Tsukiji Outer Market Seeks To Lure New Visitors and Keep Loyal Clients

Above, a Tsukiji Outer Market dishware vendor. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tsukiji Fish Market may have relocated to Toyosu, but Tsukiji's Outer Market is still thriving and is pressing on to lure more visitors.

The Asahi Shimbun reported:

Six months after the relocation of Tokyo's iconic Tsukiji fish market, shops and wholesalers in the outer market are doing their utmost to keep their heads above water and draw in new and old customers alike. 

"We're not relocating!" 

The Tsukiji Jogai Shijo (outer market) shopping district promotion association set up such posters and signs to get the message out, encouraging shoppers to continue coming to the area even after the closure of the fish market after more than 80 years and its relocation to the capital's Toyosu district in October 2018. 

Much to their relief, the streets and atmospheric alleyways of the outer market continue to be a favorite destination of tourists on any given day. 

Shops selling popular items such as "tamagoyaki” (Japanese omelet) and “kaisen-don” (rice bowl topped with sashimi) still see long lines of customers. 

Still, long-established business owners such as Kunio Matsue have a sense of loss and inevitable change.

In 2010, I visited the Tsukiji Fish Market and, following that, I went to the Outer Market and had what was the best sushi meal I ever had. The Outer Market is well worth a visit.

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