New Tokyo Fish Market in Toyosu

A new tourist attraction in Tokyo coming into existence this fall will be a boon for visitors from abroad to both enjoy sushi and see Mt. Fuji.The Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market in Toyosu will have its grand opening on Oct. 11 in Koto City of Tokyo, moving from its 83-year-old current market in Tsukiji.

With an area of land about 1.7 times as large as that of the Tsujiki, the new Toyosu market facilities are being built with the state-of-the-art technology.

The auctions of tuna that were tremendously popular, especially among visitors from abroad by being allowed to enter the fish wholesaling area in the former market will also be held at the new market, but the visitors will be off limit to maintain its hygienic conditions. Instead, the visitors can watch them behind glass windows and take pictures. Admission is free.

The Japanese have been eating tuna for centuries and the fish is a staple food. The popular NIGIRIZUSHI was first offered during the early Edo period (1603-1867) as fast food for workers, who had come up from local areas, to engage in the construction of the new capital under the Tokugawa shogunate.

On top of the 600 wholesalers and dealers 39 restaurants and 70 shops will be housed in the new market facilities, almost all of them moving from Tsukiji.

You can not only get a glimpse of Mt. Fuji on the green rooftop of the six-story structure, but also enjoy sushi and other Japanese food there. The ideal season for viewing Mt. Fuji is in winter. It used to be quite common to see Japan's most revered mountain from almost anywhere in central Tokyo, but no longer possible because of many high-rise buildings.

The Toyosu market was originally to open in November 2016, but the then newly elected Tokyo governor put off the opening, citing "safety" of facilities and the soil there.

 To date, the Metropolitan government has taken measures to check underground water meticulously, using a computerized system. A group of experts has already declared that the ground and facilities are all safe.

The fruit and vegetable wholesale market is in a separate building on the same waterfront site.

In the years ahead, a large-scale commercial facility that includes a hotel and a restaurant mall will be built on an empty lot nearby.

Station: Shijoumae (Yurikagome Line), a few minutes' walk..

(By Kozo)

KEV's members attended the backstage tour of this Toyosu market this month. After its official opening in autumn, we will provide a new tour to visit and enjoy this market. Please wait for a while!