Tokyo's Tsukiji Market is moving Oct 11th

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The amazing Tsukiji market is one of Tokyo's biggest tourist attractions. We've been hearing for years now that it's going to move because of the Olympics. Then it wasn't. Then it was, but to a totally different place much closer. Well, now that we have an official date less than 3 months away for the move, I'm thinking it's about time to start accepting this as reality. 

The new market isn't too far from the old one

If you look at the map it's moving to a nearby infill island called Toyosu 40 minutes walk from the existing market. There are quite a few other attractions out in this area, so maybe visit the Miraikan science museum or the giant Gundam while you're there. The two main ways to get there are:
  • Take the Yurakacho line to Toyosu station, then switch to the Yurikamome line for Shijo-Mae station.
  • Take the Saikyo line to Kokusai-Tenjijo and then transfer to the Ariake station on the Yurikamome line to reach Shijo-Mae. If you're on Tokyo's west side (e.g., Shinjuku) this option has fewer transfers and the Saikyo line is eligible for Japan Rail Pass.
    Two main options for reaching the new market
Visiting the legendary tuna auctions will still be possible, but you'll be checking out the action from a glassed-in viewing area for visitors, not standing right on the auction floor. September 15th is last day to watch them in the old market. The old market is closing October 6th, 2018.

The ice man at Tsukiji

600+ merchants are moving, and the new location will also have space for many of Tsukiji's restaurants food stands. There's few things I love more than wandering through Tsukiji and just grazing. My fear is that if the new place is too "shopping mall food court"-esque, it'll kill off a lot of the magic.
Hopefully the new spot has the eggy bliss that is dashimaki tamago!

one of the best ways to eat tuna sashimi

There's also supposed to be some new restaurants and a posh onsen spa, too. The building has a green roof and solar panels, which will likely help counter the bad press it's gotten for being built on contaminated (but supposedly now cleaned up) ground.

New Toyosu market – explore the 3D map here

There's talk that the old location will be a temporary bus terminal for the 2020 Olympics and that it will then be converted to a massive "food theme park" with some parts of the old market returning in the 2025 time frame. I'm not holding my breath for that, given how contentious this move has been.

If you have an Apple TV (or get NHK on your cable), I highly recommend the Trails to Tsukiji series. Each episode follows an item from its auction at Tsukiji back to the person who grew it. They explore various way to cook the ingredients and the hosts are from countries around the world who are fluent in Japanese.

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