The Toyosu market is the brand-new replacement for the famous and historic Tsukiji market. It’s a futuristic complex that just opened from 2018 and is dedicated to all things fresh and foody.
There are two buildings for seafood and one for fruits and vegetables. Even better, there are restaurants with fresh seafood and produce from the market and shops and some places will even prepare your freshly bought catch right in front of you. It is built on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay. Upon opening its doors in October it became the largest wholesale food market of any kind – wait for it – in the world!
History
The old Tsukiji fish market was right in the centre of Tokyo, and so was sitting on very valuable real estate. To take advantage of the price of the land and to reinvigorate the ancient market, The new Toyosu Market was planned and built. Including the reclamation of land in Tokyo Bay, the total cost was $5 billion US.
The original open date was supposed to be November 2016 so that effort could be concentrated on preparation for the 2020 Summer Olympics. But on August 31, 2016, the move was postponed due to concerns around pollution at the proposed site.
The suspicions were well founded as the site had been home to a gas plant and a number of toxic substances were discovered in the soil and groundwater. Tokyo had to spend an additional 3.8 billion yen ($33.5 million US) to pump out the groundwater through a series of bores.
Plans to move the fish market were begun anew in June 2017 but were delayed again due to further contamination concerns. Finally, after months of further cleanup, the new site was declared safe and the opening date 11 October 2018 was set and – thankfully – met.
The old Tsukiji market is planned to house a retail fish and food market, roughly a quarter of the size of the previous operation. The remaining area of the market will be redeveloped as housing.
Where is it?
6-3-1 Toyosu, Koto, Tokyo. The market is right in the heart of Tokyo near the Panasonic Centre and Tokyo Disney.
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