The Toyosu Market (豊洲市場, Toyosu Shijō) is a wholesale market in Tokyo, located in the Toyosu area of the Kōtō ward. There are two markets for seafood, one for general wholesale and one for bidding, and one market for fruits and vegetables, with each in its own building. Tourists can observe the auction market on a second floor viewing deck. There are restaurants with fresh seafood and produce from the market and shops (魚河岸横丁 uogashi yokocho). The market is built on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay, and replaces the historic Tsukiji fish market, which now is a major tourist attraction.[1] Auction tours, events, merchandise sales and restaurants can be used by general consumers and tourists.[2] When it opened on 11 October 2018, it became the largest wholesale fish market in the world.[3]

Toyosu Market
豊洲市場
Aerial view of Toyosu Market
Map
General information
StatusComplete
TypeWholesale market
Location6 Chome-3 Toyosu, Kōtō, Tokyo 135-0061
Coordinates35°38′36″N 139°46′54″E / 35.64333°N 139.78167°E / 35.64333; 139.78167
Construction started2016; 8 years ago (2016)
Completed2018; 6 years ago (2018)
Opening11 October 2018; 5 years ago (2018-10-11)
Cost$5 billion
Technical details
Floor count6
Floor area408,000 m2 (4,391,675 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Nikken Sekkei

History edit

The old Tsukiji fish market occupied valuable real estate close to the center of the city. Former Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara repeatedly called for moving the market to Toyosu, Koto.[4] The new Toyosu Market cost $5 billion to build.[1] The long-anticipated move to the new market was scheduled to take place in November 2016, in preparation for the 2020 Summer Olympics,[5] but on August 31, 2016, the move was postponed.[6] There had been concerns that the new location was heavily polluted and needed to be cleaned up,[7][8] and toxic substances were discovered in the soil and groundwater at Toyosu, due to the gas plant that was previously located on the property. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government spent an additional 3.8 billion yen ($33.5 million) to pump out groundwater by digging hundreds of wells.[1] In June 2017, plans to move the fish market were restarted,[9] but delayed in July to the autumn of 2018.[10] After the new site was declared safe following a cleanup operation, the opening date of the new market was set for 11 October 2018.[11] The grand opening was on 11 October 2018. It opened to the general public on 13 October 2018.[12]

In Tsukiji there are plans to retain a retail market, roughly a quarter of the current operation,[13] and the remaining area of the market will be redeveloped.[14]

During the first auction of Toyosu Market on January 5, 2019, businessman Kiyoshi Kimura, president of Kiyomura Corp which operates the Sushi-Zanmai chain, paid a record highest bid of 333.6 million yen ($3.08 million) for a 278 kilogram (612 pound) Pacific bluefin tuna. The next year, again on 5 January, Kimura paid 193.2 million yen ($1.79 million) for a 276 kilogram bluefin tuna. This tuna was caught near Ōma, Aomori Prefecture.[15]

Facility edit

There are 3 markets: a wholesale market for consumers, an auction market, and a fruit and vegetable market. There are about 40 food stalls in the wholesale fish buildings, most of which are located above the market, and accessible to visitors. The new complex also includes a large rooftop terrace with lawns.[16] Nikken Sekkei designed the Fishery Naka Wholesale Building, Fishery Wholesale Building, and Fruit and Vegetable Building.[17] At 408,000 m2 (4,391,675 sq ft), Toyosu Market is almost twice the size of the old Tsukiji fish market.

Unlike the previous Tsukiji fish market, the public cannot attend the auction at floor level among buyers. Instead, visitors can watch the market from a second floor viewing deck or, upon registration, from a room at the same level separated from the auction by a window. There is a shrine titled Uogashi Suijinja (shrine for a fish market on the shore) at the corner of the Toyosu buildings near the waterfront. The rooftop, accessible by elevator, includes a terrace with landscaping and panoramic views of parts of Tokyo's skyline. Eating or drinking are not allowed on the roof.[12]

Access edit

Toyosu Market is located at 6 Chome-3 Toyosu, Kōtō ward, Tokyo 135-0061, Japan. It is open to the public.

Gallery edit

See also edit

Tsukiji fish market (former location)

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Kato, Issei (29 September 2018). "As Tokyo's historic Tsukiji market closes, fishmongers mourn". Reuters. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  2. ^ 豊洲市場の飲食・物販店舗及び見学者通路の一般の方のご利用等について 東京都中央卸売市場(2019年1月22日閲覧)
  3. ^ Daniel Leussink (Sep 4, 2020). "Tokyo's Toyosu fish market, the world's largest, taking outsized hit from pandemic". Reuters. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021.
  4. ^ Fukada, Takahiro (2010-10-23). "Tsukiji to relocate to Toyosu: Ishihara". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  5. ^ "Tsukiji fish market to get new home in late 2016 as Olympics beckon". Asahi Shimbun. 18 December 2014. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  6. ^ "Smelling something fishy, Koike puts Tsukiji fish market relocation on ice". Japan Times. 2016-08-31. Retrieved 2016-09-22.
  7. ^ "Moving Tokyo's Fish Market: Tsukiji In Trouble | Consumers Union of Japan". Nishoren.org. 2009-03-25. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  8. ^ Osumi, Magdalena Tsukiji workers demand answers over toxic soil at new site Feb 22, 2016 The Japan Times Retrieved February 23, 2016
  9. ^ Osumi, Magdalena; Aoki, Mizuho (20 June 2017). "Koike announces Tsukiji relocation, plans to retain its 'cultural legacy'". Japan Times. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  10. ^ "Tsukiji market relocation to Toyosu delayed till autumn 2018". The Mainichi. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  11. ^ McCurry, Justin (26 August 2018). "Tokyo fears losing a part of its soul as world's biggest fish market moves". The Guardian.
  12. ^ a b "Toyosu Fish Market: Everything You Need to Know". tokyocheapo.com. Tokyo Cheapo. 2019-06-04. Archived from the original on 2019-06-10. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  13. ^ Takei, Hiroyuki (9 February 2012). "New fresh fish market planned when Tsukiji market moves". Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 11 February 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  14. ^ Ito, Masami, "Tsukiji countdown: clock ticking on famed fish market", Japan Times, 1 November 2015, p. 14
  15. ^ "Bluefin tuna pulls in $1.79 million at first Toyosu auction of 2020". Asahi Shimbun. 5 January 2020. Archived from the original on 5 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
  16. ^ "Le nouveau marché aux poissons de Tokyo à Toyosu". www.vivrelejapon.com (in French). Vivre le Japon.com. 2018-11-27. Archived from the original on 2019-08-01. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  17. ^ "豊洲新市場の基本設計を日建設計が8610万円で受託". 日経アーキテクチュア. 2011-03-11. Retrieved 2016-07-23.

35°38′39″N 139°47′01″E / 35.644167°N 139.783611°E / 35.644167; 139.783611