honor and pleasure to have been able to attend Mr. & Mrs. Cohn from San Francisco on our tour on May 15, 2008. They both have professional careers in food and wine and with a real passion for their work. Not only I guided them, but they also guided me on the tour. Connie Shin Cohn-san is a freelance wine writer and I asked her, "What wine is good to eat sashimi with?" She told me that white Burgundies would be good. I tried it about a week later and I thank her for her recommendation! Ben Cohn-san worked for many years at the legendary Masa's restaurant in San Francisco and is currently the Chef de Cuisine at the following restaurant: http://www.sprucesf.com/ I was quite amazed with his deep knowledge and strong curiosity towards fish and food.

Photo by Craig Cooper

After Tours

Sushi Daiwa Photo by Lisa Vogt		The big question is, "Where should I eat sushi?" The image shown is 'Sushi Daiwa,' an Inner Market sushi restaurant. The stores inside the Market are small, so they gather a long line of tourists on Saturdays.
		Then where should you eat sushi? 'Sushi-sei' is a sushi restaurant open from 1889, outside the Market. When I used to work at the Market, I used to go there quite often and Sushi-sei had its doors all open like a buck-wheat noodle stand restaurant. You could eat cheap and fresh sushi such as sardines and horse mackerels topped with ginger and scallion. The fish were just delivered after the auction of the day. Days went by and now, Sushi-sei is a neat restaurant and opens from 8:00 am. You could enjoy the same satisfaction I used to enjoy by ordering the 2,100 yen or 3,150 yen Chef's Recommendation.
Sushi-zanmai		The sushi restaurant I recommend is 'Sushi-zanmai' outside the Market. It's new and casual and it's owned by a tuna middleman, Kiyomura. They are open 24 hours.

Photo by Lisa Vogt

By the way...

These days, Hollywood stars come to the Tsukiji Market, too. If you watch carefully, this is Jean Reno.

This is Tom Hanks.

Everybody's taking out there cell phones to take pictures! Hey, you good Tsukiji workers, WORK! Get the auction start!

I saw this movie the other day... The title is, "Tsukiji Uogashi San-daime (The Tsukiji Fish Market Third-generation Middleman)."

I was expecting a dull story as most of the Japanese movies are, but this one wasn't! You can see a lot of the real Tsukiji Market because the movie was actually filmed there. Some real Tsukiji Market people appear as extras. It's a very wet, traditional human kindness story, which is the usual gig of the film company, Shochiku, but this is a good one. I sobbed more than ten-times.

Board

Tsukiji Tour Japanese page

To the page of TokyoWorks

Photo by Colin Evans

Photo by Janine Cheung
See more photos by Janine Cheung

Thoughts about the Tsukiji Market Relocation

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to relocate
the Tsukiji Market, which is a really bad idea...

	High-density benzene detected at planned Tsukiji relocation site Saturday October 6, 2007
	The Tsukiji Fish Market is an important tourism resource and cultural treasure Tuesday Dec. 18, 2007 Tokyo Shinbun
	Benzene 43,000 times above environmental safety standards detected Tuesday May 6, 2008 Daily Yomiuri Online The Tokyo Governor Mr Ishiwara told at a press conference held on Friday May 16, about the possibilities of a large increase of the cost for relocation and revising site plans.
	The expert panel of the Tokyo metropolitan government suggested on the measures against the pollution at Toyosu Sunday June 1, 2008 Tokyo Shinbun (Translated by Naoto Nakamura) The June 1st 2008 issue of Tokyo Shinbun reported on the suggestions made by the expert panel of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for the Tsukiji Market relocation.
	Still remains concerns to the "Declaration of Safety" Relocation Site of the Tsukiji Market Soil Contamination of Toyosu An interview with the chairman of the Japan Association on Environmental Studies, Akio Hata Tuesday June 17, 2008 Tokyo Shinbun, "Core" The subject is of the soil contamination of the expected relocation site of the Tokyo Tsukiji Market, at the Toyosu area at the Tokyo Koto Ward. The expert panel of the Government (Chairman Tatemasa Hirata, Wakayama University professor) which has been considering the measures concluded in their proposal, "Safeties can be secured by measures." But the whole picture of the contamination is hidden in a veil of mystery and the concerns about the efficiencies of the measures remain. We asked Osaka University professor, Akio Hata, who has been chasing up the Toyosu contamination, to point out the problem areas. (City News Department: Akihiro Asada)

Get Involved! Shop for the cool Tshirt above!

The people working at Tsukiji made this cool Tshirt to protest against the relocation@of the Market and raise money for the movement. You could also get involved in the movement against relocating the Tsukiji Market! Buy this Tshirt, read Thoughts about the Tsukiji Market Relocation on this web site,@have interest to the situation, learn the truth and spread the news!@It's the best way to end up the movement in a success. You could buy this Tshirt at a large middleman store named "Yama-haru." The president of Yama-haru is the chairman of the movement. It's not so difficult to get to Yama-haru. Their inter-market address is 2067. Inter-market addresses are easy to understand. They have sort of "rows" and "numbers." Look above at the middleman store area and they have signs indicating the inter-market addresses at every small corner like this: They have rows from 1,000 to 8,000 plus Japanese characters, "Ee," "Ro," "Ha," and "Nie." The numbers are 3-digit and from 001 to--hum, I forgot--probably to 180 or something like that. So, in case of 2067, find the row of 2,000 and 1,000, then find the number of "067," and you can get to Yama-haru. Ask anybody at Yama-haru, you want a Tsukiji Tshirt, and they will be happy to sell one that fits your size! Good luck!